At the risk of this turning into Kristin's blog about yoga things, I do feel like telling you about a few yoga resources, new and old, that have really been working for me lately.
I've wanted a yoga chair for quite a while. (I used to have many of them but gave them away when I stopped teaching which was, in truth, short-sighted. I kind of got "chaired out" after years of using this prop. Sometimes, it can feel a bit cumbersome getting into the chair postures and, a few years ago, I was all about freedom and vinyasa (flow poses) and mega-active practice.)
They're not rocket science:
As you can see, a yoga chair is merely a short, backless, metal folding chair. They stabilize weight very well over a wide base and are optimal for doing supported halasana, supported sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and a variety of supported backbends such as viparita dandasana. It goes without saying that these poses can be dangerous to get into and out of, if you don't know what you're doing, so take a few Iyengar classes to learn the ropes first (as it were). Note: This prop, like the head stander, is not an either/or. One can practice shoulder stand and variations at least a dozen different ways. While this removes much of the weight-bearing element of the pose, it intensifies the action of the asana and allows for long holdings (like 10 minutes plus).
Stupidly, this prop costs a lot of money - if you don't find it at a school closing sale. But I sourced one in TO, at a yoga studio, and - while the price was quite reasonable based on the info I've found online (though not the school sale prices, natch) - I managed to spend a bomb on cab fare to-and-from the studio. Sure, I could have taken the subway for 6 bucks, but I really didn't have the appetite for a slog in bad lighting next to a bunch of people coughing. Hell, I could have had it delivered for less (I suspect) but that would have been complicated - the studio staff was entirely unhelpful. This was the easiest way to achieve my goal. Sometimes you spend for leisure.
FWIW, on purchase, my chair had the chair back (that metal piece to support your upper back, not pictured), but I got my husband to smack it off with a hammer/screwdriver combo (breaking the tack welds, if you want the technical story) and then filing it down. Yeah, I spent 100 bucks getting a folding chair to my house and then got my spouse to break it. And now I've got to paint the exposed metal bit so it doesn't rust. Is it wrong to suspect that will be fun?
Maybe I should have ordered this one online...
In order to justify this purchase, which was very easy to do in light of how much use and benefit I get from the head stander, I had to make space in the closet in the sewga room. I abhor clutter but I love organizing stuff, especially when it produces enough space in the closet for the chair and the head stander both! Ah, minimalism, how you thrill me.
In the process of organizing, I found a wealth of yoga books that had been smushed into an inconvenient spot (thereby obscuring their titles). It was just like going to the library but I didn't have to get off my ass and I get to keep all the loot!
A few of these books were faves of mine, at various points, and I hope it wil be helpful to tell you about a couple of them. Really, I've used these Iyengar-based texts to the extent that they're practically falling apart. They provide really good technical information with useful photographs and excellent practice sequences:
Yoga the Iyengar Way:
This book is not overly visually appealing. It's super-1990, but the poses are explained expertly and with information about the impact of each pose. You just have to get past the red outfit. It also gives some very comprehensive info about pranayama (breathing work) which can be done entirely independently of asana (yoga poses) and which falls into the more meditative category of yoga.
This book, though, has captured my heart:
Complete Stretching: A New Exercise Program for Health and Vitality
It's so gorgeous - even after all these years. Sure, the guy wears a ponytail, but this couple is cute and they do beautiful poses that are beautifully photographed. First and foremost, the book is simple (I mean, bare bones) but it is also totally useful. There are many 30 minute sequences, visually explained, to address a whole host of needs from relaxation, to yoga for specific sports (lots of them), to yoga for energizing etc. I can't believe I haven't looked at it in upwards of 5 years.
If you are a beginner and you question how yoga might work for you, read this. The authors are students of Iyengar yoga but the book is geared towards anyone who wants to move his or her body in a conscious and symmetrical way. I love that this book talks about yoga for "enhancing the body". It's not done in that yoga-meets-aerobics and weight-training way of modern books. It's very "London in the early 90s". Really, you'd do well to check it out, if only as an experiment. I've never seen a text that walked this line before or since.
Today's questions: Do you practice yoga? If yes, what kind? Do you know about these books? Do you work with props? Let's talk!
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i don't know the first thing about yoga but your posts certainly have me intrigued. i've always been terribly inflexible, and while i do enjoy running, it's so hard to keep it up during the winter months and i'd love some alternate form of exercise. is this something i could learn through books or are classes necessary?
ReplyDeleteWe seem to have that effect on each other. :-) I think that the Complete Stretching book might be a good place to start if you don't have access to a teacher (or if you're just considering the pursuit). It's geared towards people who don't know anything about yoga - and people who do sport (like running). I'm partial to working with a teacher - but then that's my bias. I think, however, most people who get into it, eventually seek out a good teacher. And those who find a good teacher, often tend to get into it!
DeleteI´ve been enjoying your blog for maybe a year now, I love how you write. I take zumba and pilates classes, the teacher also does a power yoga class, but it´s only on one of my work days. But if I have a day off I always try to go because I really enjoy it. She doesn´t use any props, I think it´s a quite basic class. I really like reading about how you use them and how yoga helps you with your headaches.
ReplyDeleteWell thanks for your comment and for reading! I think that a good power yoga class can be just the thing when you're trying to focus your energy. And basic is just perfect, if it works :-) My practice, of course, is geared toward managing those headaches (so it's not as extroverted). But, as it's working much of the time, I feel it's just the thing.
DeleteI like your posts about yoga. Please keep them coming. They're inspiring me to incorporate the sun salutation into my morning routine again.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know that some peeps actually find these posts interesting :-) And keep up with your salutations. They're SO good at this time of year.
DeleteI really want to love yoga. I think I have experienced several crappy classes/crappy teachers since I have ended up injuring myself everytime I have tried yoga. The best yoga-related class that I ever took was a yogalates class because I was challenged to perform to my utmost ability but I wasn't overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteThis is the thing - if you find bad classes and bad teachers - or even good classes and teachers that don't work well for you - it can be a REALLY bad (and dangerous) experience. I feel for you. I mean, I've sure taken some bad classes, but my very first class ever was Iyengar, with one of the best teachers in the country (just by accident, let me add) and it seriously changed my perspective on everything. I hope you can give it a few more gos to find the right set up. Word to the wise, avoid gym yoga. The teachers are often fitness teachers who don't know enough about yoga to make it safe. And the environment tends to be noisy and cold - bad combos with yoga.
DeleteI'm sorry your headache is still in full force :(. Your yoga posts are intriguing. I've been stretching more because of them.
ReplyDeleteIt's better today (and over the last couple of days). Of course, work is an insanity, so I'm managing a regular old tension headache right now :-) And keep on stretching. It's very relevant to body shaping, which most people don't realize until they start to see the impacts.
DeletePlease keep up the introduction to yoga posts. I find them to be inspiring and encouraging. Hope the migranes can be kept at bay and you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteHey Anon: Thanks for this encouragement. It's really nice to know that you like the topic! Migraines are definitely getting better all the time (knock wood). Will keep you posted...
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