sweet vinyasa: koshas and kindness: 4.10.13

We explored the model of the koshas as a model to experience the many layers of the self, working best we could to have kind eyes so we could see ourselves more clearly.

windshield wiper

supine pada gustasana with twist at the wall

sukasana side bending

cat/cow/barrel
plank
downdog

uttanasana

uttithatadasna
shoulder rolls
uttanasana variation
repeat

tadasana
OM

tadasana play on bricks

tadasana
YAM

lunge
twisted lunge
hammock
warrior II dance
low crescent
downdog
plank
baby cobra
locust
plank
downdog
other side standing sequence

standing pada gustasana play

uttansana
malasana

eye of the needle
twist
other side

supported heart opener over bolster

savasana

sit
OM
Namaste

Yin Yoga: Cultivating a loving relationship with you: 4.9.13

We encouraged a loving look at our tight spots in an effort to cultivate a sweeter long term relationship to ourselves.

sit (5 mins)

butterfly 5 mins

swan or eye of the needle at the wall 3.5 mins each side

windshield wiper

cat
cow
barrel roll
balasana
puppy dog

dragon 3.5 mins

sphinx/seal 5 mins

twisted root 4 mins each side

sit (10 mins)
sit/savasana (7 mins)

namaste

Sweet Vinyasa: the embodiment of quiet: 4.8.13

I'm interested and inspired by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and today played with the idea that no yoga can happen without yagna. We felt into the notion of yagna as the willingness to recognize the involvement of subtle energies (Ravi's quote), and perhaps feeling the sacrifice of our small selves required to to this. We were guided by our own internal quiet to reveal deeper layers of ourselves.

on bricks
rolling pelvis to settle
A
O
M
OM x3

cat/cow
barrel roll
balasana
puppy dog

easy side plank

plank
downdog
uttanasana
tadasana
OM

guitar hero

lunge
low crescent with side dipping
downdog
baby cobra
locust
locust variation
balasana

downdog

tadasana
gratitude meditation
YAM

lunge
warrior I
warrior III
half moon
standing splits
pigeon
parsva janushirsasana
three leg dog
downdog
other side

sit (4 mins)

bridge
supported bridge

supported viparita karni

twisted root

savasana

sit
Namaste

Sweet Vinyasa: Dancing with Grace: 4.3.13

We are inspired by Ravi's lectures on the Bhagavad Gita at Krotona, particularly his talks about the collaborative effort of yoga and that yagna is necessary for yoga to happen. Yagna is usually translated as sacrifice, which Ravi says is not wrong, but incomplete. He has defined yagna a few ways, and we worked today with "willingness to recognize the involvement of subtle energies" (aka Devas). The dance of human effort and Divine Grace (Tapas Prabhava, Devas Prasada) lead our discussion, with particular emphasis on Devas Prasada.

sit with landing sacrum roll (5 mins)

cat
cow
balasana
puppy dog

barrell roll

easy side plank

plank
downdog

uttanasana
uttithatadasana
tadasana

shoulder rolls and shrugs
repeat uttithatadasana and tadasana with alternative grip

tadasana
YAM

lunge
twisted root
hammock
warrior II dance
low crescent
hamstring stretch with hamstring exploration
tadasana
other side

downdog
plank
baby cobra
locust

plank
downdog
uttanasana
tadasana
OM

standing neck stretch
malasna
other side

roll supine
windshield  wiper
happy baby

bridge x2 (or wheel)

alternative nostril breathing prana play

eye of the needle

savasana

sit
OM
namaste

Yin Yoga: Tapas Prabhava, Devas Prasada: 4.2.13

We explored aparigrapha, noticing the feeling of expansion and being held by something bigger as a result of our efforts to let go.

Yoga is breaking the bonds of suffering (BG 6.23) begins to make sense. Its not easy to let go of suffering!

sit (6 mins)

baddha konasana

eye of the needle at the wall or swan

extended side angle
barrel roll

balasana

lunge

sphinx

twisted root

sit/savasana (10 mins)
sit/savasana (5 mins)

namaste

Sweet Vinyasa: Expanded View: 4.1.13

We used breath, movement and mantra to cultivate an expanded view in an effort to loosen the grip of asmita.

at wall
windshield wiper
supine pada gustasana with strap

cat
cow
barrel roll
balasana variation
foot wake up call

downdog

uttanasana
tadasana with uttanasana variation
YAM

lunge
warrior I
parvatadasana
warrior III
pigeon
three leg dog

baby cobra
locust
other side standing sequence

bridge x2 (or wheel)

eye of the needle
half happy baby play

twisted root with Texas star rest

savasana

sit
OM
Namaste

Alano Club: enjoy the view: 4.1.13

When endeavoring to touch a deeper self it helps to do so with great tenderness, curiosity, and a willingness to be surprised. These are some of the oceans we swam in this evening as we tried our best to loosen the grip of avidya-not seeing clearly.

sit 5 minutes
rolling sacrum play

gratitude meditation
OM

sukasana side bending x2

tadasana
forward fold

uttithatadasana play x2 looking at the underbelly
tadasana shoulder rotations and shrugs

heart tapping/prana play

lunge salute
low crescent

sit 10 minutes
sit/savasana 5 minutes
namaste