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A yoga video to inspire
http://wtvr.com/2015/04/07/yoga-leads-to-a-life-changing-experience/
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BKS Iyengar
Yesterday, BKS Iyengar passed at the age of 96. BKS Iyengar is credited with bringing yoga to the west and is considered the father of modern yoga. While other yogis came before him, he taught in many novel ways that are now considered the norm: He taught women He taught in a group setting He pioneered the use of props His…
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Yoga Goals 2014
Every year I make yoga goals. I didn't make the poses that I set for last year: mayurasana and parivrtta parsvakonasana, to my satisfaction, so those are still this year's goals. Although I think if I lost about 10 lbs, I could do both of them as I'm pretty close. I decided to add another one this year: kapotasana grabbing…
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Someone wrote what is in my head
On yoga and weight loss: http://myfiveminuteyoga.com/4540/can-yoga-help-you-lose-weight/
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Group practice - the bridge
In the style of yoga I practice, home practice is given a very high priority. Many people have a difficult time starting a home practice - it's boring, they don't know what to do, which pose follows, etc. The home practice I'm talking about is not following a video type of home practice, which is totally fine, but a no…
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Blog, a shameless plug
Hi y'all. The other day a student of mine suggested I write a blog about ways to use the yoga belt. Now, I've created a yoga prop blog if you're interested. I'm starting pretty basic, but if there is something you want to see, let me know. http://funwithprops.blogspot.com/
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Daily dose of inspiration
Matthew Sanford, author of "Waking", and Iyengar yoga instructor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpmbzAwL5ws
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Fun backbend video
Here is one of my teachers, Patricia Walden, doing backbends on her 60th birthday. Something for me to work on for the next 20 years. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAaxoSMX3kU&feature=youtu.be
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Back in the day
So there's this semi-famous video of John Schumacher doing a bunch of arm balances It's well know, partially because of the routine, partially because he's wearing a purple unitard. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-00_IEskpQ John is an amazing teacher and practitioner. If you ever want to hear what good, clear instruction…
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Free yoga class
For all of those that are looking for free on-line classes, here's one for you: http://www.livethelightofyoga.com/online-yoga-classes.html It says the site is under construction, but if you scroll down, you will see the class. Enjoy
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Goal Pose for 2013
The past couple of years, I've had a goal pose. It's not something that if I don't do, it somehow that reflects badly on my practice - or anything like that. It's more of I would like to move in this direction. The past two years it's been mayurasana (peacock pose, but not to be confused with the pincha mayurasana, elbow…
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Yogaglo, you disappoint me greatly
Yogaglo is trying to "patent the standard yoga class set up: center aisle, students on each side, teacher at the front." http://yogainternational.com/article/view/patents-and-lawsuits-the-future-of-yoga/ http://www.faqs.org/patents/assignee/yogaglo-inc/
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Favorite/Least favorite poses
I posted this awhile back, but with all the new faces, I would like to know your favorite and least favorite poses. My dislikes are navasana (boat) and lolasana (pendant pose). I really enjoy anything stretchy like upavista konasana (wide-legged forward bend) as well as backbends and the other arm balances. This is totally…
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What is your yoga schedule?
