Saturday, January 3, 2009

Yoga?!?

So as I've mentioned before, I've tried Yoga several times and basically hated it. I had basically written it off.

But then earlier this week Trainer Guy said to me "You're really tight. Yoga would be good for you."

"No I don't think so. I don't like Yoga"

"Why not?"

"It's too slow. Boring. I don't like it."

"You know, there are different types of Yoga, maybe you should try one of more active types."

For days I've been mulling this over. Really?!? There are different types of Yoga? I thought Yoga *was* a type. A slow boring type.

So I looked into it. Apparently I've done Hatha Yoga. I am certain that I don't like that Hatha Yoga. But perhaps I may have been premature on writing off Yoga all together.

Without much more than that to go on I did some research and ended up ordering the following DVDs from Amazon.com: "Ultimate Stretch Yoga Workout", "Warrior Workout - Kundalini Yoga", and "Yoga Beauty Body"

Who knows. I may hate all of them too, but what have I got to lose?

The three DVDs together cost about the same as month at the gym with a pool. I wasn't planning to renew my membership there until February (using the work gym for free) so worst case its costing me the same as a month at the pool.

Seemed like a reasonable investment.

I'll let you know my thoughts after they arrive and I've have time to try them out. If you've used them and liked it, let me know. Or really, let me know anything and everything that you like about Yoga. I could use all the encouragement you have to offer!

34 comments:

  1. i used to think yoga was slow too, but have learned that my body appreciates the stretch! Hope you enjoy it!

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  2. I like the slow "deep stretch" yoga :-) I use to have an excellent instructor before she quit :-(

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  3. I am trying to do more and more yoga because I am chronically tight, especially in my hamstrings

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  4. Hope you find the right one. Yoga has helped me out a LOT.

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  5. Oh good luck with that.. I've got some yoga/pilates dvds which are great (although ...cough... umm... I don't use them regularly... maybe I should do a session today!)

    GOOD LUCK with it!

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  6. Good Luck with that. I feel exactly like you do about Yoga, I have tried several times and hated it. It will be interesting to see what you think this time.

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  7. Try Ashtanga Yoga. That's the more active one and I love it. I didn't like Hatha Yoga either. Ashtanga Yoga is were you combine posture through sequences so you never really stop and you hold poses for only five breaths max.

    One of my NY resolutions is getting back into Yoga, too. I have gotten so stiff and I just know how much Yoga helps me with the stretching. I always feel good afterwards.

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  8. I was thinking I needed the same thing. My husband and I were looking them up last night. Let us know how you like them, maybe I'll pick some up too.

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  9. Do you get FItTv? I've been doing the Vinyasa Yoga on there, which has you moving constantly from pose to pose and that's about the only kind I can handle!

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  10. Oh it REALLY helps...really. I'm suffering from a S.I. problem and yoga stretches are the only thing keeping me moving.

    Once you get into it...you'll love it. REALLY LOL...

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  11. cant wait to hear what you think!
    Im entirely smitten with Rodney Yee and all his dvd.

    MizFit

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  12. Yeah, there are many types of yoga, but also, try giving the "slow" hatha yoga a chance. You may find that slowing things down sometimes is a nice change of pace from other workouts. And it's demanding in an entirely different way.

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  13. I am in the same boat. I have Rodney Yee's "Yoga for Athletes". It looks doable, even though I have not done it yet.

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  14. Interesting. Verrrrry interesting.

    I share your Yoga views, so I really will want to see how this turns out for you.

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  15. I hate Hatha Yoga, for all the reasons you listed. Then I took a Yoga for Runners class that practiced "Ashtanga Yoga". Very challenging and it helps- alot. I love it!! It really tones your body. Hot Yoga is even more challenging. I would recommend that you attend a class to get proper form before trying a DVD if that is possible. Good luck!

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  16. I keep thinking I'll get back to yoga. I did it all through my pregnancy and really liked it. Then, back to running and yoga fell to the wayside. There are some really good "power yoga" workouts out there. I hope the videos you ordered are good. Let us know!

