Work it – Yoga

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Work It

Good morning!

So…Yoga Week. That was fun, wasn’t it?

While most of the efforts I put forth in coordinating yoga week were all for you, my wonderful readers, I was hoping it would provide me with some yoga motivation, as well. Still one of my main fitness goals for 2010, I haven’t given up on learning the art of yoga.

With excitement, enthusiasm and a few recommended DVDs, I got to work. I tried to cast all judgment aside until I gave myself at least a few sessions. I’ll admit it — it was hard to calm my mind! And I kinda felt guilty for not spending my “workout time” doing cardio or weight training. Does anyone else feel this way? How do you get past it? Yoga almost felt like taking the easy way out.

HA!

I have a lot, and I mean  A LOT to learn, but I can see why so many of you swear by this yoga. It’s tricky! I consider myself pretty flexible (and strong!), but I still have a lot of work to do if I want to look like the lady on the video ;)

I’m really looking forward to taking an actual class, though! But the perfectionist in me feels like I have to learn all the basics before I attend a class — is this true? Yoginis – help a girl out! How ridiculous will I look if I attend a class and have NO IDEA what I’m doing?

In speaking with many of my twitter friends, I’ve gotten some great insight on which types of yoga I’d like to eventually learn and practice. While I appreciate the slower paced yoga while I’m still learning proper form and breathing, I think I’d really enjoy power yoga or a style that REALLY feels like I’m getting a work out — I’ve been told to check out Vinyassa, Bikram and Ashtanga — does this sound about right?

I’m still so new to this that I kind of feel like an impostor!

How many of you are giving this a try with me? How is it going? What are you learning? Any tips or insight to share? Let’s keep eachother motivated!

23 Responses to “Work it – Yoga”

  1. Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said:

    There always lots of beginners in whatever yoga class you decide to take! I think that starting off going to classes is better so you don’t practice doing the wrong stance a bunch of times. You need to learn the right technique the first time around so it won’t be so hard to correct it in the future! You will do just fine! ;)

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  2. Jenny said:

    I used to feel the same way: “yoga isn’t a REAL workout” but girl let me tell you — after an hour long vinyassa flow class my heart is racing and my arms are shaking! You get your cardio and strength training all in one :)

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  3. Jen P said:

    TAKE A CLASS! It will do so much more for you than a video. You definitely won’t feel like you’re taking the easy way out. And don’t worry about feeling inexperienced. The instructor will usually ask if anyone is new, and they will give you some special (much needed) attention.

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  4. Katie O. @ Fit to Wed said:

    Hey girl! Vinyasa flow yoga is definitely a workout! I’ve seen a huge difference in the definition of my muscles… and I think it makes me a better runner! Just get yourself to a class ;) there are usually people of all abilities there. Good luck!

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  5. Run Sarah said:

    Have you tried yogadownload? Love their power and core yoga flows especially. I am a new yogi and haven’t taken many classes but I enjoy practicing at home.

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  6. Alicia said:

    I’m a cardio queen. I could easily spend 90 minutes on a crossramp.

    A lot of yoga studios have classes specifically for beginners. The studio I go to has a Yoga Basics Class that they describe as “an introductory class for students who are new to Yoga. This class focuses on poses to stretch and strengthen the legs, back, shoulders, and core. Emphasis is given to basic alignment of the standing poses and hip openers. This class will prepare the student for all other classes offered at Nishkama Yoga.”

    Also, I have been practicing at home for years, but regularly starting to attend a studio has furthered my practice – I learned so much about the correct placement of my body in various poses. For example, my feet were too far apart in downward dog: think of putting two fists inbetween your feet – that’s all the space you need.

    I would suggest finding a quality studio near you (Cleveland Yoga is always popular and legit, although I’ve never been) and buying a one time class pass – you’ll be a regular before you know it!

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  7. Caitlin@TheTwentyFifthYear said:

    As an on-again off-again yogi (at least I’d like to think) you MUST try hot yoga – aka Bikram. I absolutely love the benefits of this workout – stretching, flexibility, sweating and an awesome cardio workout. I have a fantastic studio where I’m at but when in doubt I always turn to review sites to find the best places as rated by those who have actually gone! Good luck and happy yoga!

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  8. Heather (Heather's Dish) said:

    sometimes i’m the same way about my other workouts…the thing is, yoga is so different. it forces you to work on both flexibility and strength, but also your inner strength to focus on what you’re doing and nothing else :)

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  9. Taysa (The Irritable Eater) said:

    I’m with ya! I also have a hard time with feeling like I’ve “taken the easy way out” when I do yoga, so I added a it as an “active rest day.”

    I also signed up at yogatoday.com and do their free video each week. Last week I did a more advanced video and I was definately sweating by the end of it.

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  10. Lauren said:

    I’ve been fiddling around with some yoga dvds, and I quite like it, but I’m way too much of a chicken to go to a class!

