We have been using blocks in Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog). I'm finding it very interesting. It makes it possible for more weight to go back into my legs. My hamstrings are so tight that I am usually totally bearing down in my arms. My heels never even come close to the floor. In… Continue reading Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog)
Author: Mollyavalon
Savasana
Savasana (corpse) is a pose that seems so simple that it could hardly be having any effect. Beginning yoga students joke about it being naptime, and yes, sometimes it is. I always feel great after yoga practice. I can't remember ever coming out of a class feeling dissatisfied, even when the class has been really… Continue reading Savasana
Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana
Jill and I practice together once a week. It's a very casual sort of practice. We have a routine we've been doing, and each time we have to perform some triage in order to fit it into the time we have. It's a delightful practice. We talk about various things, yoga and otherwise, and we… Continue reading Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana
Handstand
I decided recently that I could work on Adho Mukha Vrksasana (handstand, or, translated more directly, downward facing tree) with great respect and tenderness for my shoulders and wrists. So I'm doing just a little bit each day. My tight hamstrings prevent me from kicking up into this pose and others like it. Another student… Continue reading Handstand
Individual differences
I've had various shoulder troubles on both sides, and at the moment both sides are feeling reasonably good. But boy, look at how different my Gomukhasana (cow face) arms are! That right shoulder is just plain stuck. On the other hand (so to speak), it's thrilling to me that I can connect my fingers on… Continue reading Individual differences
Self-instruction through photos
Yikes! I asked my husband to take some photos of me doing yoga, and it was very instructive. I know perfectly well how stiff I am, but I don't really ever get to see it. I just want to reach right into these photos and push on my body to get it into better alignment!… Continue reading Self-instruction through photos
Effortless effort
Trisha sent me an article from Yoga Samachar, the IYNAUS newsletter, by John Schumacher, titled "Effortless Effort." It's an idea that comes from the Yoga Sutras that translates as Perfection in an asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached. --(11.47) I only read the… Continue reading Effortless effort
Home again
We had a great trip, but boy, I'm happy to have my own floor back to practice yoga on. In a couple of the motels we stayed in, we just did standing poses and sun salutations so as to avoid much touching of the rug.
Dailyness
Today we're in a very small hotel room, but still managed to practice before breakfast. We're driving on this trip, so I was able to bring a bag with yoga mats, straps and blocks. I left the blankets and bolsters at home. I'll be glad to be home at the end of the week to… Continue reading Dailyness
Vasisthasana
Woohoo! I did Vasisthasana (side plank) this morning for the first time in a year and a half. It was going to be my focus pose when I got sick last year, so now I can take it up again. I'm going to take it very very easy on my shoulders so I can keep… Continue reading Vasisthasana
Practice Notes 