Where do I start with yoga?

kauaigirl · 11-09-10, 01:44 PM

Hi everyone!

After getting so much great advice on my running here, I'm hoping to repeat that process with yoga.

I have never done yoga. The closest I've gotten is a down dog during my Core Zone class. But I'm in a terrible fitness rut and a friend of mine has suggested I give yoga a try.

I have various DVDs (I never use them, but being a vidiot and all...

) and there are several classes in different disciplines available at my Y, but I don't even know where to begin.

A little bit about myself: I'm a total yoga novice, but, in general, I'm in good shape. I would like to change up my routine and break through a mini-plateau. I'm not interested in "getting in touch" with anything - I'm more interested in yoga for body, not mind. I would like to improve my strength and flexibility. Stretching is probably what I do least, so I'm not as flexible as I'd like. Now that I'm at the point in my weight loss that I feel comfortable with how I look, I'd like to branch out beyond aerobic and strength training. If it's an either/or, I would choose "athletic" rather than "spiritual."

Can someone make a suggestion for me? I'm open to specific videos or, like I said, I can do a class at the Y. Just not sure which "type" is right for me.

Thank you so much!
Sherri

TLB · 11-09-10, 02:18 PM

I am in no way a yoga expert. I initially rented several DVDs from Netflix until I found some that I liked. That said - one of my favorites is Karen Voight - Yoga & Sculpting (this is actually a compilation of 2 videos). The 1st half is yoga - the 2nd half is pilates. The yoga portion can be done as 25 or 40 minutes. This is "athletic" yoga - no spiritual aspect at all.

Hoodone · 11-09-10, 02:21 PM

I think Alan Finger would be a good place to start, and also, Erich Shiffmann Backyard Beginners. I also love Rodney Yee's AM Yoga for your Week, but that has more spirituality aspects to it. I just love it for an add-on to a shorter cardio routine and has done great things for my flexibility.

alisoncooks · 11-09-10, 02:27 PM

I prefer my yoga to be non-spiritual and not too intense. (In other words, I like to stretch using yoga poses

.)

I have used and enjoyed:
Sara Ivanhoe's Joy of Yoga (my first)
YogaWorks AM/PM Beginners
10 Minute Solution Yoga for Beginners

These are some I recommend as being clear and concise in their instructions. Easy to follow and friendly, with no huge modifications needed for beginners.

herya · 11-09-10, 02:31 PM

I think that Sara Ivanhoe's Crunch DVDs might be a good place to start. I used to really like "Fat Burning Yoga" (the title is pretty random, it's not very fast or difficult), she also has "Joy of Yoga" and "Candlelight Yoga" (relaxation/stretch). She teaches proper alignment, but moves along well and although there is no spirituality as such, she reminds you to focus, be mindful etc. I think they are all around 40 minute mark.

bee · 11-09-10, 02:32 PM

Another idea would be to try some of the free ones on itunes -- Tara Stiles, for one, but I know there are a bunch.

cpcathy · 11-09-10, 02:37 PM

I love anything Yoga Zone. Alan Finger's workouts are usually an hour, but there are the DVDs that break into two 20 minute sessions. The emphasis is not spiritual, it's pretty casual. I enjoy them quite a bit.

sherry7899 · 11-09-10, 02:58 PM

Sherri, do you belong to swapadvd.com? There are always some Yoga Zone dvds available on there

Sherry

tigerbaby · 11-09-10, 03:13 PM

You could also try Kimberly Fowler's The No Om Zone. It's roughly an hour long but is divided into sections for different areas of the body so you could use parts of it. Her yoga is designed to be more athletic without the granola, chanting, or spiritual component of yoga. Of course, there is also Fowler's Yoga for Athletes as well.

toaster · 11-09-10, 03:35 PM

Sherri, if you told us what classes are available at your Y, we might be able to offer more specific recommendations on where to start.

One DVD that I've recently started recommending to beginners looking for more strength/flexibility work and none of the more meditive aspects is Body by Bethenny. This stars Bethenny Frankel, of "Real Housewives" and "SkinnyGirl" cookbooks fame, but the actual instructor is Kristin McGee, a well-respected yoga and Pilates instructor. They have a good interaction between them, and Bethenny shows modifications for many of the postures.

There are actual several "Yoga for Athletes" DVDs out there; another one available is Sage Roundtree's programmable Athlete's Guide to Yoga.

