5-12-2010 Knees

Knees are my "holy grail" - I think I (subconciously) began my yoga practice to save my genetically doomed knees. Which means lots of work with the supporting muscles: hamstrings, calves, and thighs. So, we obviously have a lot of poses to work through. So many, in fact, that we ran out of time during practice! On the sketch, I drew a red 'x' on a few of the poses that we didn't have time to practice. But not to worry - I'm already planning out the second installment of "Knees" for next Wednesday. So I'll see you there!

Our practice quote: "Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use." - Ruth Gordon

5-10-2010 Empty Your "Junk Drawer"

I found the basics of this practice in the new Yoga Journal - and just loved the description: "You know your junk drawer at home? The pelvis is like the body's junk drawer. Whenever you don't know what to do with a feeling or experience, you put it there." So, time for some spring cleaning! Opening your hips will release negative emotions, improve alignment, and if done slowly and with awareness, can be quite delicious!

Quote for tonight: "Of all the commodities we value, only time is non-renewable. Use it well."

Quick Energy

I've been asked to create a quick sequence to replace the need for caffeine in the afternoon, so here you go! Inversions (forward folds) send blood to your brain, chest openers/backbends open the ribcage to promote full breaths, and twists squeeze out the tensions that bog us down. The breathing practices I chose were: Breath of fire (pump the belly on the exhale), 4 sips in through the nose and 1 long exhale through the mouth, and/or Breath of Joy (3 inhales with arms swinging up-out-up and exhale as you fold forward). I hope this provides you with a more productive afternoon!!

The Science of "Om"

This was sent to me by one of my teachers. I love when science, philosophy, and history all converge!

www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/may/03/repetitive-physics-om-improbable-research

5-3 Core and 5-5 Glutes

After working on our glutes through this practice last week, I was sore! Guess I need to pay more attention to the areas I can't see back there. But, needless to say, strong glutes (HUGE muscles) lead to better alignment and more protected back. So get that "yoga butt" that you may have heard about.

Quote: "A lamp does not flicker in a place where no wind blows; so it is with a yogi who controls his mind, intellect and self, being absorbed in the spirit within him." -BKS Iyengar

More core work - by popular demand. It's always good to work on your core, and luckily, most yoga poses do just that, even if not labeled specifically for "core" work. Keep your abs pulled in and up (uddiyana bandha) to help with balance, posture, and alignment. You shouldn't feel these poses in your back!

Tonight's quote: "Enough is as good as a feast." - English proverb

4-26 and 4-28 Technical Difficulties

As I'm trying to scan the sketches in for the post tonight, I hear a scratchy/whiney/not-so-good sound coming from the scanner. So, since my IT guy is out playing softball, I will be unable to post the last two classes. However, I did find this sketch of a Moon Salutation on the web, and it is pretty close to the one we did in class. Hopefully, I'll be back up and scanning tomorrow!

25 Reasons to Do Yoga

This article is from Erica Rodefer, a yoga teacher and writer in San Jose, California:

www.huffingtonpost.com/erica-rodefer/yoga-health-25-reasons-to_b_555229.html