Yoga For All.

Breathing.

2011-02-22T11:14:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I had an interesting experience today while walking Bunny (our family dog.)
I happened to be paying attention to my breath as it passed through my nostrils, when the change in air flow happened.
I just happened to be 'present' when the shift happened from the Pingla (the right side of the nostril) to the Ida (the left side of the nostril. ) Though it happens all the time, for me it was very neat. :)

Another interesting thing that happened. Later on in the day, after a long session of asanam. I noticed that my breathing pattern had changed again. Though this time the breath was coming equally through the Pingla and Ida. Then about 30 min after the session, my breath then reverted to the original breathing pattern. Shifting from the Pingla to the Ida and so on.
Funny I never noticed this before. It also seems that I need to have had a lengthy session to have this effect. For instance, this morning during my AM practice, which is only 30 min (or so.) I did not have this experience, so I shall have to see what happens this afternoon during the longer set.
Learning something new… Boy!

Light on Yoga Project (Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana & Garudasana.)

2010-08-05T09:10:00.001-04:00

5th August, 2010.

Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana (p.94)
This asana worked the hips very, and they got a great stretch.
My left side was more supple then my right side. This may have something to do with the scoliosis.
During the asana I used blocks to get to the floor. I could put the length of my fingers on the floor, but not my whole hand.
Extended my spine which helped.
Another thing that I found which helped me, was to move the muscles in my quadriceps on the standing leg. This helps with the forward folding, and tucking the heal of the other foot into the abdomen.
Relaxing the abdomen helps with the forward fold.
Be sure to not overdo the forward fold when you have your heal in the abdomen. This can result in strain or discomfort after the asana is over.

Garudasana (p.97)
I could feel the stretch on the sides of my trunk. My hips opened as my feet and ankle wrapped around the standing leg.
Overall this was a very pleasant stretch.
Shoulders relaxed nicely, and my elbows were around the level of the chin.
Spine extended from the heart up wards.
Keeping the arches of the feet active helped with the stability of the asana.

Light on Yoga Project (Uttanasana & Urdhva Prasrita Ekapadasana.)

2010-07-29T16:22:00.001-04:00

28th July, 2010.

Uttanasana (p.92)
Extended from the spine.
The asana went well. i still cannot put my whole hand on the floor. I can manage all of the fingers flat, but not the palm.
I like this. Very cooling and relaxing.

Urdhva Prasrita Ekapadasana (p.93)
What can I say, but it needs work.
I could put the hand on the proper ankle, but my up leg would go above my hips, but not anywhere like straight up.
This is going to be fun to explore. Maybe against a wall.

Light on Yoga Project (Padangustasana & Padahastasana.)

2010-07-29T15:40:00.001-04:00

28 July, 2010.

Padangustasana (big toe) (p.89.)
Tight hamstrings.
I extended from the his and pelvis. This helped a lot.
Gently widening the diaphragm, and stretched the shoulder blades.

Padahastasana (p.90)
This was quite nice.
One needs to extend from the pelvis.
I worked the diaphragm, and stretched the shoulders as well.

Light on Yoga Project (Utkatasana & Padangustasana.)

2010-07-29T15:20:00.001-04:00

21st July, 2010.

Utkatasana (p.89)
Worked the thighs!
Balance was just in front of the heals.
Relaxed shoulders and breathing into the back.

Padangustasana (p.90)
Nice.
Breathed well. I tried adding Uddhiyana Banda into the mix. That was not a good idea!
The legs are coming along, and I got a much better stretch.

Light on Yoga Project (Parighasana & Ustrasana.)

2010-07-29T15:06:00.001-04:00

20th July, 2010.

Parighasana (p.85.)
I found that if you maintain relaxed shoulders it really helps the performance of the asana. One thing I also found was if the foot of the extended leg does not lay flat o the floor. Putting a block under your foot really leg and hip relax more. You then get a much better stretch.
I also noticed that my left side took much longer to relax. This this is the side that is most affected by the scoliosis. At first the breathing was a little labored, but relaxing the shoulders really helped the breathing become easier.
Over all it was vary nice.

