Science of Yoga
There’s been trouble in the yoga world. First with Lululemon, the swish yoga gear outfitters. Then along came the stories of how yoga can wreck your body in the NY Times. […]
Yoga Steps into Action: From Newtown into the World
I was very privileged, to participate with 30 other individuals, in the inaugural weekend workshop of Off the Mat, Into the World.
I drove down from our rural paradise on Mitchells Island with the intention expanding my yoga community and discovered that the course delivered that goal and so much more.
The experienced, professional course leaders came over from New Zealand to introduce the work of the organisation to Australia. […]
Rainy Day Yoga Practice
It’s wet cold and dismal. What’s a yogini to do to keep her spirits up? A specialised yoga practice, of course!
Sequences for "Intensive" Week: Day 6
The purpose of this particular sequence is to soothe and quiet, and the props that are used help keep one’s brain passive so you don’t overwork. The trick is to discover how to work from your “inner body” by tuning in, listening to your breath, and surrendering to each posture.
Sequences for "Intensive" Week: Day 5
I remember hearing a well-known yoga teacher say, “If you can do forward bends easily, you probably can’t do backbends; if you can do backbends easily, you probably can’t do forward bends; and, if you can do both easily, you probably will have difficulty with pranayama.”
Well, usually we do have our strong suit. Forward bends were never mine, but over the years I guess I’ve surrendered myself to them more. […]
Important Yoga Practice No. 4: Tenacity
Who knows how long it takes to not only be a good yoga teacher but to be yoga?
Important Yoga Practice No. 2: If You Can't Say Anything Nice….
I’m sorry to say that I love gossip. I know that I’m not alone in this. I’ve been out to coffee after yoga class too many times and shared tittle-tattle-laced-caffeine with colleagues and students. Gossip can range from “what’s the buzz?” to outright scandal. It’s fascinating to me to hear what other yoga teachers are up to and how their schools are going. […]
The Body/Mind Manual
I often think about how there are instruction manuals for the most mundane things, things that you can figure out just by common sense.
But the body, with its complex, interrelated systems comes with no manual at all. Medical doctors study for years to be able to understand, regulate, and heal bodies, but must admit to only a cursory comprehension of this miraculous machine. Anatomists may have in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of a human body and its physiology, but not necessarily understand their own body in any way experientially.
The practice of yoga is a way of coming to […]
Now
I watched a movie last night that had a scene with two small kids playing on a beach, seabirds flying around. I realized that was the first time I’d seen birds since the end of January.
I’m sure there’s birdlife out there, but I’ve been inside – a week at Mater Hospital, now nearly a week at Hunters Hill Rehab, and one more to go.
I’m not complaining; this is what I’m here for. I’m not even close to going outside. […]
Tempus Fugit
Daniel and I have been country residents now for about nine weeks now. That means that I’ve probably logged in about 60 6 am yoga practices in the Shed. I’ve hardly missed a morning…me who used to love to do my yoga practice in the afternoons to put myself back together after the stresses and strains of the early part of the day. It sounds odd, I suppose, that yoga teachers need to put themselves back together. […]
Back to New Year's Resolves
Maybe it was a little arrogant of me to be in advising mode on Day One of 2010 when in fact I hadn’t volunteered what I was up for this year. Certainly Day Three of the New Year can’t be too late. So, here goes: I am going to be a nicer person. There!
And how am I going to achieve this? Well, there are the truly obvious ways:
•Don’t yell at people. Especially my best friends and husband.
•Do be generous. […]
A New Year: The Domination of Opportunity
A very long time ago, 25 years to be exact, I started to personal yoga practice, and pretty much since then, I’ve kept it up. My zest for it has ebbed and flowed along the way – that’s only natural – but I’m very grateful to have made yoga my companion.
Have you resolved something for 2010? Maybe to do more yoga?
On Day One of a New Year, a brilliant and exciting resolution to do yoga practice every day calls forth enthusiasm that can become blunted by the end of the week. […]