Yoga classes : Vini / Ashtanga / Power / Bikram / Hatha ?

[Talkinpeace]

Any other MNers regularly do yoga classes?
Which is your favourite style?

I do pedantic Vini/flow twice a week and then a freestyle meditative / mother earth type once a week
hour long classes at my gym

You?

[Talkinpeace]

aha, found some yoga people on style and beauty .... do none of the fitness folks include it in their sessions?

[LordEmsworth]

"Pedantic Vini/flow"? What makes it pedantic?!

I do Iyengar, which I love. I've tried other styles but Iyengar is definitely the one for me - it's about getting the right alignment and being in the pose. I'm quite stiff naturally so when I've tried other fast-moving styles they've left me struggling - Iyengar takes my weaknesses and makes them less weak!

[VerySmallSqueak]

I tried Hatha but found it a little unchallenging (- perhaps it's because the particular class had an average age of about 65 -70 years old...)

I would like something more physically challenging.

[Talkinpeace]

LordEmsworth what makes it pedantic ? The wonderful teacher. She is really thorough about getting postures and form and breath "just so" I love it. And the classes are always full!

Verysmall
Hatha just means doing Asanas - there are so many different ways - you need to ask around till you find a calss that suits

[LordEmsworth]

"Pedantic" isn't normally complimentary, that's why I was confused! But the thoroughness sounds good...

"Pedantic: Characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for book learning and formal rules"
www.thefreedictionary.com/pedantic

I agree about finding the right class; as we get older we lose flexibility, so if the class is mostly older people it will be quite hard for the teacher to teach them safely/effectively while also pushing the few more flexible people more

[Lazysuzanne]

I practise yoga, but I do it at home, I'm terrible at getting to classes on time

[GoodbyeRubyTuesday]

I've just started a yoga and relaxation class. I don't know what type of yoga it is. I was worried it wouldn't be challenging but it's separate parts, normal yoga and then extra time in Savasana at the end, with guided relaxation type exercises. I also do a Pilates class.

At home on non-class days I do yogalates from DVDs.

[Talkinpeace]

Lordemsworth I got called a rottweiler as a compliment this week. I guess I'm just odd.

What I mean is that for those of us who can do the poses easily she expects perfect alignments - to the last 1/2 inch etc etc and makes us repeat till we get it right ....

[impatienttobemummy]

Iyenger for me

[Lazysuzanne]

I suppose it depends what you mean by challenging and what you want from yoga, some styles are very gymnastic and dynamic, requiring a high level of strength balance & flexibility.

I use yoga to stay flexible and prevent/treat niggles that I pick up from swimming, weight training & running, I lean a bit towards yin styles where you hold poses for quite a long time.

Yoga has really expanded since I started doing it, there are some really good channels on you tube, eg

www.youtube.com/user/yogatic?feature=watch
www.youtube.com/user/essentialyoga?feature=watch

I especially like acro yoga :o

[Talkinpeace]

I like the Yoga Inspiration pictures on Facebook.
I use it for strength, flexibility, prevention of osteoporosis
and to clear my (rather psychotic) mind

Acro yoga is quite something isn't it. I'm about 20 years too old for it

[Lazysuzanne]

dunno about too old, looks to me as if you just need a reasonably strong man for acroyoga, my partner is nearly twice my size I'm very tempted to have a go at some of the easier looking bit's with him.

Or is that just a really dumb idea

[PeterParkerSays]

I loved Bikram yoga and went regularly before I got pregnant. It's flaming expensive though - upwards of £7 a session 5 years ago - and I had to give up when pregnant because I was classed as low BMI and a high risk pregnancy as a result, and I just couldn't eat enough calories to top up what I lost doing Bikram.

I will go back in a few years, when I can be out of the house in the early evening.

[VerySmallSqueak]

Thanks Talkin - I have to admit I have no idea of the differences!

I want something more stretchy and balancy (I love standing in the tree pose (have I got that right????)for ages) and I really enjoy the 'spiritual' side.

I don't see yoga as something I would do for any sort of an aerobic or weight reduction exercise.

[Talkinpeace]

Yoga is not aerobic, but it is incredibly toning.
The class I do on Monday is monster - 20 mins in down dog in total - but I love it
physiologically I easily build muscle, but Yoga keeps my limbe lean and mean
and is good for my psychoses :-)

[ConfusedPixie]

Can I ask, I want to do yoga but have no idea where to start or what would be good. I did try an Iyengar class but couldn't make it regularly. I have painful joints so it can't be too vigorous either but I'm not sure what the styles are?!

[Talkinpeace]

they vary so much its tricky - your best bet is to go along to a couple of different classes and do ONLY what feels comfortable till you find one you like

[LordEmsworth]

Pixie - I am biassed but, I would stick to Iyengar - are there any other classes you could get to? Iyengar takes it quite slowly and focusses on correctness of the pose so is good for joint problems (it's a form of Hatha, so Hatha follows similar principles). Flow-style yoga (e.g. Ashtanga) can involve a lot of jumping so might be stressful on your joints.

There are two major "authorities" who train and certify teachers in the UK, they are British Wheel of Yoga and the Iyengar Association. Check your teacher's qualifications - anyone can call themselves a yoga teacher, without any training. If they are BWY or Iyengar qualified then you know they've done a very thorough training course and should be able to adapt poses/sequences to suit your body's needs.

[http://life.gaiam.com/article/beginners-guide-8-major-styles-yoga] might be helpful?

[LordEmsworth]

life.gaiam.com/article/beginners-guide-8-major-styles-yoga

[GoodbyeRubyTuesday]

Also make sure you let your teacher know your limitations so they can adapt poses for you or suggest alternatives.

[HRHLadyG]

Yoga teachers can also be certified by Yoga Alliance (U.K or USA). In the beginning, I would recommend an Iyengar class to develop an understanding of the poses in a static and safe environment. You may want to complement this with a beginners Flow course if moving feels good for you.
Look for teachers who give clear actions in the poses rather than just naming the pose. This will help to deepen your understanding of what you are doing and how to progress safely and more fully. Don't push yourself too hard. Try to avoid looking/forcing your body to achieve the shape of a demonstrated pose, instead focus on the actions of the pose.
Enjoy! x

[HRHLadyG]

Lovely to have a yoga thread!! x

[Serafinaaa]

I've tried most types of yoga but my favourites are Ashtanga and AcroYoga. Ashtanga is pretty fast paced with some really difficult postures to master. AcroYoga can be easier and more relaxing. It doesn't need a particularly strong partner either. I do AcroYoga with a female friend who is smaller than me!

[Naebother]

Iyengar is fantastic

Teachers all trained to a high standard. Safe for all abilities. Highly recommend you start with this type.

[GoodbyeRubyTuesday]

Can anyone recommend somewhere to buy nice, reasonably priced yoga clothes?