I have had the pleasure of enjoying a range of digitized yoga classes.  Here is a list of my favorite instructors available on DVD:

• Baron Baptiste–this is my all-time favorite style of yoga.  The reason:  he teaches yoga lessons that apply directly to life.  I have walked away from class (taught by a Baron Baptiste instructor) profoundly moved by the wisdom gained.  I have also, without realizing it initially, directly applied the truths I’ve learned from class in my daily life.
• Shiva Rea–she is intense, but has great routines.  Her DVD’s actually allow you to choose your own routine if you’d like.    Try not to be intimidated by her, she is pretty bendy.
• Rodney Yee–he provides all levels of practice.  He can help you get started with yoga, or he can make you burn…the choice is yours.

Another option is to checkout podcasts–there are audio and video versions of routines available on the internet.  You can simply google “baron baptiste podcasts” and there is a long list of options from certified instructors.  Once you are familiar with the names of the poses, you can easily do the routines with just verbal prompting.

It is possible to use a book like I’ve done in the past.  It would be nice if the binding on the book was spiral.  In fact, I believe you can take a regular book and have Kinko’s make it into a spiral for you.  This would make keeping it open much easier.  I have also seen packs of cards with yoga poses from Barnes and Noble.  These would be nice to take to work and whip out when you have five minutes to find your Zen.


I also want to mention that I have a Wii and the Wii Fit.  The Wii Fit has a yoga program on it that is quite good.  The only downside is that you have to manually switch the poses, which tends to break up the flow.  But it is probably perfect for someone easing into doing yoga.

So while it is nice to go to a class, there are many options for your yoga workouts at home.  This can be nice if you are feeling insecure about your abilities.  Most people are pretty wobbly for a while (or forever).  Until you can laugh at yourself, you may be better off keeping your workout at home. Regardless of where you are doing it–get out there and get bendy!

Ever had the feeling, while hanging out in downward-facing-dog, that you are literally slipping away on your yoga mat? Talk about engaging some muscles. The pose can be challenging enough without the worry about sliding down onto your face.  If you are working hard, you are probably sweating.  I have found that although yoga mats always say they are ‘non slip’, I am slipping.

The instructors will say that pressing through your fingers will help.  It did not do the trick for me.  Keeping my hands dry is not realistic either.  So I did some research on this issue.  What finally worked for me was a handy, dandy yoga towel. These are special towels that cover your whole mat.  They absorb very well and become more effective when they become moist.  The most important characteristic of this towel is the rubbery knobs on the bottom (or top, whichever you prefer).

These knobs provide the essential grip needed to stay put.  I have been able to concentrate on the poses instead of fearing slipping and sliding.  One of the brands of towels is called Yogitoes.  They have several different products, but I like the full mat-sized towel to be the best.  There are other companies making this type of towel–I found one for a bit less at Sports Authority as well.

From my own experience and the reports from others, it seems all mats tend to be slippery.  It would be great if there was just a mat solution, and no towel was needed.  By far, the best mats available are Jade Harmony Mats and the Manduka Black Mat.  These mats are probably your best shot for not needing a towel as well.  Some people say yoga mats will become more sticky with use.  Others even suggest washing them to break them in a bit. 

One of the hazards of the towel is said to be interference with hopping. The hop occurs when coming from downward dog into forward fold.  It can also be hopping from forward fold into plank position.  Some complain the towel can bunch or move.  I held back on hopping for fear of this.  Only recently am I doing hops again, and it is going pretty smoothly.  It seems the rubber grips really hold the towel in place.  I even think the care I take in the hop makes it a bit more ‘floaty’, which is part of the goal there.

So if you find yourself slipping on the mat during yoga, consider the yoga towel.  Using the thin mat underneath, with the yoga towel on top seems to make the perfect combination for a slip-free yoga practice.