on the time i saved someone’s life after a backbending class with genny
or at least his leg After the non-cheesy yoga post, how about a cheesy yoga/meditation story and an intro to the backbends category. Why backbends? Because they’re my weakness, my Achilles’ heel. I don’t hate them. By no means. I feel great after, and sometimes when, I do them. I just don’t do them well. [...]
the yoga diet
Many yogis are obsessed with their diets. It stands to reason. We are pressured to look a certain way, and the majority of food on offer is not only fattening and unhealthy, but not really even food. There is a multi-billion dollar industry that banks on telling us how to eat for health, though that [...]
why do yoga?
When I was working on my masters, I made a website about yoga (2007). I surveyed my students for questions and information, and answered them on the site. This post (and some to follow) is an integration of that material, as I’ll take the old site down soon. Why do people take yoga? The reasons [...]
how often should I practice yoga?
Why not everyday? Because yoga is not my life, you say? Oh. Okay then. The answer varies. Yoga? But I’m Not Flexible (Beginners) When I first practiced yoga, it was very sporadic. Probably not even once a week. Are there any benefits to practicing once in awhile? Yes. Most people feel good during or after [...]
yoga etiquette 201
Yoga Etiquette 101 covers the basics of getting to the mat. This will get you through class and out the door. Keep in mind that it’s not the end of the world if you transgress once in awhile. It happens to everyone. But do avoid making these things a habit. Try Not to Be Territorial [...]
yoga etiquette 101
Like most subcultures, yoga has an unspoken etiquette. When it is spoken, or posted on signs in studios, it’s often ignored. Who reads signs when they could read a flirtatious text on their phone? Probably the person trying to get by, annoyed that someone is blocking the hallway, texting, totally unawares. But she already knows [...]
yoga mats: the good, the bad, and the crumbly
The yoga mat. It is very good to have your own if you practice yoga regularly. You can contract some pretty gross stuff from communal mats. What kind of mat you want will largely depend on your yoga. If you practice a few times a week and don’t mind PVCs, a cheap mat from Yoga [...]
to practice or not to practice: ladies’ holiday
There are as many takes on yoga asana practice during menstruation as there are euphemisms for it. Ladies’ holiday, your moon (not to be confused with the moon), ladies’ days, your flow, the curse, crimson tide, the rag, that time of the month, and, refreshingly, your period, are a few you’ll hear in wider yoga [...]
yoga :: what to wear?
“preferably something opaque” endures all trends Because my shala is closed on the weekend, yesterday I took a led power class. This class is such a circus, and so different from quiet morning Mysore, that I take it almost to test my ability to focus. You know, kind of like how the aging Gandhi told [...]
the daily minimum, at home
Wednesday I shared a basic ten (ok, fifteen) minute class to practice at home. Today we have a slightly more vigorous ashtanga-based option. We call it “the daily minimum.” If you are just beginning to practice at home, make sure to the same things you’d do in a class. Turn off your phone. Take a [...]
yoga at home for the holidays
Last week I was commiserating with a student who’d missed class about how difficult it is to establish a home practice. It took me about two years of consistent led classes to really get into practice on my own. Establishing a daily home practice took not only dedication, but concentration. It’s much easier to make [...]
ouch. my wrists/hands hurt in adho mukha svanasana (downward-facing dog)
I’m reposting this as many of you have had questions about wrist and hand pain in down dog. This is a quick post to answer MM’s question about her hands—the base of her hands hurt in down dog. This is a great question, because it’s a common problem. Often the wrists hurt for people who are [...]
what to wear for yoga
Preferably something opaque. Where to get it? I just happened upon this “audio yoga mat.” I admit it could be useful if you travel a lot and can carry it around. But, I mean, really. You do not need fancy anythings to do yoga. You need you. A mat helps, yes, and so do comfortable [...]
yoga and weight loss—your mindset
Over a year ago I mentioned a post in the works about yoga and weight loss. Or maybe I said yoga and calories. I don’t recall. But it was something sexy, because god knows that’s why we do yoga. Ohhh, it hurts to write that, even in jest. But the fact remains, weight loss is [...]
the yoga of sylvester graham
Jessica’s fantastic comment a few posts back reminded me of my undergrad thesis on health reform. Sylvester Graham was an activist of the 1800s. He had many interesting beliefs (and followers, like Ralph Emerson and Upton Sinclair), some of which parallel those of yogis. He was generally severe, believing that such things as cold cereal [...]
how to do headstand (sirsasana)
In comments past, Merka asked: “My vinyasa instructor LOVES inversions and headstands. However, I am slightly terrified of headstands because my arms are quite shaky when I do them. Do you recommend any arm exercises, in addition to downward dog, that would help build muscle? How do I encourage my body to relax when I’m [...]
grammar for yoga teachers
When looking for a studio to complete my advanced training, I admit that somewhere in the process of choosing ISHTA, a deciding factor was that most of their teachers had a basic command of grammar. Perhaps I could be less judgmental, but it’s a matter of elegance. If you want your students to respect you [...]
how to slide pranayama into your day
I try to do five minutes of pranayama in the morning or before bed. If I’m energetic, I just sit down and do it. If I’m exhausted, I make my way into legs up the wall and rest there a few minutes. Then I begin some gentle pranayama. If it’s morning, I might sit up afterward and do more vigorous pranayama if I have time, and end with a savanasa (corpse pose). If you don’t have five minutes?
