yoga
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
Prep For Downward Dog
In this asana modification we will add a new element into child’s pose by coming off the knees. This is an especially effective asana for those of you who have very tight shoulders and extremely tight hamstrings (back of the legs). I find in many of my students that due to those two commonly tight areas they do a downward dog straining their shoulders and lower back to avoid the tightness in the hamstring. As a matter of fact I recommend doing a few of this particular modification in every practice as a way of releasing the hips and shoulders in preparation for downward dog no matter who you are.
In addition you can slowly straighten one leg and then the other as a way of relieving the hamstring slowly and gently. Begin from the active child’s pose position shown in the first picture. Keeping the arms active and in a sense pushing away from the hands curl your toes under (this in itself is an excellent modification for those of you who wear shoes all the time).
Child’s Pose (Dartihasana)
We begin this month with an asana that replicates how we all began, in a fetal position - curled into oneself. This is a simple asana if we still have the flexibility of a child, but if not, a wonderful pose to begin to surrender into that flexibility. You will see a picture of the asana opposite with my arms outstretched, this is to encourage the shoulder opening that is possible here and also prepares you to enter into the more challenging asana “Downward Dog”. With the top of your feet lying flat on the ground, sit back toward your heels, arms outstretched, and release.
You may also use this asana to completely relax. Use props such as a pillow under your belly and between your legs and a bolster or blocks under your head if it doesn’t quite reach the floor yet. In addition if your ankles are stiff place a small towel under them. In this case you will want to passively rest your arms by your side and totally LET GO. Really allow yourself to rest here and notice with each successive breath that you slip into yourself gently and ever so peacefully.
Monday, August 25, 2003
Your First Yoga Practice
The word yoga means to join, or to yoke. This represents a primary requirement for all of life – to feel safe, unified and connected. Throughout history, the pursuit of happiness has been humanity’s abiding quest. But the happiness we seek is more than just the ephemeral happiness of a desire fulfilled or an adversity overcome. What we seek is far deeper and more lasting, perhaps a more apt description is ‘peace without suffering.’ Yoga is a practical and ancient approach to this state of happiness or nirvana.
Let us start this month with a simple and realistic approach to adding yoga to your life. I often say to my students, if you are only able to do legs-up-the-wall for 5 minutes everyday, you are on your way to cultivating your yoga. We will expand our practice as we progress, but for now this simple excercise is a good place to begin.
