Yoga

[SoonerTexan]

I'm Grouponing my way through different Yoga studios in the area (I have enough to last me until June at this point ). Anyone else into Yoga?

[DCJenn]

There's some research for you to do- find an orthopod who is a yoga instructor. In all seriousness, one of former the yoga instructors at my gym is a surgeon. Too bad the Air Force sent her someplace else because I'd ask her for you.

J.

[spotty_dog]

Hey good timing, I was reading a magazine at the hair salon yesterday and got a major urge to try yoga again. (I've mucked around and tried 1-2 intro classes and a video or two but I think my mat has been in its same rolled-up position since before Eddy was born. ) I know that folks have recommended favorite videos before, but can we get a list going? Not that I have anyplace convenient in my home to practice, but we'll see. There are a couple of studios near here but all I know for sure is the one I'm supposed to avoid, LOL.

[poky]

I <3 yoga. I'd taken a handful of Bikram classes (twice through a set series of 26 Hatha poses in a room that's over 100F) in Portland before we moved, and really liked it a lot, but there aren't any around here. I found a studio that does Satyananda yoga, and it's *so* gentle and easy at the starting levels, and has lots of breathing and meditation, which I'm finding I also really like. I bought a CD that the studio made, recently, but haven't tried it out at home, yet. I'm pretty naturally flexible, which helps a lot, but I *suck* at balance poses, which gives me something to work on, which I like, too. I generally try to go twice a week (Wed early morning before work, and Saturday right before knitting group, which meets just a couple doors down from the studio), but I haven't been since before Christmas because of this coughing crud I still have. Hoping to get back into it next week.

[SoonerTexan]

All the places I've been going to are "power" yoga classes in a heated room--variations of the Bikram method I think. I like doing it in a heated room, though 85 is more comfortable to me than 100. That last studio I did it at was 95 degrees, and it was so hot and sweaty that it was a little distracting.

I'm interested to see what videos you have to recommend. I was introduced to it through P90x's yoga (which really is pretty good--it increased my flexibility significantly and taught me enough that I'm comfortable jumping into 2 different studios so far without looking completely awkward). I have issues being able to do anything on my own at home, though. Once I run out of Groupons, it will probably be my only option--I cant afford yoga classes at $15/pop.

[DCJenn]

My preference is kundalini which lots of people find off-putting because the breathing is different. The difficulty varies- it doesn't seem like you're doing much until you can't move the next day. Maya Fiennes has several dvds out that I like and their is a couple Ravi Singh and Ana Brett. Sometimes their cheesey factor can be a but much but lots of the exercises are done with your eyes closed or half closed so you can ignore them, too.

Jenn

I'm a yoga addict. Vinyasa style is my favorite, though I've been thinking about going back to Bikram for some postpartum yoga bun kicking.

I've never found a video I liked. I have a really hard time with that format. If you go to several classes you should be able to put together a routine that you can do on your own. I have trouble with motivation without a class, but I often get out my mat and tell myself I'm only going to do my favorite most relaxing poses, then get inspired to do a bit more.

[bokelley]

I have not seen any yoga groupons for stl I want to start yoga, so I agree we need a video list.

[SoonerTexan]

No videos, but how 'bout free podcasts. There is a series by David Farmar, and I saw others while browsing. Score!