TGIF! It hit 82F here on Wednesday, the mid 70s on Thursday, and Friday and the weekend are supposed to be great.
I recently received this combo set of 3 DVDs that Yoga Jornal sent me.
Baron Baptiste, Seane Corn, and Shiva Rea. Three pillars and all such strong, prominent forces in the yoga community.
I enjoyed the DVDs and each teacher has unique teaching style and so it was interesting to go from Baron Baptiste’s more intense, power-based practice to Seane Corn who incorporates a more spiritual aspect of yoga into her teaching style to Shiva Rea’s free flowing, somatic movement filled dvd. All the dvd’s were different, and all were enjoyable!
I have a comprehensive post on Yoga FAQ’s where I touch on everything from other yoga DVD recommendations, to music, yoga clothing, how to score free yoga classes in your area, and much more.
I’ve been a certified yoga teacher for a decade now (although I am not currently teaching as I explained) but I like to share my yoga info, expertise, tips, and tricks that I’ve picked up along the way in my twelve year personal practice in the hopes of answering some of your Yoga FAQs.
In that post I can also be seen wearing some pink Be Present pants.
And I routinely live in my other Be Present pants. Like when I met up with Marla
Or met up with Amber
Or just about any day of the week, for part of the day, I always have a pair on.
So I was thrilled when Be Present sent me a pair of their new Kona Pants!
Drawstring, lightweight, pockets, cropped at the knee…perfect! I will wear these out, no doubt.
I love Be Present! I have been a fan of theirs for years, long before this pair of pants. They are truly, my #1 go-to for pants not just for yoga, but for day-to-day life. I don’t want jeans. I want my Be Present pants.
From my last post, it was fun to hear what you’ve been plugging along with this week and also great feet talk. Yes, I am a bigfoot. I could talk shoes and feet all day. And so could you based on the fun comments. And thanks to all my big-footed readers for delurking and commenting!
Questions:
1. Do you use any DVDs for your workouts?
About a year or so ago, it seemed that P90x, Insanity, and Turbofire were all over the blogosphere on healthy living and food blogs. Since then, I haven’t seen those mentioned as much but everyone now talks about bodyrock.tv
I have not used any of those.
Why?
Probably for the same reason that I don’t use cookbooks much. I am a wing-it type person with my food and workouts. I like to tweak and create things according to what I am feeling or craving, in that moment.
Whether it’s in the kitchen or with workouts, I don’t like things to be overly scripted. Although cookbooks or DVDs can help to inspire me, I don’t really use or follow them much and when I do, it definitely not verbatim.
I found myself craving just doing what my body wanted to rather than following the dvd’s at some points, but that’s because I am just that way and also coming at the dvd’s from the perspective of a teacher, I am know “what to do”, how to sequence poses, classes, and what things I would have follow other things whereas the average person needs more guidance and much more of a scripted dvd and class to follow.
2. What is your take on podcasts, DVDs, online videos, youtube videos, and at-home workouts that you don’t attend an actual class? Yay or nay?
Here are a few of my pros & cons about working out at home with online downloads or dvds.
Pros:
Workout at your own pace
Workout at a time convenient for you
Fits into your schedule when you have the time
No drive time, parking time, shuffling in and out of gyms, locker rooms, studios, etc.
No one cares if you’re wearing dirty workout clothes with stains on them
You can quit if you’re not into the workout/video without any stigma
You can tweak the workout based on what you want that day
Cons:
No one there to inspire you. Looking around a class and seeing others who are in great shape can inspire me.
No one there to correct bad form or “errors” in form that could lead to injury. This is my biggest caution for newbies and yoga dvds. You really ought to go to classes for awhile before you start practicing at home exclusively because you could be practicing bad form which is a recipe for injury. Learn the ropes from a qualified teacher before you do everything at home. Most people don’t practice or workout exclusively alone at home either, anyway.
Boredom/no group or class energy
At times, a little bit too easy to quit the workout and stay motivated when you’re by yourself
Hard to get motivated to start the workout if there’s no class you’re attending. Knowing you don’t have to “rush” to the gym or studio to make that 6pm class may make it easier to just blow off the at-home workout all together.
What do you think about at-home workouts and DVDs/podcasts? Found anything you love or that’s been working out great for you? Anything you’ve tried that you weren’t into at all?
3. Workout apparel that you’re loving? Or any gym/yoga studio clothes that double as your real life clothes?
I am the queen of my drawstring pants, Target sports bras, and pull on yoga pants doubling as my daytime wardrobe. There are worse things, right? Function and comfort is why I do it! And so do many other women if looking around my area is any indication.
Don’t forget to enter my Coconut Oil Give Away. Winner announced tomorrow (Saturday)!
P.S. Related Posts that may be of interest:
Fitness Experiments – What I’ve Tried, What’s Worked, What Next
Daily Workouts Streamlined – 20 Minutes at Home
I Quit The Gym
Abs: How to Get Them & Tough Love
Morning Workout Tips
I have been listening to yoga podcasts lately, they help me when I’m feeling uninspired. Otherwise, I just do my own thing, trusting my intuition.
