Love Lucy? You will after this!

I miss yoga.

Truly, I do. My stupid bulging disk has rendered me decidedly un-Zen-able, per doctor's orders. But just because I'm sad, sidelined and have hamstrings tighter than Mickey Rourke's face doesn't mean you should be, too, especially during National Yoga Month. Plus, I can always just DRESS like I'm a practicing yogi...which leads me to this fun contest.

In July, my appearance on the Today Show, discussing safe outdoor exercising, sparked a nationwide buying spree of the lucy Interval Skirt on par with the Cabbage Patch Kid frenzy of 1986. OK, perhaps I'm giving myself a bit too much credit (and I just made myself weepy thinking about sweet little Calliope Stardust Goldman) but still, my dedication to lucy has done nothing but grow.

As a result, I'm lucky to be able to offer the wisdom and advice of two fabulous yoga instructors who work with lucy. One is Tanya Barham, a super-cool teacher with self-described "exercise ADHD" - she swims, runs, rows, boxes, does jeet kun do (which could be an exotic vegetable for all I know, but doesn't it sound cool?) - and, of course, yoga. The other is Tracy Thorne, a certified personal trainer and long distance runner who is all about body awareness, balance and overall well-being

T&T are here to answer your questions. And trust me, you want to ask a question because doing so will make it possible for you to possibly win one of lucy's limited edition Art Hoodies, which look like this and are waaaay cute.

Head over to my book website, www.lrdiaries.com, for more details (sorry - having trouble linking to it for some reason...). Then come back here and post whatever burning yoga-related question you'd like to have our experts answer. Maybe you've been trying to get into Twisted Bird of Paradise for months but just can't wrap your ankle twice around the opposing shin and need some guidance. Maybe you've always wanted to try Hot Yoga but are scared of the smell and crave reassurance. Whatever! Just leave it below and I'll choose a few for the experts to answer in a forthcoming post...and three of you will win what may just be the most expensive hoodie you'll ever own!

PS What the frick is up with Gwynnie Paltrow's new web site, GOOP.com? A) It sounds like something I'd be forced to eat at overnight camp and B) Do I really want to sit back and absorb wisdom such as:

"Invest in what's real. Cook a meal for someone you love. Pause before reacting. Clean out your space. Read something beautiful. Treat yourself to something. Go to a city you've never been to. Learn something new. Don't be lazy. Workout and stick with it. Goop. Make it great."

OK, so GOOP is a verb. Or a state of mind. Or Gwyneth just swore at me. Either way...I'll investigate tomorrow.

PS #2 Check out my 3-week-old niece, Maia, and I, shot this weekend in LA. How amazingly cute are her little pumping fists? It's like she already knows she's a champion. Plus, nice cleavage on me, eh?

Comments

Uh...when I click on your LR Diaries link, I get sent back here!

And my CPK were Ellyn Rita and Skip Silvester.

And Maia is a cutie! I love the hands above the heads stance that newborns have!

you're right, SM - I'm having some trouble with that link for some reason. You can just cut and paste lrdiaries.com into a new browser...then be sure to leave a yoga question!!

Thanks!

Hi Leslie!

Maia is just so precious! What a lucky aunt you are!

Here is my yoga question: Given the demanding nature of power yoga and the constant flow from one move to the next, could it be considered a form of cardio as well? I find it time saving and beneficial to combine cardio, strenght training and flexibility into one work out. Thanks!

Ooh, lucy is awesome. And I love asking questions!

My question: I've noticed more DVDs out there recently with instructors teaching "iron yoga", the kind with hand weights. Is this kind of yoga safe, or am I more likely to injure myself by holding a pose AND weights at the same time?

I'm back! My question is:

As a working mom, I find it hard to make it to a gym to work out and therefore work out at home. Can you recommend any resources (books, DVDs or otherwise) to help someone get started in yoga? Or would you recommend taking a few classes first to learn the basics?

(SO WITH YOU ON THE GOOP. and who is the ad wizard who came up with that name?)
maia? YOU ARE ADORABLE.

I love the fist pump.

Maia is GORGEOUS! SO cute! (And yes, very nice cleavage on you, lol)

Yah prizes! Here's my question... I had been practicing yoga in a classroom for about 3 years. Due to school schedules and lack of funds, I've had to discontinue class. Do you have a favorite web site, book, or video that I could use to do-it-yourself?

Thanks!

I have been looking into doing Yoga for sometime. I already do cardo and strength training/weightlifting. Is Yoga something I would add in addition to my other workouts or as a varied exercise? And what would you count it as cardio or strength training?

I try to do Bikram once a week, and am loving it, but am wondering if it (as the instructors say) offers significant health benefits over other types of yoga. There are times when the routine is soothing, and times when I wish we could do something - ANYTHING - else. Also, I someday want to hit crow, and that's not one of the 26. Should I just add a 2nd class at a different studio?

My Yoga Question: My 60 ish mother is interested in doing yoga to add some activity into her life. What's the best way for her to start. Also, she has a shoulder injury that limits some range of movement.

The only Lucy gear I've ever owned was second hand (yes I'm gross enough to wear used workout clothing - hey, I wash it first) but I've really loved their stuff! 98$ for a hoodie though... wow.

Anyhow, yoga question: My instructor never corrects or adjusts me. Is it appropriate to ask her to do so? She seems to be "hands off" in general but otherwise a good teacher.

PS> Maia is ADORABLE!! And you know I'm jealous of your cleavage. By the holy name of duct tape, I swear someday I'll get me some boobs.

