“Om” at home
Someone was up sick all night last night :/
After her canoodle sesh with the Pilot, we all went to bed and she woke up throughout the night. The Pilot took care of her since it’s hard for me to get in and out of bed right now, and this morning she’s walking around with her tail tucked. If she’s not back to her sassy Bella self within a couple of hours, it’s off to the vet for us.
Breakfast:
Blueberry oats and two eggs
I actually cracked an egg underneath the pan and basically into the fire- it was fun to clean up 😉 Yes, it’s that kinda morning over here… and I’m definitely going to hit up a relaxing yoga podcast later this afternoon.
There are a lot of great podcasts and other at-home yoga options. Since we’ve already gone over favorite at-home workout options I thought it would be fun to talk about how to “om” at home.
When we lived in Valdosta, it was the most consistently I’ve practiced yoga, and we didn’t have a single yoga studio.
(practicing with my favorite downward dog)
So we converted one of our extra guest rooms into a yoga/workout room, with a space heater, TV with a DVD player and cable- we got the FitTV channel in there, which I loved. My friends and I could do our Insanity and Turbofire DVDs in the workout room, and it was also the perfect space for a good yoga practice.
Here are some of my favorite at-home workout options:
1) Podcasts: YogaDownload.com is my favorite (I just wish they would add some new ones), and iTunes is a great resource. Yoga to the People and Dave Farmer are other ones I’ve really enjoyed. Gaiam TV is pretty new, and has SO many fantastic options- it’s $9.95 a month for unlimited access, which is much less expensive than a gym membership.
2) DVDs: The yoga DVDs I’ve tried are Eoin Finn (amazing), Core Fusion, Yogalosophy and Shiva Rea. I also used to do the Rodney Yee ones back in the day, and they’re a great option for beginners. Core Fusion and Yogalosophy are most yoga-inspired than traditional –they add in some fun toning movements and isometric exercises. Shiva Rea is incredible, but may be a little intense for those who just want a workout and not necessarily the spiritual aspect of practicing. (Like when she told me to “massage my womanly buttocks” I lost it- was cracking up and had to switch to something else)
3) TV: FitTV and Exercise TV both include a variety of yoga programs. The only one I’ve tried is Namaste Yoga, and I really enjoyed it. Some of the flows are pretty challenging, too, especially when I was first getting started.
Some tips for practicing at home:
– Attend a live class so you have an idea of proper form for the basic postures. If you’re doing a DVD or podcast, I recommend watching or listening to it first so you know what to expect and can determine whether it’s a good option for you.
– Don’t do anything crazy at home that you’ve never tried with a certified instructor. I asked the Pilot to spot me in headstand once and almost ended up slamming into the tile. Be careful!
– If you don’t like a particular podcast or DVD that you try, give another one a chance. The beauty about yoga is that there are so many unique instructors,, types and practices out there- you’re bound to find something you love. It’s a perfect component to a traditional cardio and strength program, as it promotes flexibility, prevents injury through stretching and is good for sanity, too 😉
What’s your favorite at-home yoga option?
Do you practice at home or in a studio?
If you’ve never practiced yoga before, I’m challenging you to try out a class this January- you may find a new workout love <3
I’m off to cuddle a sick pup.
See ya later today with a Family post!
xoxo
Gina
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Aw, poor Bella…Hope she feels better soon!
I must admit I have never tried yoga before, but it’s definitely on my bucket list…maybe this year…Thanks for reminding me!
(I kinda had to smile at the pic with ur favorite pose, as I imagined you with the belly doing this pose which would look very unconfortable now…)
Almost there, Gina, almost there!
I like to do leg inversions up a wall. reverse the flow of nutrients for a bit. http://www.digitalrunning.com/2345/wall-inversions/
I’m trying my very first hot yoga class tomorrow! 🙂
I had always been afraid of hot yoga because I thought it involved a fast paced flow in the heat, but was releaved to realize that it’s more about holding poses. I’ve also heard some stories about mean/intense hot yoga teachers. Any tips from seasoned hot yogis? So jazzed!
here ya go:
http://fitnessista.com/2011/05/focus-on-bikram-yoga/
i hope you love it!
Yay! Still excited and I’ll definitely make sure to let the instructor know it’s my first time in case I get that “yup, we’re going down” face. lol. 🙂
I bought a Yoga DVD to try out yoga last year and the DVD was so terrible I didn’t even make it through the beginner-beginner workout. Should have looked for more reviews first!
I would love to give it another go this year though. I’m too chicken to join a class – I’d rather get a general idea of poses, etc first on my own. Might need to check out those podcasts.
Hope Bell feels better soon!
