Yoga as science

I like to think of the early yogis as scientists. The importance of what they were doing, and what they learned, is being rediscovered constantly. Brain plasticity is an area that reflects the wisdom of yoga. If we allow ourselves to experience our bodies in new ways we rewire the brain and the body. The body is the way in, inseparable from the brain itself. Yoga is an opportunity to explore, or inquire into, what it means to be human, what it means to be.

Bija Mantras

Thanks for a beautiful class Sunday. Opening the heart chakra in many of our postures allows the chest and sternum to rise, sometimes resulting in a feeling of lightness after practice. We have moved up and out of our base, up and out of our solar plexus and raise the heart. So many postures involve the heart and when we allow the heart to lead the way many postures can become more beautiful and fluid. Bringing awareness to where the heart is in practice can bring change. Much of the Surya Namaskar that we did near the end of class involves bringing the heart into the vinyasa on all of the back-bends as well as the forward folds.

Classes continue, Sundays at 4:30, I hope to see you there.

Feel free to spread the word, or the blog address. The more the merrier. In the event of any snow cancellations I will post here at least by the evening before.

I attended a one-day training on trauma and yoga this week and it has me thinking very deeply about the direction I may go with teaching, or at least has opened my mind to some new possibilities. I'm looking forward to exploring on my own and in class.

Three-part breath

Thank you to all of the Super Bowl Sunday yogis! I might start calling this class the Sunday surfer yoga class ; ) Wow. Just want to refer back to some of the things we touched on today. The three-part breath: breathing deeply into the abdomen first, then filling the ribcage, then the upper lungs, each to the count of 2 or so, or whatever is comfortable. And reversing this on the exhale: upper lungs, ribcage, abdomen. This breath is very meditative and calming and allows the breath to deepen by bringing awareness to the breath itself. Where in the body the breath is, and how we are breathing, and by noticing each aspect of the respiratory system as the breath moves through. Our awareness begins to ride the breath. If you are interested in getting these blog updates without having to check back then subscribe at the right, you can unsubscribe at any time. Namaste, Michael.

Yogash citta-vrtti nirodhah

The second of Patanjali's sutras, and perhaps the one that all of the rest are built on. The idea that by recognizing the vrtti, by becoming witness, a new relationship to self is born. The selective awareness of thoughts. Yoga is then perhaps the ending of a limitation. The certainty of freedom.

Feldenkrais would say every action is reversible, we only think it is not.

Sweet Namaskar!

My parents were in one of my classes a few weeks ago, it was great to have them both there. A very happy and enjoyable experience for me, and very special too. The class focused on breathing, in particular Anuloma Viloma, and on an introduction to Uddiyana bandha and Surya Namaskar. They happened to be going to Mexico this past week, on the ocean, and as their week unfolded they found themselves on the beach, looking to the sun doing sun salutations together, all while bringing attention to Uddiyana bandha. My mom was so cute in telling me the story, and the joy that they shared was so evident. I am so thankful to share in their trip, and their experience, in this small way.

From my mom..."It was special doing the Surya Namaskar in such a beautiful place. It was fun feeling free to do it together on the edge of the shore. While walking, your father would get silly holding his bandhas—being stiff and upright, only moving his legs. But he could really see how it made a difference in his posture and his balance."