Erich Schiffman Yoga

A

Alexis52

Cathlete
I can't get on to the VF site where they've been discussing the new DVD by Erich for beginners. Have any of you tried it? I know that he's a wonderful instructor but his DVD is 1hr 17 mins. Do any of you know if the practice can be made shorter and still get a well rounded chill? I'm also checking out Eoin Finn's Yoga for Happiness. What do all you gurus think? Alexis
 
Alexis, here's some info from VF

I ran a search at VF for you on "Erich Schiffman beginners" and came up with a lot of posts. One of the most informative was started by Jane C. just a couple of days ago -- it may be the one you were searching for. Here's the link, and I'll quote some from the responses.

Link: http://205.214.68.83/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45020&highlight=erich+schiffman+beginners

Jane C.'s recommendations:

"TOP 5 OVERALL YOGA ROUTINES (no order)

Eoin Finn Power Yoga
Eoin Finn Yoga For Happiness
Erich Schiffman Backyard Beginners (and Inversions)
Shiva Rea Yoga Sanctuary - especially lunar cycle
Experience Yoga Nidra

TOP 5 OVERALL 'AVAILABLE ON RECORDING' INSTRUCTORS (no order)

Erich Schiffman
Eoin Finn
Shiva Rea
Bryan Kest (I'm not crazy about the videos, but I like the cds alot)
David Swenson

BEST SLOW STRETCHIES/RESTORATIVES/MEDITATIONS

Bryan Kest Long Slow Deep - CD w/spiral bound book
Bryan Kest Spinal Strengthening - CD w/spiral bound book
John Friend - Yoga for Meditators (high spiritual woo woo content)
Experience Yoga Nidra (a relaxation cd - the inadvertant cure for insomnia - try it in the bathtub )

IYENGAR
Yoga for Inflexible People
Lindsey Clennell Yoga Basics

ASHTANGA/POWER YOGA
David Swenson Short Forms

BEST BEGINNERS
Schiffman Backyard Beginners
Morning Cup of Yoga (lovely book w/ 15 minute routine on CD)

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Sonic Yoga Flow into Splits
Rainbeau Mars (marred by verbiage that was beyond her depth)
Baron Baptiste Live! (also too much verbiage)

DISSAPOINTMENTS
Elena Brower - hard to follow
Mantra Girl Advanced

LIVE CLASSES

I went to several wonderful classes and would recommend, without hesitation, any of these teachers. It was very important for me to return to live classes. I think the student/teacher relationship is an important part of yoga.

NYC - Alison West - mixed Iyengar/Ashtanga/Anusara
NYC - Jacqueline Prete - Anusara
NYC - Elena Brower - Anusara based -
NYC - Jonathan Fields Modern Power Yoga - bring a towel...
Rochester - Francois Raoult - Iyengar -
Rochester - Mitchel and Sianna - Anusara -
Buffalo - Annie Allen - Anusara -

BOOKS:
Judith Lasatar - 30 Essential Yoga Poses
Yoga Journal - Yoga Basics

TYPES OF YOGA

Boy, I took to the anusara like a duck to water. - i like how they combine a strong alignment focus with a somewhat flowing routine and a "heart centered practice"

Iyengar - anusara stems from Iyengar - Again, I liked the attention to form - and, with Iyengar the sort of "no nonsense" quality

Power Yoga - right now, I'm really trying to get the form down, but no one makes me smile like Eoin, and sometimes you just want to flow through, you know?"


Then here are recommendations from VF-er Beth ("Toaster"):

"Here are some of my recommendations:

Beginners*/Gentle Videos
Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss
Yoga Conditioning for Athletes
Kripalu Yoga Gentle
Candlelight Yoga
AM/PM Yoga

*I recommend that all first-time yogis start with Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice for Beginners to learn the poses

More Challenging for Advanced Beginners
Soul of Strength
Yoga for Upper Body
YogaSculpt

Books for Learning Poses
Erich Schiffmann's Moving Into Stillness
Baron Baptiste's Journey Into Power
Miriam Austin's Cool Yoga Tricks"

And here from SharonNYC:

"New DVD/CD practices:

Erich Schiffmann Backyard Series: Beginning Yoga (indeed a winner)

Natasha Rizopoulus Yoga Journal’s Yoga Step by Step (a good find, with some reservations)

Bryan Kest Long, Slow & Deep (love the practice, hate the voice track)

Jonathan Fields Sonic Yoga: Turbo Flow (a disappointment for several reasons)

New book:

Judith Lasater 30 Essential Poses (a winner indeed)"


Alexis, lastly, a thank you, girlfriend, for just pointing me to this VF search. This looks like a really cool group who are doing this yoga weekly "sadhana" check-in at VF. I am such a rank beginner at this -- I have ONE yoga tape, a loaner from Bobbi, but I am deeply enjoying trying this and am shocked at how inflexible I am for someone who considered herself fit and strong and reasonably fluid. Reading this VF thread on your behalf has really piqued my interest into learning more about yoga.


http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/spudniks/spudniklifter.gif
 
RE: P.S. from Kathy S.

