Ladies and gents, I have been rocking the yoga this week!
Specifically, the P90X Yoga that I mentioned earlier this week. Eric borrowed this from a coworker and we have had it sitting around for ages now. I finally dug it up and gave it a whirl!
If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you probably remember my stint with yoga in December 2008/January 2009. I dove full force into yoga, 30-Day shred, and training for a marathon. It was no surprise that I sustained an injury from the over-training.
I have grown a lot since that time and I realize that I am the type of person who likes to focus on one main goal or challenge, instead of spreading myself all over the place. When I was training for my races this summer and fall, I was focused. I had tangible goals and I met them.
There has always been this lingering desire for me to practice yoga on a regular basis. I think this is the perfect time for me to explore something new. I find that I am craving flexibility and tension-relief exercises. I haven’t done anything of the sort in months! Baking all day has left me with really stiff and sore back muscles and I hope that yoga will help with that.
I have been turning out the lights in the office and lighting a few candles. This instantly relaxes me, similar to baking when the sun rises and everything looks clean and crisp outdoors.
I haven’t set a time limit. I just go until I feel tired and stretched out. Tuesday I ended up doing 15 minutes, Wednesday I did 25, and Thursday I did another 15.
I immediately knew that I was going to like this DVD because it didn’t seem too ‘out there’ for me. It seemed like a normal group of people practicing yoga. I liked that the group involved a male athlete who had just started to take up yoga to help with his athleticism! Many athletes in all different areas practice yoga as a way to improve their chosen sport. I think it can really help with my running too because I have obviously gotten really tight and was doing nothing about it.
I can’t review the entire 90 minute DVD since I have only done 25 minutes, but I can tell you what I liked about it so far:
1) Aside from the instructor’s heavy breathing, he is quite easy to listen to and learn from. He explains things clearly.
2) The DVD counts down the time remaining (far right) as well as how many seconds are left in each interval. I don’t pay much attention to it, but it is nice to have.
3) For the first 25 minutes, I was able to follow along with the poses without too much difficulty. At some parts they moved a bit quicker than I did, and this caused me to lag a bit, but it wasn’t a big deal.
4) In addition to the instructor naming each pose, the bottom of the screen also displays the name. This really helped me learn each pose name. I find when instructors just say it, I never really picked them up. I am a visual learner! I love how clear this DVD is.
Here is what I didn’t enjoy:
1) Downward facing dogs
I despise them with every core of my being. My arms are so sore!!!! I could see enjoying this pose if I was flexible, but it really is no fun when you aren’t. I hope this improves over time. This DVD had many series of down dogs over and over and over again. I found it felt a bit long. Again, I hope that improves as I improve. I also need to work on my mental game and focus because I am not as zoned out as I would like to be.
At the start of the DVD, the instructor says, ‘Free your mind of all the clutter’. It really is necessary to get into it. Tonight my mind wasn’t into it and I could tell. Eric and I sort of had a stressful night and I was just not able to tune out my thoughts.
To all you yogis out there: What are your tricks for zoning out and being present in the moment? Does it just come with practice?
What do I think of yoga so far?
All and all, I am enjoying it so far and I am trying to keep my spirits up despite feeling like I suck. I think the reason I get so frustrated with yoga is because for me it is not easy to see improvements with it as fast as I would like to. Yoga, to me, seems abstract. With something like running or weight training, I have clear tangible evidence of my hard work in terms of numbers. I know that my flexibility will improve and I will notice that over time, but it is just not what I am used to I guess!
Yoga is probably one of the hardest challenges I have given myself because of my lack of flexibility and my fidgety personality. When I was young, I always scored POOR on my flexibility tests in gym class. I also am the type of person who can’t sit still, so it is no surprise that I did not gravitate toward yoga.
I got frustrated with my down dogs tonight and Eric said something very clever. He said, ‘It’s not about whether you do the pose exactly right or not. It’s not about your form. It is whether you are challenging your own body. Are you stretching? Well, then you are doing it right.’
Who is this guy? lol. Apparently, he was a yogi in his past life! ;) Wise words from my man.
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I think I need to stop focusing on my form so much and start focusing more on how my body feels and where my mind is. I think I will find that it is much more pleasurable this way.
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Do you do yoga? What was it like when you started? Tell me your story!
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I too have a lack of focus and I’m fidgety. And I like a concrete “goal”.
