Yoga – I used to ignore it. I thought it wasn’t worth my time. I preferred exercises that were of higher intensity and burned a lot of fat and calories. To me, yoga didn’t meet these requirements.
Yoga revisited – Last month I checked out a yoga DVD just for a change of pace. I was in the mood for something a little more low key. That half hour flew by, and I felt so refreshed! I felt good. Optimistic. Woodland creatures came to greet me and clean my kitchen. Seriously.
Now I make a point to fit in a yoga session once or twice a week. This may not fit the definition of a true yogi, but it works for a beginner like me.
What I like most about yoga is the stretching. I enjoy improving my flexibility, and it’s something I need to pay more attention to, especially for protecting my injured knee. Somehow I feel longer after a yoga session; I have better posture.
I also enjoy working on my strength and balance, both of which yoga provides, and in a way that is less stressful to the joints. Again, my knee approves. Plus, being someone who constantly stumbles, improving balance is always welcome! (I always trip, but I never fall - probably thanks in part to dance classes as a child - otherwise I’d be a lot more up close and personal with the pavement.)
I find yoga to be energizing. I wouldn’t have thought this since there’s no running, jumping, or groove thing shaking. But it gets the blood circulating, and I feel I have a lot more energy just to tackle everything in daily life.
Yoga is also a great stress reliever. That’s pretty much well known. I don’t use yoga as a form of meditation as some may do. I do find the held poses and the deep breathing calm the body. It's a great way to clear the mind and organize your thoughts, as many other exercises can do.
And I love the names for all the yoga poses. My favorites are the downward facing dog (oh, yeah, feel it in the calves) and the sun salutation (oh yeah, that’s a good one. I think my back just popped). I’ve actually done a few sun salutation-type stretches before an audition to shake away some of the nerves and tension. It counteracts that fight-or-flight syndrome.
I may never be a true yogi as my heart is still in to the more traditional cardio workouts, but I still feel yoga is a great addition to my overall workout program. Incorporating flexibility, balance, and strength along with cardio just makes for a balanced fitness program AND body anyway!
I leave you with an excellent instruction of the sun salutation poses:
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Trying to find a good yoga video?
These are worth a look:
Crunch - Super Slimdown: Pilates Yoga Blend
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10 comments ↓
Okay, the Bag Lady is jealous. The woodland creatures never come and clean HER house when she does yoga!!
Good post! And we just may be soul-sisters. I, too, had years of ballet and jazz as a young’un in order to help with my clumsiness. Didn’t make much of a difference – I can still trip on air. (you wouldn’t happen to be left-handed, too, would you?)
Yoga has been on my shortlist for sometime now. I need to just do it! Very nice post.
I really love yoga. But its one of those things that I just don’t do often enough. SO relaxing though!
Bag Lady,
I’m actually your long lost mirror soul-twin – I’m a rightie.
Mark,
Thanks. Yoga is excellent on those days you just need and want to unwind!
Sagan,
I’m more apt to do a yoga session if I pop in a DVD at home as opposed to getting myself to a class at the gym. I like yoga classes, but I also like the convenience of doing it at home! (Translation: I can be too lazy to drive myself to the gym!)
the older I get the more yoga I do.
ohhh
maybe I need to make that my bumper sticker!
That would make a great bumper sticker!
I’m one of those people who SHOULD probably do yoga, but I just can’t seem to make time for it. I just do some general stretching after I work out and call it a day.
Good for you yoga people though, I think it’s awesome exercise.
Love reading your blog!
Which yoga DVD did you try? I’m really thinking I need to check one out and I don’t want to get a “bad” one and be turned off.
Thanks!
Michelle,
Thank you! I appreciate the compliment!
Great question! I exercised to a Denise Austin yoga DVD.
I updated this post and made a list of yoga DVDs that I think are pretty decent. Hopefully one of those will work for you, or they will lead you to one that is your perfect fit.
Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
[...] Fitness Life presents Yoga Revisisted. Are you looking for a change of pace from the high intensity exercises? Yoga might just be for [...]
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