any serious yoga folks?

[theresaann]

I'm really getting into this. I resisted for years, but am finally getting bitten by the "yoga bug." Never thought I'd say that. This vinyasa stuff is kicking my butt, and I thought I was in shape already.

just wondering if others are into yoga too. It seems like a perfect compliment to a raw lifestyle.

[garden granny]

I love yoga, but I'm a beginner, I wish I'd started this years ago!

[Blazin'Jane]

I love yoga. I have lots of tapes and DVDs and go to a class whenever I can, which is only when I travel. I just got back from a week at an Arizona spa with my 6 daughters, and got to 3 classes, all with different instructors, and it was divne. I came home really wanting to sign up for a local class, (we ahve some good ones here), but I will have a hard time getting it into my schedule. Enjoy! And you're right! Between raw food and rregular yoga, I'm getting fairly unflappable! It's lovely, and long overdue!

[Eilene]

Yoga is amazing. I LOVE it!!

[theresaann]

Eilene, went to your website-beautiful creations! WOW! really lovely.

Yes, I am getting really hooked on this yoga. Upping it now to 4 classes a week. I feel firmer faster than I did doing free weights, without that bulkiness, plus its just funner! really looking forward to doing this long term.

I am a bodyworker and tell people all the time that if people would just do yoga, they would put chiropractors, massage therapists, etc, out of business! Or at least, we wouldn't need to be adjusted as much-we can do it ourselves with yoga.

[theresaann]

I'm sorry to keep going on about this but Man! I did a 6:30 am vinyasa class, where they heat the room, and I am flying!!! Raw and yoga is the most amazing thing I've ever done. It's like the yoga compliments the raw and my body is just singing! This is my 8th day 100% and I'm detoxing, esp. as the day goes on, and I was a *little* dizzy in class this morning, but in spite of that, I feel incredible. At 43 years old, I feel like I did when I first did raw one summer when I was 25-and only 10 more pounds until I weight that much too! wow....so amazing. :p

[carolg]

Wow, a "hot" yoga class. I never did one with the heat. So the room is above 100 degrees? I think that is totally cool. I may take a local class that offers that. I think here called bikam yoga.

Have you heard of exercises for addictions, ocd, etc? I heard of some for panic attacks/anxiety. Always curious about healing testimonies.

Thanks.

carolg

[greenfeline]

I totally agree about yoga & raw being perfect together. A call to all yogis: get rid of the rice, beans & overcooked veggies & start a revolution! I do yoga a couple of times a week at home, but just signed up for class starting March 18!!

[Aleesha Sattva]

i love my yoga classes. i've found an instructor who will let my 9 yr old daughter come with me... she loves yoga as well. so we can take the class together.

i started in sept and can't believe the difference in my body and my movements since then. of course i've released 65 pounds at the same time so that makes a huge difference!

[nanetteb]

This is my first post here (Eilene kindly recommended this forum to me on a knitting board - thanks Eilene!) and I am just starting to learn about raw foods and waiting on Alyssa's book. I am beginning to think my desire to go raw came about as a result of doing a lot of power yoga lately. I agree that it really feels like the two go together.

I work out with a one hour power yoga show on tv (Veria on Dish Network). I started in the beginning of November and have worked up to one to two shows daily. I used to do it only six days a week but I was always so sore and stiff on my day off that I started doing it every day. My shoulders and my hamstrings are really starting to feel strong although I still can't really do a decent chaturanga!

The instructor (Kurt Johnsen of American Power Yoga in Dallas) reminds me a lot of Bryan Kest and recommends keeping the room at 85 degrees although I rarely manage that. At their web site he says he is working on a DVD on yoga for addictions which sounds interesting. On the show each day he will focus on yoga for specific conditions like yoga for patience or yoga for asthma or yoga for PMS although mainly the show is just 450 billion sun salutations in a row. :)

Nanette

[carolg]

Thanks nannette..never heard of the program. I do go to a local class however, but sometimes I can use another boost when alone here in my house...having someone talk to me vs. me doing a position is not best communication for me.
carolg

[theresaann]

I want to add that in addition to being now 10 days 100% raw and doing vinyasa yoga 3 times a week, I have been going through a VERY painful relationship trauma (ran into ex at sauna last night with old girlfriend that he's
"supposedly" not with, isn't attracted to, while he blows me off-wake up time).

I am certain that the yoga has been helping me process this trauma in a healthy way so that i don't have to eat cooked. I am so amazed. truly. I will do yoga for life. I feel so fortunate to have found it. :p

[lily]

I'm a big yoga fan too. I do it twice a day on my own and have found huge benefit. I like working on my own because I can fit it in when it's convenient, thoug i always do 5-10 minutes when i get up in the morning, and another longer session later in the day.

