“Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they’re meant to be.” BKS Iyengar
Some changes are easy to accept, and even welcome; others, not so much. I regret that I must cancel the Tuesday and Wednesday L2 classes this week. Greg Schultz will teach ...
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Dear fellow Sadhakas* –
I am visiting family this week, watching the cattle under sunny skies, and wishing some of the rainfall surplus in SC could be magically transported to Texas.
It’s always interesting to experience a different teacher, and two highly qualified ones will sub for me this week: Greg Schultz and Patte Ranney. Enjoy!
Meantime, don’t forget there is a very special workshop coming up November 13-15 at Branches Yoga, with Sharon Conroy. It’s a privilege to study ...
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Dear Fellow Students of Yoga –
Dean Lerner was in Asheville in mid-September; a few of us from the Low Country were able to participate in his workshop. It reminded me – again – of why one bothers to sign up, make the commitment, clear out the space on the calendar, and make the trip or overnight arrangements or whatever, to participate in a weekend workshop. It’s an opportunity to surrender yourself to learning, and to experience the effects of practice ...
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Dear Fellow Yogis / Yoginis –
The still reflective surface of this pond brings quiet and peace to the mind, just looking at it. The pond is in Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Virginia, which I visited several times with my dear friend and sister-in-law Mary. I offer this picture as a memory of her, and share the quote from Mr. Iyengar because she did live in the present, and knew herself well. She had a full life.
After a difficult few weeks ...
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Lisa Waas in Urdhva Dhanurasana – from the flyer for her workshop at Branches Yoga in June 2015
Dear Colleagues and Friends in Yoga –
There are several Iyengar Yoga workshops coming to our area: one each in the next four months. This is a positive plethora, compared to 1 or 2 workshops per year in previous years. Here’s the list:
Dear Colleagues in Yoga –
It’s the end of July. Following the “Pune cycle”, most Iyengar Yoga classes this week will focus on restorative poses. The exception is the L2 class on Wednesday at Island Yoga, www.islandyogahhi.com, which did a restorative practice last week. The Wednesday class will emphasize twists, instead. Don’t eat a big breakfast!
I skipped a couple of weekly updates, and I miss those opportunities to communicate. Unfortunately, family and caregiving responsibilities are drawing significant energy ...
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Heron Practicing Parsvottanasana at Magnolia Gardens, near Charleston
Last week I offered some suggestions on maintaining your yoga practice while vacationing or on the move. This week I’ve been thinking more on the content of one’s personal practice. What to do? How long? What really constitutes a home practice?
If you do one pose away from the class setting, you have a home practice.
I heard senior Iyengar teacher John Schumacher say on one of his recorded classes (available at www.iHanuman.com) that ...
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It’s summer! It’s warm, it’s more relaxed…and the schedule is often erratic. Perhaps your regular teacher is on the move and someone is subbing, or perhaps you are traveling. Either way, it’s a challenge to your regular yoga practice, and an opportunity to explore your home practice.
Here are some suggestions:
We’re just a few days away from the Backbending workshop with Lisa Waas! It’s this Saturday, June 13, 2:00-4:30 pm at Branches Yoga. Register at www.BranchesYoga.com: from the home page, scroll down to the workshop, click on Register Now.
Lisa is a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher – you’ll love her energy and appreciate her trained eye. If you have a mat, 3 blankets, and a yoga chair, bring them; if not, no worries – we’ll have plenty on hand.
Meanwhile, back at ...
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Early in my yoga career, I attended a class In which the instructor spent 10-15 minutes on Mountain Pose, or Tadasana in Sanskrit. I recall being immersed in it at the time, and puzzled later. How could standing on one’s own two feet be so complicated? I also recall being amused – and bemused – that Mountain Pose even had a name as a distinct pose. And teachers seemed to think it had to be practiced!
I thought I “got it” ...
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