We learn Pranayama practices first while reclining and then later, maybe even years later, practice while sitting. This is one reason asana practice is key to pranayama - it makes you strong enough to be able to keep a steady seat for pranayama and the subsequent meditative yoga practices. (Asana means 'seat'.) The stairstep arrangement… Continue reading Stairstep setup for pranayama
Category: general blather
Easing into Supta Virasana
The cushy version I was surprised to discover that I have written many times about Supta Virasana (reclining hero pose). Recently I've been thinking about what a key prep pose it is for pranayama. This older post has some good details, though, and I'll try not to repeat them. I always thought of it as… Continue reading Easing into Supta Virasana
Make your own sandbags
Are you practicing at home and wishing you had access to that nice pile of sandbags at the studio? It's not hard to make your own if you have access to a sewing machine. What you need for each sandbag: 10 lbs of aquarium gravel (or sand, but the gravel is easier to work with)Two… Continue reading Make your own sandbags
Zoom and home yoga
I am on Zoom a LOT these days. I'm teaching two or three classes a week, and having breakfast and cocktails (not at the same time) with family and friends, and going to various meetings. It's a huge boon for staying in touch with people. Sometimes, though, I just need to walk away and be… Continue reading Zoom and home yoga
Knee ideas
I've been having knee trouble for a while. Sometimes it's fine, sometimes it's not. If I am good and do strengthening and stretching every day, it's much better. Leslie Howard is a yoga teacher in California who specializes in pelvic floor function. She said in a recent newsletter that if people have knee trouble, it's… Continue reading Knee ideas
Go upside down!
I recently saw a graphic of a physical therapy technique called postural drainage that could be used on COVID-19 patients. It apparently used to be used often before ventilators became widely used. I don't have enough information to recommend it or not. BUT! It's all inversions! Most people think of headstand and shoulderstand as the… Continue reading Go upside down!
What’s the source of this?
At the end of my practice, and also at the end of my class, I like to close with something short, not a prayer, exactly, or a sermon, I hope. Just a thought. Sometimes I say this. I take refuge in the breath. Breath is all this, whatever there is, and all that ever will… Continue reading What’s the source of this?
Seated Pranayama
Once you get comfortable doing Pranayama, you will be sitting most of the time. Whatever seated position you choose, have your knees level with or lower than your hips. Keep your pelvis upright, not tipping back so that you are struggling to stay up, and not tilting forward so that your abdomen is falling out… Continue reading Seated Pranayama
Reclining Pranayama setups
When you are starting a pranayama practice, it's best to do it reclining. Then you can focus on your breath instead of your breath and your posture. If you are not feeling well or you are tired, reclining is a good option. The bottom folded edge of the tan blanket goes just above your waist.… Continue reading Reclining Pranayama setups
Nine years later . . .
I got too busy to keep up the old Practice Notes blog, but now I'm reviving it. It's not just about home practice this time, because I want to use it to post extra information to my Pranayama and Restorative students. Or maybe I will just be a slug and do nothing more with it.… Continue reading Nine years later . . .
Practice Notes 