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

That's why I posted you a you tube video

thanks, will look at that link later this evening. I'm guessing that saying DVD shows my age. Even worse, I started the post asking if anyone uses yoga videos !

Nosleep, there are some good yoga based you tube channels, eg:
www.youtube.com/user/yogatic?feature=g-coll

Does anyone do yoga from a DVD? I struggle to get to classes on early evening and would love to do it at home. Before ds I did quite a lot of yoga, no particular style though. I've tried ashtanga which I found too challenging to give me any mental/spiritual benefits and iyengar I did find pedantic (using the negative connotation of the word) and faffy with all the aids. I got frustrated with its slow pace so something in between the two would be perfect. I think it's important to have the poses explained fully and to strive for good alignment and then I like to hold the pose for a bit to really relax into it and work on all the subtle adjustments.
At the moment I feel like I'm falling apart and stiff as a board so I'll probably have to start at beginner level again.
Can anyone recommend a good DVD?

Try the search facility on this site iyengar

Thank you both :)

Yogamatters website is a great resource.

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

Iyengar is fantastic

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

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!

Lovely to have a yoga thread!! x

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

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

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

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?

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?!

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.

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.

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

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