Yoga

[karmattack]

The following topic came up in conversation between a few friends and myself and turned into a debate. I wanted to know what you think.

<FORM METHOD=POST ACTION="http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/forums/dopoll.php"><INPUT TYPE=HIDDEN NAME="pollname" VALUE="1060281791karmattack">


Yoga Is Geared Toward...
<input type="radio" name="option" value="1" />Women mostly
<input type="radio" name="option" value="2" />Men mostly
<input type="radio" name="option" value="3" />Women and men equally
<input type="radio" name="option" value="4" />Women, men, sissies, hippies and weirdos equally
<INPUT TYPE=Submit NAME=Submit VALUE="Submit vote" class="buttons"></form>

[JIM]

I can't say anything for the rest of the planet.
Here in the states, it appears yoga is geared and marketed towards women.
I was told by an Indian citizen once that the style taught here is a bastardized form of it. Wonder if that's true. Probably is.

[Zens_7s]

I don't know, but I love yogurt! A vote for yogurt is a vote for me!

[JIM]

The fruit on the bottom is my favorite!
Mmmmmmm....Yogurt with fruit on the bottom.

[jjcourtright]

Fruit on the bottom freaks me out. It is always slimy on the top. What's that about?

[Ryall]

I gotta say, I've only taken a yoga class twice--the girlfriend dragged me--and not only was it among the best workouts I've ever had, but it was also a class FULL of some of the hottest, sweatiest, most toned women in tiny clothing that I've ever seen. I really think yoga classes might just be the great unknown for most guys. You definitely can't just be the pervert at the gym, staring and not participating, but let's be honest--the best workouts you have are the ones where there's some attractive women nearby, making you work twice as hard as usual. Yoga is that times 100. Plus it's just an incredible workout. I used to laugh it off as just stretching, but I was way off.

I'm not into all the relaxation and pseudo-mysticism that some teachers try to throw at you--the slow pan flute-style music drives me nuts--but there are some that teach it to rock music. That's the ideal. And when the classes get packed, it's like Twister only with supermodels. Yoga rules.

[karmattack]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I was told by an Indian citizen once that the style taught here is a bastardized form of it. Wonder if that's true. Probably is.

[/ QUOTE ] I can see it, for sure.
I practice yoga, but I have friends who make fun of me for it, which is odd because I could kick the ass of each and every last one of them!


which has nothing to do with yoga.

[jjcourtright]

I'm going to just come out and say it. I have been doing "Pilates" with my wife-unit. Not something that I am completely proud of...But, it is a killer work-out. I struggle to keep up. The best part is, I can now bend down and touch my knees. My toes can't be far behind, right?

[Zens_7s]

See, this explains why I have stopped doing yoga in class and started doing it at home. I took it once a week for a year at my all-woman gym. The teacher was VERY deep into the spirituality side, and the nutrition plan that goes with it. She had no problem being rude if she thought your regular life was not fitting with your yoga lifestyle.

There there was the music, which always made me relax so much I lost all motivation to be doing the positions that came in between relaxations. She spent way too much time finding our "center" and not enough time doing the work-out. If you are going to try it, make sure to talk with the instructor about their teaching style. It makes a big difference.

Plus, looking at the other woman in their hot leotards only kept me occupied through the first session.

[JIM]

Yeah, Same with Tai chi.
Soooo many people here think of it as some "old people's exercise".
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
It's for everyone. If you're lucky enough to find a good teacher, you'll learn the defense style of it. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

[Zens_7s]

Pilates is awesome. That is a ass-kicker of a work-out for the abs. One of my favorites.

[FanGirl]

My "fully accredited" college that I attended counts Tai chi class toward your general electives credits.

[Zens_7s]

I have not done Tai Chi, but I have done Chi Gong, which is a variety of it.

[JIM]

Really!?
Wow. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing...

[jjcourtright]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Chi Gong

[/ QUOTE ] Hmm...took me a minute to realize that was not supposed to be a joke.

[Zens_7s]

No, it really wasn't. Chi Gong is like Tai Chi but more relaxing and into breath control and all that.

[brycejmcewen]

I'm glad you clarified that, because I thought Chi Gong delivered Chinese food from the Hong Hing Chinese food restuarant.

[Jessica]

Oh that's a shame because there are a million different styles of yoga out there. I fell of the yoga bandwagon because I am lazy and poor but I fully recommend it for everyone. You just need to find what fits with your needs.

From a local school:

Styles of Yoga


Anusara Yoga is heart-oriented, spiritually inspiring, and yet grounded in universal principles of alignment for both the inner and outer body. It is a uniquely integrated style of* hatha yoga in which the artistic glory of the human heart blends magically with the scientific principles of biomechanics.*

Iyengar Yoga is a form of hatha yoga modeled after the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar, living master of Puna, India.* The principles are based on Mr. Iyengar's life-long study of the art and science of asana (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques). Postures can be adapted to all students' personal and physical needs through the use of props and a mindful practice. Iyengar Yoga helps to create a happy and healthy body and mind, through its focus on proper alignment, building strength and flexibility and learning how to calm the mind.

Ashtanga Yoga is taught in the tradition of living yoga master Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. This method involves a specific sequential and progressive series of postures synchronized with Ujjayi breathing and a gazing point, driste.* Ashtanga Yoga is challenging and heat generating.

Those are just a few, there's super hard-core Bikram too, where you practice in like 100 degree rooms and do the same 20-something poses every time.

[Zens_7s]

&lt;&lt;Oh that's a shame because there are a million different styles of yoga out there. I fell of the yoga bandwagon because I am lazy and poor but I fully recommend it for everyone. You just need to find what fits with your needs.&gt;&gt;

Yes Jessica, you are right. I have thought about going somewhere else, but it is so expensive (about $50 a month where I looked) when I am already paying dues at the gym. Secretly I am holding out for a new teacher to show up, since I get those classes for free. There are some good books out there for the home based stuff. I found one I really enjoy.

[karmattack]

I do Ashtanga once a week, coupled with rock-climbing later in the week. I love it. Sadly, there are zero hot chicks. Maybe I should move to Cali for the yoga because </font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
And when the classes get packed, it's like Twister only with supermodels. Yoga rules.


[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/icons/smirk.gif Can't fk'n argue with that, now can I??