Eve Grzybowski
Yoga Suits Her
Photo by: Julie Slavin Photography, Old Bar
Current Post
Summer Heat: I Don’t Like It, But Don’t Fight It
Wilting weather
A single weather statistic stood out for me last week when we were camping at the Bellingen Showgrounds. This, from the Sydney Morning Herald: Australia was home to 15 of the hottest places on earth on January 15th.
Meanwhile, my sister in Tucson, Arizona, was complaining about the sudden cold snap they were experiencing, accompanied by snow. Snow in this sun worshippers’ Mecca! Unheard of! I know, though, that she will experience 105 degrees F. temperatures and 95% humidity come summer, much like us Aussies.
Extremely hot summers are likely to be the fallout from global warming, and this means they will gradually get worse. We broke down and installed an air conditioner 14 months ago, a good investment, but not everyone can afford this expense.
So what are we yogis supposed to do in this time of discomfort and perhaps difficult adjustments? Probably just what we have been doing. Keeping up yogic practices: asanas, pranayama, meditation, relaxation.
And, particularly in the summer heat, let’s do quiet, cooling and calming yoga practice. Save the jumping around and through. Spare yourself sweating the long timings in poses. Keep the goal-seeking, perfection part of your personality in check. And chill.
Chill out with this practice
This is the sequence I’ve done the last few mornings. Except for the headstand preparation, all the poses can be held for 5 to 10 minutes.
Supta Baddha Kanasana with all the props.
Lying over a block with head support.
Headstand preparation
Supported Shoulderstand
Double leg forward stretch
Legs up the wall pose with bolsters, blanket and sandbag (on feet).
Chair savasana
It’s been out of print for 15 or more years but now it’s back. It’s available as a paperback as well as a range of digital formats for different devices. The design of this edition is modelled as closely as possible on the original release from 1997.
Electronic versions:
Paperback version:
Any bookshop, whether online or bricks and mortar, can order copies of Teach Yourself Yoga. Just ask and quote ISBN: 978-0-6487945-0-9.
Please send me feedback about the book. I’d love to hear about any errors or problems with eBooks on various devices. And please review the book wherever you get it. Reviews will help more people discover the book.
The Previous 3 Posts
Five Minute Poses: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana: Low Back First Aid
I find Setu Bandha Sarvangasana an invaluable pose for the way it helps counteract low back compression. In my world, lower back ache is a result of gardening, long drives or sitting at my computer.
Part of why the pose is so good for my lower back and sacrum is because it stretches the abdomen, a part of my body that tenses when my back is tight. […]
Five Minute Poses: Supta Baddha Konasana
Supta Baddha Konasana: An All-Rounder
Years ago I did a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat. The only yoga pose I did during the course was Supta Baddha Konasana. It helped balance many hours spent in sitting and walking meditation. When my meditation energy was flagging, Supta Baddha Konasana served to make me feel cradled and deeply nourished.
How to Do It
Props you will need: a bolster and a 3-fold blanket. The reason for using props is that you can let them do the work. […]
Five Minute Poses: Supported Child's Pose
For years, I wondered why this posture is called Child’s Pose. Sometimes babies and young children will end up in this posture and even sleep in it. But more to the point, children appear to be at their sweetest and quietest when they’re asleep. And, perhaps never more so than in Child’s Pose.
Classes and Workshops
I’m currently teaching two weekly classes on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales where I live. I also lead workshops here and in other parts of Australia.
Visit the Vault!
I’ve been regularly contributing to this blog since 2009. There are now over 1250 posts about a very wide range of topics. Click here to explore.
Yoga Resources
Books, videos, teachers, websites, places to buy really hot yoga clothes (kidding), and generally anything I find that I think others might find useful.
A Bit About Eve
I’ve been teaching since I was 35. I’m now 73. In that time there have been a few changes. Click here if you want to find out a bit about my life.
Media
I know, I know. Yoga teachers all want to teach remotely. I’ve been no exception. Here are some video and audio productions that I’ve made. Not many – it’s something that I alway mean to get around to.
Shop
No, I’m not selling yoga mats or clothing. I don’t even have a t-shirt… yet. But from time to time I find myself with something that someone may want. Have a look, I’m never sure what you’ll find.