But I *love* yoga. I’ve only been doing it once/week for a few weeks, and I’m doing yoga with a rope. www.russayog.com
It really forces you to clear your mind. I cannot keep my focus and balance without doing that. So it’s been a HUGE stress reliever. My work stress has been over the top these last two months, and it’s a miracle that I haven’t come down sick with that and training for my half.
I credit yoga, sleep, and a good diet.
Hi Angela, nice to hear you’re back on the mat! I first tried yoga when I was 16. I hated it. “Too slow!” I thought. Well, a few years later, while I was just starting out my fitness career, I decided to give yoga another try. This time, it stuck. I found the right class for me, with the right teacher (which really makes a difference). Yoga inspired me so much that I decided to teach it. And I still do today. The biggest issue people will face (and then ultimately dump yoga because of) is putting pressure on the themselves to be all “zen” or whatever. Not so. When people say to me ,”Well, I can’t do yoga.. I’m not flexible or focused enough..” I say, “You don’t have to be either of those to come to yoga. With practice, yoga will bring those great things to you.”
You probably already know this, but all Lululemons have FREE yoga on Sunday mornings. If you’re into doing a “live” class, give it a try! I teach one in Mississauga every now and again.
All the best,
sandyb
Hey there!
I actually am trying to enjoy yoga myself! I just wrote a post about it the other day (http://wp.me/pG2wv-2A). I find it extremely hard because I am so tight. I have P90X and really like Tony’s yoga because it really does feel like a workout. I have done the full 1.5 hour workout a couple of times and find it a bit long, so I am now just doing it for an hour. I actually just started using my gym’s yoga classes. Oy! It does hurt and I can hardly lift my legs, but I know that it is getting me those deep stretches that my body needs since all I usually do is run, cycle, and lift. Good luck!!!
oops, my link above didn’t work. Here you go! http://2bahealthyfit.com/2009/10/28/am-i-limber-yet/
I just started doing yoga and it is the only thing in which I can completely turn out my mind. The 60 minutes seems to go by very quick and I truly enjoy it.
I am finding it a good compliment to my weight lifting and am hoping to see some improved flexibility.
Well good for you for trying something new! I tried to get into yoga a while back – my complaint is I like a good sweaty work-out and yoga doesn’t do the trick for me (well, at least the level I’m at!) I am trying to give it more of a chance lately though. Stretching is something I should do more often.
Yoga is part of my soul and it has made me the person that I am today. I am currently enrolled in yoga teacher training and can not wait to spread my love and knowledge of yoga with anyone who wants to learn. It makes me so sad to read peoples comments that say yoga isn’t for them or that yoga is just a bunch of stretching. Yoga is so much more than that.
Yoga is not about clearing your mind. It is about being in the present moment. Even the oldest, wisest yogi’s have thoughts that pop up. The important thing is to just acknowledge them and let them go. Baron Baptiste says that when the pose becomes challenging, that is when the yoga begins. That is when it is time to just breathe and be with yourself. That is when you uncover your truth and allow in change. My favorite quote is “Be now here or be nowhere” and it applies to so much on and off the mat.
I think that for beginners, it is important to get into lots of classes and explore what you like. Find teachers that you connect with. I am a total type A personality and find that power, anusara or vinyasa suit me best. They are physically challenging, and for me, they force me to be in the present moment. Some students are suited more for slower paces like hatha, hatha flow or yin.
Learning proper alignment and “being lazy” in the poses is important in preventing injury. It is true that your downward facing dog is not going to look like my downward facing dog because we have different bodies but it important to have proper alignment. And focusing on that alignment along with your breathe with allow you to be present and no longer be attached to the thoughts that WILL come into your mind.
Peace and namaste, keep glowing :)
Stick with the Downward Dogs Ange – they really are amazing! Especially for runners. I find them the absolute best way to stretch my calves after running. Just pull each knee forward and press out the opposite leg for a few seconds, so good! I usually do them for a few minutes before bed each night :).
that should say “not being lazy”…ooops
P90X Yoga is AMAZING if you ask me! I’ve done yoga videos in the past and never sweated the way I do with P90. I feel awesome when I get done…actually have about the same endorphin rush as I do after a run. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I do it once a week at least. For a while I was doing all of the P90X plan, but the time requirements were too demanding for me…maybe when I’m done with school full time, work full time, 3 little kids and a husband all at the same time, I can give it another try. I was seeing awesome results, but just could sustain the intensity…which also made me require more sleep for muscle repair – yeah, that didn’t happen. Ok, rambling now on your post. Thanks for the review! Maybe I love it so much because flexibility was the only thing in P.E. that I could actually do better than anyone else in the school…only thing I could win a presidential physical fitness award for.