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  17. I did a fair amount of yoga in college and always ended up hurting myself!

    So, I'm with you on not being yoga's biggest fan :)

    The only kind of yoga I loved was kundalini...you do all kinds of weird breathing and there is one pose called the lion where you just stick your tongue out and open your eyes really wide...how could you not like that! :)

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  18. Whats the Bikram yoga i've been hearing so much about??? Perhaps check it out???

    Well here is what it is:
    Bikram's Yoga, also known as Hot Yoga, is a style of yoga developed by Bikram Choudhury and a Los Angeles, California based company. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (40.5°C) with a humidity of 40%. Classes are guided by specific dialogue including 26 postures and two breathing exercises. Classes last approximately 90-minutes. Beginners may take Bikram's yoga classes.

    I may even check this one out!!!

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  19. I used to hate yoga too, but now I love it so I'm glad you're giving it a second chance! I hope you like those DVDs

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  20. I'm like you, not a big yoga person and I constantly have people telling me I'm too tight. I hope you enjoy your new workouts!

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  21. well I'm not sure I'm the best on feedback about yoga because I absolutely love it, hatha, all of it. it's just such a good way to center yourself and chill but once you get into the postures it's (for me) challenging and an excellent workout for the core. hope you like the new vids! namaste

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  22. So THAT'S why you don't like yoga. My fav is Vinyasa, which is where you flow from pose to pose. It is definitely a great mental challenge, as well as a physical one. Great idea for trying out the set of DVDs. I hope you find a good match!

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  23. Let me know how it works for you. I haven't tryed out Yoga yet but after hearing how it helps out with running, I might try it.

    PS
    Loved your knitting!!! Are you done with the scarf?

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  24. I really need to start doing yoga + stretching more. please let me know how it goes.

    I used to do Bikram yoga, which I really liked, but it was too expensive.

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  25. I haven't gotten into Yoga either, though I could see how it could be both challenging and relaxing. I hope you enjoy the DVDs!

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  26. I hear you on the yoga front. I was going to suggest the same thing as RunToFinish, Exercise TV On Demand? They always have a bunch of yoga programs to choose from there. I don;t know if they're any good or not LOL

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  27. Wow.. thanks for the yoga education! And good luck. Let us know if you find one you like.

    Thanks for your comment... And yes, maybe 24 events this year.. anyway.. one down and 23 to go!

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  28. I seem to like Pilates better, but have enjoyed yoga when I've done it. I'm just not consistent enough with it. Looking forward to hearing how it turns out for ya.

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  29. good luck yoga girl.....

    I am very tight..and it would take an act of congress to loosen me up..although The Bride tries alot!!

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  30. I used to do Bikram too, and plan to get back into it this year, first class, hell. But the teacher said, make sure you come back, i will get easier, she was right. The more I did the easier it became, whilst still working me out. And it is the one form of exercise where i couldn't let my mind wander, so i found that relaxing as well.

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  31. That Kundalini Yoga is from the Warrior Monks of Tibet. It will work you good!! I need to get you a copy of this Yoga workout in P90X. It is a good one...

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  32. I did some yoga classes a few years back. I liked it, but was just kind of "meh" about the whole thing.

    But I wasn't running distance then. I think I would like it much more now because I love stretching in between long runs. Plus, everyone tells me how much it's supposed to help with running.

    Let me know how you like them.

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  33. I am so not a yoga person but there is a woman around here who is not only a yoga instructor but also a triathlete/triathlon coach. She's gorgeous and totally bendy but she's incredibly funny and nice and real. Her name is Sage Rountree. She has a DVD of yoga for athletes (I know it's on Amazon) - and a free podcast. (You can google her name and see her site to get the podcast. Did I mention it's free? :D) Good luck with your stretching and staying injury free this year!!

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  34. I'm not a big yoga fan either but have enjoyed the yoga done in the Spinerval series called "Flexible Warrior" that my husband got because it is geared for runners and triathletes. Thanks for reminding me that I need to get back to doing it in 2009!

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