Vallerina 2 #1 August 18, 2003 I am so naive. I had the idea that yoga was all about easy stretching and relaxing. I thought it would be like an extended cool down after a workout. I rarely admit this (because it usually doesn't happen), but I was very wrong. I tried out one of Bryan Kest's power yoga videos recommended to me by a coworker. My muscles burned, and I wanted to shoot the people on the tv for making it look so easy. I am definitely not out of shape or weak. I run and lift weights (err...I slacked on that for a month) frequently. Why was this so difficult??? Does anybody out there frequently do yoga? Are there any other good videos for it? Are there any good videos for someone like my mom to watch? Any good books on it? Actually, at the very end of it, I was very relaxed, and my muscles were all "tingly." It was a different feeling from going to the gym where I usually get more of a rush than a relaxation feeling. This yoga stuff seems kind of neat, and I was just wanting to know a little more about it! Oh! I also really enjoyed the back strengthening exercises! I have so much back pain, so I'm guessing that those exercises help.There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alanab 0 #2 August 18, 2003 i dont know much about yoga. but we have a free yoga class very early on saturday mornings at my dz taught by the bestest girlie in the world! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #3 August 18, 2003 If you want to stretch and relax and also find peace, I have 2 words for you Falun Dafa it works wonders.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #4 August 18, 2003 QuoteDoes anybody out there frequently do yoga? I don't use tapes, I go to my gym. I don't just use yoga for stretching (even though it is great for that), it strengthens muscles that the weights don't get to. If you use machine weights, they can isolate the muscle too much. In daily life, you use all your muscles together to function. Even free weights don't get all of them. Yoga really helps my abs, back, and shoulders. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites AggieDave 6 #5 August 18, 2003 QuoteIf you use machine weights, they can isolate the muscle too much Yup. QuoteEven free weights don't get all of them. You're right, sort of. Most people don't get a lot of muscles involved when lifting weights, they just don't have a good workout designed. They do what they see some guy in the gym doing or what they heard in the locker room... A properly designed workout will hit every group in a week. Let me quantify that too, a properly designed workout that is performed correctly, so many people don't actually do the excersizes right.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Vallerina 2 #6 August 18, 2003 Hi, Bill! Recovered yet? I considered going to the power yoga classes at my gym, but they are at somewhat inconvenient hours. But, I may try it anyways. Yeah, that is one thing I noticed just from trying yoga once. It really did make different muscles (especially my back muscles) shake! I recently took ballet, and I thought that had worked muscle groups often ignored by machines, but yoga worked different muscles than dancing did even! QuoteIf you want to stretch and relax and also find peace, I have 2 words for you Falun Dafa it works wonders. Hmm...it looks interesting. I may have to try that out. QuoteA properly designed workout will hit every group in a week. Not your toes! That was actually one thing that Bryan had you work in his video. A ballerina's feet will be much stronger than a weight lifter's feet! (I used to have the infamous ugly ballerina feet...MY TOES were strong enough so that I could stand on them.) EDIT: It's Monday, and I'm tired. I meant toes, not feet...sigh...There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zennie 0 #7 August 18, 2003 Yep. Ramon & I do Ashtanga yoga. Hardcore stuff. And if your limbs don't feel like they're about to fall off your body you aren't trying hard enough. I've been out of the yoga loop for a couple of weeks for various reasons and I need to get back into it. Personally, I think Ashtanga is one of the best all-around workouts you can do. You WILL increase your strength (all-around, not just in one area). You gain flexibility and you'll get a really good aerobic workout. And yeah, in a strange way, despite all that, you're totally relaxed at the end of it. I don't have any Ashtanga tapes, but there are a couple of books that are good if you're interested. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites happythoughts 0 #8 August 18, 2003 We came back Sunday night and the van broke down in Chattanooga so we spent the night in the van at a campground. We finally got back late Monday. I guess I was really tired. Not sleeping for 12 days will do that. Tuesday, I got up around 11 and was going to take it easy. I went out for lunch, bought groceries, watched tv, ate 2 donuts, and went back to sleep at 3. I used to have the infamous ugly feet too. Martial arts classes 5 days a week. I even had a girl ask "If I do this a long time, will I get ugly muscular feet like yours?" "I don't know, but thanks for asking." