YogiPod » Anusara

Bliss On A Bolster

YogiPod — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:00:33 +0000

Supta Baddha Konasana, aka reclined bound angle pose, is one of my all-time fave restorative poses. Draped over the support of the bolster I go deep into relaxation in this one. The shape of the ‘propped-up’ pose makes for an effortless opening of the front body and a natural lift of the heart. It always leaves me high and full of light.

Judith Hanson Lasater is the queen of restorative yoga. I love her and have read most of her books. Check out her web site at http://www.judithlasater.com/about/

Keeping Kula in Alabama

YogiPod — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:03:03 +0000

Have been lucky to study with two Certified Anusara teachers in Point Clear the last couple of weeks. Cheryl Catranbone and Scotta Brady visited. It is fascinating to watch the transformation of Self awareness by assimilating into my practice, the valuable information that they shared. I am experiencing core awareness and internal locks with deeper knowledge than before. Jumpings and full arm balance are beginning to take flight. My chest feels lighter, easier to lift up to the sky. Most profound is the awakened awareness of the psoas–seemingly the gateway to ananda. Many thanks to the Ladies for making the trip to Point Clear. I bow.

TGiF Drop Back

YogiPod — Fri, 09 May 2008 23:42:00 +0000

I am reading Iyengar: The Yoga Master,a book of essays compiled by his student and devotee, Kofi Busia. It’s a fantastic tribute to the living legend. One of the essays reminded me that Mr. Iyengar who is in his upper 80’s still practices dropping back from standing into back bends. He does this practice on Fridays. Just recently I have been dropping into back bends unassisted. It is incredible to me that I can do this. The moment that I actually let myself go and drop back is totally freakin’ frightening. Until today I had not been able to stand on a hard surface (or thin yoga mat on a wood floor) to do it. I only had the guts to do it on a softer cushioned mat surface. Today after dropping back two times in a row successfully, I decided to do it on the wood floor. And wouldn’t you know it, I landed smack on my head. Not a hard or dangerous or painful deal. I broke the fall with my hands, but they are supposed to hit the floor before my head–not the other way around. So when this happened it scared me for a few seconds, but I knew in that moment that I had to do it again. You know..the whole fall off a horse lesson. So I did it, and glory be…it was the lightest most beautiful drop-back I have done to date. I didn’t do the back bend, I was urdhva dhanurasana–what a cool thing to be!

For a very long time I thought dropping back was something I would never do. It was too scary. It was only for the pros. It was too beautiful. Somehow I didn’t feel worthy or something. Then one day I gave myself permission to think ‘maybe’ which evolved into “I WILL drop back’. Five years later dropping into a back bend is a part of my regular asana practice. This is the fruit of patience and practice. I am relishing in gratitude and joy today.

Although I have committed to solely practicing and studying Anusara yoga, I continue to hold Mr. Iyengar and his icca, jnana, and kriya in the highest regard. I will pay him tribute on Fridays as I join him in a spirited practice of glorious heart-opening back bends.

gurujipod

YogiPod — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:15:00 +0000

My iPod consistently and dependably serves me yoga teachings. Because Point Clear currently is lacking public yoga classes I do have a dedicated home practice. But sometimes it’s too much of a challenge to conjure up the inner guru for a full juicy home classs. On my iPod (affectionately named YogiPod) one of the genres is ‘Yoga Classes.’ I can always get my fix of star teachers and their live ‘unplugged’ classes. It’s pretty cool. Mind you, this is no substitue for the ‘real thing,’ but I am grateful for my ‘imaginary friends Kula.’ In the last year since focusing primarily on Anusara yoga, I benefit greatly from a yoga class pod cast produced by Hillary Rubin who ROCKS. It’s almost as good as being on North Fairfax in West Hollywood. BIG gratitude for the work she is doing.

Today I am on the road–New Orleans for a night of Jazz Festing. And tomorrow to my husband’s 20th high school reunion in New England.

The YogiPod will certainly provide a sanctuary in the present day total mayhem that airports have become. And I will continue my search for a guru in the not so obvious places.

Yoga-ing The Situation

YogiPod — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:37:00 +0000

Greetings from Point Clear, AL. I am talking about Lower Alabama (the other LA), on Mobile Bay way down in the Gulf Coast Deep South. This is home and it is beautiful. Breathtaking sunsets, chirping birdies, golf carts as transpo. It’s super nice and quiet. Yoga is nearly non-existent here. Not a single yoga studio for many many miles. But definitely the socio-economic market for it.

I have been practicing yoga for over 10 years. I cut my teeth on yoga in Los Angeles at Yoga Works and The Iyengar Institute in 1996 – 2000. For the past several years I have lived in New Orleans where I was an active yogi all over town. Last week I finished 2/3 Aunsara Immersions. It was 36 hours of intense asana, enlightening philosophy, and delightful kula. I am WAY into it. My experience of yoga here in the other LA has been different. Some people might call me a yoga snob. I just seriously value my time– especially the precious time I devote to asana, meditation, and pranayama practices. I practice alot solo in a home-studio space. I do miss the intimacy of kula. Its the good stuff of life man.

Tomorrow I head to Texas to graduate from a 9-month-long yoga teacher training program at Yoga Yoga in Austin. I have been commuting there from Point Clear. Finally after many years of teaching, I can put the little RYT after my name. Official Yoga Teacher Status. Sounds funny. But I am psyched about it.

I am on a mission to start a yoga community here. I envision a nice room with white walls and a wood floor. A group of good folks navigating their interior space. I know its gonna happen here. Its BOUND to. I’m gonna yoga a yoga community. ICCHA. JNANA. KRIYA. PeacePeacePeace