Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on Oct 29, 2008
I sit here on a lovely Saturday afternoon to reflect on the week I’ve had. Its hot and sunny and lovely though its funny how at times I’ve complained about needing to use a fan all the time, the way I miss rain and snow and how the lovely hotness can make people ‘too laid back’...if that’s even possible. What I’m trying to say is that its all in perception.
There have been many shifts and different perceptions amongst my fellow teachers as well as the students here at the training. But I guess that reflects the ‘vacillating’ nature of the mind. They’re like the waves in the pond (or the ocean) that make it hard to see the bottom clearly.
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on Oct 28, 2008
There is a reason why Yoga teachers use so many metaphors and associations with nature when guiding a class in asana or meditation. Whether it be inspired by the beauty of trees, the steadfast nature of mountains, or the gentle power of a river, essentially all we really need to know about the teachings of Yoga, nature already is. So not surprisingly, over the years, I, along with many others, have found that my outdoor pursuits and sporting activities have truly shaped and guided my Yoga practice, and vice versa.
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on Oct 23, 2008
The word Pranayama can be broken down into two parts. Prana refers to the infinite in everything, the universal life force, respiration and power. Ayama means to increase, prolong, stretch or extend. Therefore, Pranayama is the practice of consciously expanding one’s energy through the regulation of their breath.
The importance of Pranayama can be illustrated through its direct relation to the maintenance of life. The beginning of life is signified by a baby’s first breath in the external world; similarly the last breath marks the end of one’s life. With this in mind it is easy to consider the importance of breath and the significant role it plays in all that we do.
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Posted by Sonja Logtenberg on Oct 13, 2008
Many postures require us to weight our hands which can cause discomfort and damage to our wrists (ie. downward dog, upper plank, hand balances). Hasta bandha allows us to both ground to the earth and to channel energy upward, through our arms.
Some imagery that I find very helpful is imagining that my palms are suction cups. As you know, suction cups have amazing grabbing power - this keeps your hands grounded. At the same time, the suctioning pull draws energy up through our wrists, arms and shoulders.
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