Asana

Twists

feeds@yuku.com (debbiji) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:58:13 GMT

What is the fundamental difference between Ardha Matsyandrasana & Marichyasana III? I see them used interchangeable in some sources....& I see them described as concave & convex in some sources.

Jump Backs

feeds@yuku.com (sc8) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:22:03 GMT

In my practice, and in teaching I step back to plank, pause and then lower into chaturanga. Or I jump into chaturanga, from a forward fold or arm balances. Recently I was attending a friends class and she had the students jumping into plank. I can't seem to let this one go. it just seems wrong to land without bending the elbows. I would not jump and land with straight legs. Any thoughts?
Namaste, Scott

Maintaing a Home Practice and the issue of Sleep.

feeds@yuku.com (jupitersiren) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:38:24 GMT

I know the importance of home practice and a daily practice.
Every teacher, book or discussion I've ever encountered stresses this to the max. Daily Asana & Meditation.
I have the set up. A room dedicated to my practice. An inspirational alter and my mat never has to be rolled up. Lucky right?
But getting there every day has been my stuggle. I know it shouldn't be this hard.
On the days I don't practice I feel unbalanced, cranky and honestly the signs of...

Home practice

feeds@yuku.com (SimplyBill) — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:42:47 GMT

Well today was/is day one of my home practice, just some freeform to get it underway, listening to Krishna Das. Savasana cut a little short due to the get ready for the festivities of Matts graduation. Family descending in...

New to practice question

feeds@yuku.com (Greenkitchen) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:55:52 GMT

I just started practicing yoga a few weeks ago. I'm feeling drawn to practice every day but don't have the same energy level every day. Should I go ahead and practice even if I can only do 15 - 20 minutes or rest and wait till I have more energy the next day?

Please share your wisdom and thoughts!

Susan

seated forward folding

feeds@yuku.com (butterlove) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:52:48 GMT

Hi All,
I went from teaching forward folds with a straight back (simply what I was taught and practicing at the time) to focusing on letting the back round (inspired by letting the muscles of the spine relax and receive stretch). I also look at where people are folding, and if it's happening somewhere in their lower back I offer them folded blankets to prop up their hips to make them move more at the pelvis.
My question is: What do you think the best approach to teaching seated...

Pulled Groin Muscles

feeds@yuku.com (acapr220) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:04:21 GMT

Forgive me if I posted this under the wrong topic, I could not see it fitting anywhere else... I am wondering if there are any postures that I can do to help a pulled groin muscle. I actually pulled one a couple years ago in a yoga class. It was before I realized that yoga was more about breathing and the poses being a natural product of the breath as opposed to the opposite. Anyway, I had gotten into a pose the class was doing that was difficult for me (don't remember which one it was),...

hanumanasana - splits

feeds@yuku.com (quasimago) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 08:28:35 GMT

Looking for help with hanumanasana …

At times I am completely into that pose and love practising towards it. BUT whenever I practise hanumanasana more intensively, I start overstretching the hamstrings and the groin. While I am in the pose it feels great, but sooner or later I always reach a point where I have to stop and give the body time to rest.

So for me hanumanasana has this weird start stop effect and I am not getting anywhere with it.

When practicing I...

this will make you laugh

feeds@yuku.com (mugwagilly) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:48:54 GMT

So my morning class is nearly over-- just some light ab work and a final stretching sequence to go before the final relaxation. I lead my students into some easy leg raises, modified slightly so that we're leaning back onto our forearms instead of lying on the floor. As they're doing them I remind them that this is supposed to have the same feeling-tone as the meditation. Give it your best awareness, breathe deeply, try to be as tension free as you can be, and when you've done...

Palms Up In Savasana

feeds@yuku.com (marlette1565) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:14:50 GMT

I recently started teaching again and am feeling more and more secure in what I can offer. I know a large part of that comes with being prepared.

