Yoga
0
How to find
the right class
for you
MEDIABAKERY
By Anita Thompson
WHEN I STARTED doing yoga
more than 20 years ago, there
were three studios listed in the
Seattle Yellow Pages. Today the
Yoga Alliance, the national education and support organization
for yoga in the U.S., has 247 registered yoga teachers on its roster—just in Seattle—and this list
is undoubtedly incomplete. To
say that yoga has grown in popularity is an understatement. The
reasons for this growth are many,
but at its core, I believe it’s because
every yoga student gains what he
or she needs from the practice.
Seeking an antidote to a
crazy, out-of-balance lifestyle?
Yoga’s emphasis on the breath and
focus can help you slow down.
Suffering from chronic
health issues such as back pain,
multiple sclerosis or just stiffness
from aging? Yoga is often pre-
scribed as an option.
starting a yoga practice, sorting
through the styles is like learning
a foreign language (Sanskrit anyone?). While the lines between
styles often blur and different
teachers may combine styles,
there are distinguishing features.
A look at yoga styles
For those looking to regain
balance, whether physically or
emotionally, Integral yoga is
an easy introduction. Classes
include a gentle asana practice and
may include breath work (such as
alternate nostril breathing),
guided meditation and chanting.
Sivananda takes a holistic
approach. In addition to the practice of 12 asanas, it emphasizes
proper breath, relaxation, diet
(vegetarian) and positive thinking. Students of Kripalu begin
with the basic poses and as they
progress move to holding them
longer, supporting increased
focus and awareness.
Because of their emphasis on
careful alignment in the asanas,
Iyengar, Anusura and Viniyoga
are styles of hatha yoga that serve
as a good introduction for new
students and those with health
issues. Iyengar is probably the
granddaddy of yoga in the U.S.
Props such as blocks and straps
aid the less flexible to ease into
poses, which are introduced in
Sanskrit, the language of yoga.
Anusura approaches asanas
from the inside out, tuning in to
the emotional and physical sensations that inform the pose and
accepting each student’s level
CONTINUED ON PAGE 85
Buyers’ pıck
Dorothy Weissman
Manufacturing Buyer
Rosanne Peters
Women’s Apparel
WOMEN, OURSELVES included,
work out in activewear. But
we also wear it for a lot of other
activities and occasions,
whether going to our favorite
coffee shop or hanging out
at home. So when we set out
to create our own Kirkland
Signature™ yoga pant and
activewear jacket, we wanted
something comfy, versatile
and affordable.
Dorothy: We went through
our own process to get a fabric
that we feel is better than the
competitors’. We wanted a performance fabric that is breath-
agement inside
pocket and collar.
Dorothy: Next
we considered
construction. The
jacket has YKK zippers,
the industry gold standard.
Because the pant is revers-
ible, we took a lot of care
with the inside. We personally
did more testing and inspec-
tion on this garment than
most Kirkland
Signature items.
Rosanne: I have
worked out in and
worn similar prod-
ucts from all the
brand-name compet-
itors and I love ours
the best. I’m sure
that members will
love ours too, espe-
cially when they
compare prices. The
name-brand items
sell in the $60 to
$100 range. Our
yoga pant is selling
for $19.99 and the
jacket for $24.99. C
a l e s w r
FRANCE FREEMAN
able and a bit heavier in weight,
stretchy so the clothes will
move with the wearer, a soft
feel and easy to wash and dry.
Rosanne: Style was important too. We contacted several
independent designers and told
them we were looking for an
activewear jacket, without giving them much direction. The
seaming in the one we chose is
really slimming and flattering
for all body types. It has an
opening in the back for breath-ability, hand covers and a
thumbhole at the cuff for added
warmth and a media cord man-