Kathy, my friend, I thank you! For some reason I'm not registered at VF, probably because I haven't posted in a long time? I dunno. In any case, I can read it, but it won't let me post to ask questions or give my expertise (LOL). Isn't it a great yoga group? They seem to be experienced. I'm the same as you - not as flexible as I thought and really want to make it part of my practice. Bobbi told me about the Earth/Water/Fire series she uses. I have Earth, but honestly, I'm far too stiff to give it justice yet. Erich Schiffman is considered "the man" by many. He looks a bit old-new-agey-frumpy to me but I'm a big girl and can get past the look. I'm definitely buying the Eoin Finn Happiness DVD. You'll find their site at www.vancouveryoga.com. I just like their whole attitude. Thanks again Peachy Kathy! Lexy
 
One more thing and I swear I'm done

Awright, Ms. Alexis52 my dear, I'm really gonna have to kill ya now, I'm afraid. http://users.telenet.be/eforum/emoticons4u/evil/105.gif I am sitting here READING about yoga instead of doing it or a Cathe. Typical me -- off down the rabbit trail I go.

Here is VF-er LisaTV's thumbs up review of the Erich Schiffman beginner video, and a link to his website where we can all shell out for videos now. I feel a buying spree coming on. :)

Erich Schiffman's website: http://www.movingintostillness.com/

The following review is at this link:
http://205.214.68.83/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23915&highlight=erich+schiffman+beginners

And HERE IT IS. I just want you to tell me, after you read it, two things: What is a zafu (rhymes with snafu, hope it's not related :)) and what is the "woo woo" factor I keep reading about in yoga posts???

"Review--Beginners Yoga, Erich Schiffman
Beginning Yoga, Backyard Series
Erich Schiffman

This 1 hour 17 min video was self made by Erich. The production quality is better than his Live series, but you shouldn't expect the movie quality of Yoga Mind & Body. Music does play at times during this video, but not always. There is audible high speed dub tape hiss.

This is a terrific yoga video for beginners (and others), possibly the best I've seen! If you're looking for a gentle-ish practice that's very low on the woo woo factor and has little or no sanskrit, this is for you too. It's Erich in his own backyard with his cat (who you hear meow off camera once, and who hangs out on the mat for a while). The shoulder openers are particularly thorough and good. I can't recommend it enough!

Here is a breakdown. You'll need blankets or a zafu to sit on (I was too lazy to get my zafu out, so I just grabbed a nearby block) and a strap of some kind (a tie or belt from a bathrobe works too):

Opening Part 1
1. Easy cross leg
2. Forward fold--side bend--vertical twist--chest expander--forward fold

Opening Part 2
1. Mountain pose on toes
2. Arms up, palms down, on toes
3. Chest expander
4. Standing side bend
5. Arms up, palms up, up on toes
6. Chest expander
7. Forward fold arms behind back
8. Squat

Opening Part 3
1. Cat pose--dog pose
2. Kneeling--squat--curl up
3. Half salutes
4. Triangle pose
5. Wide leg forward fold
6. Reclining lotus prep
7. Knee to chest--abdominal
8. Straight leg abdominal
9. Reclining leg stretches
10. Seated lotus prep
11. Shoulder stretches on zafu (watch for Erich's cat!)
12. Locust pose
13. Half dog--quarter dog
14. Bridge pose 1, 2, 3
15. Reclining twist
16. Relaxation"

Enjoy, girlfriend!


http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/spudniks/spudniklifter.gif
 
RE: One more thing and I swear I'm done

I wrote this wonderful witty reply and it wouldn't connect to post. So you lose. Sent ya an email instead. Let's go exercise - Alexis
 
RE: One more thing and I swear I'm done

I just ordered David Swenson's Short Forms and Richard Freeman's most baisc DVD which looks like a killer, if you'll forgive me saying so. I'll let you know. I love the yoga I have been doing live since one warms up so well at a club and it's so hard to do so on my cold, hard family room floor. I know this is going to do great things for me, this yoga kick but I'll let you know what's what when I get the product.

Kid's, let's meet at "the fort", come on, what do you say? badly for See you tomorrow. Be there, or be square!

Gee, Kathy, I thought I was the queen of web research but I bow to you. I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy! You have got to be the foremost authority on yoga at Cathe.com right now! :D
 
Bobbi -- Yoga Authority????

Me, the yoga authority in this neck o' the woods? Honey, I'll cop to being the all-time queen of web research (obsessive, some might say), but what I know about yoga would fill a thimble. I am the queen of yoga info cut 'n paste, that's it. I do, however, now know how to intone "Namaste" appropriately. Too bad my entire family had no earthly idea what I was serenely saying to them.

And now you've got me going off to research Richard Freeman (I almost typed Richard Simmons -- WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?????) and David Swenson. What are you doing to me, girl??

I'm ready to meet at the fort any day. Just one question. What fort? :)

http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/spudniks/spudniklifter.gif
 
RE: Bobbi -- Yoga Authority????

