So, I posted a little while back about starting up a Facebook group for yoga tips and support (here’s the original post, if you’re interested), and I thought it would be fun to sort of chronicle my adventures here, too!
One of the toughest parts for me about getting into yoga on a regular basis is variety. I tend to stick with poses I know and like, which gets a little stale after a while. To mix things up, I’ve accumulated a few DVDs and other tools over the years. If I’m really going to stick with this plan, it’s about time to pull out those old DVDs and whatnot and change things up! Here are some tools to get you motivated!
1. Shiva Rea Fluid Power
This DVD is no joke. Shiva Rea is an asskicker, but she does it with such a calm demeanor, it really makes you push through. This DVD has the usual preset series on it, but that’s not what makes it special. Once you get a feel for the poses, you can play around with the YOGA MATRIX! There’s a special menu where you can customize your practice, picking whatever poses you want to do, and then playing them in the order you chose. It is so. awesome.
2. & 3. Rodney Yee’s AM and PM Yoga and Energy and Balance
Rodney Yee is a yoga superstar. I love his approach and how he talks you through the poses. The AM and PM Yoga is a good beginner video, though he makes other beginner videos that are great, as well.
The Energy and Balance is a little more advanced. It assumes that you’ve been doing yoga for a while and offers very little explanation, which is great if you are familiar with lots of poses. I love the variety on this one. There are a bunch of different practices on there that you can choose from, depending on how you’re feeling.
If neither of those sound good for you, I really would recommend anything featuring Rodney Yee. He has videos aimed at every level, from beginner to advanced, and he does a fabulous job on all of his DVDs.
4.Yoga Deck
I got this as a Christmas present years and years ago and still turn to my Yoga Deck when I need to mix things up! The deck consists of 50 cards, and each card describes a different pose. You just sort through, choose your poses, order them however you please, and start your practice! The explanations are pretty thorough, but I would recommend that you take a couple of classes or at least try some beginner DVDs before using the Yoga Deck, so you’ll be familiar with the poses. It’s a pretty standard set of Hatha poses, though, so it shouldn’t take too much practice to learn them.
5. Wai Lana Invigorating
Dave hipped me to Wai Lana. They used to run her show on the PBS station that he worked at in college. Wai Lana is Hawaiian, and the video is all beautiful beach views and energizing poses. A great kick if you’re stuck in a rut.
6. North Shore Yoga 40 Days to Personal Revolution
My Virtual Yoga Buddy, Tobi, is taking this class in Chattanooga, and I’ve got to say I’m jealous! If you’re in the area, it looks worth checking out for sure.
Of course, I’m always looking for more tools to jumpstart my practice. Do you guys have any favorite yoga DVDs or resources?
Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by Graham King
10 Responses to The Yoga Project: Getting Motivated
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you rock – I will have to look and see what videos I have. I know one way I love to do yoga which I need to get back into is my Wii Fit – it is a fun way to do yoga :) I start my class on Sunday – I am looking forward to it – I know it will be SOOO challenging, but that is SOOO good for me. Glad we have each other! xo
Ohman, I totally forgot about my Wii Fit! It’s gathering dust somewhere. I can’t wait to hear how that class goes!
Yogadownloads.com has free 20 min classes you can download. Most are just audio, but a few are video as well. It’s better if you are familiar with yoga and know the poses so when they say them you know what to do. They explain how do them, but it can sometimes be difficult to get if you have never seen or done it before. They have all levels from gentle and beginner to power.There are also longer classes you can purchase.
Thanks for the tip, Jessica! 20 minutes is a nice length for a busy day when you’re trying to cram in some yoga time, too.
I just picked up Duncan Wong’s Yogic Arts: Awakening Level, and it’s pretty great so far. It’s been good getting me out of my xmas torpor.
awesome advice :)
Becky – I joined officially today – you made me finally decide to do it. Thanks SO much!
@Becky S – Oooh thanks for the rec! I know what you mean…the holidays seem to always kill my resolve to practice, too!
@Tobi – So awesome! Keep me posted – I’m so jealous!! :)
I am getting started with using my Wii Fit also but I have limited time during the day so I record the Yoga programs on my DVR from the FitTV Channel on Comcast and try to do these when I have time. There is also a great selection of Yoga workouts ON Demand if you have that option.
Great suggestions! Thanks, Lauren!
[...] Getting motivated to do yoga is awesome, but sticking with a regular practice can be tricky! There are definitely mornings that I’d rather hit snooze than get up and roll out that mat. Here are a few tricks that have helped me push through! [...]