Inner Light Outer Peace Yoga Blog

Audio and/or Video Yoga has become available in many formats, so when life off the mat keeps you from the studio, why not try a home practice with video or audio guidance? Options of formats abound, with Pod Casts, Video Streams and Downloads, DVDs, Cable On-Demand, Audio CDs and more. I am happy to share some useful links to kick off your exploration of Yoga 2-D but not without the balance of a healthy disclaimer.

Until video becomes a technology that allows two-way viewing and interaction, I firmly believe that beginning Yoga students need to show up in a ‘live’ class. No amount of reading about Yoga or watching Yoga can replace the guidance and support of a teacher who can offer allignment and safety cues that are unique to a student’s personal anatomy. Human Beings are unique and so are the shape of our bones.  Downward Facing Dog, for example, can look vastly different from body to body. A beginner student imitating the shape of Rodney Yee in Eagle Pose can be dangerous for someone who might have an injury, different bone structure or range of motion. Not to mention, it can be frustrating to find that our first attempts at forward bending look much more like right angles than the relaxed and complete fold of Shiva Re. It can also be frustrating when our video teachers have moved onto another pose or flow while we are still trying to unwind from the last posture or scrambling for the darned remote and which button is Pause anyway? Some frustrations can have such an impact that new students might be driven to find creative other uses for that brand new sticky mat – I have heard they work well under area rugs to avoid slipping.

So then why do I recommend taking up a home practice with 2-Dimensional support?

For Beginners Students

Lose the mystery. There can be fear and intimidation around trying something new. Maybe Yoga is that weirdo thing your hippy aunt did when you were five. Observe a class in the privacy of your own home so you know what to expect when you hit the studio for your first class.

Learn the Language. You do not have to be fluent in Sanskrit to understand an instructor. However watching what the video students do when the instructor says ‘float forward to plank’ may prevent you from trying to lift your hands and feet off the floor at the same time. Or, you may be relieved to learn that ‘opening the ribs and side body’  actually looks pleasurable and does not require medical instruments.

For Yoga students who can’t get to class

Variety is the spice of life. Since libraries and book outlets are loaded with Yoga video selections and the internet can provide a taste of almost every style of Yoga – try something NEW! Experience a new teacher, a new style, maybe just a new pranayama. Or for the very shy at heart (like me) try Laughter Yoga without feeling silly the first time you show up at a Laughter Yoga Club. Also, in some areas, class selections are limited to what the studios offer. If driving an hour to try the new Yoga Dance Fusion class is not an option, you just might find a broadcast of that to view in your own living room.

Yoga to Go.  Travel a lot? Take your practice to go. Even in a hotel room you can enjoy a morning practice downloaded to your computer the night before.

Yoga al Fresco. Taking a walk to the park or beach, find a quiet spot and listen to a pod cast on your mp3 player.

Commit to a personal practice.  Taking the time alone, at home or elsewhere, nurtures your determination and will to practice with and for yourself. Many students feel they do not know how to begin or what to do without the guidance of their teacher. Start with the support of a video or audio lesson and let your own inner teacher emerge as you begin to modify the lesson to meet your personal needs.

How to begin? 

Try some of these excellent resources and links:

http://www.yogatoday.com/ - Stream or download for future use. Beautiful full length classes with three different teachers to choose from. Every day a new class is available. Pod Casts also available here. FREE.

http://myyogaonline.com/index.htm - Stream or download from a large variety of classes. Choose by style, teacher or physical focus. $9.95/month for unlimited video downloads.

Visit the Yoga.org.nz Online yoga website heaps of cool yoga stuff including a free downloadable Videos and DVDs.  FREE DVDS Yoga Online

On TV

Optimum Cable subscribers can tune into Free on demand Yoga classes. See the ‘Mag Rack’ in the On Demand menu. Or check your cable listings, there are usually some yoga classes broadcast in the early hours of morning. If you are not an early bird, try Tivo.

On DVD and VHS

Browse the Kripalu selection of videos that you can order from their website. I recommend Stephen Cope – Dynamic and Shiva Re Sun Salutation. http://www.kripalu.org/shop/shop/Video/

As a final note, watching Yoga videos can be an experience even if all you do is watch. There is much to learn by observing, so if you don’t feel ready to unroll the mat, notice what happens when you cozy up on the couch and just watch. You might find yourself wanting to move, you may find yourself falling into a deeper and fuller breath and you might find yourself melting away tension as the video class practices shavasana.

Enjoy!