I’ve always thought of yoga as a yummy mummy thing to do or for chanting hippies. But since there are classes everywhere now at local community centres and gyms all across the UK and millions of people go there, I thought I'll try and shake off my worry of super nimble old ladies warming up and doing downward facing tree in the time it takes me to unroll my yoga mat.
Also, when you look at Jennifer Aniston or Madonna, who are among the famous yoga enthusiasts, it's easier to believe that multiple scientific trials are actually true and a good yoga workout will increase your physical activity, especially strength, flexibility and balance. And aside from helping you to keep fit, regular yoga practice can do a lot of good for people with high blood pressure, heart diseases, aches and pains, including low back pain, which has become one of the most widespread problems for most people who work in the office. It also seems to help fighting the depression and stress. There really is no reason not to give it a go, right?
My ultimate aim is weight loss and yoga alone will not help me achieve that but it will help to tone and strengthen my body. It’s not going to get me red faced and collapsed in a heap on the floor like running does but combined with a cardiovascular workout it will help me reach my goals. Yoga exercises, meditation and postures also improve your balance, strength and overall flexibility which would help me with the other forms of exercise I currently do.
From my research there seems to be five main types of yoga (although many other types exist). Hatha, which is slow-paced, gentle and focused on breathing and meditation. Vinyasa, which focuses on the sun salutations, a series of 12 poses where, movement is matched to breath.
Ashtanga, which is a kind of power yoga with lunges and push-ups. Lyengar, where standing poses are done for long periods of time and Bikram which is ‘hot yoga’ practised in a hot room. People taking a hot yoga class experience more fatigue, a higher heart rate, and a significantly greater amount of exhaustion so maybe this is the right one for me? My research has also led me to the discovery that people take part in naked yoga. Yes, you read that correctly NAKED YOGA! I’m all for trying new things but getting naked in a room full of people will not help me ‘accept my own body with all its imperfections and open my heart’ I don’t want anyone’s ‘bits’ in my face thank you very much….
I am a complete novice and have no idea where to start with yoga so I need your help! Where should I try first yoga fans? (and don’t say naked yoga!)
There aren’t many classes in my area so do you have any DVD recommendations for me? What type of yoga music do you use? I can’t stand any really naff music like the sound of waves, I tried a Pilates DVD with that music once and it just made me giggle…
Can’t wait to read your tips and get started!
I used to do a couple of yoga classes at my gym, as well as a pilates one. I did enjoy them, and also remember finding that there was a definite improvement in my flexibility. Each week we would do some of the stretches and I used to be amazed that I'd be able to stretch a little further each time. I haven;t been to a class in a while, as I prefer to swim every night now instead.
ReplyDeleteI found the Yoga classes at my local gym a little boring, but I did find an excellent 'Yogalates' DVD, I think by Darcey Bussell but not 100% sure (that's how excellent it is - haven't used it in forever) which combined Yoga and Pilates so that there was some more core strength involved.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriosuness, the DVD was really good, it just went in the pile of 'DVDs I've gone through a phase of doing 4 or 5 times a week for 6 weeks' pile.
Thanks for the tip!
DeleteOne of my favourite healthy bloggers (Laura over at Keeping Healthy Getting Stylish) raves about yogaglo.com - she knows her stuff and I think she's done lots of yoga elsewhere (could be wrong) and says this website is really good. I think it's a subscription type thing but when I was investigating I noticed they have both a beginner's series which teaches you the absolute basics and upwards, and they also have a 15 day free trial. I'd love to know if you try it, I'm still debating it myself! Cx
ReplyDeleteI love Yoga! I got Yogalates dvd and love it, I also recently got the YOGA for indie rockers dvd and is also interesting. I find I feel great afterwards and it's great after a stressful day at work! xx
ReplyDeleteyoga for indie rockers?! this sounds like something I could try out and I like the idea of mixing yoga and pilates x
DeleteCheck out Tara Stiles on YouTube (or her website) - she does lots of short video routines which are good to give you an idea she does it without a lot of the very hippy type stuff that other yoga teachers do.
ReplyDeleteI did a Yoga class for five weeks and it was amazing. I think it was mostly Hatha yoga but we did learn a sun salutation. Basically one of the things that puts me off exercising and reaching for the chocolate is stress, and the yoga class was an opportunity to absolutely de-stress and learn how to meditate properly. I'd recommend starting off with a beginners class then you can do the moves at home once you know you are doing them properly!
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Tara Stiles. Her commentary can be a bit annoying but oh to be that flexible. I think she has a great approach to yoga and I have her Slim Calm and Sexy book. It's bloody hard work!!!
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