Susanne Fröhlich started yoga in January 2011. A year and a half later, she still trains every day and is thrilled with the results. She has summarized her experiences and exercises suitable for beginners on a DVD. We spoke to Susanne Fröhlich about the relaxation sport and about the creation of her DVD.
Tolfioow.com: What is so special about yoga?
Susanne Fröhlich: The impressive thing about yoga is that you see progress incredibly quickly. I noticed within a week that I had gained mobility. Almost anyone can do yoga, no matter how fit or strong you are. You should of course be careful with your body and not start with the headstand in free space. Surprisingly, this is also possible at some point.
Do you think everyone can do yoga?
Yes, although not necessarily the very acrobatic exercises. After all, not every power walker runs a marathon. Everyone just trains as much as they can. You’ll improve in a short period of time anyway. In the case of artificial joints or herniated discs, I would of course seek professional advice beforehand.
For me, yoga was never a real sport. It was too spiritual for me and I wasn’t looking for a new religion. But my friend Ursula Karven advised me to try it out and that’s exactly what I did. I was amazed at how strenuous yoga is, but also how quickly I saw progress and how flexible I can still become, regardless of age and starting position. I’ve tried it for 100 days and haven’t stopped since. Since then I’ve been training every day – at least a quarter of an hour. I don’t even think about it for long, because I always have 15 minutes to spare. That’s how long I’ve been looking for excuses on my own.What has changed since you have been doing yoga?
My diet has changed. When you challenge your body, it will want other foods too. I’ve been jogging for a long time, but it’s the mix of running and yoga that makes my training so effective. I can now do the most perverse figures – even headstands! I used to not be able to do a push-up! I’ve also become more relaxed and relaxed. I also believe that it is great for the hormone balance, especially with regard to the menopause. And my posture has improved. Even my daughter and mom are now doing yoga and it has both strengthened their backs and improved their posture.For whom is yoga particularly suitable?
For those who think yoga is not for them! I tend to be hectic rather than contemplative. Yoga brings me down a bit, unlike pure gymnastics such as Pilates. The central nervous system calms down, which allows you to sleep better. And what’s really great: Yoga lowers the cortisol level, a stress hormone that is partly responsible for small rolls of fat. Overweight people have high levels of cortisol in their blood, which “holds” the flab. If you lower your cortisol level, this has a positive effect on weight in the long term.How is your DVD different from others?
For me, most of the beginner DVDs were just too difficult. I figured there must be something I can do even if I’m a little chubby or immobile. For example, my mother is now 72 and trains with my DVD every day. She loves to play golf and hasn’t had back pain since doing yoga! The workouts on my DVD are all only about 20 minutes long. There are also three different programs and additional explanations of breathing and techniques. And in the fall I’ll be releasing a second DVD that’s a little more advanced.
