Filed under: Yoga Musings
What constitutes an “advanced” yoga practice? A lot of people think that an advanced yogi is someone who attends the hardest (i.e., the most physically demanding) yoga classes in town, and has mastered difficult backbends, inversions, and other Cirque du Soleil tricks. I certainly used to think like this, and am still sometimes prone to do so. Over the past year, though, several considerations have forced me to reevaluate my conception of advanced yoga. (more…)
Filed under: Yoga Bloomington
The Fall 2009 schedule at Bloomington Power Yoga starts today! Here are the major changes and additions:
- Saturday 4:00-5:30 PM Ashtanga (Eugene)
- Sunday 11:00-12:15 PM Community (Teacher Rotation)
- Tuesday 7:45-9:00 PM Level 1-2 (Stephanie)
- Thursday 7:45-9:00 PM Level 1-2 (Marissa)
- Friday 11:00-12:30 PM Kundalini (Jill)
We’ve also updated our rates. Single classes and class packages have gone up slightly in cost, but we dropped our monthly unlimited all the way down to $100.
Filed under: Yoga Musings
Almost every time I teach yoga, at least one student says, ”My yoga mat is too slippery!” This can be a real problem, especially for newer students, as well as for those who practice hot yoga, strenuous or vigorous forms of flow, or Ashtanga. I’ve made a number of mat recommendations in the past, but non-slip yoga mats and Yogitoes don’t work for everyone. Today, I want to say a few more things about slippery yoga mats, perhaps some things that will be surprising to a lot of people. (more…)
Filed under: Yoga Bloomington
We have a new addition to the Bloomington Power Yoga schedule: Zazen. Zazen practice is basically sitting meditation. We sit for 30 minutes. There is no chanting, music, or any other distractions during this type of meditation. The objective, if we can call it that, is simply to sit and observe one’s thoughts and one’s mind. Pretty simple.
For newer students, there will be a brief introduction at the beginning of each session, and someone will stick around afterwards to answer any questions.
When: Saturdays 5:30-6:00PM
Where: Blooming Lotus Studio (same place where yoga class meets)
Cost: Small Donation
To learn more about Zazen, drop by the Sanshinji Zen Community on Olive St., or check out their website.
Filed under: Yoga & Rock Climbing
After returning to the climbing gym a few times, I’ve discovered that I no longer experience what’s know as “Elvis Leg”–that uncontrollable shaking that sometimes happens to one or both of your legs from exhaustion.
I’m convinced that yoga has improved my leg strength and endurance, allowing me to climb longer and with greater power. There are some poses in particular that can help build the relevant leg strength. I’ll just list them here today, with the goal of eventually constructing a fun sequence for people to practice at home. (Of course, this sequence is also good for yogis who don’t rock climb.) (more…)
This timely piece in today’s NY Times discusses a recent trend of state governments trying to regulate yoga teacher training programs. This would involve a pricey certification process and fees, and would be conducted independent of Yoga Alliance, the current national regulatory body for yoga training programs.
Personally, I think it’s outrageous for states to try to make money off yoga studios. Maybe I’m just cynical, but I find it highly unlikely that state regulators have any real interest in ensuring the quality of yoga training programs–all they really want is to take a cut of the $6 billion yoga industry. (more…)
This interview with a sports nutritionist provides some useful tips on how to optimize your food and drink intake in preparation for exercise and during your workout. Although her comments are general, and not specific to yoga, some of what she says does pertain to yoga practitioners, especially those who do sweatier and more physical forms of yoga.
For some additional thoughts about what and when to eat before yoga, check out my previous post on this topic.
Filed under: Yoga & Rock Climbing
After a long hiatus, I’m trying to get back into rock climbing. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stick with it and can start posting climbing-oriented yoga sequences on this blog again. (more…)
Despite my intention to practice yoga a few times while traveling through Ireland and the UK, that never happened. I went three weeks without doing any yoga–the longest stretch I’ve gone without yoga in years–and my body feels all out of whack. It makes me wonder what my body would feel like if I never did yoga!
Filed under: Yoga Bloomington
I’m leaving tomorrow for Ireland, and won’t be posting on the blog for the next three weeks or so. I’ll be back in the US, and online, in mid June.
In the meantime, all classes at Bloomington Power Yoga will be held as usual, including my classes, which will be covered by Anastacia and Susan.
