Hi.
I have been to a few classes at the gym, but the yoga is very basic and its pretty obvious that the instructer did a "1,2,3, become a yoga teacher" 2day course. The classes are always packed and there are only 2 a week that I can make.

All I really want is to learn some basic-mid level positions that I can do every day. I am a martial artsist of 13years so I wont have trouble with cordination.

I wanted to know the best way to go from here, are yoga DVDs worth it? are books better?

I know that there are so many books and dvds out there, I dont wanna waste tonnes of money only to find out that that are naf.

Some yoga DVDs are good and others are crap. My best advice is to check out the DVDs sold by Yoga Journal on the yoga journal website. They have 3, levels 1,2 and 3. I highly recommend them. Excellent, knowledgable instructors.
Sarah

On order, thank you very much.

I am becoming interested in yoga myself. How enjoyable do you find it? I have not been to any classes or anything, but I am always wanting to try new things. Old lady has a mat and some tape I am gonna try out.

Tony - I got a few DVDs over the last month and My favorite is this one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...665883-6653250

This is from amazon UK, but if you can get it to the US its well worth it.
The bendy guy is insaine, but his miss's does simple versions of what he does. so you just follow him untill it gets hard, then you follow her.

Its a lot faster than I thort, your not streching in the same possition for more than 5seconds at a time. It has helped a lot with breathing and digestion already. If you do the whole hour you will deff work up a sweat, and its great fun. Go for it.

Here's an investment that's worth every cent for a solid practice..

Amazon.co.uk: Bryan Kest's Power Yoga: 1 Energize/2 Tone/3 Sweat (REGION 1) (NTSC): DVD: Bryan Kest

power yoga is an ashtanga spin-off, kind of a fitness-trend yoga. I'd recommend it with Bryan Kest (link above) or Baron Baptiste.. Baron's classes aren't as grueling as bryan kest's though.. i also find that baron isn't as repetitive.

However, i still recommend Bryan Kest over baron... but beware of the tarzan in tights look and random new-agey talk that might send you laughing out of a pose.. DVDs are great though. You'll really grow with them continue to find them more and more challenging as you perfect your poses and flow.

I do a lot of yoga/pilates inspired exercise - that is, before i sprained my stomach....
check out also kari anderson and karen voight at collage video.com

Seeing as this thread has been reserected, I may as well give an update.

The DVD I got (posted in Post number 5) was great.
Ive been doing it 3-4times a week about 2 hours before bed and Have really enjoyed it. My flexibility has improved 10fold.

I recommend the head standm if you're going to practice one posture. They call it the 'king of the asanas' because it has the most allround benefits. It's very effective.

Check me out:

timothy-clark.com

My instructor likes the Gaiam products - Rodney Yee and the like. I have the beginner AM/PM workout but am looking to get something a little more advanced. I checked out the DVDs from Yoga Journal and they seemed pretty good from what I saw, so I might give them a go.

I love Shiva Rea. My favorite yoga studio has prana vinyasa / trance dance classes every month or so. It's different, but I enjoy it!

Shiva Rea :: Yoga as Conscious Evolution :: Home

Cograts on starting the yoga practice. I'm glad it is going well for you.

whats a good beginner yoga dvd? ive been curious about it for a while and would like to get into it to increase my flexibilty for basic training and as something to do before bedtime to help me sleep and reduce stress a little...im looking to order one today if anyone has any suggestions

yoga and its cleansing practices have proven to be extremely effective for various disorders."Yoga shakti" is best for you and its cost is $24 around and you can purchase it online from amazon website.

On the main topic, how is yoga to the weight lifting male? Shoot, I have been doing yoga for almost 6 months and my flexibility have increase but only somewhat. Any of the shoulder stretch is not really possible for me unless I use a strap. I find that the more muscle that i develop the worse I get at yoga. you guys?

Worse in a sense that I am less flexible. For me, yoga is a humbing experience every practice.