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites happythoughts 0 #9 August 18, 2003 I have noticed all of what you said. After lifting machine weights (like bench), I would try a bar. I did not have the strength in the other muscles to control the up/down/side-to-side motion of the bar. With free weights, I found that the advice of other people in the gym may not be correct. Talking to a trainer really helped me understand the correct way to do things. I also learned how to get the best effect. Yoga has an exercise where you are on all fours and raise alternate sides. (left arm and right leg, then alternate). It sounds easy, but really strengthens the abs/back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TheAnvil 0 #10 August 18, 2003 Yoga is good stuff. If you want to strengthen the hell out of your back, try doing some gymnasts bridges, back bridges, and wall-walking. If you have a gym, doing some hyper-extensions is also good for the back. PM me if you can't find descriptions of the above and I'll explain them. Beers to all, Vinny the Anvil Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites QuickDraw 0 #11 August 18, 2003 I used to do yogacise about this time last year, considering it was a class full of mostly chics, it was pretty hard work. But the last relaxation part i excelled at. -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zennie 0 #12 August 18, 2003 Quoteconsidering it was a class full of mostly chics, it was pretty hard work. Especially when you have to put your hands on your hips and slowly bennnnnnnnnd forward. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Vallerina 2 #13 August 18, 2003 QuoteI don't have any Ashtanga tapes, but there are a couple of books that are good if you're interested. Yes, I am interested in knowing what books would be good for a beginner. I might order one of his videos, too! QuoteYoga has an exercise where you are on all fours and raise alternate sides. That hurts soooo much. I was swearing at Bryan while doing that exercise. Quotetry doing some gymnasts bridges, back bridges, and wall-walking. If you have a gym, doing some hyper-extensions is also good for the back. I would love to know more about these and other exercises! QuoteBut the last relaxation part i excelled at. What a coincidence! Me, too!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TheAnvil 0 #14 August 18, 2003 Wall Walk: Stand about 3 feet from a wall, facing away from it. Lean backwards and put your palms on the wall. Walk your hands down the wall until you hit the floor, then place them palm down, fingers towards you feet. Your hands should be about shoulder width apart (varying the width varies the muscles worked). The ending position is a gymnast's bridge. Don't worry if you have to go up on your toes to do this exercise. Or if you have to stand a bit further from the door. Sometimes I will walk down a bit, then come back up, then go a bit further, come back up, etc. This exercise is fantastic for strengthening the back and shoulders and flexibility of the back. When you get to the bridge, try and hold the bridge for as long as you can. This is a good stretch for your abs (make's 'em stronger as well) and will build a lot of strength in your shoulders, legs, and back. The regular back bridge requires a bit of neck strength, but is similar to the gymnast's bridge. You lower your head to the deck, and then rest the weight on your forehead with no hands. I do not recommend going directly to this, but easing your way into it by using your hands less and less. The back bridge is NOT for everyone, but I swear by it. Some dude named Matt Furey is apparently selling a ton of books on body-weight exercise and he swears by this too (I've been doing it for years). Beers, Vinny the Anvil Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Vallerina 2 #15 August 18, 2003 Hehe! I used to do that wall walk all the time in tumbling! Why do I get the feeling it won't be easy to do anymore? The back bridge sounds like work! ick!