Dave Farmar has all free yoga podcasts on iTunes! You just have to download them. They are very challenging and he is hysterical. Albeit- You do need to understand a standard practice before using them because there is no visual.
sometimes he talks a little too much for me -usually because i’m holding a pose and he’s gabbing on and on and i’m in pain- but yes, he’s amazing
I recently began using yogadownload per your suggestion and LOVE IT! They have amazing variety for a new yogi and I really love the FREE 20 minute downloads. I’m recovering from a shin/ankle injury andhave been unable to do my normal running/HIIT training (sad face) so I am trying to find different ways to practice fitness at home. The flexibility to practice at home has been amazing so far, thanks for the tips.
Hope Bell-Bell feels better soon.
btw you look fabulous my dear!!! can’t wait to ‘meet’ the lil one 🙂
xoxo
My girls *always* get sick, or get a lot worse at night or on the weekends when all that is open is the emergency vet. I think we have been to the animal ER more times than the regular vet(not really, but close!). Hope miss B feels better soon!
it always seems to happen that way, huh?
hulu.com has a lot of options: http://www.hulu.com/search?query=yoga&st=1&fs=
I’ve been obsessed with the site yogis anon lately. Their classes are PHENOMENAL and as well as the instructors! They have 4 free videos for like 2-3 months, but they have a VERY large range of videos in their library if you’re willing to pay. I would love love to go to their studio one day and attend an actual class <3
yesssss! i’ve never heard of this- can’t wait to check it out
I am just starting to add yoga to my routine and I am loving that I am able to get a break from the more harcore workouts, give my sore muscles a chance to stretch, and still get a good quality workout at the same time. However I am not so good at the traditinal spiritual workouts, I just can’t keep a straight face. No visualization for this girl.
I love doing all types of DVDs at home. Yoga is an especially good choice. I completely agree with mixing studio yoga classes in with home DVDs. The studio gives you great instruction and inspiration and the DVD days fill the gaps in between at a low cost. The recent Skinnygirl Workout DVD by Bethenny is great because it is a 45 minute flow that can also be broken up into 15 segments for moms or working women who sometimes want to be active but can’t commit to 45 minutes that day. I love yoga it is a great way to feel connected to my body to optimize my other workouts!
Lilly
pancakesandbeetjuice.blogspot.com
poor bella! i hope she feels better!
Hi Gina,
i love om at home !!!
… my morning start almost always with 3 Surya-Namaskara or some Five Tibetan Rites 🙂
but i’m practicing yoga a in a studio since 6 years now and I know it’s really good for body mind and soul …
lot of cudlles to Bella <3
Liana an Italian lurker
PS you're so amazing! …. you rember me when I was pregnant many and many and many years ago !!! 😉
I agree that you should listen or watch first before doing podcasts/videos & attend a couple live classes so you know what you are doing. I found out about Dave Farmar through here, which I do a couple times a month. Hope Bella feels better!
I love the new Tara Stiles yoga dvd’s! Check them out!
I can’t rave enough about yogaglo.com – there’s a 15 day free trial and then after that it’s $18/month, which around the greater NY metro area is cheaper than the price of 1 class at a yoga studio! I’m a certified yoga instructor and been really thrilled with the selection and quality of classes – much better than Yoga Download.
YES!!! I am a yogaglo FANATIC! It took me from beginner to advanced – I’m now doing handstands and all kinds of things I thought I would never do. Well, technically, I’m not doing handstands right now as I’m 35 weeks pregnant, but BEFORE pregnancy I was 🙂
You said it! I, too, have only awesome things to say about Yoga Glo, from the variety to the quality of instruction to the ease of using the site-LOVE IT! And they are constantly updating! So worth the $18.
I hope your fur baby is better soon. I have a Bichon and last year he had a tooth pulled and also his teeth cleaned. When I took him home he was so sick and he had his tail tucked, first time I had ever seen him like that and I just knew he wasn’t feeling well.
Gaiam TV is awesome! I love their selection. I recently posted a review on my blog about them… check it out! http://aliveinthefire.blogspot.com/2011/12/gaiam-tv-library-of-yoga-videos.html
I also love all of Rodney Yee’s stuff, and I’m a fan of Maya Fiennes and her Kundalini dvd. I also recommend Richard Freeman’s Ashtanga primary series dvd (it’s a little dated, but he does all the poses well).
Namaste!
Awww, poor Bella, I hope she’s feeling better! Hudson {wiener dog dog…} only gets sick at night when he does…so strange the way dogs are…I guess their digestion?! Hmmm..
I’m going to rock out some yoga today too, I feel I need it!!
xxoo
Ohhhh Bella bells! Boo. Totes saw that picture and was confused when there was no beach ball on your belly. Om at home is theeee best.
haha it’s an old picture 😉
My coworker had her 2 pups vomiting non-stop for a day… She took them to the vet to find out they had the puppy stomach flu!!! if it keeps on happening, it might be that!
