Healthy Living

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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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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Mythology and the Evolution of Asana

Posted by in Self Help

A momentary glance at yoga in the West… As the world shrinks and common mythologies become antiquated, asana takes on new dimension. During the time of our ancient ancestors, we lived among small numbers of people, and while the cosmos seemed infinite, the world around us remained confined and comprehensible.  As technology increased our understanding of the world and our capacity for travel, we began to see our planet as large and diverse.  We fought to preserve what we believed in and created rich stories to educate the younger generations…read more

Feb.02
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Dropping Expectations

Posted by in Art Of Yoga

Don’t let expectations ruin your experience of the beautiful unfolding of the Now. Human beings are smart creatures.  We see patterns and can develop and live by detailed rules and routines.  Establishing order can help us feel grounded and can create efficiency. But, expecting order can also create dissatisfaction and un-comfortibility when the unexpected rears its head. The naked truth is that we are a part of the natural environment and as such are subject to the chaotic whims of nature.  We don’t expect to control the weather, or at least we shouldn’t, so why…read more

Feb.01
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Inversions (Vol 1: Easy and Restorative)

Posted by in inversions

Need a change in perspective? Turn the world upsidedown.  Gotta love inversions!   A little bit about myself: In May of 2001 I broke two vertebrae in my cervical spine.  Yoga is one of the secrets to my incredible recovery.  In the last couple of months a discomfort in my body has revealed itself as a potentially pinched nerve (bone spurs from my injury).  In order to heal myself I am taking several months off of any “upper body intensive” asanas. Understand, I love being upside-down.  Inversions are my mind alteration…read more

Jan.31
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Sacred Space

Posted by in Yoga Etiquette

Create a sanctuary for your yoga practice so that you may surrender in to the natural light of your internal healer. I’m visiting my family in Atlanta, Georgia.  Bless their hearts, but my parents don’t practice or understand the transformational experience of yoga asana.  (not yet at least) Nonetheless, I continue my daily practice here and I’m learning ways to create a sacred and safe space for my practice in foreign settings. Specifically, I’m learning that sometimes this requires dialogue with others so that they may respect the space and…read more

Jan.21
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Face Exercises (Vol 1: Savasana)

Posted by in Face Yoga, Focus: One Asana at a Time

Don’t forget about the muscles in your face. I have been developing a practice I can “Face Yoga”.  I plan on using this blog as a forum for sharing it. Asana Practice: When you lay down for savasana, take a moment and open the muscles of the face.  I usually start out by smiling.  Wherever you notice tension try to relax and open. I enjoy contracting and expanding the muscles of the face over and over again.  The goal is to feel freedom as you smile. Smiling releases healthy hormones and…read more

Jan.15
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