What fort?!? Are you serious? It's the fort that friends built, you silly goose! Now don't go getting all carried away with Bobbi-karma. LOL Kathy, if I said Namaste to my family, they'd kick me in the rear and tell me to keep my serenity to myself. Lucky you - they just ignored you! And thanks again for the info. Alexis
 
Come into Tadasana....

Once the search begins, it never ends. There's one site after another bookmarked on my computer and I don't know where to find the time. But I do love to get into what I am into and learn everythng I can. I may have to buy a book!

I am waiting for the serenity. Serene, I ain't. Next on the agenda comes The Sacred Feminine. Call me a Goddess. Or Sir! My family puts up with my forays into this and that quite nicely. My immediate family. My sisters consider much of my interests tantamount to devil worship. Don't whip out the Namaste's or mention your chi or a chakra to any of those ladies, lol!

I think it's all good!

Check out John Friend of Anusara Yoga fame, Kathy. He rocks too and he's funny! And for a serene time, call Thich Nhat Hanh. He embodies serentiy.

Namaste http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/person/smilejap.gif


Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
 
RE: One more thing and I swear I'm done

A zafu is a round black cusion you sit on to meditate. It's about 10-12 inches in diameter, and about 4 inches thick (before you sit on it).

I only know "woo-woo factor" from mysteries, where it means ghosts/astrology/answered prayers etc. I guess here it would mean more "new age" or more "yoga" as opposed to "athletic stretch". Where you breath deep and feel the energy flowing through you from the earth and out through the top of your head to make a fountain.

MaryS

P.S. I'm noting down all of the recommendations!
 
RE: One more thing and I swear I'm done

Hi, Mary! It's a bolster? I have blocks and straps and a sticky mat but no bolsters. Yet! :) I don't know what a woo woo factor is but I actully love the sanscrit names for the poses and try to pick them up. I have never been able to do sitting meditation. Is there such a thing as bouncing off the walls meditation? LOL! I'd master that quickly I am sure! A very wise woman once told me not to get hung up on unfamiliar language and let it keep me from the underlying benefit of that which I explored. Her name's Alexis! I am not particulary into "new age" but more "yoga" yoga is the only kind I think is worth exploring and it's more "old age" really!

Are you a regular practitioner? I am really falling in love with the dicipline!
 
RE: One more thing and I swear I'm done

It's really like a low hassock. As opposed to a cossack who can do that really cool dance. You could roll up a bunch of towels or a blanket and get the same effect. Unless you want to spend money, then that's another story. If you're going to do that, you may as well get a couple of statues and make a shrine. Shrines are cool!

Ya gotta stop throwing my name around as your source of "words of wisdom." It's embarrassing. And based on my other posts (spaz-attack lunges), it'll make you look bad! Guilt by association with a wingnut.:p Alexis
 
Free your mind...

I think you are more of a Lock Nut, which is by definition, a nut which is screwed up tightly against another nut on the same bolt or screw, in order to prevent accidental unscrewing of the first nut."

I have found you to be nothing but a grounding influence whether I am coming unscrewed or unglued or just bouncing off the walls, O Wise One!

I never bought any bolsters and won't buy the tools of sitting meditation until I am convinced I can sit still long enough to leave a good butt print on it.

You know I have that golden mini step shrine to Cathe. The Pedestal of the Goddess of Strength and Heart Rate Acceleration!

I could use a good Cossack though for those times when I want to recline (perhaps on a hammock) and eat bon bons but NOT watch soap operas but still have something to amuse me.

I see you are back to nuts, which is where we began. A different type of nut to be sure, but a nut all the same!

Who are you, who are so wise in the ways of nuts? :)

B http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/natur/petals.gif BBI
 
Well, I love nuts, and I have a question

Wingnuts, lugnuts (Trevor springs to mind :)), locknuts, squirrels & nuts, Oh nuts, ground nuts (or grounded nuts, in the case of Bobbi) -- I love 'em all. You two included.

My question for inquiring minds is: Is a hassock a reclining Cossack? Linguist that I aspire to be, I am assuming that "ha" is derived from "hammock" and "--ssock" is derived from Cossack. Oui oui, mes amis? If I'm right, sign me up for one right away. :)

Namaste and peace love dove, my little ones.


http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sport/sport-smiley-003.gif Kathy S. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/spezial/spudniks/spudniklifter.gif
 
RE: Well, I love nuts, and I have a question

That I cannot tell you but I am thinking that "ham" is definitely an appropriate prefix somewhere in this conversation. :)

And what of a rucksack? Might a Cossack pull a hammock from his rucksack and discouraged by the amount of work it takes to put it up, opt for a hassock instead?
Bobbi "Chick's rule!" http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif
 
RE: Well, I love nuts, and I have a question

Where is Lewis Carroll when I need him? Jabberwocky, anyone? Maybe Jo can come up with a little ditty for the occasion. Obviously, you two had some free time today and I am jealous! Alexis
 
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