Rating: NNNNN
I’ve been doing yoga asanas regularly for almost 15 years now, and I’m getting a little bored.
That’s not the sort of thing you’re supposed to admit – and a lot of snooty people will try to make me feel as though there’s something wrong with me and I should be, like, above getting bored or something.
I’ve pushed my body into so many difficult positions that I’m riddled with nagging pains in my neck, knees and back. And the movement is repetitive. So I want to find some other exercise discipline I can enjoy. Let’s face it, a lot of us just use yoga as a means of staying in shape.
We don’t meditate, study the Bhagavad Gita, attend Satsang or chant the Gayatri on a regular basis. Asanas – the most popular postures – are only one of eight limbs of yoga.
And if you do practise the other seven, you might still be interested in varying your workout routine. So what else is out there?
What the experts say
“Belly dance is good cardio as well as vigorous movement of the joints and muscles. You train your body to move each part individually. A lot of women who do belly dance find they become much more comfortable with their body image. Many people do cross-training with belly dance and yoga. When most start, it’s outside their comfort zone, so in class they wind up giggling and comparing experiences with others. It’s a great way to make friends. It’s also one of the few exercises I know where you put on fantastic clothing and cover yourself in jewels and sequins.”
HANNAN SULTAN, Hannan’s Bellydance Studio, Toronto
“The Gyrotonic Expansion System workout initiates from your ‘seed centre,’ conveniently located next to your G spot, to bring movement from in between your hips and connect that with your heart. Kind of like having sex, right? Kegels, anyone? When you’re really rocking the machines, this system feels better than sex and gets you tangibly high on the real shit, not the stuff cut with Pilates or ‘ghettobootyballet’ or whatever. The machines look like they’re out of some medieval torture chamber. The system quickly makes your body long but curvy. No Pilates Stepford ‘bots. More like long polished driftwood – nothing but smooth edges no matter how you stroke it.”
DOMINI ANNE, Gyrotonic Expansion System, instructor, San Francisco
“So you’re sick of yoga. Human beings tend to get bored with things very quickly. Before switching camps, you might want to ask yourself why you’re so bored. Deepening your practice can be challenging. Pilates can be a good complement to yoga and help you answer that question. Its emphasis on sound biomechanics and strengthening the body will enlighten the way you move. There are mat exercises and those on specially designed equipment – great for those who get bored easily. But be careful – it’s addictive.”
DARA JAUKOVIC, Pilates instructor, Mind the Body, Toronto
“If you want to age gracefully, stop wasting your time on expensive skin creams. The fountain of youth is in your own muscle-building capabilities. Bottom line, your basal metabolic rate is directly affected by your lean body mass. There are different weight training routines. Define your goals a fitness consultant can help. If you think you’re going to hate every minute of it, chances are you will. If your mental approach is positive and you still find it boring and tiresome, maybe it’s time to work with a personal trainer.”
CHARLES BHAGROO, fitness consultant, the King West Club, Toronto
“The purpose of tai chi is longevity, better quality of life and self-defence. There’s no impact on joints. It’s good for the cardiovascular system. Tai chi looks easy but involves a lot of detail, body alignment and mental work. Long-form tai chi has eight ‘forms,’ and within those are well over 1,000 movements.”
GORDON AINSLEY, North Star Tai Chi, Toronto
