microcosm
101 Posts
Posted - Nov 16 2015 : 09:07:37 AM Show Profile Email Poster Edit Topic Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Message Delete Topic
I'm looking for a morning yoga routine, preferably in a video format - these are easier for me to follow, since I don't have to wonder if I'm performing the asanas correctly.
What's your favourite routine and why?
Ecdyonurus
Switzerland
479 Posts
Posted - Nov 16 2015 : 10:26:34 AM Show Profile Email Poster Edit Reply Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Reply Delete Reply
Hi macrocosm. For me, a good morning asana routine is a routine that "wakes my body up". During the cold season, this means including things like surya namaskar, because my house can be pretty cold early in the morning. Also, in the morning I usually keep the asana part quite short. Don't know why but longer asana sessions are better in the evening for me.
I don't understood why you say that you don't have to wonder if you are doing asanas correct when you watch videos. I mean, you do have to develop the skills for doing asanas correctly even when you learn by video. Actually, I don't think that a video is the best teaching support - good pictures and a good text are better IMO.
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jonesboy
USA
594 Posts
Posted - Nov 16 2015 : 10:44:21 AM Show Profile Email Poster Visit jonesboy's Homepage Edit Reply Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Reply Delete Reply
Here is a very good Yoga workout.
The Five Tibetan Rites.
http://youtu.be/3yE6AYDj1vYGo to Top of Page
kensbikes100
USA
150 Posts
Posted - Feb 07 2016 : 08:05:45 AM Show Profile Email Poster Edit Reply Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Reply Delete Reply
To again echo Ecdyonurus, good pictures and good text. An example is Light on Yoga by B. K. S. Iyengar.
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Ecdyonurus
Switzerland
479 Posts
Posted - Feb 07 2016 : 10:12:34 AM Show Profile Email Poster Edit Reply Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Reply Delete Reply
Hi Ken, yes, Light on yoga is a great book about asanas. The only thing to keep in mind is that Iyengar wrote it for describing the state of the art, from the point of view of a very advanced yogi performing perfect asanas. This implies that for the average hatha practitioner (or beginner) many instructions of the book are too difficult or even not safe at all. Take halasana (I just read your post on the other thread) - in LoY it is explained with the shoulders on the floor, and if I remember well the author even puts emphasis on the benefit of bending the neck forward. But in Iyengar classes theachers tell the average students to avoid any forward strain on the neck, hence the shoulder support you mentioned on your post. But, again, LoY is a very good book, and every time my teacher shows me a new asana I look in LoY to see what Iyengar wrote about it.
By the way, the same author wrote books that are far more appropriate for beginners and average practitioners. A very good one is The path to holistic health.
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kensbikes100
USA
150 Posts
Posted - Feb 08 2016 : 06:57:04 AM Show Profile Email Poster Edit Reply Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Reply Delete Reply
Yes, he says there is a bandha in the asana. I guess I also have the words of my instructor in mind, who always counsels individually on props and safe practice.
While your comments are valid, in at least one of these threads I suggested getting into a class run by an Iyengar-trained instructor. I can't say it's the only good approach but it's the one I know. My instructor has 30 years of experience teaching "just normal folks," and that is worth a lot.
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Ecdyonurus
Switzerland
479 Posts
Posted - Feb 08 2016 : 08:29:00 AM Show Profile Email Poster Edit Reply Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Reply Delete Reply
Hi Ken, I also go to a Iyengar guy, so I am totally in line with you.
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JaeRustia
Australia
2 Posts
Posted - Feb 12 2016 : 12:37:10 AM Show Profile Email Poster Visit JaeRustia's Homepage Edit Reply Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Reply Delete Reply
Since I am a beginner, my usual morning routine are the basic yoga poses, just stretching my muscles and my spine for a few minutes to help my senses to finally wake up (and just for the heck of it I even wear my yoga pants ha ha ha. )
I would usually watch some YouTube videos to ensure I'm doing the right thing, I don't have a good list yet so if you could also share your favorite YouTube yoga instructors that would be better.
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kensbikes100
USA
150 Posts
Posted - Dec 12 2016 : 11:09:40 PM Show Profile Email Poster Edit Reply Reply with Quote View user's IP address Get a Link to this Reply Delete Reply
quote:
Originally posted by Ecdyonurus
Hi Ken, yes, Light on yoga is a great book about asanas. The only thing to keep in mind is that Iyengar wrote it for describing the state of the art, from the point of view of a very advanced yogi performing perfect asanas. This implies that for the average hatha practitioner (or beginner) many instructions of the book are too difficult or even not safe at all. Take halasana (I just read your post on the other thread) - in LoY it is explained with the shoulders on the floor, and if I remember well the author even puts emphasis on the benefit of bending the neck forward. But in Iyengar classes theachers tell the average students to avoid any forward strain on the neck, hence the shoulder support you mentioned on your post. But, again, LoY is a very good book, and every time my teacher shows me a new asana I look in LoY to see what Iyengar wrote about it.
By the way, the same author wrote books that are far more appropriate for beginners and average practitioners. A very good one is The path to holistic health.
Our teacher is Iyengar-certified, and the class is mostly grey-haired. We all have limitations but he teaches everyone how each asana is supposed to work, and then coaches us to individually apply props and various adaptations to safely achieve a pose that is safe and as close as each of us can get to the LoY pose. We also work on the best ways to get into and out of certain poses such as sarvangasana.
I've been at this for about 6 years now, and there are some who were veterans when I joined.
But I agree with you, that to start with LoY as a rank beginner without a qualified teacher could lead to problems, such as the neck concern you raise. That's one of the benefits of starting with the AYP book versions of the classic asanas, though I think it is best to join a class.
