AcroYoga, in its current manifestation, came into being shortly after co-founders Jason Nemer and Jenny Sauer-Klein met in 2003. But cinematic evidence (available on YouTube) exists showing yoga guru T. Krishnamacharya demonstrating a similar style with young students, such as this clip, dated 1938. Nemer and Sauer-Klein's style, which has caught on internationally and become a reliable feature at yoga festivals, offers high-flying acrobatics, but also has therapeutic applications.
Did you know there are two possible hip position in down dog split? In the hips closed position (see right), your leg will probably not go as high as it could. That's ok, since the focus is on keeping the hips square. If your teacher calls for the hips open position, feel free to let that leg fly, but try to keep the torso from twisting along with it. Here, take a look at this down dog split video. It makes it all crystal clear.
SUP yoga = yoga on a stand-up paddle board. I'd been seeing a lot about this new trend in yoga in the media this summer and when I found out there was a class in my area, I felt it was my duty to check it out and report back to you. It was a true measure of my dedication, dear reader, because I'm the type of person who gets seasick standing on the dock. Luckily, there were no waves on my inland lake and it was enough of an adventure that I forgot I was supposed to be queasy. Get all the details on my SUP yoga experience, including tips for those ready to give it try.
SUP yoga = yoga on a stand-up paddle board. I'd been seeing a lot about this new trend in yoga in the media this summer and when I found out there was a class in my area, I felt it was my duty to check it out and report back to you. It was a true measure of my dedication, dear reader, because I'm the type of person who gets seasick standing on the dock. Luckily, there were no waves on my inland lake and it was enough of an adventure that I forgot I was supposed to be queasy. Get all the details on my SUP yoga experience, including tips for those ready to give it try.
Ardha uttanasana is also referred to as "flat back." But how flat is your back in this pose? The first time I saw I picture of myself doing it, I was surprised to find that what felt flat to me didn't look that flat on the outside. The answer was to move my hands from the floor to my shins, which allowed my shoulders to drop and my spine to extend. See if you feel the same effect.
"Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured," is a quote from B.K.S. Iyengar that was bouncing around the yoga twitterverse (follow About Yoga!) this week. While I wasn't able to track down the origin of the quote, I did find plenty of related remarks in 2005's Light on Life. Read more about Iyengar's yoga philosophy here.
If my article on chair yoga piqued your interest, take a look a this sequence of ten chair poses you can do at home. Chair versions of poses like uttanasna, eagle, and reverse warrior, among others, offer many of the same benefits to those who cannot stand for long periods.
Blink during your sun salutation, and you might miss this week's featured pose, the lunge. I'm a big fan of this pose for the way that it gets into your hip flexors. Two alignment points to remember: Bring the front thigh as close to parallel and possible and keep the back leg as straight as possible. Both will help give you a nice, deep stretch.
If you're sick of shopping for the right pair of pants for yoga or Pilates, you're going to love this offering from About.com Pilates Guide Marguerite Ogle: Find the Best Pilates and Yoga Pants for You. Marguerite really knows her pants and she's put together a great guide based whether you prioritize color, fit, organic fabrics, or street wearability. And if you can't get enough of reading about yoga pants, check out my own article, Yoga Pants, featuring my picks for men and women. Now go forth with greater knowledge of pants!
In the contemporary world, we women are encouraged to continue our normal lives while menstruating, but that hasn't always been the case. Some yoga practices harken back to a time when women segregated themselves and rested during menses. It can be a tricky question for the modern yogini, but ultimately it provides an excellent opportunity to heed yoga's call to listen to our bodies first.
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