yogagodess

Most people remember their very first yoga class. Mine was Ashtanga primary series and I had NO clue what I was getting into. But I had tried various forms of yoga LONG before that.

I actually started practicing when I was in college, which was in the 70s. I have talked to many people in my age group that remember Richard Hittleman’s 28 Day Exercise Plan. It was just basic yoga poses. I practiced in jeans and a tshirt in my apartment. Living in Minneapolis at the time, this was VERY exotic.

I also practiced Transcendental Meditation when I lived in Eau Claire, WI. That would STILL be considered bohemian there I imagine but I wouldn’t know. I suck as an alumni and never go back…..to very much.

Loved the 70s.

I was that cool, not that smart though.

About 15 years ago I decided to commit to yoga but since I had a young child and worked, it was difficult so I went to vhs tapes for home practice. My first one is the Ali MacGraw tape with Erich Shiffman as the teacher. This tape is a classic and visually beautiful. I highly recommend it. It is a very soothing practice. I also love the music.

I love the modesty and humility of Ali. I have always loved her, ever since Love Story. And Erich Schiffman is one of the masters. I have never met him but LOVE his book.

I can go with a little download from the cosmic mind in my practice. I don’t know about you.

Then I moved to something a little more challenging. Bryan Kest. Again, visually I LOVE the space they practice in. Note that Sean Corn was a student in this class. Also loved Bryan with the long ponytail. Tapes you can watch as well as practice with. I like the slow deep practice. Bryan has a tape called Long, Slow, and Deep. I lie not. Get your own mind out of the gutter. Anyway these tapes are also classics. I highly recommend.

Even though these are early predecessors to the prolific styles and types of classes you can buy or practice with the numerous sites offering downloads or streamed in yoga, they are very classically oriented. Bryan’s background is Ashtanga and Erich is a classic instructor.

My first actual class I attended after this was Ashanga, then I got hooked in to Bikram, then Forrest but now am back to Ashtanga. I love the classics. There are so many derivative styles now that it is mind boggling. A student and trainee just gave me a hard to find Iyengar book which I am reading and going through. It is interesting to seem the similarities and discrepancies in the lineage of Krishamacharya but always an interesting study.

I will be back to blogging now that the holidays are over and I am somewhat on a regular schedule. For a month or so it was pretty hairy there, but blogging is practice to me so check back.

(NOTE NOT A WORD ON EAGLES)