Ustrasana (p.87.)
Breathed into my upper back.
I could feel the stretch in my thighs. :)
Over all it was comfortable.

Light on Yoga Project (Prasarita Padottanasana I & II.)

2010-07-29T14:36:00.001-04:00

19th July, 2010.
Prasarita Padottanasana I (p.81.)
I had to work at keeping the arches in my feet up.
After a while I felt as little nauseous (this was when I had my head on the block.) I could not put the top of my head on the mat.
I kept my weight on the balance point in front of my heals.
Breathing was easy.

Prasarita Padottanasana II (p.84.)
I had my head on a block, and maintained the arches in my feet.
Knees active and pulled up.
I a slight pull in the left groin. This happened when I engaged the Uddiyana Banda. I also worked with the Mula Banda.
My hands were together behind my back with the finger tips up between the shoulder blades.

Light on Yoga Project (Utthia Hasta Padangusthasana & Parsvottanasana.)

2010-07-29T13:39:00.000-04:00

29th July, 2010.
Utthia Hasta Padangusthasana p.76
The asana went fairly well. I had better balance on the left side then on my right side.
When holding the big toe of my right foot, I could not quite extend the leg. The right knee was still rather bent.
Breathing went well, nice and low in the tummy.
When extending the left leg, which extended further then the right did, the right hip felt rather tight. Again the breathing went well.

Parsvottanasana p.78
In this asana the hips flexed nicely on both sides. The breathing was from the tummy.
The sides felt a little tight at the end.
My balance was just in front of the heals.
The asana felt very nice.

Book "The Tree of Yoga."

2010-07-18T11:28:00.001-04:00

I just finished one of the best books on yoga that I have ever read. It is called "The Tree of Yoga." It is by B.K.S Iyengar.
The book is about what is behind yoga. How you should approch [spl.?] yoga. What makes a good teacher. The importance of the Yoga Sutras.

If you are looking for something beyond how to 'do' an asana. Then... I highly recamend (spl.?0 this book to you. It is wonderful!

http://www.amazon.com/Tree-Yoga-Shambhala-Classics/dp/1570629013

Light on Yoga Project.

2010-07-15T18:12:00.001-04:00

Thursday 15th July, 2010.

Virabhadrasana III
I had better balance on my left leg then on my right leg, though this is not unusual.
I did not have any issues with my breath. The focus of it was in my tummy and not up in the solar plexus. This let me breath deeply into my back
My hips were equally flexible on either side, though my shoulders were a little tight.

Ardha Chandrasana
For this asana I used blocks, so that I could maintain the alignment in my hips. I was more flexible on the left side then my right side.
There were no issues getting into the asana, and breathing was low in the tummy, and deep breathing was possible.

Light on Yoga Project.

2010-07-15T18:08:00.001-04:00

Wednesday 14th July, 2010.

Virabhadrasana I
I felt activity in the feet in the area of the balancing point, or 'bubbling well.'
The hips relaxed after a moment or two which let me sink into the asana.
I held the posture for about two min on each side.
When on the right side my shoulders felt more relaxed then when I was on the left side.
I was able to avoid the 'duck back' issue. This happens when the pelvis tilts back words.
In the final form of the asana I did not look at my thumbs, which would have had me tilt my head back. I looked to the horizon instead.

Virabhadrasana II
What struck me about this asana was that when I was fully in the asana I noticed that there was pressure right below my sternum at the solar plexus. This was the case for both sides.
On a related note I also found that when I am walking and have more of my weight on the balls of my feet. That this same feeling happens. If I chance the weight of my step, and walk more so the the weight falls on the 'balancing point' just in front of my heal. The pressure lowers so that it disappears, and I have the experience of normal breathing from the tummy.
I think that this experience shows that my feet were to far apart. They were about 4.5 feet apart. When I moved the feet closer together the sensation lessened. I was then able to easily breath deeply into my upper back.