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites colbrodie 0 #16 August 18, 2003 I've been doing Ashtanga for about a year now. I totally agree with what Zennie had to say about Ashtanga being a great all around workout. It's also forced me to learn to be more patient. My teacher says you have to think about progress in your yoga practice in decades! I find that funny 'cause most of the people I've met through Ashtanga are classic Type A personalities like me! In my opinion, it is best to find a teacher. I tried yoga at my local gym and that wasn't really cutting it. Then I tried books and videos. A good book on Ashtanga is David Swenson's "The Practice Manual." It is spiral bound so it easily lays flat while you're trying to read and do the poses at the same time. His videos are also very good. I suggest starting with his "Short Forms" video. After these, I was hooked on Ashtanga and found an ashtanga yoga studio and teacher. I enjoy the "community" practice much more than videos. Good luck in your practice! Michelle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shotgun 1 #17 August 18, 2003 I've tried quite a few yoga tapes and taken lots of yoga classes, and I think Bryan Kest's Power Yoga One (the one-hour class) is the best one out there IMHO (if you like Ashtanga Yoga). It gets better after you've done it a few times - once you can really concentrate on what you're doing rather than having to watch the video - that's when you will really feel the benefits of it... I also have his 20-minute workout, which is also good, but 20 minutes doesn't seem to be long enough for a good yoga workout. If you want more of a stretching, relaxing kind of yoga, you might try Hatha Yoga (but I don't know of any good video recommendations for Hatha)... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Vallerina 2 #18 August 18, 2003 QuoteI suggest starting with his "Short Forms" video. After these, I was hooked on Ashtanga and found an ashtanga yoga studio and teacher. I enjoy the "community" practice much more than videos. Thank you very much for the recommendation. Unfortunately, I don't have too much time to seek out teacher or anything like that just yet. That's on my list of things to do on down the road when more time is available. Quoteonce you can really concentrate on what you're doing rather than having to watch the video Yeah, I think that was also why it was more difficult. I kept trying to see what they were doing the whole time. QuoteIf you want more of a stretching, relaxing kind of yoga, you might try Hatha Yoga I'm not so sure if that's what I really want!!! I assumed that that's what yoga was going to be like, but I was pleasantly surprised at what a challenge it actually is!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EricaH 0 #19 August 19, 2003 Vallerina... welcome to the wonderful world of yoga!!! You're getting enough good advice in here so I'm not going to chime in - but it's a wonderful, wonderful exercise!! Oh the positions the body can do. Another version I like which involves some deeper stretching & a lot of balance is Vinyasa (sp?) - that's my fav - just don't really know the diff. between that & Ashtanga. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Vallerina 2 #20 August 19, 2003 QuoteVallerina... welcome to the wonderful world of yoga!!! hehe! Thanks, Erica! I'm still just trying to understand how to do all these weirdo positions. They hurt!!! I did Bryan Kest's yoga video again last night, and I love the back exercises. I still get mad and cuss at him (my grandma thinks that part is "funny") when he makes me do something difficult, but I'm always up for a challenge! Do you have any videos, books or know of anywhere to go for yoga?There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EricaH 0 #21 August 19, 2003 sorry, no suggestions. other than do not buy the MTV yoga vid. it's ok, but VERY short & only gets about half the work out stretch then stops. kinda like almost reaching o. & haveing someone walk into the room. i took classes for a while & now do some stuff on my own. but i can't get enough of a stretch going to get into some of my fav positions. i wish there was a yoga section @ blockbuster or something so they could be tried before buying. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
AggieDave 6 #5 August 18, 2003 QuoteIf you use machine weights, they can isolate the muscle too much Yup. QuoteEven free weights don't get all of them. You're right, sort of. Most people don't get a lot of muscles involved when lifting weights, they just don't have a good workout designed. They do what they see some guy in the gym doing or what they heard in the locker room... A properly designed workout will hit every group in a week. Let me quantify that too, a properly designed workout that is performed correctly, so many people don't actually do the excersizes right.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #6 August 18, 2003 Hi, Bill! Recovered yet? I considered going to the power yoga classes at my gym, but they are at somewhat inconvenient hours. But, I may try it anyways. Yeah, that is one thing I noticed just from trying yoga once. It really did make different muscles (especially my back muscles) shake! I recently took ballet, and I thought that had worked muscle groups often ignored by machines, but yoga worked different muscles than dancing did even! QuoteIf you want to stretch and relax and also find peace, I have 2 words for you Falun Dafa it works wonders. Hmm...it looks interesting. I may have to try that out. QuoteA properly designed workout will hit every group in a week. Not your toes! That was actually one thing that