Yes, ok, yoga question (this is kind of a repeat, but a little more specific):

I have also pretty much discontinued my yoga practice due to schedule and financial constraints, but I would love some advice on some yoga DVDs that I could buy/possibly rent from my library and do at home. Here is what I am looking for:

-lots of stretching poses but could also be used as a workout (not just "relaxation" yoga)
-innovative routine - don't just want to do warrior poses and sun salutations
-prefer music
-DEFINITELY prefer instructor talking on camera over voice-over
-enough verbal instruction that you dont have to crane your neck around to the TV to see what the next pose is going to look like while youre half upside down and trying to balance on a fingertip
-about 1 hour routine

I have done Bikram, Vinyasa, Hatha, etc . . . looking for something interesting that will stretch me out but also make me feel like I've worked my body in some way . . . if this is possible. Thanks!

Such a beautiful baby, and teeny tiny! How much did she weigh at birth?!

Also, what does it say about me that I noticed your cleavage before the newborn?? oh dear.

So cute!!

Am looking forward to the yoga answers.

I've been checking out a few local studios' class offerings with the intention of getting into a regular routine of classes (my DVDs are getting to be beyond boring) and have found that my happiness with the classes are pretty much directly related to the quality of the instructor leading it. Some of them are great and some not so much.

So my question is: what qualifications do Yoga instructors have to have to teach a class? Is there something I could be asking about their training before going to a class to have a better chance that they'll really know what they're doing?

Oh man. I want to take that baby and put her in my pocket.

YOGA QUESTION: This isn't really a new discussion, but I've never heard an expert answer it.

Do YOU consider yoga to be a form of strength training? For me, as a personal trainer, I do not, as the resistance isnt significant enough to put overload on the muscle/bone, but I would consider it weight baring exercise. Thoughts?

I hope I don't get a "yoga is not exercise: its a lifestyle" answer. I hate those. I always picture those people wearing wreaths of wildflowers around their heads and swaying with the tress.

no offense if thats what you are doing right now.

Kelly Turner
www.groundedfitness.com

I really want to know about yoga and strength training, too, but I also have my own question.

QUERY: I really love yoga and have been practicing with various levels of frequency for years, however, I have "blocks" when it comes to certain poses, inversions for example. What tips do you have for getting past this kind of mental block.

Crabby sent me :)

My question?

I have lost 63 lbs so far but still have a good bit more to lose. Can I do yoga at 244 lbs? It seems like the girls I see doing yoga are tiny~

How worth it is it to become a yoga instructor? Would love to get certified. WOndering about the online programs versus the ones offered in studios and how to pick a good one?

How often do you need to do yoga in order to see/feel results in flexibility?

Thanks!

My yoga question:

I've been practicing yin yoga and gentle yoga for 2 months. I want to try more challenging practices (yogalates, regular yoga classes, hot yoga) but am worried I'll embarass myself with my excessive usage of blocks and blankets. Do you think it's best for someone to push their limits and try new things or to hone their abilites in beginning classes first?

Love the Maia fist pump pic, too cute! I too am wondering about DVD and/or book recommendations as my gym does not offer yoga classes.

To add a new question to the mix, I am perhaps the most inflexible person ever (even after years of being a competitive athlete with a serious daily stretching regimen), is it going to make yoga more difficult or impossible for me?

I'm inflexible of body, like Molly, but I'll admit it -- I'm inflexible of mind, too. I've tried yoga a couple of times and I feel like a total dork. How important is the mind/body connection to doing yoga?

All the instructors I've experienced seem to make a big deal of it. But it's tough to get into poses and "live the yoga lifestyle" when you're thinking: "I look stupid. I can't do this. Why won't my body bend?"

Any tips for quieting the mind during yoga? Or is it OK to let my self-judgmental thoughts go wild?

Yoga seems like it'd be such a good idea for me. For the record, I have the same problem with meditation.

Too much information? ;-)

I just started taking yoga three weeks ago and I am oh-so impressed. I always thought of it as a "foo-foo" waste of time! NO longer! Good stuff! Cute picture...my kids were that little not so long ago! :)

Just FYI: Lucy almost always has a sale rack in the back of the store, and the clothes are great. I've gotten some of my favorite pieces from those sale racks!

I love me some yoga...but as a mom of a 2 year old, always have trouble finding the time. Plus I live in the sticks. There is no studio for me to pop into. So my first question is: What are your top recommendations for websites and videos for the truly new beginner who has no clue what she's doing?

Second question - we're looking to try at kidlet #2 this winter. What are some good home yoga programs to help a) keep me toned up and loose through pregnancy, and b) potentially make the ending a bit easier?

I would love advice on good beginner Yoga DVD's for home. I have not done yoga in about 10 years and don't know where to start again.

I live in NYC and a)don't have a lot of space for doing yoga at home and b)don't have the cash to go to some expensive yoga classes, I would however like to start doing yoga. Any advice on how to find either a cheep yoga studio or moves that can be done in a minimal amount of floor space?

-Meg

Is yoga a good place to start for someone with stiff hips to increase flexibility? If so, what are good poses to start with?

Okay, I'm probably too late (that's what I get for being all busy at work during the week...) but I have a question:

Why in the heck does the Bridge pose consistently make my knees hurt?!? WHAT am I doing wrong? Because that's the ONLY time my knees hurt anymore. That can't be right.

Little Maia, a/k/a Rocky, is adorable - and I adore that name, BTW - and wow, Gratuitous Cleavage Shot! It's, like, Bonus Day at TWG! :-)

V.

Okay, so my yoga question is the same as Therese's (I swear, I came up with it on my own!) Any tips on using yoga to loosen up my tight hips?
Thanks!

The only yoga that I've had experience with is the Wii Fit version. Are these poses representative of 'real' yoga? Will performing these poses give me the benefits of 'real' yoga? Thanks!

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