Yoga - where to start?

[buckeyegirl]

DH and I are avid runners, but now that we are in our 40's, running-related inuries plague us (IT band, piriformis, plantar fasciitis..) We'd like to include some yoga in our routines to help with flexibility and hopefully help keep us injury free.

Any good DVD's to start with? We did see a book called Yoga for Runners, but I think a DVD would be better initially to help with form.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Heidi

 

[morningstar]

I have a few yoga DVDs that I really like:

• Power Yoga, by Bryan Kest (3 routines: 50 minutes each)
• Power Yoga, by Adrienne Reed (3 routines: 20, 40 and 60 minutes)
• Namaste Yoga, by Kate Potter (6 DVDs, 3 routines each at 22 minutes)

The power yoga DVDs focus more on building strength and flexibility. Kest's version has difficult poses, held for longer periods of time, while Reed's is quicker and repetitive, almost cardio-like at times, and the poses are easier. Namaste yoga changes the poses with every breath, and you build the routine as you go - so you start out with a single pose, then add to it, starting over each time and adding more poses until at the end you complete the whole routine. Each move isn't hard, and it is a very peaceful way of doing yoga.

 

[coloradomama]

I think that Yoga Conditioning for Athletes with Rodney Yee would be right up your alley. You can focus on flexibility or strength in particular or watch all three people in it. It doesn't move so fast like power yoga and it has several mini yoga practices on it (about 5-6 minutes each, I think) for things like golf, running, general, etc (I forget how many there are, but there are several).

 

[NRG Woman]

I am with Jill and like Rodney Yee's Yoga Conditioning for Athletes. I haven't done it in a couple of years, but if I remember there are people doing the poses at different levels so it helps as you are a beginner and as you progress. Good luck.

Shayne

 

[Brighton]

IA, Rodney Yee is fantastic for yoga newbies! I hear his new AM yoga DVD is really great too.

I've also found Barbara Benagh's DVDs extremely useful. She has a Yoga for Beginners DVD and also, my personal favorite a Yoga for Stress Relief DVD. It has about 20 different premixes to help you with whatever ails you. It's the one I reach for most often after a hard run.

I do a lot of power yoga and the like, but if you're looking for something to just start you out and keep you flexible & injury-free I'd stick with the hatha yoga. It does wonders for my achy knees!

 

[LaughingWater]

I'm not a fan of Yee. I usually find him too fast, but that could be because I started with Bryan Kest, who can hang in a pose for what seems like forever. IF Yee slows things down in the Yoga Conditioning For Athletes DVD though, that might end up being a great fit for you.

If you find yourself later looking for more, Baron Baptiste's Unlocking Athletic Power is a quick but effective 30 minute practice. I use it when I want to feel like I've practiced for an hour...that cool, bendy, open feeling...but just don't have the time. Plus there's some strength work too, which is a good balance.

Do you have Cathe's Stretch Max? Despite my rather beefy yoga library, I had to add SM to my collection , and it's really growing on me. I think it's an excellent practice for someone who wants to enhance flexibility but doesn't want all the spiritual "woo woo" that sometimes comes with a yoga DVD (*points to Baron*). Again, I find her a little too fast and would rather she sit in a stretch a bit longer, but since that's my complaint with most flexibility-related DVDs, I'm starting to think it's just me.

Whatever you settle on, remember not to push. The pose should feel good, almost therapeutic. No pain.

 

[Elle_p]

One of my all time fave yoga DVD's is Yoga Mind and Body with Ali MacGraw. Erich Schiffman is the actual instructor in the DVD and it is really beautiful and the music is nice too.

I also like the Namaste series which is from the TV show. I have both seasons one and two on DVD. Each "episode" is about 20 minutes so i use them to stretch after other workouts.

 

[lcobb2]

Power Yoga, by Bryan Kest (3 routines: 50 minutes each)


The power yoga DVDs focus more on building strength and flexibility. Kest's version has difficult poses, held for longer periods of time.

I am a yoga instructor (200 Hour with Yoga Alliance) and I would recommend Bryan Kest's Power Yoga series. Each of the 50 minutes is excellent.