Forgive me, I have been enjoying myself and the hiatus from blogging.
I went to Flagstaff..
and Sedona..
.
(I love Arizona.)
Besides fun and the company of many wonderful friends, everything has been insanely stressful. Including, a sick Marlow , panel interviews stacked upon panel interviews, preparing to move to a new house, etc. Luckily, I did not forget to practice yoga.
I <3 Sun Salutations.
The perfect way to start everyday.
When, I feel like I am about to fall apart. I practice Nadhi Sodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing). Months ago, Nan taught me this technique. I use it weekly and this past week I found it especially useful. I’ll sneak it in whenever needed.
In what ways do you use your yoga practice to keep you sane and stress-free?
I love Arm Balances. They are challenging, fun and a great strengthener. Also, they are not intimidating at all. When you fall, it is such a short distance. Tucker taught me a great trick, to place a blanket in front of my head to alleviate all worries of painful crashes.
Here are the arm balances we worked on:
Crow is pretty easy.
I can’t do this one yet :/..
A month ago, I could never do this one:
I want to learn the transition. I think arm balances will be my next challenge!
I found an article on an 83 year-old still doing arm balances to this day. She’s incredible.
‘Never have I gone to a yoga class and wished I was somewhere else, because I know I’m going to come out feeling on the top of the world. There’ll always be yoga.’
Have I told you Tuesday and Thursday are my favorites? I wake up at 5:30 AM unheard of for me (a sleep enthusiast and starry night lover). I excitedly head over to Second Heart Yoga for Ashtanga Inspired with Tucker. He’s just that much fun. Every class is different, unique and full of exciting energy.
Google search Tucker yoga and you find this:
I don’t know what that means exactly. But, I can’t wait for tomorrow morning. We are working on arm balances.
I started reading “Light on Yoga” by B.K.S. Iyengar. He is considered one of the most influential yogis of our time and is accredited with bringing yoga to the west. This book is an overwhelming wealth of knowledge and is completely intimidating for me a yogin novice.
Here’s a video of Iyengar practicing backbends in 1991.
He’s incredible.
Nan and I workshopped a backbend a couple of days ago. I’ll use Iyengar’s directions from his book to explain how to do a beginner backbend. Here I am setting up.
1. Lie flat on the back on the floor.
(I have a ball to give me a little spring.)
2. Bend and raise the elbows overhead and place the palms under the shoulders. The distance between the palms should not be wider than the shoulders and the fingers should point towards the feet.
3. Bend and raise the knees, then bring the feet nearer until they touch the hips.
4. Exhale, raise the trunk and the rest of the crown of the head on the floor. Take two breaths.
5. Now exhale lift the trunk and head arch the back so that its weight is taken on the palms and the solrd.
(I haven’t made it past the fifth step. My arms will not straighten. Hopefully by the end of the month though!)
6. Stretch the arms from the shoulders until the elbows are straightened, at the same time pulling the thigh musclrd up.
7. To get a better stretch, exhale and pull the thigh muscles still higher by lifting the heels off the floor. Extend the chest, stretch up the sacral region of the spine until the abdomen is taut as a drum and then lower the heels to the floor, maintaining the stretch of the spine.
8. Remain in this position from half a minute to a minute, with normal breathing.
9. With an exhalation, lower the body to the floor by bending the knees and the elbows.
My favorite part is reading the effects of the pose:
“It tones the spine by stretching it fully and keeps the body alert and supple. The back feels strong and full of life. It strengthens the arms and wrists and has a very soothing effect on the head. It gives one great vitality, energy and a feeling of lightness.”
I have a love/hate relationship with backbends.
Watch this inspiring video of young Iyengar doing a series of amazing yoga poses. Including the advanced technique with an incredibly long name Viparita Chakrasana Urdhva Dhanurasana.
Sunday morning started with Yin Yoga by Paige. Her classes are great and she brings such an amazing sense of peace. The class started with heart openers…and I didn’t even have to ask.
Including one of my favorites…Camel pose.
Next time, I’m staying for Power. Who’s with me?
Monday morning started with Yogi Care! Mars favorite
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
(Just because everybody likes baby photos? Right?)
I ended the night with Yin by Danielle. It was my first one and by now one of my favorite classes at Second Heart. She’s amazing. She uses this huge gong and it really takes you out of yourself. A difficult task for me, I can get distracted during Ohms.
, panel interviews stacked upon panel interviews, preparing to move to a new house, etc. Luckily, I did not forget to practice yoga.