Light on Yoga Project.

2010-07-13T21:38:00.001-04:00

As a project for myself I have decided to work through Mr. Iyengar's book Light on Yoga.
What I plan to do is to work the asanam in the order that the appear in the book. The way I hope to go about this project, is incorporate the asanam as they appear in this book in my daily practice. As I find an asana in the book I will put it in the appropriate part of my practice. For instance if the next asana in the book is a twist, then I will use it as a one of the asanam in the twist section of the practice. This way in time I hope to work through the whole book. I expect it to take a while. Along the way I will make notes on my experience.

I started the project out with the first six asanam.
1. Tadasana
In Tadasana I noticed that if was correctly balanced in the asana that my breathing was much easier, and the breath came from the lower part of the tummy. If I lent forward a little the focal point of my breathing shifted upwards. Breathing became a little less easy. The same thing happened if I lent more on my heals. The focal point of my breathing seemed to shift downwards, and the breathing was a little more stressful.
I thought I would see how this worked when I walked around outside. It took focus to maintain the balance point just in front of my heal. Boy what a difference it made.

2. Vrksasana
3. Uttihita Trikonasana (with blocks)
4. Parivrtta Trikonasana (with blocks)
5. Uttihita Parsvakonasana
6. Parivrtta Parsvakonasana (with blocks)

Tinnitus and Hatha Yoga.

2010-06-07T16:09:00.001-04:00

For some time now I have been suffering from tinnitus. It may seem odd, but up until now I did not pay attention to how much of a positive difference it has made to the tinnitus. As I also have scoliosis I tend to spend my time seeing how the yoga helps with that issue rather then the tinnitus. I did not really think to use Hatha Yoga to work on tinnitus. As I saw this issue as being one of nerve damage rather then the structral [spl.?] that scoliosis is.
Today I set about working with asanam that focus mainly on inversions, or prepare for inversions. I note quite a reduction in ringing.

Some times the students teaches & sometimes the room teaches.

2009-05-06T12:21:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I while teaching a beginners class on Hatha Yoga. I learned that doing a variation on an asana which is easier for the novice to accomplish, was more difficult for me then I expected.

The asana I was teaching was Vrksasana (Tree asana.) The student was unable to put her foot on her thigh with comfort, without putting presser on her knee. I sugested that she move the foot down so that her toes were just above her anckle. At this point I also move my foot to just above my anckle too.

After we had been in this asana for a few breaths, I noticed that a muscle that I was not really used to using, was 'talking to me.' That really made me smile, now I am going to add that to my class 'mix.'

The other thing that happend to me, happened when 'the room' was teaching me. I was working on some hip openers. I was doing Agnistambhasana (Firelog asana,) and I have been working with that asana for some time. It is not an easy one for me, but I do it most sessions. Yesterday I put a blanket under my 'up knee.' This allowed my leg to get some support, and it almost imediatitly relaxed. The leg then droped down quite a bit twords my down leg. I laughed!

The funny thing is (for me) that I do not think twice about using blankets and blocks during other asanam. For some reasion, I did not think of it for this ansana...

2009-05-02T19:54:00.001-04:00

...we are just about too watch "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" :) :( Has anyone seen it before... Help....

2009-05-02T15:36:00.001-04:00

This one that is :) http://ping.fm/sBJfC

2009-05-02T15:35:00.001-04:00

I am looking for a water filtration system. Thinking of this one... http://ping.fm/JVRhZ

2009-05-02T11:50:00.001-04:00

I feel the need to do a head stand and a shoulder stand... Anyone else?

Meditation.

2009-05-02T08:29:00.001-04:00

For the past few months I have been meditating every morning, well most mornings any way. I have generally spent between thirty five and forty five min. a day in meditation.

Today while in my meditation I noticed that while I was working on the Sixth Chakra I noticed that the Chakra was getting rather warm. This is the first time that I have had an experience like that. I do not know what it means, if anything. During the meditation I tried to ignore the sensation, but it did not go away.