I can't wait to try 'hot yoga' and as soon as I can face making a long journey to do so, i will.

Yoga and raw together are the ultimate for me, they trully RAWK.

lily

[Blazin'Jane]

I do alot of Yoga at home, but was in AZ for a week at aa spa with my 6 daughters (ages 29-44), and went to 3 different classes wit 3 different teachers. it was wonderful, so I'm going to start going to a class once a week now! (I'm not sure just HOW I'll fit it in, but I'm going to try! I also bike, swim, lift weights. But I do love Yoga! :D

[garden granny]

I do alot of Yoga at home, but was in AZ for a week at aa spa with my 6 daughters (ages 29-44), and went to 3 different classes wit 3 different teachers. it was wonderful, so I'm going to start going to a class once a week now! (I'm not sure just HOW I'll fit it in, but I'm going to try! I also bike, swim, lift weights. But I do love Yoga! :D

6 daughters? How fun!! :D

[miaculpa]

I am a new beginner in yoga, too!

I agree that it seems to be wonderful for the lifestyle.

I love it and am completely hooked.

[Dee1111]

i am a bikram addict. you should try it.

it leaves you feeling otherworldly

[nanetteb]

There are a couple of articles on raw foods on the Yoga Journal web site. Just do a search on raw foods. One is a funny article by a man who spent $78 on nuts on his first week eating raw foods. :)

[theresaann]

I will check that article out!

Just sharing, I am continuing to do yoga 3X a week and it's frickin' awesome. I'm going to start running also. that feels like a really supportive fitness regime. can I just say one more time...I LOVE what yoga is doing to me on so many levels:

physically-my posture is straigth without even thinking about it, I'm toning up all over, instead of in pieces like with weight training in the past, I feel so calm and my breathing is deep and slow, helps with the detox

emotionally-its helping my body purge stored stress in my tissues-"our issues are in our tissues", feel so clear and grounded (that's from raw too, of course)

Can't wait to see what a few more months bring!

[Aleesha Sattva]

my 9 yr old daughter and i started a new class last night. she was a bit overwhelmed but she did really good regardless. we did lots of talking after the class... i explained the poses she was having trouble with, i think she'll do much better next time.

[rawererin]

I wish I was, I'm so unflexible it's not funny, but I envy the patient, limber yoginis I see...

[carolg]

I was not limber when I began, but after several months of practicing in class I am much flexible then I can remember. It's easy for me to touch my toes now. I am far from perfect, but each time I hope to get more limber to do a head stand on my own--legs totally up in the air without any support.

I do stand straighter too, but I told that is due to my weight training. Tonight went to TJMAXX and bought a yoga mat--not Giam one.

I would love to find great prices for yoga pants with side openings, but no luck from Kohl's store--my main clothing place with great prices. I'm limited on budget.

carolg

[Adensspell]

YES YES AND YES!!!

Yoga is incredible...my mom is an instructor and it's funny to see the differences in our strengths with yoga. She is much better at balance poses wheras as at first I stumbled all over. However, despite her being a teacher she can not yet do a full front bend with nose touching knees, but I can. The best part though is she gets closer and closer all the time and I have been gaining more balance. Yoga just takes our natural weaknesses and strengthens them, how fantastic.

I am so excited to be on my yoga journey and even though I know it is not about pushing yourself to quickly, I can't wait for the day where I can hold my whole body to the side of me while holding it in the air with just my hands.

[carolg]

Aden,

I see people doing the pose you described, I can hold my whole body to the side of me while holding it in the air with just my hands, but I am not where close to getting even off the ground for a half second. I can't coordinate my needs holding my arms close by for one pose. I can't remember that pose name.

I am surely more flexible then I was before I started yoga and my postive is straighter too.

carolg

[Adensspell]

That's great carol, the thing I love most about Yoga is how it is a journey for each of us and one can see great progress in many areas over short and long periods of time.

[SuzyQ]

Yoga has given me a strength that I didn't know I could achieve. I practice 6 days a week for about 30-40 minutes. I am going back to the class 1 to 2 times a week. With the gas prices the way they are and my studio is 35 minutes away (and many miles) I need to do this at home mostly.

[Eilene]

Eilene, went to your website-beautiful creations! WOW! really lovely.

Yes, I am getting really hooked on this yoga. Upping it now to 4 classes a week. I feel firmer faster than I did doing free weights, without that bulkiness, plus its just funner! really looking forward to doing this long term.

