Podcast: Play in new window | Download (21.3MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
How long have you been practicing yoga? Do you prefer solo or class practice? Indoors or out? How often do you practice yoga? And what type of yoga do you practice? Have you ever been to a yoga retreat? If so, I’d love to hear about your experiences. Do you start each morning with Sun Salutations? Do you supplement your yoga practice with other types of workouts? Have you seen improvements in your overall physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being as a result of practicing yoga?
Ultimately, for me, a yoga class on the beach would be ideal! But in the meantime, I go to an indoor yoga class three times a week.
In the past I’ve done solo yoga using Rodney Yee‘s DVDs. I have Yee’s “Total Body Yoga for Beginners,” “Yoga for Back Care” (critical for me), and “Power Yoga Strength and Flexibility.” I like the DVDs and still use them on occasion, but I found the energy of a class is so much more rewarding than solo.
I’ve tried Bikram Yoga, but hated it because of the high temperatures. By the way, it’s a myth that there is any beneficial type of detoxification that happens with this type of yoga. There are no toxins contained in sweat, merely water and trace amounts of salt, urea, proteins, and carbohydrates. The purpose of sweat is to cool an overheating body. Think about that for a minute… why would you purposely put more strain on the body to try to maintain homeostasis by exercising in heat and increasing core body temperature? That’s just asking for trouble.
It’s important to understand that detoxification occurs in the liver, waste is filtered by the kidneys, and some gaseous toxins are secreted through the lungs via respiration. Toxins and metabolic wastes are excreted through the excretory system and the digestive system. No extra heat needed – promise!
In fact, exercising in high temperatures can be very dangerous — especially for people with high blood pressure, heart problems, or other health issues. At the very least, exercising in high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke, which is a life threatening condition.
Okay, that’s my PSA for the day. Moving on…
For now, I’ve settled into a routine of Hatha Yoga (hatha vidya) and vinyasa yoga that works well for me. Although, I’m beginning to think that three times per week is not enough, so I may have to supplement those classes at another location.
The yoga classes I attend tend to lean toward mostly the physical or asana aspect of yoga, with gentle reminders to pay attention to pranayama, but it’s not true yoga practice in the strictest sense of the meaning. Even though my instructor has wonderful energy and a perfectly soothing voice for recitation throughout the hour long class, I am left to my own devices to supplement my yoga practice to truly implement a full study in daily life. Easy to say…. challenging to do! However, as I continue on my journey of seeking truth and connecting with source, I know yoga will be an integral part of my transformation. As will meditation – but I’ll address that in other posts.
I currently supplement my yoga practice with time on the treadmill, pushups, sit-ups, and swimming.
Eventually I hope to advance to Ashtanga Yoga, a much more physically challenging and advanced yoga that requires stricter discipline in practice.
I’m also interested in learning about yoga retreats. I recently learned that the Ocean Beach Namaste Yoga Center has held yoga retreats in Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Sierra Nevadas. Intriguing for sure. Come to think of it, so is yoga in Maui with Rodney Yee! =)
So what about you? How long have you been practicing yoga? Do you prefer solo or class practice? How often do you practice yoga? And what type of yoga do you practice? Have you ever been to a yoga retreat? If so, I’d love to hear about your experiences. Do you start each morning with Sun Salutations? Do you supplement your yoga practice with other types of workouts? Have you seen improvements in your overall physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being as a result of practicing yoga?
Please feel free to comment and share your personal experience with yoga practice and how this practice has enhanced your life.
PLEASE NOTE: This podcast references Spiritual Lucidity, which has since evolved into Transpersonal Radio.
Related articles
- Yoga – At Home and Classes – a Balancing Act (joyofspa.com)
- What is Yoga? (zentocoach.wordpress.com)
- Advanced Yoga Moves That Strengthen Your Upper Body (fitsugar.com)