Which DVD

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I’ve looked through the articles and have done a search and have only part of my questions answered.

Please bear with me.

My first goal utilizing yoga practice is to heal my back. I am very limited and have used rather strong prescription medication to manage the pain. As I gain more strength and endurance, I want to incorporate a more comprehensive practice. I’ve been reading up on the different disciplines and think that Ashtanga will probably be a good fit.

Here’s the rub: I need to practice at home so I need a quality DVD. I’ve read on this forum’s posts on the subject and have looked into them. One which was recommended, Gary Kraftsow, has a DVD specific to low back issues. The problem I have is that it seems like he has invented a “new” type of yoga, which concerns me. But if it works and has the basic yoga substance that would adequately provide a segue into a more traditional practice, I’m willing to give it a go.

Rodney Lee’s DVD was mentioned also, but I can’t get a good read on it.

I’ve looked on youtube, but I could not find one that gave explicit instruction on proper technique.

I signed up for Bikram two different times. The first time, I saw results with my back and was able to get off all medication. I stopped going, however, and when I started up again, was unable to attain the same results. In fact, I would say it got worse. I found the second time around that I really could not handle the heat either. I do believe the testimonials from the practitioners. There are testimonials from every practice, though.

One other question: True Ashtanga looks to be for the advanced practitioner. Is it possible to find a watered down routine/practice for someone who is very weak and out of shape?

When I see true yogis performing a posture perfectly and as it is meant to be, it looks like such a thing of beauty and art. I would love have that practice. I know I won’t get that from a DVD, but using a video is just a temporary situation.

Thanking you in advance,

Julz

#2

Someone sent me a personal message and suggested that I provide more information. I was actually concerned that I was far too verbose and, well, no one wants that.

I’m 51 and used to be quite athletic before I injured my lower back. I also have Meniere’s Disease that tends to cause upheaval and limits me from much driving among other things. At any rate, I want a DVD or online access to a good beginner, restorative/healing yoga practice. I will look for a teacher who could meet one-on-one, but that will not be but once in a while.

Initially, I mentioned Ashtanga because it appeals to my need for structure and routine. But I am certainly open to anything.

#3

For a mature person who is seeking a yoga practice that can safely address specific health issues, it is advisable to work directly with an experienced and qualified yoga instructor, rather than relying on DVDs.

Your local yoga regulation body: Yoga Alliance, British Wheel of Yoga, etc, might help you to locate a good teacher. Or, the websites of the main teaching organisations (Mysore Ashtanga, Iyengar, etc) usually give a list of their qualified instructors.

Most DVDs are produced by quite competent teachers. I can’t recommend anything specifically for lower back pain though, as you mention, I believe there is a series of videos that address such specific issues. Clips of most videos, or their teachers, can be found on YouTube. Find a video teacher that you like and look deeper into their work… that might be a good start.

If you are interested in Ashtanga Vinyasa (though it is not generally considered to be a specifically healing or restorative style), you can view the entire Primary Series, instructed by Pattabhi Joic (the guru) on YouTube. Kino Macgregor has hundreds of short videos on YouTube which give more details instructions on how to do each individual posture from the series. Richard Freeman’s videos (Introduction, Primary Series) also offer excellent guided practice.

Other styles of yoga are widely considered to be more ‘restorative’ than Ashtanga Vinyasa - look into Sivananda Yoga, Satyananda Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Svaroopa Yoga. Restorative yoga and yoga therapies are more personal in their approach and do not usually translate so well to a packaged DVD format… but I am sure that there are some good DVDs out there.

#4

To be clear, I’m not wanting to start out with Ashtanga, but am interested in it or similar in the future. For now, my primary focus is on my back.

I know this is a question that makes experienced yoga practitioners cringe. But it is where I am at right now. I have to be able to practice at home. I will, however, see if I can find a quality yoga instructor that can, from time to time, do private sessions.

#5

Finding a teacher is best but you asked about videos and I tend to like those by Rodney Yee and he does have one for back care.

However you are talking about your back and being a person who has dealt with back issues I feel I must say that since your back is already an issue I do not feel that getting a yoga dvd to heal it would be the best course of action, without someone there to guide you or without a doctors advice you could just as easily hurt your back and make it worse

#6

The YouTube ‘PsycheTruth’ channel also has a lot of short and medium length videos on yoga for specific physical issues - there may be some videos there on different types of back pain relief.

For example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKpFl3aDpZw&list=PLADB52826FA83BA56&index=2

#7

The application of a yoga practice for healing a) requires contact, b) requires assessment, c) requires more than asana, d) has to be customized for the person based on a and b.

Ashtanga is a very active practice AND the series is the series (even though there is more than one). That means you will be doing the same sequence day in, day out. And while routine is helpful for the practitioner’s mind (knowing what’s coming provides a certain comfort) I have not found “the same sequence” to be profoundly helpful with therapeutic issues. The caveat to that is that going from doing nothing at all to doing something even moderately beneficial will yield “some” result. So if you’re sitting around and you take up the least safe asana practice around that is not at all therapeutic you may still see some benefits due to the growth from sedentary to active.

Gary Kraftsow is incredibly well steeped and trained with TKV Desikachar. Desikachar is the son and student of Krishnamacharya - who taught Jois (Ashtanga), Iyengar (Iyengar), Indra Devi, and Desikachar. So as far as Gary “inventing” his own yoga that’s utter nonsense. Every teacher should have the lineage and commitment Gary has. He is one of the premier yoga teachers of our time. As for what he teaches it is a very slow, methodical style and like all teaching it is not for everyone so vet that part on your own.

One final note … no posture is ever perfect. They are, for all students, a work moving toward full expression. But full expression is a journey not a destination. Point taken however on the beauty of a well expressed pose.

Best to you in your quest for healing.

gordon