2009-05-02T08:09:00.001-04:00

Worked on meditation (the First and Sixth Charkra) and Surya Namaskar. I included twists and arm balances. Now I am drinking Boiled Coffee

2009-05-01T11:57:00.001-04:00

I just started reading "Think on These Things" by Krishnamurti. So far it is a great book. I think it i worth reading.

2009-05-01T05:43:00.001-04:00

I am heading off to the studio to teach Surya Namaskar. :)

2009-04-30T21:54:00.001-04:00

I had a good class to night. I taught a nice mix of asanam. Now to bed. I get up a 4:45 am to teach a class of Surya Namaskar before dawn

2009-04-30T18:12:00.001-04:00

I am heading out to the Studio to teach a Hatha Yoga class.

2009-04-30T16:17:00.001-04:00

I just finished using Hatha Yoga to work on my scoliosis. The lower curve in my spine is much reduced. :) It is pleasing...

2009-04-30T12:25:00.001-04:00

I just updated the Yoga4all website http://yoga4all.net I added some of the variations I use when doing Surya Namaskar.

2009-04-30T09:58:00.001-04:00

From the BBC, this sounds interesting. "Web tool 'as important as Google'" http://ping.fm/nWVuG

2009-04-30T07:50:00.001-04:00

Finished meditation [worked the First, Fifth and Six Chakras.] Then I worked on the asanam I added to Surya Namaskar yesterday.

2009-04-29T17:24:00.001-04:00

Taking aspirin in your 40s could cut the risk of cancer later http://ping.fm/iFVGS

2009-04-29T15:41:00.001-04:00

I just spent an hour and a half working out a lesson plan for my Friday class. I think I have to many Arm Balances...

2009-04-29T06:27:00.001-04:00

Namaskar, I just finished the morning meditation. I worked on Muladhara (the root Chakra.) Now waiting for the drip coffee.. to bad.

2009-04-28T18:05:00.001-04:00

"Crooks and Liars" info on the GOP & Swine flu. <a href="http://ping.fm/U3Gxn">http://ping.fm/U3Gxn</a>

2009-04-28T07:48:00.001-04:00

I finished Meditation (worked on the First, Fifth and Sixth Charkras) and Surya Namaskar with some arm balances to boot. Now boiled coffee.

2009-04-27T17:06:00.001-04:00

Current WHO phase of pandemic alert http://ping.fm/VLzhb

2009-04-27T17:03:00.001-04:00

W.H.O. just move the alert to Phase 4 (according to the BBC.) Fun, fun...

2009-04-27T09:00:00.001-04:00

I just finished Surya Namaskar, twists, hip openers and a few arm balances. Got some boiled coffee going too... :)

2009-04-24T05:36:00.001-04:00

I just finished Meditation [I worked on the First and Fourth Charkras] and Surya Namaskar. Alas, I am now drinking boiled coffee. :(

2009-04-23T07:24:00.001-04:00

I just finished Surya Namaskar. I added some Arm Balances into the mix! Now I am enjoying some boiled coffee. I feel good! :) Ha.

2009-04-22T20:09:00.001-04:00

Watching the "Blackadder Christmas Carol." It is great! LOL

2009-04-22T19:41:00.001-04:00

Not having heard 'Axis Bold As Love' before, my 4yr old was able to tell that it was Jimmy Hendrix! :)

2009-04-21T20:49:00.001-04:00

Good thing there is no global warming going on! "World's major rivers 'drying up'" http://ping.fm/3cADL

2009-04-21T11:11:00.001-04:00

Off to the studio to teach the Noon class..

2009-04-21T07:55:00.001-04:00

I just finished Surya Namaskar and Savasana. I am now enjoying some 'boiled' coffee! :) Looking forward to teaching two classes today. :)

2009-04-20T17:21:00.001-04:00

I just finished and hour of 'Hip openers'. Now I am off to make some tofu stakes... :) Yum..