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  11. Tiffany said:

    I’m a yoga newbie as well. I have only done some DVDs and online downloads, but never a group class or anything serious. I also have a hard time quieting my mind and I do feel guilty for not doing cardio in that time! I mean, I guess yoga works the body and mind differently, and has a whole set of benefits to its own, but I still have that mindset where I need to be running/ellipticalling for it to be a “good” workout. I’ve tried Vinyasa-style downloads, and they feel a bit better to me than the slower-paced flows, so perhaps you could try that!

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  12. Gabriela said:

    I’m horrible at yoga- I just can’t stay calm, and I like a little heart pumping in my workout! That being said, I’d also love to learn to enjoy it, mostly for relaxation and stretching purposes. Maybe I’ll take a class this month too!

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  13. Stina @ Girl Can said:

    First of all, do not worry about looking ridiculous or anything like that. Everyone starts out as a beginner even the people who can do the advanced poses. They have been working for a while to get there.

    I’ve been practicing for the better part of a year, and I still have trouble quieting my mind. I do find it’s easier for my to do that at home than in the class at my gym. There’s a lot of distractions in class – gym noises, other people, the instructor – that I’m still working to block out. I imagine the distractions would be less at a yoga studio, but the classes are included in the gym membership I already pay for so gym yoga it is for me.

    Occassionally, I feel guilty for “taking the easy way out,” but yoga is really a great strength work-out (and I usually lack adequate strength training) so that’s how I get the guilt out of my mind. Plus, as others have mentioned when you get into the types of yoga that move faster, it can definitely get the heart rate going.

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  14. Ameena said:

    I second yogadownload.com! I love their 30 minute classes because I can do them in the morning before work. And they are hard! I have been doing yoga for about a year and a half now and I really love it. I feel so much less tense and stressed out. Especially when I start my day with it!

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  15. Gemfit said:

    I’ve made February Yoga Month on my blog – come over and join me! Last night was my first class at my gym and I’m determined to try out a ton of other yoga styles and classes until I find what I need. IT’s all a learning process and I’m excited to be going through it.

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  16. Jessica @ The Process of Healing said:

    I’m so with you! I used to feel like I was wasting my time when I did yoga rather than running or other cardio. And while I can’t do anything right now, I’d love to take up Hot Flow yoga when I can. Also, I feel like i need to learn the techniques before I go to class too or i’ll feel dumb, i know that’s silly.

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  17. Susan said:

    Hey girl! I’m returning the comment love – thanks for visiting my blog!

    Yoga for me has become a saving grace. I’ve got a few health problems that forced me to stop running and dancing, but simple hatha yoga has helped with my pain and it keeps me active, so I have to toot its horn a little. The great thing about yoga is that it’s different for everyone – every pose has a ton of variations. So don’t feel like you need to know all the poses before you take a class because there are probably going to be four or five versions of one pose going on around you. Yoga is about finding those positions and stretches that make you feel best (or give you the greatest challenge – whatever your goals!). This can seem a little time consuming because you have to get to know your body on a different level, but once you do you won’t regret it!! You won’t look ridiculous at all I promise – even for the most experienced, yoga is a constant learning experience! Sorry for the suuuuuuupppper long ramble, but I hope it makes you feel a little more comfortable/amped on yoga!

    <3333 Susan

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  18. Shelley said:

    i know what you mean! if i wasn’t running, i used to feel guilty. when i start exercising again, i am going to really work onc hanging this attitude.

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  19. Cole said:

    Looking ridiculous is always a fear that I have when I go to a new yoga class. But people there are usually more than willing to help and, for the most part, people are too busy focusing on their own practice to think “wow, that girl looks like a freak”

    Also, I totally went out and bought some of those eggplant cutlets you posted about. Can’t wait to try them!

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  20. Jenny said:

    I can relate to your feeling of spending your workout time on yoga rather than other forms of exercise. I think it just goes with the mindset of most Americans, that if we aren’t breaking a sweat and in incredible pain, then it’s not a workout. But yoga is wonderful and thanks to the blog world, I know many people who swear by it. SO I have faith! :)

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  21. Michelle (at Fit RN) said:

    I really love yoga, but I’m totally a newbie at it too. I tried the living room yoga DVDs and they helped me a lot. We just need to keep trying. I’m sure that practicing yoga is as individual as one’s running style. Just do what feels right for you!

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  22. La said:

    I’ve never taken an actual yoga class either! I keep doing it at home in my room (YogaDownload.com) but I’m still nervous about actually going into a class. But then I think back to five months ago when I first started Pilates and I felt exactly the same way about that. Today marks 5 months since I first started practicing Pilates and my instructor uses me to demo moves for the class sometimes! So I guess it’s all about sucking up my fear of looking silly and just going. We can do this!

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  23. Joanne said:

    Hey sweetie! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and saying such sweet things! I really like your blog as well…I’m glad you commented so that I could discover it.

    Yoga is one of those things that I always feel like I should do more of, but it always gets pushed to the back burner. I really want to it though…I know it would be so good for my body!

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