Healthy Living

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Jan.30
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The ART of Yoga

Posted by in Art Of Yoga

  As you rest in the gentle pulse of observation, focus your mind on willful elegance. The more you accept yourself as a soul, playing the role of being YOU, the greater your access to creative expression, and the finer your art.   Asana Practice:Every moment of a practice is important, not just the poses.You are your greatest masterpiece. Just as a teacher tells you to watch the grace of your transitions, I remind you that every second of your life is a willful decision and expression of your Self.  The…read more

Bold Alignment with Nancy Kate Williams

Posted by in Yoga

If you are looking for an inspiring and informative class in Boulder, Colorado, check outNancy Kate Williams (see nancykateyoga.com), at The Yoga Pod. (See: http://www.theyogapod.com/teachers.html). She also teaches at Om Time, which is a great Boulder studio. (See: http://omtime.com/). Asana Practice: The hour long practice focused on closed hip standing poses such as: Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I)     Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch Pose) Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle) “Closed hip” refers to the fact that the pelvis is facing forward and both hips are level with the front of the mat.  Additionally, the hips are equal distant…read more

Jan.29
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Deep within the Inner Thighs

Posted by in Art Of Yoga, Solo Practice

Heavy breathing, gentle pulsation, and surrender. I couldn’t help myself.  Yoga is sexy. The trick to opening the hips, hamstrings, inner thighs, and quads is diligent deep work.  This means breathing steady and deep, through overwhelming intensity, and staying alert to the requests and information the body is offering. Asana Practice: If you have a part of your body that is persistently tight, set an intention to open it every day.  I recommend choosing a part of the body to open each month and remaining steadfast in your determination for that…read more

Feb.08
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Activate

Posted by in Yoga

The intensity of your practice is completely within your control. If you ever find yourself in a lethargic pose or want more sensation, ask yourself, “where can I activate.” I am blessed with natural tightness, so the first several years of my asana practice were very intense and exhausting. I rarely found surrender or relaxation within yoga, even restorative postures. However, lately, as my body finally shows signs of objective openness, I’ve noticed certain postures losing their intensity.  I gained perspective on what yoga feels like for the naturally flexible….read more

Feb.07
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Fifteen Minute Fix: Yoga in Workout Shoes?

Posted by in Fifteen Minute Fix

Technology creates an illusion of perfection, but perhaps we are missing out on the beauty of the universe by manicuring our imperfections. Perhaps by creating false stability we are actually desensitizing ourselves and removing a cue to a deeper understanding. After a workout in the gym, instead of “stretching” I practice 15 minutes of yoga. Over the years I’ve taken notice of what yoga feels like on the days I keep my shoes on, versus the days I practice in bare feet.  Both are informative, but having bare feet allows more…read more

Feb.06
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Feb.06
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Bliss (The way of the solo practice Vol I.)

Posted by in Art Of Yoga, Self Help

It’s amazing how far you can travel without leaving your yoga mat. Asana Practice: I just spent the last two hours on an epic asana journey. Alone in a dark house, moving through subtle energy, listening to the Desert Dwellers Pandora station. There is an old saying that you can never step in to the same river twice.  I like to add to this, you are never the same person stepping in to a river.  After a good asana practice I rise from savasana as a different person than when I arrived…read more

Weight Lifting as a Compliment to Yoga (Vol I)

Posted by in Weight Training

Strength training can compliment and be informed by a yoga practice.     Weight lifting can help overcome asana obstacles, especially for arm balance and power oriented postures. If you find yourself struggling with a particular asana or a particular type of asana (arm balance, deep lunges, etc), ask your teacher if s/he notices a weakness in your practice.  Perhaps you need to work on your core or your upper body strength.  Maybe your lower back or quads need extra attention. Incorporate strength training in to your health routine and…read more

Feb.04
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Yoga Etiquette (Vol I)

Posted by in Yoga Etiquette

When is it appropriate to correct someone’s asana practice? It can be quite painful to watch a fellow yogi doing a posture incorrectly.  It can be even more challenging to watch someone doing yoga in a way that  is causing them harm. (e.g. Doing upward dog with your toes tucked under, putting pressure on the lower back). When is it appropriate to say something? Over the years I have made comments to strangers about how to improve their asana practice or avoid injury.  In return, I have received many different…read more

Feb.03
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