Bryan had you work in his video. A ballerina's feet will be much stronger than a weight lifter's feet! (I used to have the infamous ugly ballerina feet...MY TOES were strong enough so that I could stand on them.) EDIT: It's Monday, and I'm tired. I meant toes, not feet...sigh...There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #7 August 18, 2003 Yep. Ramon & I do Ashtanga yoga. Hardcore stuff. And if your limbs don't feel like they're about to fall off your body you aren't trying hard enough. I've been out of the yoga loop for a couple of weeks for various reasons and I need to get back into it. Personally, I think Ashtanga is one of the best all-around workouts you can do. You WILL increase your strength (all-around, not just in one area). You gain flexibility and you'll get a really good aerobic workout. And yeah, in a strange way, despite all that, you're totally relaxed at the end of it. I don't have any Ashtanga tapes, but there are a couple of books that are good if you're interested. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #8 August 18, 2003 We came back Sunday night and the van broke down in Chattanooga so we spent the night in the van at a campground. We finally got back late Monday. I guess I was really tired. Not sleeping for 12 days will do that. Tuesday, I got up around 11 and was going to take it easy. I went out for lunch, bought groceries, watched tv, ate 2 donuts, and went back to sleep at 3. I used to have the infamous ugly feet too. Martial arts classes 5 days a week. I even had a girl ask "If I do this a long time, will I get ugly muscular feet like yours?" "I don't know, but thanks for asking." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #9 August 18, 2003 I have noticed all of what you said. After lifting machine weights (like bench), I would try a bar. I did not have the strength in the other muscles to control the up/down/side-to-side motion of the bar. With free weights, I found that the advice of other people in the gym may not be correct. Talking to a trainer really helped me understand the correct way to do things. I also learned how to get the best effect. Yoga has an exercise where you are on all fours and raise alternate sides. (left arm and right leg, then alternate). It sounds easy, but really strengthens the abs/back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #10 August 18, 2003 Yoga is good stuff. If you want to strengthen the hell out of your back, try doing some gymnasts bridges, back bridges, and wall-walking. If you have a gym, doing some hyper-extensions is also good for the back. PM me if you can't find descriptions of the above and I'll explain them. Beers to all, Vinny the Anvil Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QuickDraw 0 #11 August 18, 2003 I used to do yogacise about this time last year, considering it was a class full of mostly chics, it was pretty hard work. But the last relaxation part i excelled at. -- Hope you don't die. -- I'm fucking winning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #12 August 18, 2003 Quoteconsidering it was a class full of mostly chics, it was pretty hard work. Especially when you have to put your hands on your hips and slowly bennnnnnnnnd forward. - Z "Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #13 August 18, 2003 QuoteI don't have any Ashtanga tapes, but there are a couple of books that are good if you're interested. Yes, I am interested in knowing what books would be good for a beginner. I might order one of his videos, too! QuoteYoga has an exercise where you are on all fours and raise alternate sides. That hurts soooo much. I was swearing at Bryan while doing that exercise. Quotetry doing some gymnasts bridges, back bridges, and wall-walking. If you have a gym, doing some hyper-extensions is also good for the back. I would love to know more about these and other exercises! QuoteBut the last relaxation part i excelled at. What a coincidence! Me, too!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #14 August 18, 2003 Wall Walk: Stand about 3 feet from a wall, facing away from it. Lean backwards and put your palms on the wall. Walk your hands down the wall until you hit the floor, then place them palm down, fingers towards you feet. Your hands should be about shoulder width apart (varying the width varies the muscles worked). The ending position is a gymnast's bridge. Don't worry if you have to go up on your toes to do this exercise. Or if you have to stand a bit further from the door. Sometimes I will walk down a bit, then come back up, then go a bit further, come back up, etc. This exercise is fantastic for strengthening the back and shoulders and flexibility of the back. When you get to the bridge, try and hold the bridge for as long as you can. This is a good stretch for your abs (make's 'em stronger as well) and will build a lot of strength in your shoulders, legs, and back. The regular back bridge requires a bit of neck strength, but is similar to the gymnast's bridge. You lower your head to the deck, and then rest the weight on your forehead with no hands. I do not recommend going directly to this, but easing your way into it by using your hands less and less. The back bridge is NOT for everyone, but I swear by it. Some dude named Matt Furey is apparently selling a ton of books on body-weight exercise and he swears by this too (I've been doing it for years). Beers, Vinny the Anvil Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #15 August 18, 2003 Hehe! I used to do that wall walk all the time in tumbling! Why do I get the feeling it won't be easy to do anymore? The back bridge sounds like work! ick!