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The first niyama Patanjali gives, which could be viewed as foundational the other niyamas, is saucha which means purity or cleanliness. Where the first limb of Patanjali’s eight limb system, yama, directs the sadhaka in universal moral principles to interact harmoniously with the external world, niyama relates to the ethics of how we relate to ourselves. … Continue reading Saucha: Purifying Our Minds of Systemic Oppression
The following is a piece is inspired by the work I'm exploring in both the Albuquerque Waking up to Whiteness course and Denver Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training. In contemplating my embodied experience of the definitions BKS Iyengar lays out in the introduction to Light on Yoga, I am inequal measures reflecting about the marga, or … Continue reading Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Decolonizing Yoga
When I was pregnant with my son, my daily yoga and seated meditation practice changed dramatically. I allowed my practice to become increasingly informed by preparing my body and mind for birth, with sound and movement becoming important elements. I researched what was appropriate, in both books and media, as well as my own body. … Continue reading Simple Prenatal Yoga Sequence for Home Practice
Last summer, I attended Leslie Howard's Yoga for the Pelvic Floor Teacher Training, and though I knew it would be inspiring, I didn't realize how the training would completely change the way I think about the pelvic floor and it's context, the greater body and self. Most current cultural beliefs on pelvic floor --and even the … Continue reading Yoga and Your Pelvic Floor
It's a mellow day, gray overhead in an Oakland sky, where I am visiting to attend an incredibly rich and deep 5-day yoga training on the pelvic floor. For many, another typical day, but for the greater Iyengar yoga community, a heartfelt day of parting to the venerable Mr. BKS Iyengar. Although I never got … Continue reading Farewell, BKS Iyengar, with Gratitude
Most yoga students know alignment is important, but what IS “good alignment,” and how can you use this awareness to get the most out of your practice? In this fun, experiential afternoon workshop, we will explore what is “neutral:” the archetype of key asanas (poses), through the lens of their functional anatomical architecture as well … Continue reading Deepening Alignment: Yoga Workshop with Avery Kalapa in West Virginia!
In preparing for my upcoming workshop, "Yoga and the Pelvic Floor: Anatomy, Asana, and Energetics," I am once again in a place of digging deeper, and becoming amazed at our incredible, vital, tender, strong pelvic floors... how without certain care, our bodies do become problematic in numerous ways as a result of collapse, aging, repetitive … Continue reading Six Things I Love About the Pelvic Floor.
Organizing the femur in the hip socket is foundational to nearly every other action we explore in our yoga practice. Similar to “quieting the mind,” femur grounding is not an action we do, and then it is done, rather it is like a search for a holy grail in that it is a moment to … Continue reading Femur Grounding: Understanding More About This Key to Stability.
Prenatal Yoga is one of the most effective, safe, and enjoyable ways to increase comfort during pregnancy and prepare for an empowered birth. Partner Yoga offers a uniquely nurturing way to experience deeper awareness, strength, stability, and release. These two practices combine gracefully and can help to ease discomfort during pregnancy and prepare both mom and … Continue reading Benefits of Prenatal Partner Yoga and a Special Opportunity to Explore It!
In preparation for my upcoming workshop, "Body-Mind Detox with Restorative Yoga," I am having a fun time exploring how to make some of the more traditional cleansing poses, such as marichayasana II, (pictured below) accessible to folks who don't have the hip organization that would allow these deep forward bends and twists, which utilize tonifying pressure to release the … Continue reading Koshas, Pratyahara, and Restorative Yoga for Detoxicification
