Yoga

Dedicated to the practice

Today, well, it’s all about floating. It’s a non-resistive type day full of sunshine, strength and (can I through in another ‘s’?) sensitivity. If the day works out the way I envision it, these three ‘s’s will carry thought into next week and beyond.

The sunshine is the only item here that I feel might be out of my control. But if I’m going to float, strength and sensitivity will be at the forefront!

Since this is a practice type of day, I’d like to share with you what I’m talking about from a yoga type viewpoint.

This video should really sum it up. It’s not very long two and a half minutes and it’s only one sun salutation B. This isn’t a standard Sun-B, but rather a classic Ashtanga Sun B using strength and sensitivity in order to get the float correct.

You notice that part 55 seconds in where they transition from forward fold to hand stand? Well, I can’t do that. I want to – so I’m working on it.

Now, if you fast forward to the 1.50 point, you’ll see that they close the Sun-B with a jump into a handstand that gracefully transitions into a forward fold. Wouldn’t that be fun? One day I’m hoping that I can post a two and a half minute video of me performing a copy of this video.

Might this be possible? I think so, but I’m not there today. Even though I’ve had the goal to be able to stand on my hands for more than a year, I’ve only really gotten to the point where I can balance for a few seconds. My approach into the posture also requires a backstop (the wall). I’m getting there, but the confidence is still lacking – or maybe I’m short on sensitivity. J

Another part of this floating that I get the feeling is pretty critical is a simple float from sitting to plank pose. One of my current instructors emphasizes this movement in class, but the reaction is always met with a nervous laughter like – “right, you expect me to be able to do that? Ha ha ha ha…”

Well, the movement that I’m talking about is demonstrated very well by this man in a minute and a half video.

I try to over look the fact that he’s got ripples of muscle around his chest and upper arms (hidden under all the artwork) and, more importantly, body piercings in just the wrong place (ouch!). But he does make the move look really easy. It’s encouraging even though he mentions that it takes “lots of practice”…

I’ve got time. I can practice. I also like the way he holds the move at the top (58 seconds in). It’s a lift, rotate, hold and extend. Coming back, it’s a leap, hold curl and sit. Easy?  Ah ha ha ha ha ha…

When that guy mentions ‘lots of practice’, I see the following video as that process. This next guy breaks down the process into three steps where you get to learn the sensitivities of the balance.

The key thing I get from this video comes about 25 seconds in where the narrator mentions the ‘hold, stop, change direction’ in the movement. When I see this movement (and I’ve tried it), it appears to some coordination between the hands and hips through the shoulders. Notice that at 32 seconds in the angle between his hands and arms is just past 90 degrees but his arms and body are not in plane. When I’ve accidentally done this, I’ve noticed that you get control over your forward movement through your shoulders rather than through your wrists. If you depend on your wrist, you won’t get anywhere here (At least that’s my experience).

But I still can’t do this very well. It’s more of a confidence thing – fear that I need to overcome. Maybe I need to practice rolling over so that I gain control of that fear. I’ll look for a video that might instruct me on that. Better yet, maybe I’ll be able to find an instructor that will help me get over this hurtle.

One thing that I heard while viewing a different YogaSlacker’s video was that he does 20 pushups in his regular practice. That’s one thing that NO instructor (that I’ve been too) ever emphasizes. They push for downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and upward facing dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) in sequence with Sun Salutations. But there, they only do a few. In a typical class, I might go through 10 or so  up-dogs. For some reason, I don’t think that’s enough.

The Floating transitions are definitely my favorite moments between moves. That almost fits with the philosophy that it’s all about the journey rather than the destination.

On that note, it’s about strength – in order to perform the work and Sensativity – in order to feel the balance. Together, it makes for a graceful float that brings out the joy of the expression of yoga!

Oh, one last thing. Acroyoga sure looks fun. Here’s a 10 minute video that shows what appears to be a practice session. In a way, I feel for her because it doesn’t look like the guy is all that sensitive with this feet placement. He clearly has experience doing this, you’d think he’d get his feet in the correct place. J

What makes a good yoga instructor?

A long time ago I drafted a list of characteristics that I believe every good yoga instructor should have. This list was not from the point of view of a teacher, but from the point of view of the student. That is, if the instructor performs these actions, the class, and the resulting energy, always feels more uplifting than awkward.

Well, it’s time for me to revisit that original article. It’s been a long time since that article was posted and I’ve now come to understand a little bit more regarding this art. That is, I still don’t have any ‘formal’ training, but what I experience is, well, what I experience and get to share!

In the original list of items, I left out describing one thing that I now know to be critical with regards to what separates a yoga instructor from one that people stand in line to go see. That trait is:

Share within your personal space as if you’re hugging your students

Understanding your personal space is one thing, but opening yourself up and using that energy in your instruction makes for a great yoga instructor. The instructors that are not afraid to let students into their personal space when they are open and venerable allow for the yoga experience to go beyond the physical and into the emotional aspects of the practice.

This is different than simply approaching a student and making corrections in their posture. Any instructor can suggest a longer stance, or a lengthening, or some other alignment while still protecting their own personal space. But when this is done when the instructor’s personal space engulfs the student, the experience is felt in a very deep way.

What I’m talking about is probably more closely aligned with giving someone a hug. When you hug someone, the intent is to consciously open your personal space. When you do, who you are in the inside flows though and is felt in the emotional level of the receiver.

