Tuesday, December 16, 2008

DO Try This At Home!


In an attempt to clear toxins from my body, (and also to clear my name from any alcoholic tendencies I seem to be displaying in the blogging world!) I decided to do a Yoga DVD last night when I got home from work. I hadn't used an exercise DVD in a long time, actually never as the last workout I did like that was on VHS (remember Jane Fonda's Workout!). I finally bought this DVD solely because I have not been able to find a Yoga class that suits location and times available... that and it was less than a tenner...

I've never been a fan of working out in an unstructured environment. Even on the days when I would train alone, I would have to have a plan laid out or else laziness would kick in and the time would be wasted, so I was dubious about how I would follow a workout DVD. After all, they can't tell how much effort I'm putting in (Nyah nyah etc.!) So I think I'm going to have to actually use some discipline to make sure I do this regularly.

The DVD I bought is Antonia Kidman's Ashtanga Yoga DVD and despite my intial scepticism (I just don't feel like it's working out unless I'm in a gym setting!) I did feel nicely loosened out after a few of those sun salutations, and even a little out of breath after a few fast movements through the stances. I felt a bit awkward and uncoordinated in the balance stances, and just plain weak when they started balancing on their hands without any wobbling! It's not a nice feeling, being a Beginner again!

I'm going to try to do this "class" as often as my roommate is out of the house thus leaving me with a chance to make a fool out of myself in private! I think it would be ideal in the mornings, so I'd guess I'd better stop hitting that snooze button...

Does anybody else use Yoga DVDs at home? Are there any you could recommend to a newbie? :) Or do you share my preference for a workout setting being designed for its purpose? I know there are a good few bloggers out there who are more than able to work out in their kitchen, so am I just being closed-minded in needing an entire gymnasium when I could do the same at home?

14 comments:

Penny said...

I have a ton of workout DVDs which I never use! I just CAN'T work out at home. There's something about making the effort to get to the gym which means you may as well make it worth your while when you get there.

Having said that, I do have a few favourites I take to my parents when the gym isn't an option. Not yoga ones though I'm afraid!

TA x

Siobhán said...

TA, yeah that's kind of how I feel too. There's too many distractions at home, but if I've made the effort of leaving the house then I may as well finish the job.

I'm actually curious about other workout DVDs now, so hit me with any suggestions you can recommend! :)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE Rodney Yee.

have you seen his dvds?

Siobhán said...

Hiya Miz! Nope, can't say I've heard of him, I'm wikipedia-ing him as I type... :)

Penny said...

The Billy Blanks Tae Bo series is GREAT fun, and I was just getting into Shaun T's Hip-Hop Abs (bizarrely mentioned on Mizfit today!) before I did my back in. I've also had two Joanna Hall DVDs for when I was sick and needed psychologically to work out but not push myself too hard.

My all time FAVE is the Ministry Of Sound Pump It Up: Burn It Lose It. If you do the whole thing all the way through (about 90 minutes I think), it's a decent cardio workout with a really great core and toning section at the end. And there are some cheesy dance sections in the middle where you can chill out and catch your breath without letting your heart rate drop too much.

Bear in mind that I can tolerate horrid commercial dance music, it's not for everyone!

TA x

Missicat said...

I have a few Denise Austin pilates DVDs which I do use on occasion - generally go about 2-3 weeks where I exercise to them a few days a week, then somehow get "too busy".
I also need an instructor to keep me going!
Plus, trying to do pilates or yoga with two curious kitties is very difficult...

Charlotte said...

I love doing yoga. While I do prefer to do it in a gym setting, I have a substantial collection of DVDs. Probably the best technically are Rodney Yee but I have a deep secret love for the campy and strange Brian Kest - it's yoga and stand-up comedy!

PS> I'm like you and TA; working out at home is definitely not my first choice.

Siobhán said...

TA, I must admit I have a weakness for horrid commercial dance music... I had Cascada blaring on my iTrip in the car this morning! They're just good workout/wake-up "choons"! So I might just have to suss out some of those DVDs. They sound like fun!

Missicat, I'm sure the cats enjoy it too! I remember my sister doing Mummy & Baby yoga with my niece and she just kept laughing her head off at the sight of her mother in strange poses! :)

Charlotte, right seeing as he's been approved by yourself and Carla then I'm guessing he's pretty good! I'll have to check him out too!

The gym is definitely my number 1 choice, but seeing as mine is no longer available to me, these could help keep me going until I find a new one. I might just have to boot my housemate out to get some privacy! :)

Chris Illuminati said...

I worked at a gym where the Yoga instructor would CURSE DVD's because 'people need to show the correct way to perform each move and it can cause injury.'

Which I agree with but I can see her not liking them because it takes business away from her.

Anonymous said...

I do the home Yoga too. I use the flow series by the white lotus foundation, and shiva rea's (not sure about the spelling) Yoga shakti.

Anonymous said...

I love both, although the flow series might be better for beginners (it's also vinyasa yoga).

Unknown said...

I have a couple workout dvds but I prefer working out in a group setting, mostly because then someone will make sure I'm pushing myself AND I've got an instructor correcting my form.

I've got a yoga dvd kicking around somewhere... haven't done it in months (okay, make that years) though. It was pretty good. She was an Australian woman and had short dark hair, but I don't rememeber what the dvd was called lol.

My favourite dvd is 30 day shred:)

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