6-2-10 Thighs

I had great intentions of posting the sketches from class Wednesday, but I seem to be having technical difficulties with the scanner (no blame can go to the software or computer - it is purely user error, I'm afraid). So, until I can have my IT team take a look (and he's currently out of the office playing softball) I'll have to just suggest some other ways to explore yoga and your quadriceps...

www.theragear.com/exercise/yoga-prone_quadricep_stretch.php

www.ehow.com/how_4514607_tone-quadriceps-fierce-warrior-yoga.html

www.alpineyoga.com/articles1.html

http://www.yogajournal.com/ - do a search for "quadriceps" and you'll find lots!

The quote from practice: "Happiness is neither virtue nor plearsure, nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing." -William Butler Yeats

BKS Iyengar

Many of the postures I bring to practice are from an "Iyengar style", named (suitably) after BKS Iyengar. The Iyengar practice focuses on holding poses longer in order to find the correct alignment. It also uses props extensively to help the body find alignment, and when this alignment occurs, freedom follows. Click on this link to find out more about this amazing yogi.

www.yogabound.com/yoga/master_bks_iyengar.htm

Local libraries and bookstores also have books by Mr. Iyengar, including the classic "Light on Yoga". In fact, the studio (Yoga 4 All) has a copy you are able to check out, too.

5-19-2010: Knees...The Return

I know you didn't get enough last week, and I hate to disappoint, so here you go!! Remember, we are not only stretching the connective tissue in the knee, but building strength and stability in the surrounding muscles. Practice ahimsa - nonviolence to others and yourself. If it hurts, don't do it!!

Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen."

Off Topic: Blueberries

My mom, kids, and I went blueberry picking today in Hudson. We came home with over 20 pounds of organic blueberries in only about 1 1/2 hours of picking. This total doesn't include the massive amount the kiddos ate while picking (it is encouraged!). If this has piqued your interest, here's the information for this farm - we've gone the past 4 years and it is very well run, clean, and the family is so friendly:

Owen's Blueberry Farm

12839 Kitten Trail, Hudson

727-868-7249

They provide the buckets (with handy straps to tie onto your waist for double-handed picking), restroom, and a few other produce items.

You need to go soon - they are only planning on being open through June 5th (8-6 daily).

Along the same lines, if you are interested in Community Sustained Agriculture (CSA) or buying a share of a farm, check out Sweetwater Organic Farm (see the website in my Favorites links). I've been a member there for 3 years and have enjoyed 9 months of weekly organic produce pick-ups each year. Everything from sunflowers, collards, chard, kohlrabi, lots of lettuce varieties, carrots, potatoes, herbs, and the list goes on and on. They are currently selling shares (which you can split amongst a number of people) and half shares.

5-17: Good Morning Sunshine

The hardest movement in this morning series is just walking onto the mat. Once you get there, you are goign to be happy you did!! The poses focus on the hips and sacrum - often the places that need some stretching in the morning. Along the same lines, Sun Salutations are always optimal, especially in the morning. There are several variations of Sun Salutes on YouTube, if you are interested.

Quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face...You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

Yoga in the Media

I uncovered a couple of yoga "finds" that you may enjoy. First, check out http://www.hulu.com/ and search movies for "yoga" and you'll come across an hour-long movie called "Yoga, Inc" - an exploration of yoga's development in the USA, and how the practice may be losing it's spirituality (and whether that's good/bad/or even yoga anymore). The movie also investigates the Bikram yoga franchise - again, is it still yoga if it is marketed and profited from? And can yoga be a competition? In the Olympics? Is it "yoga" when it is just the physical asana? Warning - about 26 minutes into the movie, the language gets fairly rated 'R'. Also on the Hulu website are several short videos of yoga practices - free to use!

Along the same lines, a new book has come out: "The Great Oom: The Improbable Birth of Yoga in America". I haven't yet read it, but it looks quite interesting.

And finally, while it isn't about yoga, I have found a wonderful podcast that explores some of the "big" questions in life. Radiolab (http://www.radiolab.org/ or on iTunes) tries to explain scientific and social phenomena in a narrative style. I particularly enjoyed : "Placebo Effect", "Animal Minds", and "Limits". Not all of the podcasts are family-friendly, so keep that in mind before playing it in the car with little ears listening.

Yoga Murder Mysteries

I haven't read these yet, but I'm hoping to find them in the library. Apparently they have recipes and yoga facts. The titles include (I love these!): "Corpse Pose", "Dial OM for Murder", and "Murder on the Eightfold Path".