During yoga, when the physical body is pushed to the limit, the barriers, that people build in order to isolate themselves from the emotional effects of others, are softened. This is the exact time when emotional energies have the greatest impact. This is where a really good instructor can enhance a student’s yoga experience by consciously using the personal space to help release emotional blockages or enhance the flow of emotional energy.

To really make this effective, the instructor must be open at the time of merging. In other words, it is of no use to enter someone’s personal space if you’re going to keep the standard blocks up and active. Picture Mr. Spock approaching a student to make a correction. Sure, you can technically do this, but the experience is far from satisfying.

Thus, one trait of a really good yoga instructor is someone that makes themselves just a venerable as the students – yet knows that when they enter the student’s personal space they will be enhancing the student’s yoga experience in non-physical ways.

So, now, if you look back on my previous article, you’ll see that I’ve added this trait to the list. It’s so important, that I’ve placed it on the top of the list.

Hopefully the words that I’ve written make sense to you. They have helped me realize that it’s not so much the technical aspect of the workout that needs to be perfected, but rather The Being finds its way to the surface when the art of yoga shines through.

Beautiful on Raw & Yoga

You know how every once in a while you find something that touches you just enough that you KNOW the person is speaking the truth, well, I came across that again this morning. Would have come across it a couple days ago if only I had more time in front of the computer! (lol)  I started it two days ago, but couldn’t get all the way through the seven minutes. So, I saved that explorer open until this morning and I’m glad I did. I recommend seeing the entire video in one sitting.

When I first came across this video I was simply looking for video on the lotus yoga position and I found this. I did not make the connection between Tony Zavasta and the book Raw Food and Hot Yoga until the very end of the video:

Wish I could just link in the Amazon book and it’s description, but I can’t find it there. It can be found on Tonya’s website here.

I’ve seen that book on shelves for the last couple years, but never really felt the desire to bring it home. I might have to take a closer look now.

But the most interesting thing that she mentions is the help that she’s gotten through eating raw AND doing yoga. Minute 2:57 in:

I have news for you, old age is already robbing you of your vitality. Lightness and youthfulness comes from flexibility in your joints. So can we get our youthfulness back? Well, we’ll never be 17 again, that’s for sure, but the answer is still YES, you can still recover your youthful agility.

Shortly thereafter:

Before you opt for surgery, give bikram brattice a try.

To which I totally (100%) agree. The tears come @ 5:00 and then the real solution comes at 5:40:

but, there is something else that helped greatly. I have not been eating any cooked food for the last 12 years. Raw food delivered the best nourishment for your body. But it is yoga practice that will help your body make the best of it. … but it is your embracing the raw food diet that will make this transformation happen sooner and the results more dramatic.

I started yoga 1 ½ years ago and at that point also made a conscious effort to eat as much raw food as I could – including (most importantly the easy one) green smoothies. When I started, I could hardly bend over. Touching my toes was not an option. Now, I place my hand flat on the floor and bend my elbows deeply.

The most interesting part is that NO ONE ELSE in the class has made the type of progress that I have made. Other’s still talk about going out for a latte, and then moan when they try to stretch the following day. I me, my personal experience would attest to the fact that if you Alkalize your body it will respond positively.

Tonya looks pretty amazing at the age of 52 after having gone through 11 surgeries. More importantly, she comes across as being amazing! Alkalize your body – use it and see what happens!

Time to update my Yoga goals

Today must be yoga day. As I have a few extra minutes on the PC, I can’t seem to turn my focus away from yoga sites. It’s amazing what Google can find, but it’s even better when you find a good site to poke around on. In this case, I found a posting about the guy below on the Rawalicious’s blog. The article is David Swenson coming to LA March 19-21st!

I have to say that this guys is totally inspiring. My first thought was – here’s another old guy doing yoga – but as I watched, it became clear that he’s mastered the art of it and his youthfulness shines through. It gives me hope. Maybe if I stick to it like glue I’ll feel like it looks like he feels (hopefully that makes sense to you). 

 

I absolutely love the jump (57 seconds in) from down-dog to handstand. I’m going to put that on my list of goals right after being able to do a simple handstand. lol. And then the transition from handstand to the splits (1:29 seconds in), dang, that’s a smooth move. I don’t’ think I’ve ever seen a guy do the splits before. I guess it can be done. And then again the move from down dog to sitting (2:39 seconds in), that is something that I’d like to be able to do. I’ll add that to the list.

Here is another performance that’s a little more formal.

Ok, to add to my list:

  • Smooth transition to handstand. After I’ve gotten into handstand for more than a few seconds.
  • Smooth transition from down dog to sitting. I can see being able to do that within a year.

Regarding my previous goals (see Dave’s Yoga Goals), I have to say that I’m making progress. I can now pull one leg around for Half Lotus pose and it’s no longer painful. The handstand I can hold without breathing – for a second or two. The Ujjayi breathing is coming a little easier. And, finally, the emotional resistance is nowhere near as strong.

I’ve got plenty of time.

Shake it down with the Ross Sisters

Holly Smokes!

Ha. Found another one of those YouTube videos that I just can’t help but post. Saw this one on a financial blog about a year ago. Well, it’s come back into my life and, well, it’s worth the 4 minutes.

If you want more, Google up “Ross Sisters Yoga” it will bring back nearly 4 million hits!

Enjoy.