2009-04-20T08:47:00.001-04:00

Of course! "Doctor Who theme wins sci-fi vote" http://ping.fm/hr0wD

2009-04-20T08:38:00.001-04:00

Here you go "Tasmania's wombat poo paper a hit" http://ping.fm/NREvM

2009-04-20T07:14:00.001-04:00

I just finished Meditation on the First, Fifth and Sixth Chakras. Then I followed with Surya Namaskar. I worked on some asanam for class 2

2009-04-19T07:42:00.001-04:00

I just finished Surya Namaskar and Meditation. In meditation I worked on the first and third Chakras. Now I am waiting for my coffee... :)

2009-04-18T13:54:00.001-04:00

I just got back from teaching a Hatha Yoga class. I must say I had a good time. Now I am going to watch 'House' then have an nap. :)

2009-04-17T14:46:00.001-04:00

I just finished an hour and a half session of Hatha Yoga working on my scoliosis. I think I have had enough today. :) Now for lunch...

2009-04-17T05:37:00.001-04:00

finished Meditation and Surya Namaskar. Soon off to the studio to teach a 6:30 Hatha Yoga class. First though... coffee. ;)

2009-04-16T16:28:00.001-04:00

I just finished an hour of hip openers and arm balances. Now off to get Eliza then off to Clumpies for an ice-cream! You?

2009-04-16T14:05:00.001-04:00

I just got back from teaching an impromptu class of Restorative Yoga. It seems to have gone well. I hope so. :)

2009-04-15T15:59:00.001-04:00

I just finished working on 'Hip Openers' and 'Arm Balances.' Boy do I feel worked out. I had a great Savasana.

2009-04-11T09:56:00.001-04:00

I finished Meditation [worked First, Forth and Sixth Chakra] and did Surya Namaskar. A nice way to start the day.

2009-04-09T08:48:00.001-04:00

I finished meditation. I worked on the First, Fifth and Sixth Chakras.

2009-04-08T13:53:00.001-04:00

Women's 'binge tan' cancer risk http://ping.fm/Kk2cs

2009-04-08T08:31:00.001-04:00

Another reason 4 yoga "Study finds stress link to asthma http://ping.fm/RpMHz"

2009-04-07T08:07:00.001-04:00

I got home from my YT training last night. I was in transit for 12 hours! I only just awoke. I do have coffee though! :)

2009-04-06T07:50:00.001-04:00

Just finished Meditation (Root Charkra) and Surya Namaskar. Soon I will be off to the Grayhound to catch the bus to Chattanooga. :)

2009-04-05T07:46:00.001-04:00

just finished Surya Namaskar and Meditation. I worked on the First and Fifth Charkras. YT class went well yesteday. Boy was I wrung out!

2009-04-04T08:03:00.001-04:00

After coffee we are off to the Yoga Therapy class for another all day session.

2009-04-04T08:02:00.001-04:00

I just finished Meditation (the First and Sixth Chakras), Surya Namaskar and Virabhadrasana 3 balancing flow.

2009-04-03T20:27:00.001-04:00

I just got back from the Yoga Therapy class. It started a 8am and went until 6pm. Boy what a day. :) Lots of Yoga!

2009-04-03T08:20:00.001-04:00

Finished meditation and the morning Yoga Flow. Now I am off to take my YT classes.

2009-04-02T20:23:00.001-04:00

I just finished my first Palates class. I also had a very nice restorative Yoga class. Fun fun..

2009-04-02T06:52:00.001-04:00

Today I will start another three day series of classes to become a Yoga Therapist.

2009-04-01T16:03:00.001-04:00

I just finished an hour on Hatha Yoga. I worked on opening my hips. Boy was that work... :)

2009-04-01T07:49:00.001-04:00

I just finished meditation and Surya Namaskar. Now I am waiting for coffee to boil.

