Chaturanga Dandasana, sometimes called Low Push-Up, is one of the most difficult poses to actually get right. Now, I hate to talk about “getting a pose right” in yoga, because one of my own personal mantras is that in yoga, we aren’t striking a pose, we’re working the pose. So the idea that there is a “getting it right” in Chaturanga is somewhat antithetical to my normal way of thinking about asanas. (more…)
Filed under: Yoga Tunes
Lemon Jelly defies any simple labelling. A mixture of electronic, chill-out, indie-rock, and who knows what else, Lemon Jelly is great for yoga, not to mention parties, long drives, and any other activity that goes well with good music and good people. Their music tends to be fun, relaxing, but with a little pick-me-up kick. My favorite album is probably Lost Horizons, but they are all very good. (more…)
When I first started this blog, almost six months ago now, I posted some brief comments about various studios in Los Angeles, including several of the Yoga Works locations. Nitipriya, a blogger who currently lives in Los Angeles and who has been going regularly to Yoga Works in Westwood, kindly offers us this more detailed, and presumably more useful, review of that studio. Thanks!
Yoga Works – Westwood Studio:
In the interest of full disclosure, I should start by saying that this is my primary yoga studio, and has been for nearly three years. I have taken more classes here than at any other studio; currently I practice at this studio 6-7 times a week. Nonetheless, I have taken classes at numerous yoga studios around the country, and have yet to find one that comes close to offering such challenging classes taught by world-class yogis. (more…)
I’ve finally moved all of my yoga classes over to a new studio space, Blooming Lotus (above Roots Restaurant), in beautiful Bloomington, Indiana. The move has so inspired me that I’ve now added two more classes to my existing schedule. You can find my entire, up-to-date teaching schedule on my website. I will be teaching a total of five yoga classes per week for the remainder of the semester.
Filed under: Yoga News
This article about yoga as an increasingly popular training method for professional baseball pitchers is a nice follow-up to my recent posting on yoga for men.
I’ve finally launched my new website to start promoting my yoga classes at Blooming Lotus here in Bloomington, Indiana. The site is still under construction, but feel free to check it out and give me any feedback. I’m trying to keep it simple, mostly because I have no web design skills and wouldn’t even know how to make a fancy website if I wanted to. (more…)
Filed under: Yoga & Rock Climbing
I’ve been telling my students lately that when you fall out of a pose in yoga, that’s a sign that you’re getting stronger and that you’re testing — and pushing — your edge. Conversely, if you find that you’re never falling down in yoga class, or that you’re never falling out of any poses, chances are that you’re probably staying in your comfort zone a little too much. A similar set of principles can be applied to rock climbing, providing yet another example of how yoga and climbing fit together so nicely. (more…)
Orientalism is a term that has meant a number of things in both popular culture and in academic circles. I will use the term today in the following way: Orientalism is the study, imitation, depiction, or idolatry of any aspect of a multitude of so-called “Eastern” cultures that is shaped by attitudes that are, at rock bottom, racist, reductive, and elitist. My thesis is that much of the obsession with yoga today is driven by a kind of Orientalism. In particular, I wish to argue here that many Americans who have been drawn to yoga have created myths about India and Indian culture that simply do not coincide with reality, and that these myths run the risk of being offensive to the very people/culture they are supposed to celebrate. (more…)
Like a lot of other people who are obsessed with yoga, I’ve thought long and hard about maybe trying to make a career out of it. But I also have to remind myself that making a career out of something you love is very different than just pursuing that thing as a serious hobby. Here are some of my thoughts on the matter. (more…)
Filed under: Yoga Bloomington
I have two brief announcements to make that will be primarily of interest to people in the Bloomington area. First, I am starting a new 10-week beginners yoga program on Feb. 10. There are still 4 spots open, so email me (eugene24_99 at yahoo dot com) if you want to join up!
Cost: $75
Location: Blooming Lotus (above Roots) – 106 E. 6th Street, Bloomington, IN
Dates: Feb 10, 17, 24, March 3, 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28
My second announcement is that my other two classes will be moving to a new, more spacious location as of Sunday, Feb. 18th. (Please note that I will still be holding these two classes at the Midland Yoga Center for the next two weekends, at the regular time.) The new location is also Blooming Lotus, 106 E. 6th St, on the corner of Walnut and 6th. The entrance is on 6th street, and the studio space is upstairs on the second floor.
