DVDs and Practice Questions

[WalterJ]

I finally got my DVDs and I am very happy with Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden’s AM/PM Yoga but I am sticking with the AM Yoga part of Rodney Yee for now but I have a couple of questions.

First how long should a good Yoga practice be?

Currently the AM program is only about 20 minutes and that is fine for me at this point I am not in the greatest of shape and Yoga is one of the things I am pursuing to change that and I do not want to over do at this point.

Also I am back to doing sit-ups and push ups and I do feel I should continue those at this time but in the long run as my practice advances would sit-ups and pushups still be necessary or will the practice itself take place of those exercises?

[Bridgette]

My personal yoga practice can vary from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending how "into" it I get. I think you need at least 20 mins for a really constructive yoga regimen. It also depends on the frequency. Some days I'll do 3- 20-minute sessions while other days I might just do one long extensive session and feel comfortable with that. I think it's a comfort thing.

I know when I first got into yoga I felt obligated to do a set time and everything and it became a chore for me. I find that go with your instincts. Eventually your body will tell you when you need yoga, from what I'v observed. My yoga teacher often says she notices less firmness in her muscles if she neglects yoga while I start to notice I'm more anxious.

I recall one night when I just had a rough day and yoga was the last thing on my mind. I laid down to sleep, totally exhausted, and could not sleep. It was as if my body was screaming at me to hit the mat. So I did and I had a profound session. Just remember, yoga is not a chore and the times that yoga seems the farthest from your mind is usually the time you need yoga the most.

As far as exercise goes, use your own judgment. I don't think anyone would argue against it and of course it depends on the kind of yoga you are doing. I would however recommend not just push-ups and sit-ups if you are striving for weight-loss. A good aerobic exercise such as jump-roping, biking, or running works wonders. I use to ride bike for a stretch, get off and do 3 sets of 50 crunches and get back on the bike. I'd continue in this manner about 4 times. (Just remember good stretching beforehand of course ). Nowadays I don't do that seeing as my practice has gotten further and I am happy with my body. I do periodically notice a need for toning (in the belly area for my particular case) and in those circumstance I actually do 7 Ashtanga sun salutations and then 2 sets of 50 crunches and repeat. I like sun salutations for a gentle work out because it warms the body up so much but there isn't near as much strain on the muscles. The blending of conventional work out with yoga can be rewarding, but always remember to have a formal yoga routine as well.

[Aaron]

Listen to your body, it knows better than any of us how much is too little and too much, do as much as you can before you feel like you should stop.

I agree with Bridgette about the sit ups. They will strengthen the abdominal muscles but in my understanding they will burn fat from the same areas in the same proportions as any other exercise. Unless you're doing the sit ups for enjoyment, I suggest going for a walk.

[victw]

WalterJ - no there is no minimum for a practice. Just keep in mind that your yoga practice should serve you - not you serving your yoga practice.

You might consider working one on one with an experienced teacher that can develop a practice specific to your needs, goals, time of day, time you have available to practice, and even other activities you enjoy.

Best wishes.
Vic

[jesgal]

Your body will let you know what works for you. I would be hesitant to stop the push ups, your body needs them for some reason. A home practice is unique to the individual, as your yoga practice develops it will evolve and grow. The amount of time you need will come to you.

Finding a studio and teacher to work with your practice seems overwhelming at first, but try a few studios and styles of yoga. Be open to taking a more physical class and a gentle class, and when your mind starts to label and judge yourself in these classes, just observe the moment and your body. You will find what works best.

I started yoga over 3 years ago because of back pain. I never dreamed my daily practice would evolve into a lifestyle that is filled with peace and non-judgment. One of the benefits of yoga is living in comfort with your body and your mind. Enjoy the journey!

[Hubert]

Push ups make the shoulder girdle stiff, and produce inbalance between the front and back muscles of the chest, making the shoulders fall forward.
Push-ups should be complemented with upward plank pose, and as a dynamic exercise, rowing, and pull ups. (with palms facing forward and a slightly wider than shoulders grip) Best pull up type to counter push ups would be similar to upward plank, and pulling yourself up in horizontal position. (using a middle height bar)

Just to stay on the level of this topic.( I'm sure InnerAthlete, or certified therapists could go much to greater dephts.)

[WalterJ]

Thanks

I should probably add my intention was to look for a teacher and attend a Yoga class but my Work schedule increased exponentially and the only free time I had was early in the morning which is why I am now using DVDs. When and if my schedule lightens up I will be going to classes

But the strangest thing happened with my training yesterday or maybe just strange to me.