2009-03-31T16:23:00.001-04:00

I just finished an hour and a half of Hatha Yoga. Began with Surya Namaskar. Then I worked on Back Bends and Twists. Now off 4 a walk. :)

2009-03-30T19:41:00.001-04:00

I have been working on my Hatha Yoga. I finished an hour of Arm Balances. :)

2009-03-30T07:03:00.001-04:00

Good Morning. I just finished the morning meditation, and I am moving on to coffee.

2009-03-29T16:04:00.001-04:00

I just finished a session of Hatha Yoga. I worked on 'twists,' 'hip openers' and a few 'back bends.'

2009-03-28T20:06:00.001-04:00

Here you go: "Longer schooling 'cuts dementia' http://ping.fm/Xif0D"

2009-03-27T17:32:00.001-04:00

I heard on BBC Radio4 that the remainder of Monty Python are going to get together again!

2009-03-27T11:10:00.001-04:00

If you like Kafka, this is funny! http://ping.fm/JzjNc

2009-03-27T10:38:00.001-04:00

A change coming in Zimbabwe? "Zimbabwe 'to arrest land thieves'" http://ping.fm/I57be

2009-03-27T10:33:00.001-04:00

I just thought I would pass this along "Steaming hot tea linked to cancer " http://ping.fm/nUC7c

2009-03-27T05:27:00.001-04:00

Indonesia dam burst kills dozens http://ping.fm/BnPXz

2009-03-26T15:14:00.001-04:00

I just got back from the Studio, and I have been offered another Hatha Yoga class. That's great! :)

2009-03-26T12:54:00.001-04:00

I just spent an hour and a half working on my scoliosis with Hatha Yoga. I feel good! :) Lucky me.

2009-03-26T08:34:00.001-04:00

Tinnitus cure 'is a step closer' http://ping.fm/xUlMH

2009-03-25T20:03:00.001-04:00

Watching Dr. Who.

2009-03-24T17:37:00.001-04:00

Man follows sat nav to cliff edge http://ping.fm/YD8BV Ha, ha, ha! watch out @cia_mike

2009-03-24T17:32:00.001-04:00

This is interesting "Gene 'has key schizophrenia role' " http://ping.fm/bMK2H

2009-03-24T17:26:00.001-04:00

Children's sweet tooth explained http://ping.fm/U3Qxf

2009-03-24T11:55:00.001-04:00

finished Hatha Yoga. Worked on twists, arm balances and inversions. I feel worked out. :)

2009-03-20T19:16:00.001-04:00

Having a 'Sweet Water 420.' Very nice... :)

2009-03-20T13:28:00.001-04:00

Enjoy the first day of Spring. :)

2009-03-20T08:23:00.001-04:00

I just finished a session of Philosophy and Hatha Yoga. Now coffee.

2009-03-20T05:55:00.001-04:00

The birds just started to sing.. must be time to go...

2009-03-20T05:21:00.001-04:00

just finished Meditation (worked Chakras) and Surya Namaskar. Now coffee, then the studio.

2009-03-19T11:34:00.001-04:00

Just finished about an hour of Hatha Yoga working on my scoliosis. Whew. I always feel wrung out after. ;)

2009-03-18T14:44:00.001-04:00

Strive for '100 steps per minute' http://ping.fm/lnrMN

2009-03-18T06:26:00.001-04:00

Finished meditation and then Surya Namaskar followed by some balancing 'flows.' Now awaiting coffee.

2009-03-17T12:08:00.001-04:00

I just finished 1.5 hour of Hatha Yoga. Worked on Arm Balances and Hip Openers.

2009-03-16T14:44:00.001-04:00

Device turns pink before you do http://ping.fm/kEgow Boy I had had this when I was younger.

2009-03-16T10:23:00.001-04:00

'Fat neck' a clue to heart risk http://ping.fm/Rrljs

2009-03-16T09:11:00.001-04:00

I just saw this on the BBC. Try to get a good nights sleep. Sleep 'influences diabetes risk' http://ping.fm/zzq11

2009-03-16T08:49:00.001-04:00

Try to get a good nights sleep. Sleep 'influences diabetes risk' http://ping.fm/zzq11