Yoga isn’t an exercise that’s completely new to me. Over the years I’ve done countless Body Balance classes where it’s heavily incorporated. I’ve gone to the odd Yoga class and it’s something that’s always on my vision board to do more of. When my sister and I recently visited Gaia, I realised that I was almost more excited about the morning Yoga class than the massages.
Almost.
When we returned home, I set my alarm for half an hour early every weekday morning. That’s huge, considering my best work/study is done around 10:30pm and onward. But without thinking into it too much, I just did. Since November I’ve been getting up, unrolling my mat and showing up. It’s just 30 minutes, and doesn’t everyone deserve 30 minutes to themselves? Yes.
I can’t express how much I’m enjoying that half an hour devoted to moving my body, but I can share what apps I’m using to help me through my flow.
Disclaimer: I use an iPhone and iPad, so all my apps are Apple. If you have Android or other I can’t guarantee that they’re the same price or work the same way.
Pocket Yoga
Pocket Yoga is where I started. It’s the most simple app with just 5 options – two of them being Sun Salutations, the most popular start of the day flow. The other three each have three levels of difficulty (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) and three time options (30, 45 and 60 minutes). I like that the flows are quite easy to follow, well described, displayed by an illustrated person and predictable. But on the other hand, I tire of the predictability easily so I tend to use this app if I’ve had a big day and hubby wants to join me, so I can select the beginner option. I moved from beginner to intermediate pretty quickly with Pocket Yoga.
Down Dog
Down Dog is my go-to Yoga app, I just love it. It’s Free to download with your first three flow’s free, then a yearly or monthly subscription. I subscribed in January with a New Year special.
I like how I can select from 6 different difficulty levels, a huge range of time options and it creates a brand new flow for me everyday. The instructor (who’s voice and accent I can choose from) walks you through each pose along and I can move along with the video of someone doing the same. I particularly like how the breathing is constantly incorporated throughout each pose with reminders on posture and strength. I moved from Beginner 2 to Intermediate 1 quite quickly and am happily practicing here as there are quite a few arm balances I’m not yet holding.
Sweat
Last January after over indulging a little too much at christmas time I signed up to Sweat App. It’s free to download but you will need a subscription to use it.
I honestly loved it as I do love a good sweaty workout. I could do a circuit at home or use one of the many gym options available. It also gives a basic menu plan (for one serve) if weightloss is your goal. When I started moving over to Yoga I discovered that I could swap my intense workout for a 30 minute Yoga workout and used this app as my main until I bought Down Dog. I really enjoyed it and if I could justify the cost of both, I’d have continued my subscription with both Sweat and Down Dog.
Asana Rebel
Asana Rebel was recommended to me by a few of my friends who love both Yoga and a good workout. It’s also free to download but you do need a subscription after the first week or so. I used it briefly and enjoyed it but ended up going with Down Dog. I did like that it gave more than one option for the day, so I could chose between an intense or light Yoga workout. It’s Yoga focused but with options for weightloss, strength, flexibility, relaxation etc.
Don’t Break the Chain
I recently learned about this Jerry Seinfeld inspired movement called ‘Don’t break the Chain’. When once asked what he did to be so good at comedy, Jerry replied that he writes down one new joke, everyday. And doesn’t break the chain. There’s a great little video here about it if you’d like more info but I realised I’ve become addicted to not breaking my chain, and closing my activity rings.
If you’re looking at starting a new Yoga practice, the comfort of your own home is the easiest place to start. If you can find a great teacher and studio, that helps wonderfully for posture and to ensure you’re doing it all the right and safe way as well. I try to make a class once or twice a week to practice with others (mainly to see that I’m not the only one who can’t bend into a pretzel over or gets stuck on a certain posture!). I’m not very flexible and certainly can’t do all the poses, but it’s something I’m really enjoying so if I’ve inspired you to give it a go, then what do you have to lose?!
If you do and discover an app or way to practicing that I haven’t yet, please share!