How do you practice each week? Classes? Home? Here's mine, general: I go to 2 classes a week, if I go to three, then 2 of them are usually on the same day. I practice 6 days a week. I feel like I should practice on days I go to class, but I don't always. My favorite class/practice is when I there is group practice on…
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Lose all the weight you want in 89 steps
Very funny read: http://jezebel.com/how-to-lose-all-the-weight-you-want-in-just-89-simple-s-5993183
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Thoughts on Practice
Wise words by my yoga friend Sharon Conroy: "Many years ago, inspired by Iyengar Yoga classes and a teacher's encouraging words, I set about establishing a home practice. Each night, I set the intention to wake up and go to my mat. Each morning, I was lured to do otherwise by the voices inside my head. One day, they might…
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Odd things teachers say
What are some of the oddest things you've heard your teacher say? Here are some I've heard: - your lips should not look like your navel - the eyes in the back of the buttocks should be level - let your brain rest into the back of your skull - don't surprise the groins I'm sure I'll come up with some more, and I'm sure I've…
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Yoga workshops
Ever want to take your practice further? What to learn the "hard" poses? Want to learn more about your poses? Go to a yoga workshop with a senior teacher. Try it. Trust me. signed, workshop junkie ps: I changed my avatar to show me at a yoga workshop, the senior teacher is to the right. He has a workshop this weekend -…
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Article on Middle-aged yoga & back pain
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/08/booming/advice-on-practicing-yoga-in-middle-age-part-1.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& For those just interested in the whole "does yoga reduce your metabolism" issue, the last paragraph: "Several people, including MR, have asked whether yoga slows metabolism. Yes, it does. It lowers blood…
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Shameless Plug
Want to know about Iyengar Yoga? There's a new movie in post-production trying to get funded (I'm not in anyway connected to this movie, other than I will help fund it). But the 20 minutes on the funding site is really good. It shows both the soft and hard side of Iyengar yoga and the man himself (that's his granddaughter…
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Injuries in yoga
What are some injuries you've had to deal with in yoga? Not necessarily caused by yoga, but things that made you have to modify or not do certain poses. If you go to a class, did the teacher tell you what to do or not? Did you find that helpful/unhelpful? Here are mine: hurt wrist, hurt elbow, hamstring pull, inner knee…
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A new look at anatomy
Interesting stuff: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/eva-norlyk-smith-phd/yoga-anatomy-_b_2528396.html
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Teacher's Qualifications
I'm currently working on my 500 hour RYT, and it occurs to me that many people do not know what certifications their teacher holds. Do you know? My teacher: 500 EYRT, Iyengar Certification Intro 2 (a lot harder than one might think), Ashtanga training with David Swenson, and Anusara Inspired. What about yours?
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Which yogi are you?
The Ashtangis are the athletes, the Iyengars are the engineers, the Kundalini are the priests, the Anusara are the psychologists, the Jivamukti are the activists can anyone think of any more? I guess I think of the vinyasa flow as the artists as well. Can't think of something for Viniyoga, caretakers maybe?
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Which pose came for free?
At group practice last week, we were discussing the poses we got for free. These are poses that you could always do, even when you first started. I could always get up into handstand, wheel, and touch my toes in a forward bend, though increasing my hold in handstand is still a challenge. Twists are still difficult and…
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How did you start?
What first drew you to yoga? I had hurt my elbow and received physical therapy. I think my PT recommended yoga, and I talked a group of my friends to sign up for an informal class. My teacher was great, and I've studied with her for the past 13 years.
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Things that drive you crazy in a yoga class
A little while ago, I posted "things you like about your teacher". Obviously, if there were a lot of things you didn't like about your teacher, you wouldn't go to him/her. Think about classes you've taken in the past were something got on your nerves or ruined your experience. I'm mostly interested in things the teacher…
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Things you like about your teacher
Right now I'm a 200 hour registered yoga teacher (usually shown like 200 RYT). I'm going back to yoga school to become a 500 RYT. For those that are curious, there are the following levels in the US: 200 RYT, 200 E-RYT, 500 RYT, and 500 E-RYT - more info at Yoga Alliance: http://yogaalliance.org// Anyway, I was thinking…
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Start training now
A heads up to my fellow yogis: many studios offer a day of 108 sun salutations to bring in the new year or sometimes during the winter solstice. It's a lot of fun and you should try it. Start training now.
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Favorite/Least favorite pose
Do you have a favorite or least favorite pose? Share and tell why. Favorite pose: changes all the time. I like backbends and arm balances a lot, I also like floor stretches and inversions. Right now, I would say chair sarvangasana (shoulderstand) - which I find quite restful and pincha mayurasana (great name as well, also…
