I’d like to formally credit iPhoto for me not blogging. It decided it didn’t want to cooperate for a few days. But, I won so now I can share my yoga/lunch date with Jen from Friday.
I’ve made a specific effort since the No-Fail Workout Plan to workout in the morning and incorporate more yoga classes back into my life. Friday morning Jen and I visited West Asheville Yoga for the Anusara class taught by Joe. Here’s what West Asheville Yoga‘s website says about Anusara yoga:
Anusara means “flowing with Grace,” “going with the flow”, and “following your heart”… powerful hatha yoga system that unifies a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic Goodness with the Un iversal Principles of Alignment. Its’ uplifting philosophy, epitomized by a “celebration of the heart,” looks for the good in all people and all things.
I usually practice hot power yoga- a form of vinyasa yoga. The whole class flows with many sun salutations and covers the basics of sun salutations, backbends, balancing, etc. This class was different. In Anusara we focused more on how we felt in poses, how to maximize benefits and the meaning of it all. It was slower and definitely deeper than my normal practice. Class even began with a story!
Class may have been slower than I’m used to, but it still kicked my butt. Jen and I headed straight to Earth Fare to refuel.
In Orlando I’d eat at the Whole Foods hot bar at least once a week. It was fun experiencing so many new flavors at Earth Fare’s hot bar!
Somehow I ended up with 1.2 pounds of food but I can’t remember what a single thing was!
We perused the store after lunch and I indulged in a whole grain vegan chocolate chip cookie. The cookie had an earthy taste to it and a slightly crunchy texture. It was delicious!
At home I rounded off my workout with 30 minutes on the indoor bike trainer.
Do you practice yoga? What is your favorite kind?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve wanted to try hot yoga for awhile now, but I’m honestly SO nervous about passing out or getting sick that I haven’t gone yet! hahaha
One day!!
I’m an Iyengi at heart, give me alignment and 5 minute headstands, but I like Anusara (feels so bad to fling my trikonasana open, but so good!) and my Ashtanga-based class really got me working towards some awesome fun poses. And I love the Yin and Restorative classes.
But really, I hate Sun Salutations. I hate sweating indoors. I hate remaining in one place and moving fast. For me if I’m moving I need to be outside and propelling myself forward. I need the sky and ocean and mountains around me. I need the wind and the air and the snow.
Yoga, for me, is to slow down and go inside and build strength and flexibility. It’s not something I do as a “workout.” There is the hot power yoga trend around here, but I’ve been lucky to find a studio with mostly Iyengar trained teachers. And a lovely class on Sunday nights where we barely get off the floor and half the time my eyes are closed through the whole class.
I do love that there are so many varieties so every one can find one they resonate with!
I have been slacking on my yoga (vinyasa) practice-I keep saying I need to do it more but the classes don’t mix with my schedule right now:( I’ve started running again so I know that I need to find more time for yoga! Sounds like you had a great practice-and I love going a salad bar post workout-i’m craving that cookie you had, yum!
Ah, the good ol’ indoor bike trainer! Mine is currently freezing to death in the shed
That’s awesome that you experienced a different type of yoga! I find myself becoming impatient when a class moves to slow. Do you think you will take a class like this again, or just stick to hot vinyasa?
I’ve never been to Earthfare’s food bar, I need to make it a point to go next time I’m around one!
I took my first yoga class on sat and I loved it! However my wrists were hurting. Is that normal? they were not sore after!
You got on your trainer after that yoga session??? Also, I wish I had that cookie right now…oh Earth Fare, how I wish you were closer!
I really only recently started practicing yoga so I haven’t really had a chance to figure out what style I like. I normally go to a hot class which I think is similar to Bikram, but not called Bikram.
I love hot yoga the most – I find it so totally mentally and emotionally rejuvenating. I’ve been wanting to try other forms too – so I am going to try some of the local free lulu classes!
Holy crap 1.2 lbs from the hot bar? That’s not your normal portion size. I bet it was good, too!
I really like hot power yoga. It’s great for stretching out sore running muscles!
anusara yoga is one of my favorite styles – i love the centering aspect at the beginning, how it really reinforces practicing with an intention. Not to mention, you don’t think it’s going to be a workout because it’s a bit slower but then you hold the poses just a few seconds longer and suddenly your muscles are aching in warrior II and your arms are quivering in side plank and your like…whoa
I am in desperate need of an awesome anusara class here in Maryland :/
I haven’t found a favorite yoga class/practice just yet. I find ashtanga kind of rigid, and really enjoyed a “cleanse, core, explore” class but can’t attend because it’s at a really weird hour. I need to practice on my own more and need to stop letting other people’s schedules dictate my yoga!
yoga is my life. on and off the mat! i am in love with it! anusara, ashtanga, vinyasa flow, and hatha are my favorite. i love the mental and physical challenege yoga offers me as well as the reflective, spiritually nourishing aspects i soak up on my mat. my mat is my happy place. i’m not sure where i would be without yoga! probably still running my knees into the ground all while feeling completely miserable and incomplete
I go to yoga to unwind and so my fave type is gentle hatha
I started with Anusara last winter and even attended an Anusara Immersion that was incredible. I thought I was going to pursue my Anusara certification. Then I went to a power yoga class with my sister and fell in love with the warm/hot room and music and the way we flowed from one pose to the next. So I LOVE Ashtanga, Baptiste, anytime I am moving and sweating my butt off. Yoga has changed my life. One year ago I couldn’t touch my toes and now I can. All things are possible. I got to yoga 4 to 5 and sometimes 6 times a week. LOVE.
I haven’t tried many kinds of yoga, but my current favorite is vinyasa — I love the way the sun salutations tie everything together. So cool.
On my “must try” list is Bikram, hopefully will try that soon…
I always say that I need to more yoga but never do. I should get on that…
All of your posts make me want to move to Asheville!
Hi there! I have been doing SO SO much yoga!!
and loving it! i just finished a 30 day yoga challenge for the month of january! and now i got a part time job at my yoga studio doing front desk stuff so yay for free yoga classes!!! i want to get certified as a yoga teacher…just the $ is keeping me from it! imagine…M.D./M.P.H + yoga instructor! ahhh.. 
Ashville looks like a beautiful place!
I’ve been practicing Bikram since 2006, but lately I’ve been attending Vinyasa classes, which has been a nice change!
I heart yoga! Very cool that you get to try different types of classes. They are probably a perfect asset to your right now in life.
And put a couple books under your front wheel so you aren’t riding downhill on your trainer. The more books the bigger the incline. If you want it flat just measure the book height to how far the back wheel is off the ground.
BTW – I hope you got the job!!