In Iyengar Yoga we use props such as sticky mats, blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, chairs, walls, ropes, and sand bags to name a few. When students begin taking yoga classes, they will likely use a sticky mat, blocks, straps, and blankets. These items are used to promote stability, ease, and achieve alignment in poses. To …
Take your chest upwards, bring your gaze up, and take your arms high to the sky. These actions can make you feel lighter and happier. Practicing contentment is known as santosha in sanskrit. Facilitating a benevolent consciousness is needed for the yogic journey. We can practice yoga poses to generate positivity. How we act socially …
Yoga Poses wake up dormant muscle groups. Different postures work with a wide variety of joints and muscles. This helps to bring blood flow and energy to places that do not normally receive these precious resources. In turn we give our bodies a bath each time we practice as such we become established in sauca. …
According to B.K.S. Iyengar, ” Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” What can we change? What do we need to accept and face in order to transform? In yoga practice, if one is struggling with pose there are ways to address this situation. Sometimes coming …
When we focus our minds on moving different parts of the body we naturally clear our thoughts. The mind can easily wander into the past and the future but it takes tapas, a burning desire, to persistently bring it back to the present . This practice helps to create space between our consciousness and distracting …
Practicing yoga poses is a form of exercise. It’s ok to simply do yoga as a way to workout. Yoga can be done in a mild gentle way or with vigor. Yoga postures can awaken muscles we do not normally use. Also, many different ranges of motion in all joints can be explored through yoga …
When you are afraid, how do you know? What physical signs do you experience in fearful moments? When do we decide to face our fears and when do we just simply back off? Recognizing you are afraid in any situation is a way to practice ahimsa non-violence to yourself. The help manage fearful situations …
The two pillars of yoga consists of practice and dispassion. The first four petals of yoga involve the external world : social and internal observances, posture, and breath expansion. When we draw our senses inward, focus the mind on a single point and obtain higher meditative states we let go of the external world. Eventually …
The sun has been shining brighter as summer approaches. One way to honor the sun through yoga practice is to do sun salutations. This sequence of poses increases strength, mobility, and will power. Doing the series of poses in succession rhythmically with the breath brings heat to one’s practice. To learn more about sun salutations …
Bounded Angle Pose known in Sanskrit as Baddha Koṇāsana. This is a seated pose where the hands catch the feet. Baddha can be translated into english as caught. This pose can be done without holding the feet as well. One can also rest the back against a wall. If sitting up straight is difficult then …