March 2008 Padmasana (Lotus pose)

Padmasana is one of those poses that students find frustrating. It requires a certain type of hip flexibility that is different than that for shin-to-shin or pigeon pose. The most important thing is that the knee joint is not bent sideways in the process of moving into the pose. This asana, if done wrong, is […]

Life is Yoga: March 2008

Padmasana represents springtime to me. At the end of the Astanga closing sequence, you see three versions of this pose to finish and seal the practice: Badha Padmasana (Bound Lotus), Padmasana (Lotus), and Ut Plutihi (Lotus Flying Up). The first one represents the compact and intense energy of a bulb of a flower. In padmasana, […]

January 2008 Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)

Description and Benefits This posture is one of the 4 major inversions, which include handstand (adho mukha vrkasana), forearm stand (pincha mayurasana), headstand (sirsasana), and shoulder stand. Of the four, shoulder stand is the most accessible and the most problematic. Almost anyone can get into it, especially if they use momentum. However, the neck is […]

Life is Yoga: Jan 2008

January is a great time to make positive changes in your life and the lives of others. This month we will be making another effort to decrease waste and overconsumption in our studios. We will be eliminating the use of paper towels in all our bathrooms. In their place will be clean, organic hand towels […]

December 2007 Navasana (Boat Pose)/Core Strengthening

This month’s Pose of the Month features navasana, but is really about strengthening your center. Everything you do in yoga requires strength, stability, and control from the center out. This month’s Pose of the Month will be about awareness and usage of the deep and superficial muscles that run along the spine, along the sides […]

Life is Yoga: Dec 2007

It seems that the focus for this month is the center, and therefore I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be “centered.” I believe it means to know who you are. To speak your truth, satya. To not waiver or let outside forces influence your decisions. Does that mean not to […]