I went through the AM Yoga DVD and came across another DVD I had from years ago that was also a bit of power Yoga (also other exercises as well) so I tried it today and the 2 seemed to nicely together so with both DVDs and the sit-ups I have about a 60 minute practice going and it felt really good today.

[InnerAthlete]

Originally Posted by WalterJ

First how long should a good Yoga practice be?

As long as it takes you to fulfill your purpose but not so long that you are unable to find the immense joy in the doing.

Originally Posted by WalterJ

Also I am back to doing sit-ups and push ups and I do feel I should continue those at this time but in the long run as my practice advances would sit-ups and pushups still be necessary or will the practice itself take place of those exercises?

This is a multipart question.
The concept of working the musculature should include the abdominals and the upper body (arms, chest, upper back). So these actions are needed (presuming one defines asana as a need at all). Therefore the question now becomes "how should I work those muscles and will the yoga practice do it?"

That, my friend, depends on the practice. Poorly done abdominal exercises do not effectively negate the hip flexors (illium, psoas, and rectus femoris). So while you are doing crunches you are not just working the abs. A proper working of the abdominals (and by proper I mean safe and tactical) keeps the hip flexors long and the torso movement limited.

If your asana DVD has such things AND you do them there would not be a reason to do situps. Likewise if your DVD practice has poses that require weight bearing on the arms chances that you also need the traditional pushups are unlikely. Since I don't have the asana sequence you are following I cannot give you a more stabilized answer.

[Bridgette]

I totally understand the problems involved in trying to find a studio as well as the time to go to a studio. I spent a good portion of my yoga practice on DVDs. What I did find was I got board after a while and would put yoga on a back burner. One thing that would help was books. Books on yogic lifestyles as well as postures. (Personal favorites: "The Complete Illustrated Book Of Yoga" by Swami Vishnu-devananda as well as David Swenson's "Ashtaga Practice Manual" )

It wasn't till I had a basic knowledge of the poses that I turned of the DVD player and I actually started developing a personal practice. This was difficult at first and some times I would stop midway through a series and think "Hmmmm.....what asana should I do next?" I never planned my series out and found the fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants method rewarding after a while. I think however you will get to a point and say "Wow I would really like some help developing my practice." And this is where the teacher comes into play.

If you are busy and don't have time to go to yoga classes 3 times a week, a teacher is still helpful. Many teachers provide one on one classes as well. These are nice because they can give there full attention on you and really help you develop on so many levels. It can be a pretty chunk of change to pay for the service but I bet they would also be willing to schedule time to fit your needs.

[WalterJ]

Originally Posted by InnerAthlete

As long as it takes you to fulfill your purpose but not so long that you are unable to find the immense joy in the doing.

I am finding that I think this point will likely work itself out, or at least that is what my inexperience at this very early stage is telling me.

Originally Posted by InnerAthlete

This is a multipart question.
The concept of working the musculature should include the abdominals and the upper body (arms, chest, upper back). So these actions are needed (presuming one defines asana as a need at all). Therefore the question now becomes "how should I work those muscles and will the yoga practice do it?"

That, my friend, depends on the practice. Poorly done abdominal exercises do not effectively negate the hip flexors (illium, psoas, and rectus femoris). So while you are doing crunches you are not just working the abs. A proper working of the abdominals (and by proper I mean safe and tactical) keeps the hip flexors long and the torso movement limited.

If your asana DVD has such things AND you do them there would not be a reason to do situps. Likewise if your DVD practice has poses that require weight bearing on the arms chances that you also need the traditional pushups are unlikely. Since I don't have the asana sequence you are following I cannot give you a more stabilized answer.

Thank You, it appears between both DVDs that there is not that much abdominal work that stresses me much, this I find a bit shocking actually considering my poor condition so I am continuing with Crunches and Full sit-ups and leg raises.

As for the arms the second DVD has something he is calling a Vinyasa series (he also calls Power Yoga) that is rather taxing for me and to be honest I cannot keep up. It is Plank to Downward Dog to Cobra, repeat. There are also a multiple of standing postures that are also (nicely) taxing. But this second DVD is not entirely Yoga either but I do like it in combination with Rodney Yee’s AM Yoga.

I do not know all the names of the entire series of Yoga poses that I am doing but I did decide that I really need to write these things down so I can.

And I appreciate any assistance I receive, Thank you very much