Yoga

Gena started this discussion · 4/16/2015

Hello all. I am finding out that yoga seems to be extremely helpful with flexibility, which also helps with pole. So, since I have never tried yoga before in my life I am looking for suggestions. I would have to work out at home, and most likely in the early mornings. Currently I get up at 4:30, get in my cardio for 20 minutes and then I am doing the splits and back mobility routines that we have on this site. I pole when I get home from work after I cook supper. I did want to incorporate some more variety into my current routine and thought yoga would be a good fit for the other 3 days a week that I am not doing the splits or back mobility routines. Any advice that you guys can give me would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!!

21 replies

SToast · 4/16/2015
I fully agree about the benefits of yoga in regards to pole. I'm pretty new to the world of yoga so I am still taking classes at a studio. Actually the local recreation center. They are community classes and much less expensive than a yoga studio. However, they are taught by instructors from local yoga studios who want to make a couple extra bucks in their spare time so the quality of teaching is still the same. I'd like to eventually do my own practice at home but right now I'm enjoying learning new poses and sequences in class. Also, I've found that if I focus on my form and body alignment rather than pushing myself into the pose I get much more out of class. Hope that makes sense. I know there are some great videos and routines out there on the internet if you can't make it to a studio class.
Stefana of Light · 4/16/2015
Yoga lover here. Gaiamtv.com is my spot and I absolutely love it!! I also have a book that I can pick poses out to make my own flow... I'm really liking that now that I've been doing yoga for 6 months solid. Anyways gaiam is ike $10 bucks a month and they give you a few free days to try it first. It has changed my yoga game completely. Yoga went from being poses and flow to being not only that but a way of life. You'll probably get way more out of it than flexibility which I'd always a plus right !! Good luck on your new yoga path!:)
Evjo · 4/17/2015
I use the app Fitstar Yoga for my home training. it´s a great way to practice at home:)
dustbunny · 4/17/2015
Kino McGregor has some programs on Cody app for an Ashtanga Practice. I haven't bought it but heard good things. I hope to buy it because I love her teaching style. You can see a lot of her stuff on Youtube. ☺
Rachel Osborne · 4/17/2015
I recommended Tara Lee Elements of Yoga DVDs when we chatted but just popped in to say my friend who is a fantastic yoga teacher recommended YogaGlo as a great home resource, for a monthly sub you can access quick or long flows for all different levels and all different types of yoga.
Gena · 4/17/2015
Thank you all for the recommendations. I will check them all out. I think the next step on my journey will involve yoga of some sort. I am pretty excited to be learning something so totally new to me!
PolarGirl · 4/18/2015
I started yoga watching the health network at age 16 and then doing Rodney Yee's videos and then moving on to books before finally going to a studio regularly. Learning a bit before hitting the studio was helpful but I have to admit that regular yoga classes at the studio are the only thing that keeps me super motivated and committed to my practice. Good luck with your exploration of both yoga and pole. They are incredibly complimentary. I'm so excited for you!
zoilife6233 · 4/18/2015
Here is my 5 cents.. I do yoga not as a form of exercise but as a lifestyle. There no rejuvenation days for Yoga because it is a rejuvenation in it's best. As for pole and yoga poses i do find them very related... in a cosmic sense. Lol you might find it later for yourself as I did. Whatever style you pick that is up to your own comfort level but if you keep it up with it consistently you will attain higher levels not only in yoga And this is just to inspire You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOkt9tQVvWQ
Stefana of Light · 4/18/2015
Zoilife... That was inspiring at least!! Very beautiful. You always have something lovely to say about yoga in all it's realms. I appreciate seeing your words :)
Strawberrysmoothie · 4/18/2015
There a lots of brilliant FREE yoga routines on youtube. I've tried to paste a great 40 min beginners workout. Click on the 'youtube' link but NOT on the screen below the link (viewing directly in this forum isn't working for me). Remember yoga is all about the breathe so make sure you follow the breathing and engage your core. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ6NfFIr2jw&feature=iv&src_vid=v7AYKMP6rOE&annotation_id=annotation_394992263
Vdub · 4/19/2015
I've been doing yoga regularly for the past month and it's made a huge difference. There's a studio in my condo complex so it's very convenient. I can also recommend doyogawithme.com. It's totally FREE and they have some great routines. You can search for routines by body part (shoulders and hips are my favs) or by style, etc. Very good quality videos. I also have a Kino McGregor routine on CodyApp, which is another great way to do yoga at home or on the go. Enjoy your journey!
Gena · 4/19/2015
