When the Temperature is Hot, Do Cool Yoga

When the Temperature is Hot, Do Cool Yoga

Regarding yoga practice, when the temperature is hot in the extreme, do you go to ground? I’ve learned that you don’t necessarily need to skip your yoga practice. Just do cool yoga.
In Australia now, we are experiencing a summer where the atmosphere is heavy with humidity and heat. It’s not as humid here in NSW as it is in the buildup to ‘The Wet’ of our tropical north. […]

Yoga Teacher Training: It’s Decision Time!

Yoga Teacher Training: It’s Decision Time!

 
Decision time: yes or no?
This is the exciting time of year when you might be considering learning something new. Cuban dancing, contract bridge, an on-line undergraduate course…. Or, you may have been thinking about deepening your understanding of a subject about which you are already knowledgeable.
If you are a keen yoga practitioner, you probably have thought about doing a yoga teacher training at one time or another. […]

Five Minute Poses: Supta Baddha Konasana

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. […]

That Wise Old Guy: Leonard Cohen

That Wise Old Guy: Leonard Cohen

Several years ago I saw Leonard in concert in the Hunter Valley. He must have done similar performances countless times around the world. And, his audiences would have known almost every word of his songs. Yet, when I saw him, he and his musicians performed in a manner utterly fresh. All of the music to the highest standard.
But what stood out for me were Leonard’s humility and his presence.
He frequently and warmly acknowledged his band and backing singers. We came for him, but by the end, we loved them, too.
Well into seventies, Leonard seemed as flexible as a young yogi. He got down on his knees to defer to his old guitarist. He skipped on and off stage. He bowed often and reverently.

Eve’s Yoga Workshop in Port Stephens

Eve’s Yoga Workshop in Port Stephens

 

May you walk in beauty — Navaho prayer and blessing
 

In January of this year I taught a five-day immersion course for yogis with the theme of Beauty–living life beautifully. It occurred to me that the quality of beauty is a worthy one to strive for. And yoga conveys beauty on so many levels. […]

Temperatures Rising? Try Cool Yoga

Temperatures Rising? Try Cool Yoga

Regarding your yoga practice, when temperatures start rising, do you go to ground? I’ve learned that you don’t necessarily need to skip your yoga practice.
In Aussieland, we are experiencing a summer where the atmosphere is heavy with humidity and heat. It’s not as humid in NSW as it is in the buildup to ‘The Wet’ of our tropical north. […]

Yoga Therapeutics: The Lazy Dog Trick

Yoga Therapeutics: The Lazy Dog Trick

Here’s a way to get the that delicious back stretch of Adho Mukha Svanasana without having to bear your own weight. Your back muscles will release simply because they are supported in letting go.
You can do this pose over the back of a soft, stuffed chair or by padding a yoga chair with blankets. You drape your body over the blankets, with the top of the chair at the hip creases which tractions your legs away from your hips and spine. […]

Musings from the Blogosphere

Musings from the Blogosphere

Source: ciaomom.com via MiMi on Pinterest

 
I have an author/illustrator friend who is about to launch himself into the blogosphere. When that event happens, his blog is one that you will definitely want to visit, and I’m anticipating sharing his address with you.
I’ve read that blogs are passé. If I believed that, I would feel sad, so I choose not to acknowledge that theory. […]

A Sutra a Day: III-12 – Everyone Has Something

A Sutra a Day: III-12 – Everyone Has Something

Source: musselsoppansvanner.blogspot.fr via Nathalie on Pinterest

 
Yoga has been my stalwart companion for over 40 years. We’ve been through thick and thin together, and I have every intention of continuing the relationship as long as possible.
My overall good health I attribute to yoga practice. But, like most people, I haven’t had perfect well-being.
One of the big challenges I faced for 18 years was living with osteoarthritis. The disease was also my companion, and a teacher, too. Having had a bi-lateral hip replacements has freed me of pain, discomfort, and a restricted lifestyle. […]

A Sutra a Day: I-20 Opening to Yoga

A Sutra a Day: I-20 Opening to Yoga

I saw a wonderful video presented as a Ted Talk with  Brené Brown speaking on “The Power of Vulnerability”. I ‘d seen it before and loved the vulnerability Brene Brown demonstrates. It held me completely on second viewing, as Brown’s talk is entertaining as well as inspiring.

In the spirit of being open with you, watching this video encouraged me to share a bit of writing I did a while back in a life stories course. […]

A Sutra a Day: I-13 – What Matters

A Sutra a Day: I-13 – What Matters

A friend and colleague has said that, rather than practising yoga to achieve a perfect posture, we should be aiming to be nicer people.
As simplistic as that sounds, it’s not simple.
The loftiest goal that I have for myself is to live life in love, i.e., to be a loving person. The trouble with having a high aim is that it makes an annoying foil for all opposing qualities. […]