My husband and I did the entire P90X program (I reviewed it on my blog) and while I didn’t love the yoga at first (so long!!!) I ended up really enjoying the DVDs and am still using it now, even after the program!
I’ve learned to turn the commentary off, though, and just listen to Tony Horton’s cues. He’s okay, but after 3 months, his shtick gets old!
Glad you’re liking it — ever consider doing the whole thing?
I love yoga. I don’t love the weirdness of it sometimes. You know what I mean. I took one yoga class at 24 hour fitness but do the yogadownloads at home. I love that I can do them at home in the comfort of my own home. I don’t have to worry about anyone else but me. I don’t know that I would enjoy a studio…I’m intimidated by them so that alone isn’t a good thing. I love it so much because I instantly feel more relaxed and leveled. I’m so glad you’re giving it another shot.
I love Bikram Yoga (heat yoga). I have never really practiced any other type of yoga. I love Bikram because on top of relaxing and stretching your muscles, you get a cardiovascular workout as well. Im the type of person that has to sweat to feel like I got a great workout! It also has so many medical benefits. I gravitate more towards things like pilates because I was a dancer.
Best advise: Focus on your breathing. Your thoughts will seem to just float away.
I started taking a yoga class in Sept as I thought it might help with my breathing and flexibility, which in turn would help make me a better runner…the instructor teaches Astanga yoga.
I don’t mind going to the class, but like you said, I struggle a bit because I feel like I suck at it! I’m not a good breather and I’m definately not flexible, so these are things that I’m trying to focus on in the yoga class. I also have trouble with the ‘zoning out’ part too…
So, all in all, I’m not in love with yoga yet, but I’m not giving up!
I did yoga on and off in middle school and high school and a little bit in college, but, not much at all. I started taking classes more regularly last year and then during the spring, when I really started running, yoga has become a staple in my life. I find that it really helps my running, helps me to losen up in areas I wasn’t even aware were tight, helps me to relax, refocus and just do something for me. I didn’t go to yoga for 2 weeks and went this last Wednesay–whooie, I couldn’t believe how much I missed it. Yes, it’s challening, and it’s often hard for me to be in the moment, rather than fretting about what I am missing out on at the office, etc, but, for me, it’s a great addition to my running.
I really do not enjoy yoga–I have trouble with the clearing your mind part and always seem to focus on how hungry I am! :) My husband and I did P90X this summer, and I found myself dreading the 90 minute yoga days. But, I definitely could feel it making a difference in the end. I’m NOT flexible either, but by the 3rd time or so of the P90X yoga I really could do more of the poses/stretches and my form got better. I’ve been thinking about starting it back up once a week or so. And also, I like the end of the video because he does more balance/coordination/stretching moves.
Love the fact that Sketchie snuck into your first picture. haha :) I’m such a novice to yoga…it’s intimidating! I think I might try a few videos, but there are some “community classes” around here that are pretty cheap that I’m looking to try out.
I have been doing P90X yoga for the past month, and I am slowly growing to enjoy it more and more each time. The first time I did it, I could barely do any of the moves, but now I can do quite a few of them. I agree, it does seem like way too many downward dogs, but once you get past them, the rest it focuses on balance poses which are more interesting. I have never really practiced yoga before, so I find the entire 90 minutes to be very challenging. All I keep thinking is to go through the motions to the best of my ability and I will eventually get better!
I find it helps if I really concentrate on my breathing…if my mind says “iiinnn, oouuut” along with my breathing, it lets my mind do something without actually doing anything, if that makes sense.
I used to take yoga classes every week and felt self-conscious for quite some time since I didn’t feel I was “as good as the others.” I know that’s totally not what yoga is about, but it took me quite some time to let go of those thoughts… But after a while I was able to be present and in the moment and let go of everything else. I haven’t taken yoga classes for a while since it’s hard to fit them into my schedule, but I do some on my own. It always calms me down…
I love the blue jacket on you; awesome blue on you! :)