“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~ John F. Kennedy
Pose For The Day – Marichi’s Pose
January 2, 2010 at 3:54 pm (Asanas, Yoga)
Tags: asana, Asanas, Yoga, yoga practice
Twists are the perfect for detoxing (what better thing to do after a holiday of feasting?). They get the digestion working better and tone the inner organs. Marichi’s Pose (named after the god who was the son of Brahma).
Sit in Dandasana (Staff Pose). Bend right knee and put the foot on the floor. Keep the left leg engaged and straight, gently pressing out through the heel. Inhale, lengthen your spine. As you exhale, twist to the right, wrapping your left hand around your knee and putting the right hand on the earth behind you. You could also bring the elbow of the left arm to the outside of the right knee (pictured above) to deepen your twist. Look to the right.
Unwind. Repeat on the other side.
If you have back issues, especially herniated disks, please be GENTLE. Decrease range of motion as needed.
Quote For The Day
December 23, 2009 at 9:25 pm (Quotes)
Tags: quotations, Quotes
“If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.”
~Buddha
Ask The Yogi
December 17, 2009 at 9:58 pm (Yoga, Yoga Questions)
Tags: questions about yoga, Yoga, Yoga Questions
I am getting a lot of questions about yoga – and I will post some of the best ones here. Please remember that some of these answers are my opinions. You are welcome to have a a different viewpoint.
Today’s question: “My teacher said I have to do inversions. I have a neck issue and don’t feel safe doing them. She got really mad at me for refusing to do headstand and is insisting that I am being fearful and need to do them.” ~ D.P.
Dear D.P.,
Inversions are very beneficial – in fact, Iyengar considers them the most therapeutic of all yoga poses. That being said, they are NOT mandatory. If you truly have neck issues, you have no business doing inversions unless you get an absolute okay from your doctor or physical therapist. Even then, I like to err on the side of caution as you could aggravate the problem if you are not careful. Why not try alternative inversions such as Downward Facing Dog or Legs Up The Wall? These have the same benefits as headstand but are far more gentle and put no strain on your neck.
On another note, if you do not want to do any pose for whatever reason, your teacher needs to develop more compassion. If I have a student who is afraid of doing headstand but fully capable, I introduce them to other poses until they feel ready to go up. If they never get over the fear, I don’t push as I believe the student will always know what is ultimately best for them and should be the only authority on their body. I encourage my students to feel free to refrain from any pose that does not feel “right” for them. A student deserves as much respect as the teacher. Never let your teacher bully you into something that feels unsafe or uncomfortable to you.
Om Shanti,
Theresa
Quote For The Day
December 8, 2009 at 6:59 pm (Quotes)
Tags: quotations, Quotes
“Don’t bunt. Aim out of the ball park. Aim for the company of immortals.”
~David Ogilvy
Pose For The Day – Anantasana
December 5, 2009 at 12:42 pm (Asanas, Yoga)
Tags: asana, Asanas, pose, Yoga
Anantasana - Sleeping Vishnu
Anantasana is relaxing but don’t be fooled – there is still plenty going on here! Although you may look as if you are relaxing, this pose strongly stretches the legs and opens the hips.
To do the pose: lie on one side. Rest your head in your hand or on the earth. Bend the top leg in towards your body and loop your middle finger and index finger around the big toe. As you exhale, lift the foot up towards the sky. Hold for a few breaths. Release and roll over, repeat on the other side.
If you have trouble reaching your toe, use a strap as an alternative.
Quote For The Day
December 1, 2009 at 7:41 pm (Quotes)
Tags: quotations, Quotes
“Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.” ~Doris Day
Quote Of The Day
November 19, 2009 at 10:07 pm (Quotes)
Tags: quotations, Quotes
“The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give.”
~Walt Whitman
Practice – Long Strong Legs
November 7, 2009 at 10:44 pm (Asanas, Practices, Yoga)
Tags: Practice, Yoga, yoga practice
Strong Standing poses help to build strength and lengthen the muscles.
Seated Meditation with Belly Breathing
Dandasana
Reclined Hero (Supta Virasana)
Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Triangle (Utthita Trikonasana)
Tree (Vrksasana)
Standing Big Toe Hold (Utthita Hasta Padanghustasana)
Half Moon (Ardha Chandrasana)
Wide Leg Forward Fold (Prasarita Paddotanasana)
Intense Side Stretch (Parsvottanasana)
Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Head To Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana)
Staff Pose (Dandasana)
Savasana
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi
Quote For The Day
November 3, 2009 at 2:27 pm (Quotes)
Tags: quotes. quotations
“Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more.”
~Mark Twain
