I’m back on the yoga wagon. I feel so much better when I have a regular yoga practice.
Yoga has done wonders for my posture and strength. I look at photos from years ago and am amazed by my “vulture” posture. I just didn’t have any core or back strength, I guess!
I practice Iyengar yoga at Audubon Yoga Studio, owned by Becky Lloyd. She’s an amazing, patient and precise teacher. I like that Iyengar yoga encourages the use of props and focuses on careful execution of poses. I always work hard and come out feeling refreshed.
When I’m practicing at home, I like the book pictured above, The Woman’s Book of Yoga and Health – it has some great asana sequences including an essential sequence, an energizing sequence, and a restorative sequence. It also has a bunch of sequences for different needs or ailments like headaches, backaches, etc. and a bunch of health tips and information that I haven’t really used yet, but it’s nice to know that they’re there.
Iyengar yoga is great if you’re just starting with yoga, because even if you’re not very flexible, the teacher will help you get into a position that works for you with the use of blankets, blocks and bolsters. It’s interesting that when I started yoga, poses like full arm balance (Adho Mukha Vrksasana) or head balance (Sirsasana) seemed so much harder than they are now.
Yoga is of course not just about asana or poses. That’s only one limb of the eight limbs of yoga. I like that my studio (like most, probably) focuses on the other limbs of yoga as well. It’s not just about being fit or bendy and being able to turn your body into a certain position. It’s a way of being that can help you cultivate peace, kindness and non-attachment. Some days I’m better about that than others. I still have plenty of attachments!
Yoga – I love it!
Here are the yoga resources close to my heart: http://yogayearbook.wordpress.com/yoga-resources/
Thank you for sharing this link, Stef!
Hello Carla, its a pleasure to meet you because you seem to be living life well. Congrats very much on that and the FP. Your rescue was for them and you, for when you had to say goodbye to your other cat children…but of course you know that. I’m writing today to say thanks for Louisiana pics…I was born and raised in Lake Charles, with every weekend on a farm, 40 miles from Monroe. Or in Alexandria at my other grandmother’s. And, I’m writing to say I’m so sorry for everyone’s fear this week with the rising water. Its so, so very scarey. Please give yourself permission to speak about it. We always hold our dark thoughts in, fearing people will think we are “downers”, etc. I wish we would realise that everyone’s life has a serious side that is harder when we live it alone. I’m sorry you have to go to sleep at night worrying, that you are fearful for so many affected and possibly will be affected by this horror. Yes we all go on, but truly, its because we must….and that doesn’t make it any less emotionally devastating. I know even our prayers can’t stop coming tragedies….and that is, yet, another thing you are living with. I appreciate you mentioning your worry and fear. I am in North Georgia, where we just got hit by tornadoes, very rare, and it was very devastating for many. Your comments remind us to be “present”, “grateful”, and could lead us to help and reach-out in some way that we aren’t used to having any thoughts about doing. Have a wonderful Appalachian Experience and its okay to take the vacation from worry, if you’re able, you can do that when you get back, with more positive energy to work with! Love, Nan
Thanks for your support and positive thoughts, Nan!
Yoga is really fun.