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
colbrodie 0 #16 August 18, 2003 I've been doing Ashtanga for about a year now. I totally agree with what Zennie had to say about Ashtanga being a great all around workout. It's also forced me to learn to be more patient. My teacher says you have to think about progress in your yoga practice in decades! I find that funny 'cause most of the people I've met through Ashtanga are classic Type A personalities like me! In my opinion, it is best to find a teacher. I tried yoga at my local gym and that wasn't really cutting it. Then I tried books and videos. A good book on Ashtanga is David Swenson's "The Practice Manual." It is spiral bound so it easily lays flat while you're trying to read and do the poses at the same time. His videos are also very good. I suggest starting with his "Short Forms" video. After these, I was hooked on Ashtanga and found an ashtanga yoga studio and teacher. I enjoy the "community" practice much more than videos. Good luck in your practice! Michelle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #17 August 18, 2003 I've tried quite a few yoga tapes and taken lots of yoga classes, and I think Bryan Kest's Power Yoga One (the one-hour class) is the best one out there IMHO (if you like Ashtanga Yoga). It gets better after you've done it a few times - once you can really concentrate on what you're doing rather than having to watch the video - that's when you will really feel the benefits of it... I also have his 20-minute workout, which is also good, but 20 minutes doesn't seem to be long enough for a good yoga workout. If you want more of a stretching, relaxing kind of yoga, you might try Hatha Yoga (but I don't know of any good video recommendations for Hatha)... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #18 August 18, 2003 QuoteI suggest starting with his "Short Forms" video. After these, I was hooked on Ashtanga and found an ashtanga yoga studio and teacher. I enjoy the "community" practice much more than videos. Thank you very much for the recommendation. Unfortunately, I don't have too much time to seek out teacher or anything like that just yet. That's on my list of things to do on down the road when more time is available. Quoteonce you can really concentrate on what you're doing rather than having to watch the video Yeah, I think that was also why it was more difficult. I kept trying to see what they were doing the whole time. QuoteIf you want more of a stretching, relaxing kind of yoga, you might try Hatha Yoga I'm not so sure if that's what I really want!!! I assumed that that's what yoga was going to be like, but I was pleasantly surprised at what a challenge it actually is!There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #19 August 19, 2003 Vallerina... welcome to the wonderful world of yoga!!! You're getting enough good advice in here so I'm not going to chime in - but it's a wonderful, wonderful exercise!! Oh the positions the body can do. Another version I like which involves some deeper stretching & a lot of balance is Vinyasa (sp?) - that's my fav - just don't really know the diff. between that & Ashtanga. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #20 August 19, 2003 QuoteVallerina... welcome to the wonderful world of yoga!!! hehe! Thanks, Erica! I'm still just trying to understand how to do all these weirdo positions. They hurt!!! I did Bryan Kest's yoga video again last night, and I love the back exercises. I still get mad and cuss at him (my grandma thinks that part is "funny") when he makes me do something difficult, but I'm always up for a challenge! Do you have any videos, books or know of anywhere to go for yoga?There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #21 August 19, 2003 sorry, no suggestions. other than do not buy the MTV yoga vid. it's ok, but VERY short & only gets about half the work out stretch then stops. kinda like almost reaching o. & haveing someone walk into the room. i took classes for a while & now do some stuff on my own. but i can't get enough of a stretch going to get into some of my fav positions. i wish there was a yoga section @ blockbuster or something so they could be tried before buying. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
