February 20, 2008 – 12:26 pm
Half Standing Forward Bend
Ohhhhhh… revel in this extension.
From folded position in Uttanasana, inhale and lengthen your spine forward. The gaze is lifted forward, the crown of the head is as though it’s being gently pulled from the long neck and the spine is extended. Shoulder blades are long down the spine towards the [...]
February 13, 2008 – 8:57 am
Standing Forward Bend
Lovely. Just lovely.
In the process of Surya Namaskar, this posture brings us from our power and focus in mountain pose, or Tadasana, to inverted lovliness, in preparation for the floor sequence of the Sun Salutation.
On a deep exhale, bending forward, knees slightly bent and hinging at the hips, not the waist, with abdominals [...]
February 13, 2008 – 8:39 am
I attended the 5:15 class of our local yoga instructor- and yes, unlike myself, certified- a perfect experience in length and relaxation. Perfect in that at the end of it I felt deliriously and blissfully, unwound. An absolutely lovely, so necessary, experience after a day- any day.
Despite now leading my own class, I am a [...]
February 12, 2008 – 6:43 am
Sun Salutation
Believe me, when you haven’t seen much of the sun- typical of these Canadian winters- Sun Salutations are a lovely, invigorating way of creating some much needed heat. Here, we honour the sun, wherever it may be- I know it’s there somewhere. It’s a lovely beginning to a practice and a wonderful [...]
February 12, 2008 – 6:11 am
I knew yesterday as I tried to get into my own practice, that I was off in some way. Usually, once the music is on and I get through those first couple of relaxing forward bends and into Sun Salutations, I’m on my way and my body begins to take on a mind of [...]
February 11, 2008 – 6:47 am
Mountain Pose
The starting position from which we begin our practise and where we often return during the standing sequences. Where we gain and re-gain our focus and balance.
Toes are spread, providing a solid foundation. Tailbone is down, pressing towards floor. Thighs engaged, firm with kneecaps lifted. Shoulders are down with shoulder blades spread and pulling [...]
February 11, 2008 – 6:36 am
I had an interesting conversation with a mate from the class I’m teaching- using term oh-so-most loosely- where she brought to my attention the importance of modifications. Not only modifications but perhaps a less than acute attention to detail in the postures. Very nicely, of course. This particular student of yoga is certainly the most [...]
February 5, 2008 – 4:59 am
The mind is everything; what you think, you become. ~Buddha
I was prepared to have a really good class. I knew I would have a good class.
I was tired. Not only had I put Filipes through the yogic paces, for over an hour, to work on my cueing, but I had had a [...]
February 4, 2008 – 12:29 pm
How’s that for motivation. I shall share it with the class this evening- get everybody working towards a pretty vigorous flow! Loosely stated, one hour of dynamic Vinyasa practice should equate to a whopping 439 calories burned!!
I just completed a lovely 40 minutes, 30 of which were ass-kicking. 215 and one-half calories. [...]
February 1, 2008 – 7:39 am
Yoga is the fountain of youth. You’re only as young as your spine is flexible.
~Bob Harper
Supposedly, one of the most common excuses for not doing yoga is a lack of flexibility. And I am sure that this is the case for those who have yet to engage in any type regular practice. For those considering starting [...]
