Yoga

[Marg]

Can anyone give me a very brief explanation of what the difference is between various yoga styles?
I am familiar with Bikram, but what about Hatha vs Yin. I've also heard of restorative but not certain what that is?

I just want to stretch my limbs, not as focused on getting overly zen.

TYIA

[HCcD]

Now that you are living closer to Westboro area ... Take a looksie at Donna Davis', formerly Movement to Heatlh, now Elations Centre, on Kirkwood ... http://www.elationcentre.com/ottawa-yoga/styles/ ...

[Jwolf]

Hatha is the most "standard" type that you probably want.

Yin has very long poses and the classes are usually longer. Restorative has more of a meditative component.

[Jwolf]

found this: could be useful...

http://yoga.about.com/od/typesofyoga/a/yogatypes.htm

[Tori]

Now that you are living closer to Westboro area ... Take a looksie at Donna Davis', formerly Movement to Heatlh, now Elations Centre, on Kirkwood ... http://www.elationcentre.com/ottawa-yoga/styles/ ...

Donna Davis does the Yoga for Runners on Rogers. The show has been excellent for my legs. Not an injury or IT twinge since I started doing her moves for runners.

[Kristen]

I'd go with a gentle Hatha class to start. There are lots of different kinds of yoga "classes" out there, but a Hatha class will have you focus on postures and breathing (there are actually 7 steps to Hatha, but most studios only focus on those two so you're safe - lol!) and there won't be any Kiirtan (chanting) in those classes (you will say "Namaste" though).

I'd reserve Ashtanga and anything with the words "hot" or "power" for later exploration. Vinyasa (flow) might be a good second option, after Hatha... it's all about connecting asanas. For example, the Sun Salutation is done as though it is a single posture. Kripalu is a gentle option as well, but it might include a little more of the "spiritual" stuff. Traditional Kundalini, while super for focus on breathing, will have you wearing white from head to toe.

[HCcD]

Now that you are living closer to Westboro area ... Take a looksie at Donna Davis', formerly Movement to Heatlh, now Elations Centre, on Kirkwood ... http://www.elationcentre.com/ottawa-yoga/styles/ ...

Donna Davis does the Yoga for Runners on Rogers. The show has been excellent for my legs. Not an injury or IT twinge since I started doing her moves for runners.

Yep, started her running group/training in Kanata in the early days, before this corporate running store opened up in the 'hoods about 5-6 years ago ... she has since switched her focus to a Holistic Centre focusing mainly towards women ....

[sandstone]

I have practiced both Hatha and Iyengar (a variant of Hatha) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iyengar_Yoga, depending on how much structure or instruction you like Iyengar may be a good choice also

[ratherBrunning]

I've practiced both Kripalu and Hatha. I've often wished that I had continued with the Kripalu, but I was young and it was a tiny class with very intense teachers. (Far fewer options in Peterborough in the mid-eighties!) It's too bad I've given my book away already. I loved the Hatha too; although it took a while to get used to the differences. Do you ever go to Bodyflow at the Goodlife? I enjoy that as well. Have fun exploring!

[Marg]

Now that you are living closer to Westboro area ... Take a looksie at Donna Davis', formerly Movement to Heatlh, now Elations Centre, on Kirkwood ... http://www.elationcentre.com/ottawa-yoga/styles/ ...

Donna Davis does the Yoga for Runners on Rogers. The show has been excellent for my legs. Not an injury or IT twinge since I started doing her moves for runners.

Yep I like her program and yes, I was considering going to her studio. But I also have Windhorse just a few doors down from me.
I miss Runner specific yoga so maybe I'll start with that and Hatha to balance me out. I want the stretching benefit which is why I don't really want to return to power/heat based classes.

Thanks everyone, very helpful info.
Namaste.

[VeloCarrie]

If you want to laugh so hard you'll pee your pants go to any class with me. I really suck at yoga.

[MINITEE]

I agree with trying Hatha first. It will be relatively easy to find a class in your neck of the woods as well. Focus is more on the basic moves, breathing, relaxation techniques (ahhhh Savasana how I love thee!)

I did a lot of Hatha for a while when I was working in the office. There was a woman who did 4 lunchtime classes a week in 4 week blocks for the last couple of years I was there. I've kept the breathing techniques up as I find them very helpful for both running & strength training.

I've tried Power Yoga (Power Yoga for Runners - Thom Birtch DVD is a killer) and Hot Yoga. My favourite though is Hatha as it's easy for me to remember the sequences I did.

[trixiee]

Don't over do it! I swear that's where my knee injury happened!
(Yes, I'm competitive - even in yoga! )

[Jwolf]

Don't over do it! I swear that's where my knee injury happened!
(Yes, I'm competitive - even in yoga! )

I did have to be careful with yoga with my foot recovery, and haven't gone for a while because the standing poses while barefoot do bother it...

[ratherBrunning]

Marg, did you see this in today's Ottawa Citizen?

The Yin of Yoga

[Marg]

Marg, did you see this in today's Ottawa Citizen?

The Yin of Yoga

Timing is everything. Thanks!
(I read the paper and yet somehow managed to miss this article!)

[Kristen]

Thanks everyone, very helpful info.
Namaste.

Namaste! Let us know what you decide.

[Agent Provocateur]

Yin yoga is my favourite. There's a class here in the 'Peg that's candle-lit. Perfect for just before bed

[Kelodie]

Now that you are living closer to Westboro area ... Take a looksie at Donna Davis', formerly Movement to Heatlh, now Elations Centre, on Kirkwood ... http://www.elationcentre.com/ottawa-yoga/styles/ ...

Donna Davis does the Yoga for Runners on Rogers. The show has been excellent for my legs. Not an injury or IT twinge since I started doing her moves for runners.

Yep I like her program and yes, I was considering going to her studio. But I also have Windhorse just a few doors down from me.
I miss Runner specific yoga so maybe I'll start with that and Hatha to balance me out. I want the stretching benefit which is why I don't really want to return to power/heat based classes.

Thanks everyone, very helpful info.
Namaste.

I've done the Hips yoga with Sylvie at elation centre and I really liked it. The class hours don't fit so well with my current schedule, otherwise I would still be going once a week.