I am a bodyworker and tell people all the time that if people would just do yoga, they would put chiropractors, massage therapists, etc, out of business! Or at least, we wouldn't need to be adjusted as much-we can do it ourselves with yoga.

Thank you soo much!!! :-)

[Eilene]

This is my first post here (Eilene kindly recommended this forum to me on a knitting board - thanks Eilene!) and I am just starting to learn about raw foods and waiting on Alyssa's book. I am beginning to think my desire to go raw came about as a result of doing a lot of power yoga lately. I agree that it really feels like the two go together.

I work out with a one hour power yoga show on tv (Veria on Dish Network). I started in the beginning of November and have worked up to one to two shows daily. I used to do it only six days a week but I was always so sore and stiff on my day off that I started doing it every day. My shoulders and my hamstrings are really starting to feel strong although I still can't really do a decent chaturanga!

The instructor (Kurt Johnsen of American Power Yoga in Dallas) reminds me a lot of Bryan Kest and recommends keeping the room at 85 degrees although I rarely manage that. At their web site he says he is working on a DVD on yoga for addictions which sounds interesting. On the show each day he will focus on yoga for specific conditions like yoga for patience or yoga for asthma or yoga for PMS although mainly the show is just 450 billion sun salutations in a row. :)

Nanette

I'm so glad to see you here!! And yes Yoga & Raw go hand in hand!

[Eilene]

I will always practice Yoga. It is amazing! I took off for a long time from an injury...but I am right on track again. I was doing it like 3-4 times a week...but since starting again, I am doing it around 2 times a week for about 30 min to 1 1/2 hours each time. I would like to do 3 times a week. It just makes me feel so alive!

[RawSinger]

I desperately want to start an Ashtanga yoga practice. What Ashtanga videos do any of you recommend?

[cara4art]

I don't have any videos, but David Swenson's book on Ashtanga yoga is excellent, with good photos of poses, as well as some modifications for beginners which is really good for those of us who are just starting up, or had a long layoff or injury.

[RawSinger]

Is there anyone out there who just does yoga and no other forms of exercise and is still seeing results?

[maui_butterfly]

I desperately want to start an Ashtanga yoga practice. What Ashtanga videos do any of you recommend?

David Swenson's Ashtanga Yoga First Series video is excellent:
http://www.amazon.com/Ashtanga-Yoga-Practice-First-Swenson/dp/B000VS872Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1206864757&sr=1-1

He is a master, and a gentle teacher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xeWmcXbmBY

His workbook is also excellent for the "theory" behind each pose, ways to work in it, ways to deepen it. But the best way to study is just to get on your mat and DO IT. 1% theory, 99% practice.

[maui_butterfly]

this is a FABULOUS website for free yoga sessions online. a new class posted every day. great instructors, great practices. (save $$!)

www.yogatoday.com

the liver cleanse kundalini class rocked me! http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1213900523/bclid1213913288/bctid1463215151

i'm hooked!

[vata]

I'm a yoga devotee. I started about 6 yrs ago to help myself recover from knee injury and couldn't even stand without crutches in the beginning. I healed perfectly, I now run without a problem, and I even dabble in contorting for fun.

The huge payoff is a blanket of calm that has settled over me, resulting in fewer emotional ups and downs. For example, if I have a near miss in the highway, I have a very delayed panic response, and by the time it hits, I can observe the feeling and let it fade. Sometimes I don't even realize that something has upset me until I notice a physiological response, then, of course, I address the issue.

And sometimes I just totally lose it, but I snap out of it when I realize what's happening.

[carolg]

Jennifer,
I love the yoga today site you shared. I felt like I was in class with my instructor who rocks too. I feel like I struck gold with your information. Thanks
carolg

[RawLibrarian]

I've been practicing yoga for many years. I am certified to teach kundalini yoga, and I practice it, and Ashtanga yoga. I find that they are quite complementary.

I second the recommendations for David Swenson's DVDs and his book. He is a funny, gentle teacher who wears his mastery very lightly. His 45 minute Ashtanga "Short Forms" practice is one of my bedrocks. With a full time job, a husband, and 4 animals, I simply don't have 90 minutes each day for the full Primary Series. David's 45 minute practice is a godsend.

I took the level 1 teacher training program offered by the Kundalini Research Institute in 2006/2007. It was a great experience; I met lots of wonderful people and learned a whole lot. I teach a private yoga class once a week and I get as much, if not more, out of it than my student does.

Yoga and raw foods are a terrific fit, and yoga as an exercise regimen can kick your butt.