PSA: Just a few spots left at our Costa Rica retreat! Also, we're getting ready to plan summer and fall retreats if you want to chime in. But if online is more your jam, we now have video bundles available for all levels. Don't forget that you'll get a free gift when you screenshot your review of our app to Lauren. And lastly, our book, Namaslay, is available for preorder.
As of today, April 8, 2016, there are just under 90,000 subscribers to the YBC Yoga YouTube Channel. With so many subscribers, you can imagine how many comments the channel gets. I pride myself in answering as many as I can. Sometimes the comments are funny ("Push-up party?! Worst party ever!"), and sometimes they're heartwarming ("I have a major social anxiety disorder and through doing your videos, my anxiety has decreased significantly"). Sometimes they're mean ("WTF THIS SUCKS, YOU'RE TERRIBLE, THIS ISN'T YOGA") and sometimes they're weird ("I wonder what you smell like"). But the number one thing that is said? It is some variation of:
"This is too fast."
I can't tell you how many times I get this complaint.
Now, my goal is to create a reliable yoga YouTube channel that people can go to, knowing they won't have to worry about audio issues, and that they'll have a variety of videos to choose from. With YouTube being such a huge part of my job, I take feedback seriously.
And I noticed something.
100% of the time, people who complained about the speed were commenting on a morning yoga video, a power video, or a vinyasa video. In the past, I used to just respond with a simple, "I'm sorry you felt it was too fast - here are some beginner videos you could try." But after thinking about it, I realized, I was just letting them go on believing that morning/power/vinyasa flow was meant to be slow, and that wasn't right. So I started replying with:
I'm sorry you felt it was too fast, however, this is a morning/power/vinyasa video. This style of yoga is not meant to give you a slow, deep stretch, but rather to increase circulation, develop strength and build endurance. It sounds like what you're looking for is a restorative or yin yoga practice, and I have a few here.
Because here's the thing. Saying a vinyasa power flow class is too fast is like googling a sprint workout when you really wanted a jog. It's important to know what it is you're truly looking for, so the following should help. Keep in mind that there are many, many different types of yoga. These are just a few:
Yin Yoga: Yin yoga is very, very slow. You will spend 1 - 5 minutes in each pose with the use of props. This is excellent for developing flexibility and is deeply relaxing. It is not uncommon for people to fall asleep in this class :)
Hatha Yoga: Traditional hatha yoga is fairly slow. You will take a few deep breaths in each pose, and there isn't a "flow" aspect to it. It is very, very gentle.
Restorative Yoga: Restorative sort of marries yin with hatha. It's slow, often uses props, and you will leave feeling very open. Excellent for working on flexibility and although relaxing, it is rejuvenating.
Vinyasa: Vinyasa means flow. You are constantly moving and aside from the very beginning and very end, it is not at all slow. It's not an ideal way to focus on flexibility. Certainly, it'll help your flexibility, but a more effective route, if you're looking for very deep stretching would be yin or restorative. Vinyasa is quite athletic, and is good for developing strength and endurance.
Power: Power is a lot like vinyasa and often has flows throughout, but it holds poses a little longer. These are usually strength-building poses like warriors or triangle. Again, not an ideal way to focus on flexibility. Rather, it's a great way to build strength and endurance.
I always recommend that people practice all types of yoga. Even if you absolutely love vinyasa, I think it's important to weave in some yin here and there. Or if you are head over heels in love with slow, hatha yoga, it's important to try a beginner's vinyasa just to help build some strength. I hope that's helpful to you guys!
I'd love to know: What type of yoga is your favorite? What type of yoga do you find yourself avoiding?
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