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11-09-10, 01:44 PM
kauaigirl Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wisconsin. But I'll always be a Michigan girl at heart!	Where do I start with yoga? Hi everyone! After getting so much great advice on my running here, I'm hoping to repeat that process with yoga. I have never done yoga. The closest I've gotten is a down dog during my Core Zone class. But I'm in a terrible fitness rut and a friend of mine has suggested I give yoga a try. I have various DVDs (I never use them, but being a vidiot and all... ) and there are several classes in different disciplines available at my Y, but I don't even know where to begin. A little bit about myself: I'm a total yoga novice, but, in general, I'm in good shape. I would like to change up my routine and break through a mini-plateau. I'm not interested in "getting in touch" with anything - I'm more interested in yoga for body, not mind. I would like to improve my strength and flexibility. Stretching is probably what I do least, so I'm not as flexible as I'd like. Now that I'm at the point in my weight loss that I feel comfortable with how I look, I'd like to branch out beyond aerobic and strength training. If it's an either/or, I would choose "athletic" rather than "spiritual." Can someone make a suggestion for me? I'm open to specific videos or, like I said, I can do a class at the Y. Just not sure which "type" is right for me. Thank you so much! Sherri __________________ Michigan Football Is Life...The Rest Is Just Details

11-09-10, 02:18 PM
TLB Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern Illinois	I am in no way a yoga expert. I initially rented several DVDs from Netflix until I found some that I liked. That said - one of my favorites is Karen Voight - Yoga & Sculpting (this is actually a compilation of 2 videos). The 1st half is yoga - the 2nd half is pilates. The yoga portion can be done as 25 or 40 minutes. This is "athletic" yoga - no spiritual aspect at all.

11-09-10, 02:21 PM
Hoodone Join Date: Jun 2010	I think Alan Finger would be a good place to start, and also, Erich Shiffmann Backyard Beginners. I also love Rodney Yee's AM Yoga for your Week, but that has more spirituality aspects to it. I just love it for an add-on to a shorter cardio routine and has done great things for my flexibility.

11-09-10, 02:27 PM
alisoncooks Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TarHeel country	I prefer my yoga to be non-spiritual and not too intense. (In other words, I like to stretch using yoga poses .) I have used and enjoyed: Sara Ivanhoe's Joy of Yoga (my first) YogaWorks AM/PM Beginners 10 Minute Solution Yoga for Beginners These are some I recommend as being clear and concise in their instructions. Easy to follow and friendly, with no huge modifications needed for beginners.

11-09-10, 02:31 PM
herya Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe	I think that Sara Ivanhoe's Crunch DVDs might be a good place to start. I used to really like "Fat Burning Yoga" (the title is pretty random, it's not very fast or difficult), she also has "Joy of Yoga" and "Candlelight Yoga" (relaxation/stretch). She teaches proper alignment, but moves along well and although there is no spirituality as such, she reminds you to focus, be mindful etc. I think they are all around 40 minute mark. __________________ -- Marta

11-09-10, 02:32 PM
bee VF Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008	Another idea would be to try some of the free ones on itunes -- Tara Stiles, for one, but I know there are a bunch.

11-09-10, 02:37 PM
cpcathy Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southern California	I love anything Yoga Zone. Alan Finger's workouts are usually an hour, but there are the DVDs that break into two 20 minute sessions. The emphasis is not spiritual, it's pretty casual. I enjoy them quite a bit. __________________ Cathy Nobody Said It was Easy.... --The Scientist

11-09-10, 02:58 PM
sherry7899 Join Date: Jun 2003	Sherri, do you belong to swapadvd.com? There are always some Yoga Zone dvds available on there Sherry

11-09-10, 03:13 PM
tigerbaby Join Date: Sep 2007	You could also try Kimberly Fowler's The No Om Zone. It's roughly an hour long but is divided into sections for different areas of the body so you could use parts of it. Her yoga is designed to be more athletic without the granola, chanting, or spiritual component of yoga. Of course, there is also Fowler's Yoga for Athletes as well. __________________ Tiffany

11-09-10, 03:35 PM
toaster Exchange Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Western NY	Sherri, if you told us what classes are available at your Y, we might be able to offer more specific recommendations on where to start. One DVD that I've recently started recommending to beginners looking for more strength/flexibility work and none of the more meditive aspects is Body by Bethenny. This stars Bethenny Frankel, of "Real Housewives" and "SkinnyGirl" cookbooks fame, but the actual instructor is Kristin McGee, a well-respected yoga and Pilates instructor. They have a good interaction between them, and Bethenny shows modifications for many of the postures. There are actual several "Yoga for Athletes" DVDs out there; another one available is Sage Roundtree's programmable Athlete's Guide to Yoga. __________________ Beth aka Toaster (she/her) *Follow me @YogiBethC* YouTube\|Instagram\|Facebook And yes, I am Reviewer Dr. Beth on Amazon.