I wish I'd found yoga YEARS ago! Well, that's not exactly right. I knew of yoga years ago, tried it, and rejected it. While in my 20s and 30s (and early 40s) if it didn't burn lots of calories, I wasn't doing it!
Now at the end of my 40s, yoga makes SO much sense! The quietness of the mind. The opening of the oh-so-tight body. The perfect balance it creates when combined with running. If I could turn back time, I'd have started yoga in my 20s for sure. However, I'm just happy to have started it now.
The main DVD I'm using is Power Yoga for Happiness, by Eoin Finn. His routines are nice, his voice is encouraging, and his "all levels, all good" philosophy makes me feel great. I own several (actually quite a few) other yoga DVDs and I'm sure I'll be adding those into my rotation, but for now, classes at Sattva and Eoin Finn are working just great.
So am I any good at yoga? Well, yes, in the sense that I'm aware of my body and willing to play my edge. But am I naturally flexible? No. Never have been. When Tim does yoga with me, in quite a few poses he's way more flexible than I am. When I notice this, I think "all levels, all good" and try to keep my competitive spirit quiet, because yoga is so NOT about competition! Having said this, I notice that poses that used to be difficult are getting easier, both because of increased strength and flexibility, relative to what I used to be able to do. And someday I'm gonna be able to do WHEEL!
So anyone want to chime in? Does anyone else do yoga? What kind? What do you like?
8 comments:
I do a class called "flow therapeutics" which is mainly stretches, it's wonderful and I agree how it totally goes along with running!
Nothing like a nice stretch and then completely tighten up again after a long run!!
The "wheel".....might get into it, but I doubt I'd ever get out!!
I took a "Yoga for Runners" six-week course a few years ago and stuck with the instructor in a "regular yoga" course. Nothing fancy like Bikram or Power Yoga, and that's what I love about it. It's all about me!
I love Yoga for Runners and Gentle Hatha #1, both from YogaDownload.com. I'm gonna buy a longer version of the Hatha this month, but I've got all the Runners ones (20 min, 30 min, 45 min, and 60 min). Even though I'm not running right now, I still use it because I like the flow.
Good ot see you are doing something else that makes you happy as well as the other stuff.
GOOD LUCK and best wishes.
:-) :-).
Matt
I'm glad you quieted that competitive voice ;) That is great that you are getting stronger and more flexible...and it will only get better. The "wheel" looks like a back bend, which I used to do all the time as a little girl...now I have to start on the floor and lift myself into that postition LOL
I'm happy for you girlfriend!
I've been doing the Yoga consistently with P90X, and sweat like crazy doing it! I was like you, thinking it was easy and not a good workout, but I'm glad I've found it too! :)
I love yoga. I think flexibility is key to good health, especially as we get older (did I just say that?). But seriously, how many people in their 70's cannot bend over to tie their own shoes? A LOT. I don't want to be one of them! 'nuf said. ;0)
I like Bryan Kest's old Power Yoga I/II/III series (I favor II the most). If you can get a hold of the dvd with all three levels on it, go for it! I wore out my VHS videos and then got the dvd combo for something like $10, but had to special order it through Borders because it was so old (that was probably 5 years ago). A newer one that I like is Shiva Rea's Yoga Shakti. It's cool because you can use the "Yoga Matrix" to build your own program on the dvd (you just select which exercises you want to do in what order and it plays it for you). Or, you can just go with the pre-programmed ones. Both are challenging, but they encourage you to find your own edge and not compare to anyone else. I'm working on linking the breath with the movements, but that is a work in progress! I've done Bikram and like it, but can't bring myself to spend the $$$ to take classes. I end up buying those first-timer promos, where you pay a low fee (like $20) to take as many classes as possible within a set amount of time (10 days, 2 weeks, and a month are the ones I've done). I actually like the repetitiveness of the classes because I can see progress so much easier that way. Also, I am a creature of habit and like to know what to expect! But, yes, it is time-consuming as well because you MUST MUST MUST shower after one of those classes and lots of laundry for the soaking wet towels and clothes after each class! Also, I inevitably end up next to some guy who sweats garlic and farts. Not fun in a closed 105 degree room with off-the-chart humidity. Gross. Ever heard of Bobby Carpenter. He's a runner and co-owner (with his wife) of Hot Yoga at Sunrise in Fair Oaks. Check out this article: http://hotyogaatsunrise.com/In%20The%20News!.htm And his impressive running times: http://hotyogaatsunrise.com/benefits_of_hot_yoga__runni.htm
--Michele in Folsom
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