Is this really happening???! I am turning into a yogi? I think I have finally found my match: audio yoga. I really like that they have to be very descriptive about each pose because there’s no visual. Subtle descriptions – like shifting your weight forward to your toes during rag doll pose – have made all the difference in making yoga click for me. I also LOVE that I can do a session at literally the drop of a hat with no planning, no mat, no attire. It’s just me, my computer and the carpet on my floor. I don’t have to drive to a studio, own a mat, or force myself to do it when I am not in the mood because that’s when the class is offered.
Since I started practicing (I HATE that term!!!!) 2 weeks ago I have just now started to notice a difference in my body. At the gym the other day, my arms looked surprisingly toned after a week of vacation. Could it be the yoga? I also felt a lot more flexible after my workout. I am seeing small changes, but noticeable changes. I did not start doing yoga to change my body or get a workout; I started doing it because it felt good to stretch. But I am pleasantly surprised to see some of the benefits we all hear about coming to fruition.
Needless to say, I started to day with Gentle Hatha Yoga I – 30 Min, which I downloaded when the sessions were 50% off last week. I really like Jackie’s voice (so many yoga instructors can be annoying and/or corny) but my very favorite part is when the music changes right before Savasana. It sounds like a movie theme and makes me feel really happy.
I had already starting drooling over a bowl of pumpkin oats before I even finished yoga!
The mix:
- 1/3 cup oats, 1% milk, water, pinch salt, half medium banana
- 2 tbsp wheatberries
- 1 tbsp raisins
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin, heated in bowl and stirred in at end
- 1 tbsp pumpkin butter
- Sprinkle coconut butter
- Generous spoonful Barney Butter
A new kind of coffee from World Market –
I am very unhappy with the forecast. We haven’t had a good day of sunshine in ages!
Off to do fun things!!!
Oh She Glows says
Betwen you and Jenna, I am really thinking about giving Yoga a go again!!
I have never had the patience before, but it would be amazing to really push my body in a new direction. Good for you for sticking with it! I have never been able to. I have been discouraged in the past because a lot of the Yoga videos I tried were really creepy/corny too.
Have a great day!
Angela
www.ohsheglows.com
Kath says
Angela,
Sounds like you are just like me – inpatient and and cynical – so you’d probably like the 20 minute sessions too. They are just enough to get the benefit (in my opinion) and just short enough to not get inpatient.
Kath
Meg says
After listening to you and Jenna talk about Yoga, I definitely have to try it!
Victoria says
I agree. Those yoga downloads make all the difference for me. I love them. The Lunar Flow one is perfect right before bed.
theoddbod says
nice, just throw it on the ipod and yogasize away! you could do it anywhere! the mall, the beach, at school…24 hour zen 😉
Moran says
Okay I have been reading such good things about Yoga in a few blogs I am tempted to try it again!!!
Sorry about the forecast – I hate this winter-y weather !
Laine says
YogaJournal.com/podcasts also has free yoga classes. And the instructor is very good about giving the tips about the poses that make the difference.
zestycook says
Yogi Kath!! haha .. too funny. Pumpkin oats look good. Rain is better than snow 🙂 have fun today!
zesty
K says
I love how toned and lean I look thanks to yoga – it may not seem like a true workout but the results do come! Pumpkin oats = droooool!
VeggieGirl says
Yep, I turned into a yogi too 😀
Laura says
Yum! Pumpkin oats are one of my favorites!
I hate the term “practicing” yoga too.
Lee says
The weather here in Atlanta is the exact same. I had all these aspirations of taking my dog to the dog park during my 4-day weekend. Didn’t happen. I don’t want a muddy dog.
Are you flexible? Yoga frustrates me because I am extremely inflexible. I can’t even touch my toes. It’s something that I’d like to get into, but I end up being annoyed instead of relaxed.
Nate says
I’m okay with yoga descriptions, as long as the term ‘practicing’ isn’t used. Since you hate it too, I’ll keep a ‘practicing’ jar. You’ll have to put a dollar in the jar every time you use that term.
Jury is still out on the term ‘yogi’. Makes me think of a pantless bear stealing picnic baskets.
Kath says
Lee ,
I am extremely inflexible (one reason why I hated yoga but was the perfect candidate) and I can already feel myself getting better.
K
Chelsea says
I’m out of milk this morning, no oats for me 🙁
Mara says
Alright, i’m trying yoga… all these people LOVING it makes me want to do it…
L says
Haha the forecast you’re showing reminds me of Oregon. Did anyone else experience “THE ARTIC BLAST OF 08!!!”? Because I did and was stuck in my house for two entire weeks because of all the ice!
Lida says
Hmm, our oatmeal was similar today. Gotta love pumpkin oats!
MM, audio yoga… I should do that, since I don’t really look at the TV anyway.
Have a good day!
Mel says
You are making me want to try yoga now! Everyone in the blog world seems to love it!
Ashley H says
I totally know what you mean!! I found out about the free podcasts on itunes and downloaded them all. I have done one every day since and I am totally addicted. (I have done yoga on and off for 2 years.) I totally agree with how nice it is to do it whenever is good for me and in my own house (sometimes in my pjs! 😉
Katelyn says
Hooray for yoga! I love yoga, but I am not very good at practicing by myself, but I tend to prefer group exercise anyways. I helped talk my sister-in-law into going to a few classes on her own(she seemed to already have a strong interest, and she did yoga all through her pregnancy and *really* noticed how she and her yogi pregnant friends had less negative symptoms than less active expecting women.
