Surya Namaskara

Even if you are not practicing an Ashtanga sequence, most yoga classes generally start with Sun Salutations.  There are some obvious reasons why one would what to start a class with this flow sequence.  It limbers and warms the whole body in preparation for the rest of your yoga practice.  It also guides the mind [...]

Practicing Savasana

Most of us have likely heard teachers in the past saying that Savasana can be one of the most challenging and beneficial poses in yoga.  But what does this mean? Getting in to the pose is relatively simple.  Place your body in a neutral position while in a supine position on the mat.  Without getting [...]

Prasarita Padottanasana

This standing wide legged intense stretch, not only is a great stretching pose, but also will help headaches, fatigue, and mild depression.  The Banda will tone the deep abdominal organs and will relieve mild backaches.  It is a great basic standing pose, inverted symmetrical forward bend that almost all can do to their own ability. [...]

Parsvottanasana (with hands in Reverse Namaskar)

This is an intermediate asymmetrical forward-bending standing pose that will focus on working the pelvic floor, lower leg muscles, subscapularis, teres minor, latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, lower, mid-, and upper trapezius.  Stretching and lengthening will take place in the gluteus maxims, soleus and gastrocnemius, infraspinatus, teres minor, serratus anterior, anterior deltoids, pectorals major and minor, if [...]

Garudasana

Generally found toward the end of a standing series, Garudasana can be a fantastic strengthening, stretching, and balancing pose.  It also has several therapeutic applications, such as, relieving symptoms of asthma, lower backaches, and sciatica. Getting in to the pose: From Tadasana, bend your legs slightly, lift your left foot, and cross your left leg [...]

Insight Meditation

There are many types of meditation techniques available, but one worth exploring is certainly Vipassana or Insight Meditation. S.N.Goenka has developed some of the most popular centers around the world and for no charge (donation based), you can attend an 10-day beginners course. During the course you will be provided vegetarian meals and a bed. [...]

Samadhi

When I first learned of Samadhi, I immediately assumed it was synonymous with Enlightenment. And although the term is used differently between the various traditions (Hindu, Buddhism, Yogic), the yogic understanding of Samadhi not necessarily equivalent to the big E. In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Samadhi is the eighth and final limb. After one has crossed [...]

Pratyahara

After Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas, and Pranayama, Patanjali describes withdrawing the senses as one of the limbs of the path. Pratyahara is essentially the bridge limb between the external to the internal limbs of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga. The first four limbs are fairly straight forward. The restraints and observances can be debated regarding their exact meanings, [...]

Personal Transformation

It has been about 4 weeks since beginning the Yoga Teacher Training with Paalu and Satya in Vietnam.  During this time, I have felt somewhat of a transformation beginning again. Over the years, my yoga practice has taken various shapes and forms.  I would consistently practice for a year or two, but then stop practicing [...]

Eating for Flexibility

Although it is difficult to find a significant amount of scientific data supporting the idea that food choices affect flexibility, personal experiences seem to indicate that what we eat can effect the physical deepening of our asana practice. Food can affect our bodies in so many different ways:  weight changes, skin condition, disease.  It can [...]