Yoga podcasts let you enjoy a guided lesson anytime, anywhere

For many of us who are trying to maintain a regular yoga practice despite a hectic and sometimes unpredictable schedule, yoga podcasts (audio or video recordings of yoga classes available for download to your computer or iPod) may be the answer. A regular home practice can be great but challenging; many of us find it difficult to come up with new poses on our own or to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones. Classes at yoga studios and gyms or sports clubs can provide that extra push but we may find ourselves missing several classes in a row when our schedules conflict with class schedules. Enter podcasts. Once you’ve downloaded a few lessons to your computer or iPod, you have the ability to take a guided yoga lesson anywhere, anytime and for any length of time that works for you! As a bonus, some podcasts allow you to choose from lessons that are focused on various target areas or needs (think 30 minutes dedicated to just back bends or winding down after a long day). Head to one of the websites below to start downloading yoga podcasts today; before you know it you may find yourself pushing aside the coffee table to fit in 25 or 30 minutes of an evening session before bed, or using your iPod as your instructor and your hotel room as your studio on your next vacation or business trip!

Yoga Journal.com: 25- to 30-minute sessions targeted to a specific area or need. Scroll to bottom of page to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or iTunes.

Yoga to the People: This studio with locations in New York & Berkeley offers 60-minute classes for download to iTunes/iPod, computer or mp3 player.

Apple iTunes: Once you have downloaded and signed up with Apple iTunes, you can search the iTunes store for “yoga” to see what free podcasts pop up.

Beginners: If you’ve never taken a yoga class before, I’d recommend taking one or two live classes to learn basic poses and proper alignment before trying to do a yoga workout on your own at home. Your next step before podcasts may be to consider beginner level DVDs (or video podcasts), which will allow you to see how to properly move through the poses. DVDs I’d recommend for the time-strapped are Om Yoga Class: Beginner/Intermediate or the Om Yoga and Meditation workshop DVD with bonus music CD, both available on Amazon.com.

For many of us who are trying to maintain a regular yoga practice despite a hectic and sometimes unpredictable schedule, yoga podcasts (audio or video recordings of yoga classes available for download to your computer or iPod) may be the answer. A regular home practice can be great but challenging; many of us find it difficult to come up with new poses on our own or to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones. Classes at yoga studios and gyms or sports clubs can provide that extra push but we may find ourselves missing several classes in a row when our schedules conflict with class schedules. Enter podcasts. Once you’ve downloaded a few lessons to your computer or iPod, you have the ability to take a guided yoga lesson anywhere, anytime and for any length of time that works for you! As a bonus, some podcasts allow you to choose from lessons that are focused on various target areas or needs (think 30 minutes dedicated to just back bends or winding down after a long day). Head to one of the websites below to start downloading yoga podcasts today; before you know it you may find yourself pushing aside the coffee table to fit in 25 or 30 minutes of an evening session before bed, or using your iPod as your instructor and your hotel room as your studio on your next vacation or business trip!

Yoga Journal.com: 25- to 30-minute sessions targeted to a specific area or need. Scroll to bottom of page to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or iTunes.

Yoga to the People: This studio with locations in New York & Berkeley offers 60-minute classes for download to iTunes/iPod, computer or mp3 player.

Apple iTunes: Once you have downloaded and signed up with Apple iTunes, you can search the iTunes store for “yoga” to see what free podcasts pop up.

Beginners: If you’ve never taken a yoga class before, I’d recommend taking one or two live classes to learn basic poses and proper alignment before trying to do a yoga workout on your own at home. Your next step before podcasts may be to consider beginner level DVDs (or video podcasts), which will allow you to see how to properly move through the poses. DVDs I’d recommend for the time-strapped are Om Yoga Class: Beginner/Intermediate or the Om Yoga and Meditation workshop DVD with bonus music CD, both available on Amazon.com.