I used to use Exercise TV all the time, but it was cancelled last month!! Not sure if it’s nationwide, or just in my area or what happened to it, but it used to be my go-to for squeezing in a little extra workout and yoga. My obsession with YogaWorks started from there. Thanks for the DVD recco’s, I’ll definitely have to check them out now that I’m sans On Demand exercise channel.
It’s nation wide. Their website is gone too. I’m so bummed. I hope they replace it with some other fitness channel.
I know! So bummed that it’s gone, I found some great practices on there and a few non-yoga workouts, too. I’ll check out Gaiam’s site, I’ve bought a few of their products and really like them. And I LOVE yogadownload.com.
I loved ExerciseTV On Demand, and was SO sad when it got cancelled! It was perfect for a wide variety of quickie workouts while the baby napped.
I looooooved yoga works! I can’t believe ExTv is gone!!!!!!!! 🙁
This post couldn’t have come at a better time. I have been wanting to get back into yoga for a while now, and have put it off since my favorite instructors no longer work at my gyms 🙁 I’ve been thinking of just doing it at home and this post is a good kick in the ass to just do it. 🙂
hope Bella feels better.
Great timing! I just yesterday recommitted to doing yoga and enjoyed a Yoga Download podcast. There are about four of them I use in rotation when I’m just trying to get a 20-minute session in. I love Dave Farmar, too.
Feel better, Bella! Yoga at home sounds like a great way to relax, take a breather and re-center yourself.
Hope Bella feels better, sending positive vibes her way! On the topic, I’m more of a gym or group yoga-er! I’ve done yoga at home, but I’m not very good at motivating myself. If I’m surrounded by others I stretch deeper and stay for the whole class. At home I seem to half do the stretch and sometimes bow out early. Wish I had the motivation to do it at home, then maybe I would do it more often!
bella says thank you 🙂
it took me a long time to be able to do it at home, too. i’d always check my phone or twitter if i got bored 😉 there’s definitely something to be said about a live class and group atmosphere
Aw..hope Bella feels better already!
Question for everyone..I’m 8wks pregnant..i had started doing pilates at home a few months ago and want to continue pilates…do anyone know of a good prenatal pilates video?
You might want to check out the Pilates Anytime site. You have to pay a monthly fee but I believe you get a free week or two at first. I’m not pregnant but I think I remember seeing some prenatal Pilates on there. You get unlimited access to lots of workouts, ranging in intensity and duration.
Thank you!!
My friends dog acted the same thing and she went in to labor two night later! Maybe Bella knows baby is coming soon. 🙂
i was wondering if that had something to do with it! she’s been pouting since yesterday and then was sick last night
Hope she is feeling better now!
I was thinking the exact same thing! that maybe Bella knows something……animals are intuitive like that. I hope it’s doggie nerves and nothing else! A sick pup is probably the last thing you guys need right now.
That thought crossed my mind too!! I hope miss Bell feels better though!! I always feel so bad when my dog isn’t acting like himself 🙁
way* not thing – typing to fast
Poor Bella. Seriously when my little puppers is sick I’m more worried and way more sympathetic than when the boyfriend is sick.
Netflix is a great option too for yoga dvds, and workout/zumba dvds in general.
Another vote for YogaGlo — it’s phenomenal! Different styles of yoga, meditation and more, plus the teachers are top-notch (much better than those at my local studio). There are tons of classes and new ones are posted daily, which is great for me because I also got sick of the same YogaDownload classes after awhile.
Hope your pup feels better — sick dogs are the worst!
I’m probably one of the few workout freaks that hasn’t tried yoga yet. I’m just not sure I can calm down enough to do it 😉 Have you tried Piyo? I’ve heard it’s for people who prefer a more dynamic/strength yoga workout?!
I love Piyo! Chalene knows what’s up! 🙂
I thought fitness tv was done-zo!??! I seriously loved it. When I didn’t feel like going to the gym, I would throw on a vid from there and some were honestly so good!! I need to practice yoga more – it’s one of my goals for the new year!
I have a Bob Harper yoga DVD that I’ve done a couple of times. My problem is that I expect to be able to do the advanced things even though it’s the only yoga I’ve EVER done… and so in some pretzel-ish pose, I’m thinking, pfft, I can do that… and ended up dislocating my shoulder. Lol, that put my ego in check and body in pain.
