Yoga - gymnastics - floorwork

[cloudz]

Hey good folks of RSF..

Been thinking about Yoga (well this link in particular). This guy popped up on my FB feed and I like the look of what he has to say and the kind of things he teaches on and how (the breakdowns).
http://www.theasanaacademy.com
Anyone know of him ?

I had already been looking more towards gymnastic type exercise and floor-work and his stuff seems well suited. I have maybe been to one Yoga class in the past.
It was good, but I wouldn't say overly demanding or challenging.

I know there are other movement/exercise disciplines around these days; Ido, movenat, gymnastic bodies, gymnastica natural etc.

I guess I like the idea of getting to know Yoga a bit better at the same time as taking on some basic gymnastic work. And I feel I probably definitely will need to go with simple and basic stuff for a while in terms of gymnastics..

I have a few Yoga studios in my local area, but I guess I don't really know what I should be looking for or how worthwhile it might be. Of course the answer would be to give one or two a shot and see how it fits. True.

So I guess I'm just looking for opinions, experiences, feedback, knowledge, resources etc. on any of the above topics. No doubt Yoga is a big topic, and one I must admit I know quite little about - other than there are different types.. And it's from India? lol.

Are things like press handstands 'proper' yoga ? I'm a bit confused.

[yeniseri]

Asana is just one part of what is called yoga. It is still positive. Pre-qigong daoyin, yangshengong, etc had many yogic! sitting postures and standing dynamic routines within their system but they were left out during the old regime of "getting rid of superstitious evils".

Does a handstand fit the bill? Well, as long as there is a perceived subjective benefit in your type and level of training, it is great. If you believe there is benefit, go for it. Just do it.

[cloudz]

thanks, agreed on the "just do it" sentiment. stealing my lines man!
I guess I'll be finding out more about yoga and any relationship/ similarity it has with gymnastic floor-work over the coming months.

[willie]

Asana

"getting rid of superstitious evils".

.

Most likely the best part too, damn it!

[cloudz]

A few things I'm finding out about Yoga..

There are 84 classic Asanas (positions), and indeed handstand is in there. Much of them that I have seen, to my eyes, look like they develop flexibility, and some strength aspects perhaps. Seems to fit very nicely with other gymnastic floor-work I like the look of. I think I might find some interesting things and crossovers in capoeira too.

[cloudz]

heck,
why didn't anyone tell me planks came from Yoga!
core strength, check. nice.

BTW, watching pretty ladies doing Yoga on you-tube is a very nice way to spend a bit of time...

[wiesiek]

I beginning an ending my day with simple yogic routine.
When I have lot of things to take care of - it is my only workout.
be elastic is fantastic

[Dmitri]

Are things like press handstands 'proper' yoga ?

I would caution against focusing too much on the "geometry" -- i.e. "what it looks like", vs. the "content" -- i.e. "how it's done" (or, a simpler version of that -- "how it feels when you do it")

Just like with IMA... what it looks like means almost nothing at all.

[cloudz]

I wrote a little update but closed the page by accident before posting - duh. Will do another, suffice to say, I think I might be at this a while as I think it's great!