I mentioned the other day that I bought a “Yoga for Athletes” DVD and was more than a little surprised at how hard it is. I haven’t taken a yoga class since high school (yes, one of my PE options in 1985 was Yoga. I also took Aerobics for one semester – for our final we had to choreograph an aerobics routine to Sheena Easton’s hit song, “Strut.” Lordy.), and my oh-so-fuzzy memory of that class doesn’t include me sweating and grunting trying to hold a Warrior Pose. I do vividly remember a girl named Suki farting loudly during Downward Facing Dog pose, though, and man was I grateful that it wasn’t me. Maybe that’s why I’m leery of taking a group yoga class. In the privacy of my own home I have no problem letting them fly, but I’d rather not be called “fart girl” behind my back at the gym.
Since I have nothing to compare this DVD to, it seems pretty good. I specifically chose the DVD because it had a man on the cover (oh, and the fact that it was only $14.99). I have no interest in some 20-year old perky-breasted yoga girl making me feel bad about how limber I am NOT. This dude is seriously flexible, though! The voice-over is done by a woman with a nice, pleasant voice. The poses are explained in great detail, so you can do them without actually looking at the TV (which is very hard to do in some of the poses).
The Main Menu. I’m curious about the yoga poses they chose for golf.
The options for Runners. This seems pretty thorough to me, though I’m sure there’s some overlap on the poses. So far, I’ve only done two of the routines – 30 minute Basics and 45 minute General. They both kicked my ass, making me a little afraid to click on 60 minutes of Legs.
I guess I was expecting a lot of laying around on the floor, stretching and focusing on my breathing, but there’s much more to it than that. There’s a lot of coordination and balancing involved, neither of which are my strong suit. By the end of the 45-minute General routine, my legs were quivering and I was mighty happy to finish with Corpse Pose (my favorite).
Me attempting to hold the Flank Stretch Pose for as long as the DVD suggested. Do you see the vein popping out in my forehead? I thought yoga was supposed to be relaxing! (and, yes, that’s my indoor bike trainer in the corner)
I’m definitely going to continue working out with this DVD – it’s a new and exciting challenge for me and so much more athletic than I thought it might be. When I expand my DVD library, I’m considering “Yoga for Dummies” and possibly “Yoga for Inflexible People.” They both seem about my skill level!
Tell me about your yoga experiences! Do you take classes at your gym or yoga-cise at home?? Any DVDs you recommend?
Karen says
my dire lack of flexibility makes me scared of yoga! I have taken a class or two but it didn’t really hold my attention. I like the idea of certain poses based on your sport. I may have to give the dvd with the seriously flexible guy a try!
Aimee (I Tri To Be Me) says
I actually go to a yoga class at my gym every week. I LOVE it! The instructor switches things up all of the time so some days we focus on stretching and other days it’s a complete workout. It’s awesome.
I like how the DVD you bought has a lot of different yoga sessions you can do instead of one that you have to do all of the time. I may have to check it out!
DRog says
This is great. Thanks for the re-cap, review, and your thoughts!! This is my number one goal for offseason winter training…now Im frightened to take the club class first…dont want to be “that guy” at the club either!!
-Derek
Char says
You’ve inspired me. I may just have to head tot he DVD store and check out their offerings – but not till after next weekend.
Alma says
I love, love, LOVE yoga and used to go regularly to a yoga studio, which is very different than the yoga you get at a gym or on a DVD. Hard to justify both a gym membership AND yoga studio these days so I’m down to just DVD’s which I do like. My newest is Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Meltdown which is a great workout but definitely offensive to yoga purists. I like it. Also have a few others. Rodney Yee is pretty amazing. Maybe your local library has some you can test try?
Zaneta says
yay! i was so excited when i saw that picture on your post and clicked to read it! I’ve actually be looking at that dvd and another one that is also athletic yoga… it was nice to hear it was a challenge and well… athletic! lol… thanks for the review! 😀
heather says
Thanks for the review, I’ll look for the dvd. I’ve done a few classes in the past, but now do all my yoga at home. I use Yoga Meltdown the most because its short and moves quickly.
It’s frightening how much flexibility is lost with age. I used to be so flexible, now I have to really work at it. I think it’s from so much sitting at work, driving etc.
Michelle says
I am horrible at yoga. I keep hearing how relaxing it is but whenever I do it, I just get pissed off at how unbalanced I am.
Big Daddy Diesel says
I find yoga very tough, but I do YogaX from P90X
Laurie says
That yoga DVD looks impressive. I must say, you look pretty hard core yourself! Great job yoga-ing it up. There is a free class I go to on Saturdays that is pretty good, but it seems that my kids’ soccer is lately a conflict so maybe doing it at home would be better for me. Hmmm…
chris mcpeake says
I avoid yoga like the plague … LOL
Heather says
That looks like a great DVD. Thanks for the review. I have one yoga dvd – the firm power yoga. I really like it, but I would like to mix it up with something else.
Laura says
I do Bikram yoga and LOVE it! If you’re not familiar with Bikram, you might know it as hot yoga. The heat helps make you more flexible and gets your heart rate up. It’s great! And nobody looks down on the farters!
One other funny comment – I went to an engineering school. “Gym” class was called PA, for Physical Activities, because PE stood for Petroleum Engineering. It actually took me a minute to figure out what you were talking about. Momentarily I thought, “She’s a Petroleum engineer??”
Happy Feet 26.2 says
I go to at least 1 yoga class most weeks. We have a few great teachers in our area so it makes it very beneficial. I would recommend everyone start out in a class where the teacher makes corrections. You can get injured in yoga and I think it’s best to learn the correct position of the poses from a well qualified teacher.
I LOVE it. It helps so much with injury prevention and strengthening the core, stretching, etc., etc. etc.
The Green Girl says
That’s cool how they have all the sports listed so you can target what you are trying to work on.
While yoga and I don’t get along, I know many people swear by it.
Jason says
I used to take yoga at the Y with an instructor who was 87 years old and could bend in unbelievable ways.
Being a competitive person I have unfortunately done yoga as a competition so somedays it is not so relaxing. Other days I love it and think it contributes to my overall fitness and ability to compete.
Thanks for the post.
Jason
http://www.baha703ironman.com