Thank you everyone for your replies. I have looked at all of your suggestions and for now, I think I am going to start with a video I picked up called Yoga for your week with Rodney Yee. It seems to me that I have a lot to learn. I am finding out that Yoga is more than just an exercise or a bunch of stretches, it is a recipe for life, with added benefits thrown in. (or that is what it seems to be to me) At any rate, I am taking the first step in the Tuesday morning after my run...tomorrow is Front splits, then I will do yoga on Tuesday, back mobility on Wednesday, yoga on Thursday, Middle splits on Friday and Yoga on Saturday and Sunday. Can't wait to get started. Thank you again to everyone!!
Stefana of Light · 4/20/2015
Rodney Yee Is amazing. And not bad at all to look at ;) I do some of his sessions on gaiam and really like his teaching style. Self radiance conquers any difficulty- Yogi Bhajan Enjoy your yoga journey and really revel in the bliss of tuning into yourself .. Yoga reintroduces me to my body and mind every time I go to my mat, and that is a gift in my eyes. Even better is the more yoga, the more life turns into a Living meditation where breath and body are connected mellowing the mind. this has been what I'm learning my first year of yoga:)
Stefana of Light · 4/20/2015
And when I say living meditation I don't literally mean that :) the walking Zen:) my meditation practice began when I found yoga last year so I'm Still fairly knew to that sort of quieting of the mind. For me though just enough of a quiet state where the mind isn't dominating and the heart has room to think. ... Feels much safer than being trapped in a anxious head. Universal love!
Strawberrysmoothie · 4/20/2015
Yes Rodney Yee is a hottie...until....he opens his mouth and then he's just arrogant unfortunately (I watched an interview of him a few years ago). Saying that, when he keeps his mouth shut he is an excellent yoga instructor.
dustbunny · 4/20/2015
@Vdub I've been considering Kino's Cody app plans for awhile and I know Lucca is interested as well. Do you think they are worth the $$$? How have they helped you and your practice?
zoilife6233 · 4/20/2015
Strawberrysmoothie if I would pay attention to a personality of a teacher i probably would never do Bikhram Yoga. He is more... then arrogant but that is not how I choose it. Yoga is the knowledge that passed thru ages from teacher to teacher and withstand its test of wellness for many lives. So Bikhram isn't my guru he is just a vehicle that brought the knowledge to me. It was my choice to accepted and develop it into my practice and truly it was a gift of Universe. That is how I see it. Same with pole there will be teachers that we will all remember, who inspired us and pushed more then others and also teachers who just taught us the moves. How we accept and develop it is what we become. Nevertheless, take all good and positive and create more of it
Strawberrysmoothie · 4/20/2015
@zoilife6233 I really don't know if it was your intention but your comment came across as really patronizing to me. This can could be due to the fact its written down and there is no vocal tone or inflection in behind the comment. Still, if my impression is incorrect, duly noted-my apologies. Still, how you choose to practice yoga and how you choose your yogi is frankly your choice. If their arrogance is something you can ignore- great. That conversely, really has no effect on me or my opinions about what I look for in a yogi or what I said about Rodney Yee. Personally, there is a lot to be said about being humble. Being great at what you do and lacking humility is not personally attractive to me. Furthermore, I personally don't find arrogance in any form a great quality in any human being- period. But hey, the world is subjective and that's what makes it interesting : oD. I am honestly not interested in getting in to debate this thread is not about this. Yoga is a great way of giving remove ego from our thinking and for realigning the body. Anyone doing pole should consider taking it up, they won't regret it.
Gena · 4/20/2015
It seems to me that as I go along I will find what works for me and what doesn't. I picked up the video frankly because it was available at my local WalMart and I wanted to begin on Tuesday and also because I have exactly 20 minutes in the morning for my yoga right now. This video has 20 minute sessions. I will most likely go through a lot of changes before my first year is up. I understand that different people will teach differently, but I believe that everything happens for a reason so following that, this video came my way for a reason. I just hope that it will begin me on my journey on the right foot. Thank you again for all of your comments. It is interesting to see all of the different opinions.
Phoenix Hunter · 4/20/2015
I really love the Kino Yoga channel on youtube and in the past used Rodney Yee's dvds. those might be some options for doing yoga at home. I dont do yoga but I am currently using Kino's videos to learn how to do particular flexibility poses I am interested in- so I sort of do yoga??? I'm actually training to do contortion and the high flexibility poses have been really fun goals I have set for myself. I've used Kino's videos to help me figure things out. Love her!! Rodney Yee has some great dvds that have short 20 minute sections that you can mix and match to customize your workout. I love his power yoga dvds and the hand balancing poses he does. working on my little poses from Kino's yoga videos has literally opened my body and my world! I cant believe the things I am now capable of doing. :)
Phoenix Hunter · 4/20/2015
yes, Gena! that is true. you found that dvd for a reason! :) half the battle is just getting started. you found something to get you started and now you know of some free options on youtube. good luck on your yoga journey!