Where to Find FREE Online Yoga

Yoga is about being in the moment, so it makes sense that yoga is being shared in ways that reflect how we live today. It's my personal feeling that nothing can replace a good teacher, but I am a big fan of online yoga classes, particularly free online classes.

My husband and I are living in a fairly small 4-plex, so I staked out our dining room space as my yoga room (we eat off our coffee table). All I need for my online classes is my mat and my lap-top.

Here are the best sites I've found that feature wonderful, free yoga classes:

#1
www.yogajournal.com
Yoga Journal--Your online yoga retreat.
Check out The Yoga Practice Show featuring Jason Crandell's 20 minute yoga sessions. You can choose which area/aspect you want to work on. Some days I practice 2 or 3 of these sessions to make a fuller class, other days 20 minutes is plenty! Try Episode #11 "Energizing Sequence", you'll love it!

#2
www.yogatoday.com
Yoga Today--Free Yoga Delivered Daily.
This website features daily yoga classes with an incredible group of teachers. You are able to choose your level and what you would like to focus on in your session. Classes generally run from 50-60 min. You'll get very specific instructions and a full, satisfying class. The teachers tend to lean towards the Anusara method--so lots of good instructions on alignment and linking mind with body.

#3
www.yogatothepeople.com
Yoga to the People.
In true yogi fashion, this unique yoga studio offers classes online. Classes can be listened to on by ipod, itunes, portable mp3 player, or the computer.

Give one of these websites a try on a day when you're too rushed, too tired, or too poor :) to go to a yoga class.

Does anyone know about any other online classes? Thanks!

Which Type of Yoga Mat Should I Use?

So what do you need to become a great (or even just average) yogi?

The short answer is nothing. Ancient yogis practiced in nature, using rocks, grass and trees as their props. Today, most people invest in a simple mat and a small space to practice in.

Once you start researching mats you'll find that there are as many types of mats as there are yoga poses, so where to begin?

I have used many different types of yoga mats. I think my first mat was a hot-pink Gaiam mat. Gaiam is extremely easy to find--check out Target, Barnes & Noble--anywhere! These are a good place to begin and come in a lot of fun colors. They are easy to wash and provide a good amount of cushioning (which you'll need when you're practicing on hardwood floors especially!). They are also inexpensive, running from about $20-$25.

When I graduated from my yoga teacher training program my mom sent me money to buy a new yoga mat. I chose the Rolls Royce of yoga mats--a Jade Harmony Natural Rubber Yoga Mat. I loved this mat. It was the least slippery, most cushiony and best colored (bright blue!) mat I'd ever had. And it was a good thing, because for $75 you want to know that you're getting your moneys worth. However, within 6 months (and this may be due to me leaving it in the car on occasion in Phoenix, AZ) the mat developed some "slidey" parts. Spots that I used the most (like the front end of the mat where my hands would go in Downward Facing Dog) lost its traction and I soon was unable to use the mat. Sad day!

So here is my best recommendation: go with Hugger Mugger.

Hugger Mugger is an international yoga supply company that just happens to be based in Salt Lake City. Started by a local yogi, this company has been quietly providing some of the best products out there. I am a HUGE fan of their Tapas mats. They come in wonderful colors, wash and store easily and last incredible amounts of time (I have yet to wear one out!), and are a great price of $26-$30. What's not to love?!

You can find Hugger Mugger mats online at: www.huggermugger.com
These mats can also be found in some SL yoga studios including Flow Yoga and Bikram Yoga in Sugarhouse.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about yoga mats--just drop me a line!

namaste.

It's All Yoga

Hello everyone, or should I say, hello great universe of blog-land.

Today at work I had an idea, what if I started a blog focused on bringing yoga into your every-day lives? Why not make it accesible and close to home, say, in your own living room?

Yoga has become a trend, the "it" thing for celebrities and posh mom-types alike. So what if you don't have access to a state of the art "yoga room"? What if you don't have the time or the money for studio classes? What if you find those classes intimidating or even disturbing (think Loud Breather in ridiculously tight shorts on the mat next to you)?

Here's the answer.

I am a Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Instructor and a devoted living room yogi, and I'm ready to show you the ropes!

I have dragged couches and tables out of my way to make room for mats. I learned to do a headstand propped up next to my coffee table. I've done yoga in jeans, sweats, underwear and pajamas. And I discovered something--

it's ALL yoga.

Every last un-glamourous bit of it. And it has made my life fabulous.

So I'm here to point you in some general directions. Maybe you're a seasoned yogi looking for a way to incorporate more yoga into your everyday life. Maybe you're a novice looking for some unintimidating advice. Maybe you stumbled here on accident, but could use some help with stress management (don't we all?), and maybe (and I'm being totally honest here), you are my mom or my husband and you're reading this because you like to support me.

Whatever brought you here, welcome!

This blog will be updated weekly or bi-weekly, I hope to see you again.


YOGI JENNA