Today after class, a student asked why we keep our palms up in savasana. She said she was more comfortable with palms down. I said I believed our palms were placed upward as a form of surrender and so that we would be open to receive.

I also suggested that for the next class I'll make a point to cue more specifically...

Asana for working with the meridians and associated organs

feeds@yuku.com (Dancing Lotus) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:35:31 GMT

I am very pleased to have had a consultation with a woman very knowledgeable about many related areas ~ asana, chinese medicine, body work, raw food, a very expansive view indeed. She has helped me develop a personal asana practice specific to my concerns. This is my second day and I am quite impressed with the results and heightening of body awareness to the degree of experiencing the actual process of moving energy and working on a much more subtle level than...

Odd Forward Bend Odd Forward Bend...

feeds@yuku.com (yogavajra) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:46:37 GMT

Hi all...

I have just come downstairs after throwing my middle aged spread over a yoga mat for 45 mins and suddenly realised something. Whenever I do a forward bend I lean back??? I mean my legs seem to lean back so my backside is not perpendicular to my feet and is actually hanging back past my heels making my legs anything but vertical (does that description make any sense?)

I put myself facing the wall and leaned forward so my legs did...

Hammies...

feeds@yuku.com (yogavajra) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:38:05 GMT

Hi all!

As I am back on the mat after a thoroughly decadent break - - my hamstrings are tight as a sitar string! Any advice on how I can loosen them up quickly. Can o nly just get my hands past my ankles right now in a forward bend...ouch!

Thanks in advance!

Tony...

fixed series

feeds@yuku.com (bella) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:51:53 GMT

Have you ever worked in class with feixed series of postures for a period of time (mabe a month)? What are the pros and cons of that?

Freedom Yoga Thoughts

feeds@yuku.com (Kit Spahr) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:10:58 GMT

I've had this cool riff going in my practice and my classes since Erich's workshop in Yellow Springs a few weeks ago. It all started with Reclining Buddha pose. I don't know why exactly but I just LOVE that pose. So first I just added it to my class sequence just before savasana. It felt like that gentle side stretch just made savasana even better. Then I started playing with it as a point of movement using some rhythmic movements inspired by Don Stapleton's book...

sun salutations

feeds@yuku.com (Solitary Spirit) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:17:25 GMT

Hi all

I was just wondering why the different styles of yoga teach different forms of sun salutation. The first one I learnt was Erich's sun salute in his video, which I was also taught during Hatha yoga classes. I've just joined a new class that teaches Vinyasa Flow and I got all confused as their sun salutation is different and adds 'power moves'. I...

Yoga & scoliosis

feeds@yuku.com (Solitary Spirit) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:37:22 GMT

I have scoliosis and I know there are a few asanas I can't do as my spine's fused and so doesn't bend anymore.

Are there any asanas I should avoid that could potentially hurt my back or any that are really helpful for people with my condition?

Thank you all

downward dog

feeds@yuku.com (Solitary Spirit) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:20:23 GMT

Whenever I do the downward dog my hands always slip forwards on my mat and I know one day I'm going to fall flat on my face if i'm not careful!!

What am I doing wrong?

Freedom Style Yoga (Fit Yoga magazine)

feeds@yuku.com (catnutrition) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:39:37 GMT

Hey yogis!

Check out the August 2008 issue of Fit Yoga magazine -- the issue that just hit the news stands today. Page 54.

It's all about Erich-ji and freedom yoga.

Love,

Anne

The place of Uddiyana

feeds@yuku.com (yuri2006) — Sun, 25 May 2008 06:38:56 GMT

Hi,

I would like to ask what is the best place for Uddiyana in the practice. I do it during my morning practice. I tried it before asanas, but the body is not always warm enough, and I feel it's too powerful, and sometimes give me unpleasant sensations in the heart.

Then I started to do it after asanas. It works fine, when I don't do upturned postures after the practice. But when I do, I don't think it's a good idea to rise and try uddiyana after them....