I love workout dvds — Jillian Michaels, Jackie Warner, TaeBo, even old school Jane Fonda. I’ve been doing them for years and I enjoy them. I like to be at home to workout and I feel good doing them. What I don’t like are those BodyRock workouts — the repetitive motions are no good for me — I end up using poor form near the end and my back kills the next day. Plus, I enjoy working out, so why would I want to do it for only 15 minutes per day? It works for some people, but not for me.
I love those pants. I’ve never heard of Be Present, but will have to check them out for sure. I used to be a big lululemon fan, but after learning more about the company I am no longer going to support them.
When I was new to yoga I loved DVD’s but I find it hard to practice looking at a screen. I do enjoy an occasional podcast though since it can mimic being in a class I wouldn’t have any physical access to. For the most part however I like to play around on my mat and make up my own routines. I’ve realized over time that I don’t NEED someone telling me what to do, but instead can tune into my own body and what it is asking for.
I do like podcasts, videos, etc for workouts, but I find it hard to stay motivated! I LOOOOOVE classes! I’m really into my yoga practice right now, and feel like I get SO MUCH MORE out of the classes! I try to take at least one a week and kind of use that as a guide to do my own routine the other days. (But I’m also a type A personality that needs recipes too! I wish I could come up with my own easier, but like I said, guides are a motivation to me…I want something to follow!)
I am pretty much living in my yoga pants these days too! (good for spontaneous yoga poses!) I mostly have active wear from Tar-jey! :)~ The BePresent wear though looks pretty cool!
Good morning :)
Workout DVD’s do not really inspire me. They are great for those who cannot leave the house though.
I can only imagine how amazing & precise you are with your personal yoga practice and your teaching. Gosh that photo of us makes me smile. Wish you were gonna be with me at camp this weekend. So goes with that last minute planning. xxoo
I so wish I had known. Would have planned for it. We need to discuss the rest of 2011 and plan it out :)
The photo of us made me smile too, and as I was pulling it up and posting it, I was so happy thinking back to our coffee sesh. Can’t wait for the next one!
Have fun this weekend and email me the scoop!
I *try* a lot of DVDs & youtube vids for workouts but since I do 95% of my workouts in the gym, I mostly just use them to get ideas. I have enjoyed P90X, Insanity & TurboFire (although a real Turbokick class is 200 times better). As for workout clothes, I pretty much live in mine hahahah! I have such a wide assortment of different stuff that I can’t pin down a fave. Never tried the be present stuff though – looks nice!
Love those pants!!! Cute and comfy-looking. I wish I liked workout DVDs but I get bored with them so quickly.
using workout dvd’s would be really conveniant but i just am not a fan. The only time I use them is if I can’t get to my yoga class–it is 40 minutes away.
I do Baron Baptiste style yoga! It is my absolute favvv! I actually just got done reading one of his books – 40 Days to a Personal Revolution – loved it!
The weather sounds absolutely perfect in Cali – pretty jealous, not gonna lie :)
Beautiful flowers!!!! Happy Friday my dear!
I have just started using more DVDs, because I can’t find time to get to the gym. I like my Jillian Michaels Shred DVD. Yoga DVDs are okay, but I really don’t enjoy yoga from a DVD.
what a wonderful, sunny weekend to look forward to, averie! enjoy!
those yoga dvd’s look great. i do not use at home dvd’s at all. if i’m doing a class, i want that social interaction – for yoga, dance, strength training etc. if i’m on my own, i just want to do my own thing!
love those pants you received! i love lululemon and nike wear – both are excellent in terms of quality, design, durability, cuteness (!) – yes, you pay more, but they last forever.
have a great day!
“i’m doing a class, i want that social interaction – for yoga, dance, strength training etc. if i’m on my own, i just want to do my own thing!”–
THAT is EXACTLY on point! Succinct, and true! couldnt have nailed it any better myself :)
Right now I’m loving the “Body By Bethenny” DVD.
I didnt even know she had a dvd….from margaritas to dvd’s, she’s got it all!
https://www.amazon.com/Body-by-Bethenny/dp/B003KM0TYW/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
i enjoy dvds for workouts, just sometimes have a hard time really focusing, especially with yoga. I notice I do best at a yoga studio. I feel some people can do really well with dvds at home. So just have find what works for ya.
I love Seane Corn. I have a few DVDs of hers. I do like DVDs, mainly for yoga. I can pop one in the DVD player any time, and I like that. I don’t like podcasts because I need some sort of visual or I get distracted. I especially love Ravi & Ana DVDs for Kundalini yoga because there are no Kundalini classes to be found around here, but my main form of exercise is walking and kettlebell training.
Workout apparel is pretty much my uniform. There is so much now that is cute enough for everyday wear, and it’s so comfortable, why not?
Averie,
I saw this recipe and thought of you!
https://www.muffintinmania.com/2011/04/double-chocolate-avocado-muffins.html
That is right up my alley. Thanks for the link!