Hahaha so this isn’t necessarily a yoga-story, but I was really into Jillian Michaels DVD workouts this summer to keep me distracted from thinking about some sad things going on. It always made me crack-up, though, when I’d be doing double-jump sets in the living room of my old, old house. I don’t *think* I’m a big girl, or anything, but man, the floor would be shaking. I always laughed about how funny-but-not-funny-at-all it would be if I somehow just fell through the floor to the bottom of the house. That’d be fun to explain to whoever found me…
Thank you for the yoga recommendations! I always have trouble with practicing yoga at home, even though every time I attend yoga hour at oasis, I am certain I could run myself through the basic workout. There’s something about doing yoga with a massive group of people that feels really intensely good, though. Like when we all sing together at the beginning? Maybe a little hokey, but the energy makes me shiver!
Goofy question- Why the space heater in the yoga room? I hope Bella feels better!!
Hulu.com has free workout vids too, including yoga. 🙂
I hope Belly feels better soon!
They just got rid of exercise tv on our cable provider! SO MAD!~ I used to love it for quick workouts and for the yoga/pilates section!
Oh and before you rush off to the vet, try giving bella some brown rice with plain yogurt on top….it heals pooches stomachs naturally and it’ll save ya a vet fee! Works every time for my dog!
Aww poor Bella! I hope she’s ok and that you don’t have to head to the vet.
As for yoga, I prefer to practice in a studio. I find that it’s too easy for me to just do a few poses on my own then call it a day, but in a studio, you’re not supposed to leave!
Hey Girl! I am sending Bella all my love and healing vibes! Poor her, and poor you! I love to practice vinyasa power flow here in Vancouver, and I posted a whole post on my blog about how to create a practice for yourself at home! You can check it out here!
http://urbanfruitbat.wordpress.com/the-abcs-of-a-home-yoga-pratice/
<3
I love doing yoga at home, especially for busy work/school days, it always makes it possible to fit in some yoga. I really like Bethenny Frankel’s DVD. Its 40 minutes and a great workout!
Hope your sick pup starts feeling better! Vet checks are never fun- I almost think they’re worse than going to the doc myself cause I hate seeing my puppy in pain 🙁
I’m hoping to start attending a yoga class once a week!
Hi Gina,
I just want to let you know that you’ve done an amazing job with your blog throughout your pregnancy. Your posts are always fun to read and informational, and I enjoy checking in with you every day. I’m currently 28 weeks pregnant and I’ve loved “sharing” the journey with you. After your little one is born, I’d love for you to review your favorite/most helpful products for baby for us impending mothers 🙂 Thanks and best wishes for a happy and healthy baby soon!
Ha! I totally almost started laughing when I did my first Shiva Rea workout too. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one!
Hi!! I wanted to say I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now, and following you on Twitter, and although I haven’t commented yet, I really enjoy reading!! It’s really fun!! I think some yoga can count as strength training. I personally enjoy Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Burn DVDs!! They provide a rockin’ workout!! In fact, I think I’ll do one tonight and maybe blog about it. 🙂
I hope the baby comes soon!! Praying your delivery goes smoothly.
~K
Poor Bella! I hope she feels better soon!
I have a few Rodney Yee DVDs that I love, even though sometimes I can’t control my giggles, like when he’s telling me to enjoy the way my pelvic floor is feeling/feel the movement in my pelvic floor. Oh goodness!
I love doing yoga in a studio, but for some reason it’s really hard for me to get into yoga videos. Probably because I don’t have a tv and have to watch them on my mac, hence a weird angle. So when I’m at home I usually do my own yoga moves, but that doesn’t lead to much variety. Maybe I’ll check out some of your suggestions. 🙂
Hi Gina,
First of all I love your blog and I ma so inspired by you.
I do teach and practice hot yoga and I know you enjoy it as well. But for the home practice check out my recent post:
http://yoginiselfportrayal.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/lets-start-moving-in-a-new-year-yoga-video/
I just started to make my own videos. There will be more to come, feel fry to try it out and let me know, maybe I can cater it to reader’s needs;)
All the best
I practice yoga at home these days. I can do it on my own schedule and timetable. Some days I have 10 mins, some days 45. Some days I want to do hip openers, some days I want to invert or do backbends. So I just do my own flow, whatever I want to do. I don’t bother with the podcasts, either. I rarely have enough time to get through a whole one and I want to do what I want to do anyway 🙂
Ten years ago, I spent half a day, almost every day, at my yoga studio. Between a daily two hour asana practice (ashtanga primary series every day) but also had a strong meditation practice and when I wasn’t in the studio, I was with friends at coffee shops or similar places and we were talking about yoga. This went on for a couple years. It was an AMAZING time in my life; a true gift I will always cherish.
But cut to the present day…no way I have the time, energy, or ability to pull that off as a busy working mom.
I think it’s awesome you have the foundation for an at-home practice; it will be your salvation to grab 15 mins on your mat while she naps some days!
Poor Bella girl! I agree with the others… She prob knows baby is in her way!!!