Looking for advice on Yoga

[Flatland]

I have to admit that I know very little about yoga, really just tidbits that I've picked up here on the forum. Before CST, I studied and practiced conventional strength training and sports conditioning. I wrongly thought yoga was really just stretching, and as I had already developed good flexibility, I never looked into yoga.

I'd like to have well rounded knowledge of physical culture, so I'd like to ask the tribe's advice on what books or other resources would be a good, credible place to start? (There are so many books and magazines out there, and if they are anything like the ones about conventional strength training, most popular ones are likely full of BS.) :roll:

Thanks for any suggestions!

Scott Hagnas, CST
Camas, WA

[Robert V]

I'd go here:

http://www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/820_1.cfm

and here http://www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/165_1.cfm?ctsrc=nls100

after reading those articles, please explore the site and come back with your questions.

Your questions and my answers will depend on your needs, interest and the particular type of yoga.


Robert

[Robert V]

A must read is the YOGA RIDDLE: http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=49#49

and YOGA IS:
http://www.circularstrengthmag.com/15/verdell.html

[Flatland]

Thanks! Somehow, I missed that article you wrote in CST mag.

I'll spend a few days looking over the Yoga Journal site, and report back.

Scott Hagnas, CST
Camas, WA

[Doug Szolek]

Light On Yoga is something of a "yoga bible" tearing into every aspect of it and containing the most exhaustive list of poses and instructions. I haven't found a book on the subject to compare with this one.

In faith,

[Scott Sonnon]

Scott,

Through CST Instructor certification, you've cultivated an "eye" for assessing and targeting tension chains prohibiting pain-free, powerful movement. As a result, you can use your intuition to select asanas to target prohibitive tension. You can do this by moving into the asanas with practice, consistency and diligence. When you do, you'll be able to release (layers of deeper and deeper) tension at critical points in your mobility. Thus given you the ability to strengthen even greater mobility, and make mobile even greater strength. Body-Flow and Yoga are two very important, and mutually beneficial tools to this end.

Beware of those that "teach" yoga as a "stretching method." Not only does this misrepresent the method, but it endangers your joints. You're better off teaching yourself under the guidelines of CST, or consulting with Robert on the foundations of a "proper" yogi/yogini.

[Ken H]

Scott:

If you go to the Renaissance bookstore in Northwest Portland, you can find a superabundance of resources on yoga (books, tapes). Many of them can be borrowed for a fee.

Because there are several different 'schools' of yoga, I suppose everyone has their favorite instructor. I really don't do yoga any more, but when I did, I enjoyed instructional tapes on so-called "Power Yoga" by M. Jois and David Swenson. Baron Baptiste also has some good instructional tapes. I think the key to the practice is the combination of breathing, structure, and motion -- gee, does that sound familiar?

Not too long ago, someone on this form posted about a practice called 'Ginastica Natural,' which is Brazilian in origin and combines yoga or yoga-like movements with the simulated movements of various animals. I saw clips of it on the Web that made it seem like a synthesis of gymnastics and yoga. Given your interests in gymnastics, I thought you might find it interesting.

If you're going to be at the KB/CB get-together on the 20th, I could dig up a book or two and probably a tape set.

Ken

[Flatland]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I have spent quite a bit of time checking out the Yoga Journal site, and have ordered the book suggested by Doug. I saw that it was recomended on the Yoga Journal site, as well.

Ken - yes, I'll be there! Looking forward to it! The last one was a blast. Thanks for reminding me about the Ginastica Natural stuff. I had meant to look at it, but never did.

Scott Hagnas, CST
Camas, WA

[Robert V]

I really think Baron Baptiste's book "Journey into Power" is adaptable for "non-India-guru-seeking" modern yogis. It talks about the same sort of "fear reactivity" that bodyflow does. It's not about trying to contort yourself in weird poses, but finding your "fear reactivity" and using power yoga to dispose of it. And you only do that by finding your "edge" and breathing through it.

The "Tree of Yoga" is Iyengars last book. You'll see he's grown a lot since "Light on Yoga". It has no illustrations or photos. He just breaks down what yoga really is without stretching too far in mystism.

Just as "Light on Yoga" is the bible of Iyengar. "Power Yoga" by Beryl Bender Birch is the bible of Power Yoga. It's the book that turned me around. Get her first book, oppose to her second.

"Yoga for Wellness" by Gary Kraftsow, founder of Viniyoga Institute, is a VERY informative guide to yoga. Viniyoga is probably the closet yoga to Warrior Wellness/Bodyflow, for it is "dynamic", not static. It's a style very underrated. It gives very specific instructions to any problem you may have and asana examples, VERY specific!

"The Essentials of Yoga" is a simple and easy read and explanation of yoga and all various styles. I go back to it often.

"Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class" is the Bible of Bikram yoga. It actually takes you through a real class, with comments from the students. You'll see Bikram's arrogance and odd personality, but if you can get past his ego and the odd claims, it's a good book, I've read maybe 20 times.

"Kundalini Yoga: the flow of Eternal Power" is a good book. Kundalini's asanas are also similar to Viniyoga, WW and Bodyflow, meaning not static poses. But the value of this book is not the pictures or examples of asanas, but the clear explanations of the "yoga life". It's very funny. Yogi Bhajan is controversal, but this really is a very good book, although far out at times. I've read it about 20 times also.

[Flatland]

Thank you, Robert. That will give me quite a bit to digest. I appreciate the info!

Scott Hagnas, CST
Camas, WA

[amilcarkabral]

A new book on yoga came out recently entitled "The Anatomy of Yoga". It gives the reader an anatomy-physiological description of the poses and the effects of the poses on the body. I am not into yoga much but i would get this first if i wanted to understand what's going on while i'm doing yoga.

Amilcar

[Robert V]

Thanks! That sounds perfect!

Robert

[Robert V]

Scott,

Don't forget to use the internet. One simple way to deepen your understanding of yoga is to go on various yoga sites. They all have an intro defining "What is yoga". It's usually brief. Compare and contrast, until you feel you have it. Then, go back and read "BodyFlow" again.

To be honest, I didn't really "get" yoga until I read "BodyFlow". In my opinion, Yoga takes the long route in its journey of understanding. "Bodyflow" takes you right there.

And yoga is very "personal". It's yours! No one else's. My yoga is through my understanding/integration of Bodyflow.

Also, there is a show on cable's Fit Tv, called "Breathing Space Yoga". The instructor is boring and monotone, but very knowledgeable. It comes on several times a day.

Please don't hesitate to ask me in questions. Anything! From the simpliest to the complex. I am no expert, but I've studied a lot of "expert" material. You might say I'm a geek!