Ashtanga yoga has a lot of it's own specialized vocabulary to describe techniques and conventions of the practice. Take a look at the list below so you'll understand what's going on at the shala.
...I love these home practice tips from readers on how they stay motivated and consistent when doing yoga on their own. Setting aside a designated yoga space, even if it's just a corner of the room is great advice. (Though if you've got your own yoga room, by all means tell us about that too.) I also like the idea of setting small goals and keeping expectations realistic. There are a lot of great online classes these days for those who'd rather follow a video. I get inspired by working on poses that I've struggled with in class or indulging in a favorite pose that I haven't done in awhile. Be sure to share what works for you too!
Last week, my teacher went around the class and asked us each to pick two poses to work on: one pose you love and one that is challenging (we don't say "hate" in yoga class, but that was the gist). I've been loving the arm balances lately, but my inversions have felt like lead, so I picked firefly for my love pose and forearm stand for my challenge. Well, you can see where this is going, can't you? My firefly could barely get airborne but I flew up into that forearm stand as if supported by clouds. Lesson learned: it just doesn't do to get attached to what we can or can't do or what is easy and what is hard, both in yoga and in life. Realizing this helps loosen the tight grip we have on our expectations, which, in turn, can lead us to a less stressful existence.
When I walk into a yoga class, the first thing I do is grab a block and two blankets from the stash of props provided. I use the blankets almost immediately to elevate my hips as I do a few warm-up poses while I wait for class to start. They often come in handy throughout the class, as padding for the knees and hips or to cover-up in savasana. I like to keep the block nearby, just in case the floor seems a little too far away that day. Props are intended to make your practice more comfortable and improve your alignment.
...Just when it seemed as if the media coverage of Anusaragate had slacked off, the production cycle of print magazines caught up to the scandal, bringing several newly published long articles of note. Mimi Swartz, who wrote The New York Times Magazine cover story on John Friend in 2010 ("The Yoga Mogul") and has been on Friend's blacklist ever since, has an excellent overview in Texas Monthly, which takes us back to the early days of Anusara and then right on up to the present. Even if you've maxed out on reading about Anusara, this piece includes some interesting insights into what went wrong along the way. Vanessa Grigoriadis' article in New York Magazine is significant for its post-scandal access to John Friend. Grigoriadis met with Friend at his home in The Woodlands, Texas, and discovered, not surprisingly, that he feels betrayed. Notable revelations include that Anusara is out of money and Friend may attempt a comeback as early as this summer; you decide how the two are related. An online article in The Daily Beast provides more details on the sexual shenanigans in which Friend engaged in the name of Wicca, directly from a former member of the coven. Though the future of Anusara remains as uncertain as ever, this story has proven too salacious to die down just yet.
Choosing the right posture for meditation is an important first step in making your sit as comfortable as possible. Though cross-legged variations on lotus are popular, I favor hero pose with a block under the sit bones. It may take awhile for your feet to become accustomed to this position, but it tends to be easier on the back.
The first brick-and-mortar outlet of the wildly successful Wanderlust Yoga and Music Festival has opened in Austin, Texas. I was able to head down for the inaugural class with visiting teacher Schuyler Grant, who is one of Wanderlust's founders, the director of the Kula Yoga Project studios in New York City, and, by way of Google, once had a role on All My Children. Grant really brought the NYC to laid-back Austin, which felt appropriate for the loft-like space. It's definitely the most ambitious thing to hit Austin's yoga scene in awhile, both in size and scope. This marriage of yoga classes and music events (and retail and acai bowls) may prove successful among Austin's healthy-living and music-obsessed population, though this is also a community steeped in old-school hippie values, which like things a little worn in and funky. The opening of Wanderlust LIVE has been heralded as a national event, but it's really the local folks that will make or break it. We'll be keeping an eye on this space...
Once upon a time, I didn't realize that you could "feel the burn" while doing yoga. Then I experienced extended side angle over the course of ten breaths or so, and wow, was I feeling that burn. When I get in to those longer hold times, it's tempting to start focusing on getting the heck out of that position (and inwardly cursing the teacher who is keeping you there), but instead of fixating on the inevitable release, you can choose to abide in the present moment. Strangely enough, this actually makes the pain burning up your thigh more manageable. You're going to need some help in this endeavor though, and it's going to come from your old friend ujjayi pranayama...
If you struggle with full lotus position, you should try sitting in half lotus instead. Full lotus can be pretty intense on the knees and hips, so taking half lotus is a good alternative, especially if you are going to be seated for a long time.
I always like to break out this series of yoga poses for arm strength in the spring. Nothing like shedding the sweaters and jackets of winter in favor of tank tops to make you want to tone up a bit!