If you have Fit TV from your cable provider, you have access to a great yoga practice at no cost. Namaste Yoga on Fit TV is a gentle flowing hatha yoga practice in 30 minute segments.
There are so many things to like about this program. It’s one of best I’ve ever come across and I have tried a lot of DVDs, audio practices and other televised yoga practices. Namaste yoga offers the perfect blend of relaxing scenery, artistic visual design, relaxing music, connection of movement and breath and a gentle flowing rhythm that is easy to follow.
I’ll admit I was skeptical the first time I tuned in; it is Fit TV after all. Part of me was expecting more of the same yoga combined with aerobics, set to fast music and performing poses with names like “yoga push ups” and “yoga crunches”. I’m not a fan of fitness practices that bear little resemblance to yoga.
Kate Potter has created a dynamic flowing practice that provides a challenging, yet relaxing practice. The pacing is quick, which may be difficult for new students, but once you learn the sequence, it is easy to stay in step. Kate Potter’s voice over is peaceful and offers just enough instruction to help you move into the poses, without the commentary that many people (including me) find so annoying.
There are three segments to each thirty minute class. The first is a warm up, with various on the mat poses, such as cat, downward facing dog, hero’s pose and others, depending on the focus. The second segment is standing poses and flowing sequences that combine standing poses with forward bends, child pose and other asanas.
The final segment is the relaxation segment with asanas performed on the mat, such as twists, bridge pose, hamstring stretches and final relaxation pose. The corpse pose in this practice is very short, less than thirty seconds. Some people may find that is not enough time to spend in final relaxation. Just lower the volume and stay in savasana as long as you’d like and end the practice at your own pace.
The biggest problem with this practice is the commercials, which is a problem whenever you practice on cable television. The problem is easily remedied by setting the DVR and skipping the commercials. The first two seasons of the DVD can be found for sale online for a commercial free experience of the entire season.