BethT says
I know you’re into more gentle hatha yoga and said before that you hate anything with a lunge (i.e. warrior poses)….but I would strongly suggest trying a power yoga class as you progress. Talk about seeing the benefits on your body! All those chatarungas and warriors pay off in the end…
Shelby says
I’m really getting into yoga myself! I’ve been doing it for about a week and can already feel the changes in my body. It really helps me accept myself.
Yummy pumpkin oats, the toppings are the best part!
noella says
Kath
Is there a Moksha Yoga studio in your town?I HIGHLY recommend you try it-it is a form of hot yoga (but different from rigidity of Bikram)and I think you would love it.You get VERY sweaty but you definitely feel it-get lots of stretching and even pumps up the heart rate a bit!
It is addictive once you try a few.Just be sure to drink water beforehand,take a big bottleof water,and an extra towel.I would love to read a review of you trying it out!Love hot yoga!!Thanks,N.
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
I like the descriptiveness of the audio yoga too, though sometimes I get lost. But you are right, it makes me modify my poses and really focus on the positioning.
Happy Sunday!
jsr says
How do you familiarize yourself with the poses well enough to be able to do the audio yoga? That seems like it might be kind of tricky… any tips?
Biz319 says
My daughter and I tried a yoga tape once and the instructor kept on saying “soft eyes” and we laughed so hard we couldn’t continue!
I’ll have to check out the audio ones.
Kerry says
I got into yoga earlier this year, when I had a foot injury. My PT recommended it, and while at first I was only going so I could get better and run again, I really came to love it. I can practice for a 90 minute class and not look at the clock, it’s amazing. Glad you’re liking it.
Kelly Turner says
bleh yoga. I cant work out standing still. I dont feel challeneged.
ha- your weather is WAY better than mine!
Kelly Turner
www.everygymsnightmare.com
Rose says
Sounds like you may just be getting addicted to yoga! I don’t do it regularly myself, but I do like that you can do it at the drop of a hat like you said.
Oats look tasty!
Danielle says
Hey kath do you think these audio yoga downloads are good for someone with little to no yoga experience? Are they descriptive enough for someone who doesn’t know more then a few poses?
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) says
Ugh, it’s gloomy and raining here too. But, at least you brought some happiness to your morning with yoga and oats. That’ll make up for no sunshine. Great combo!
Marissa says
That’s so great you are enjoying yoga!
polly says
yay Kath! Your yogimama friend here is tickled pink you are enjoying it!
AND… didn’t you know that the OTHER name for savasana is…
“breakfast is minutes away”
hehe 😉
XOXO
Maggie says
I am SO SO glad you love yoga!!! And yes, the nice looking arms are probably from it 🙂 Audio yoga is fabulous because they are always reminding me of the little things I need to hear at the exact right time. I LOVE YOGA!!! Happy Sunday!
Rose-Anne says
Why does everyone hate the term “practicing” when it comes to yoga? I’ve never thought of it as offensive. To me, it implies a welcoming quality to yoga as an activity that is not about perfection but about peace and strength, both inside and out.
I like the yoga work-outs from Crunch Fitness. I’ve done The Joy of Yoga and Fat-Burning Yoga tapes a million times and still find them relaxing and fun.
And yes, I still own VHS tapes. I’ll wear them out before I replace them with DVDs!
Courtney says
I am so HAPPY that you are loving yoga! Keep feelin the yoga joy. The results you get as you advance are amazing. I have never felt more strong and lean and I do nothing but yoga (1 hour to 90 minutes) 4-6 days a week. It’s wonderful!
musicfan says
look at Kripalu. great retreats/variety of classes. It’s out in Lenox, MA. LOVELY.
FoodRenegade says
I want to thank you for goin’ all Yoga on us. I never knew an audio yoga format existed, and it’s right up my alley. Thanks for sharing!
Kath says
noella ,
That – and Bikram – both sound awesome, but I don’t think I’m the studio type. They are so expensive too 🙁 Maybe someday if I become famous 🙂
jsr ,
There’s a pose guide with most of YogaDownload’s sessions. I look it over and try to remember any strange poses – I keep it open on my computer if I need to consult mid-way through (which I have def. done before).
Kelly Turner,
Don’t think of it as a workout – that’s how I have to do it. It’s an addition, not a replacement.
Danielle ,
The beginner ones are definitely easy enough for – a beginner!
Rose-Anne,
The concept of “practicing” is fine and cool, but the word just gets on my nerves.
Kath
HangryPants says
Kath, I am so glad that you’re enjoying doing (not practicing haha) yoga! The toned arms could definitely be the yoga! It sounds weird, but I feel like it makes me longer and less stocky and at almost 5’2″ that’s important to me and probably you!
Denise says
Thanks so much for mentioning this yoga audio!! I have always had trouble with yoga, what with having to look at the tv all the time to see what they were up to! Your comments were right on about them being more specific on audio! I tried my first one and feel GREAT! Seriously, I am so grateful to you for mentioning this and it is something I am looking forward to tomorrow already!
Kath says
Denise ,
So glad you found it helpful!!!
Kath
Denise I. says
Found your blog with the google search: love yoga, hate term yoga practice. Glad to find a like-minded person! And thrilled with the content of your blog, as we’re looking or ways to eat more healthy, good food at our house. You’ve been added to my RSS feed!
Rebecca says
The link for Gentle Hatha Yoga I – 30 Min, is no longer working. Can you tell me where to download it?
KathEats says
Check yogadownload.com and search for Hatha Yoga I. Perhaps they changed the link?