Welcome to Yogi Sticks!

Do you know your Gomukasana from your Adho Mukha Svanasana? Is your Vrksasana all it can be? And how do you feel about Supta Baddha Konasana? Do you know what I'm even talking about?

Sometimes the Sanskrit - however beautiful it sounds - is not very helpful. So, to encourage my students to expand their yoga practice into their home, I sketch the poses we practice during class on a chart and add the Sanskrit and common name. Hopefully, this is a useful tool to help them along in their yogic journey. I also troll the internet, books, and journals to find interesting articles about yoga and the yogic lifestyle.

11-1 Balance and 11-3 Shoulder Stand

Shoulderstand is known as the "Queen of all asanas" for it's re-nourishing properties. Practioners believe it to encourage eternal life, as it reverses the flow of a vital oil in the body. Please use caution when practicing shoulderstand, as it can be rough on the neck. That's why I encourage students to use at least 2 blankets under their shoulder blades and upper back to be absolutely certain that there is no pressure on the neck. Additionally, using the wall (as in the photo) helps with stability. And NEVER look around once in the posture - keep that nose pointed straight at the ceiling, please.

Wednesday's quote from Joyce carol Oates: "We're here to feel the joy of life pulsing in us - now"

Balance was the name of the game Monday evening, with a playful practice that culminated in crow (bakasana). This, like all balance poses, take tremendous core strength. YouTube has several "how-to" videos regarding crow, so take a look and use a crash-pad (a blanket) in front of your head - not that I think you will fall, but it gives you an extra boost of confidence while trying it. And remember, doing what I call "toe-crow" is just as powerful as the full posture (instead of both legs off the floor, try to get one up and the other just balances on the big toe). Be brave and give it a try!

Quote from Monday's class: "Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once." -Lillian Dickinson





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