Why eating a big meal before your yoga class is not the best plan
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 3 February 2012
Bob is on his way to yoga class when suddenly he realizes that he is starving. He is driving by a fast food restaurant and his mouth is watering with the thought of a burger. He can’t wait any longer. He stops at the restaurant and gets a big meal of a double cheese burger, [...]
How to pick a practice buddy and reach your yoga goal
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 2 February 2012
It has been a couple of months since the New Year’s resolution rush of people at the yoga studio. Every year it is much the same. A lot of new people join the studio.
They have a goal. They have lots of enthusiasm. They are coming several times a week.
But gradually over time the frequency drops [...]
How BBQ tongs help you to Learn Ashtanga Yoga
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 20 January 2012
Bob was looking at the BBQ tongs that he was using to cook with. The two sides of the tongs brought to mind the two styles of teaching Ashtanga yoga and how they work together and complement each other.
When Bob first went to a level II led Ashtanga class, his teacher told him to stop [...]
How bird wings can hurt you in a Sun Salute
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 19 January 2012
Alice is reading a book about bird flight. All of the birds have wings of course but the wings were very different. Some wings, like the Albatross, are very large and come out from their body at right angles. Other birds, like chickadees, have smaller wings that come out from their body at 45 degrees [...]
Why Moaning Groaning and Humming during class will bring you bad karma
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 16 January 2012
Alice was working a particularly challenging pose when she heard one of the people nearby exclaim with joy. This is the third time that they had shouted while doing a yoga pose. Alice was glad that they were having some success with their practice, but it sure can break your concentration.
Usually the yoga studio is [...]
How to develop a concrete goal for your yoga practice
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 13 January 2012
Bob’s goal for his vacation is to go camping at one of the national parks. This vague goal immediately brings up a lot of questions:
Which national park
Which camp ground within the park
When do you plan on going
How long are you going to stay
Are you going alone or with friends
What sort of camping equipment do you [...]
How does yoga help with weight loss
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 3 January 2012
It was one of Bob’s favorite meals: a medium rare 10 oz steak with sautéed mushrooms, onions, a light gravy, baked potato with sour cream and cheese, and peas. The smell was fantastic. The juices in Bob’s mouth were flowing and he could just imagine the taste of that first bite.
Bob was not disappointed. The [...]
How to use the no surprises protocol when you travel to a new studio
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 2 January 2012
I had arrived in Boston earlier that day. I was attending a conference in town for the next week and as I normally do I had located a yoga studio within walking distance of the hotel where I could practice yoga everyday while I was in Boston.
Even though I had done my research I was [...]
How to protect your knee in Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 30 December 2011
Have you ever watched your teacher demonstrate this pose. They bring their heel casually into their hip, lower their knee to the floor and fold forward with ease.
Why is it that when you attempt this pose that your folded knee starts to hurt as your draw your foot up your leg towards your hip.
The problem [...]
How to use Deliberate Practice to get more out of your yoga
Posted by Jack in Newsletter on 29 December 2011
I was in Montreal practicing yoga at Darby’s studio. Everyday I watched Darby complete the Advanced series of Ashtanga Yoga. He was extremely focused on his practice.
Darby has been practicing yoga for over 30 years. He has an amazing and very advanced practice. Each year he returns to India to practice with his teacher. He [...]