Adi brings another inspiring Ashtanga class focusing on twisting your core to release unneeded tension. Filmed in the setting of Jackson Hole, you will be transformed to a place of insight and tranquility with your yoga practice.
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Turn up your internal heat with a renewing sequence designed to stimulate your endocrine system. This “characteristically Sarah” blend of hatha asanas and kundalini kriyas will bring balance to your metabolism, moods and muscles; making you feel great all over!
Attention ladies: Assist the downward flow of prana that occurs naturally every month with a series of soothing poses designed for menstrual relief. Brought to you by Neesha. Sorry guys, we’ll get you next time:)
Neesha offers a few tips for healthy air travel and demonstrates exercises that can be done while in your seat to ensure you’re calm and refreshed when you arrive at your final destination! Be sure to download this video to have ready on your laptop or iPod for your next flight:)
If you spend hours every day sitting behind a desk, in your car, or on your couch; you may suffer from what Adi refers to as “Affluent Society Syndrome.” This lifestyle creates stiffness in your hip flexors, hamstring and psoas muscles, which can take a serious toll on your lower back over time. Keep your back feeling fresh and limber with this short sequence of moves that will bring greater flexibility to these muscle groups while restoring strength and integrity to your spine and core.
Last year I blew out my left knee in a skiing accident. It was absolutely devastating. My immediate thoughts hovered frantically around concern about getting back to teaching yoga, wondering if my knee was ever going to be the same, even stressing about how I would pay my bills. The incident shook my center and rattled my being. Reality set in when the results to the MRI came back – a torn ACl, medial and lateral meniscus.
I decided to have surgery. After two weeks of immobilization, the bandages were removed and what a shock. I didn’t recognize my own leg. It looked awful. Memories of my mother, post car crash, came flooding back from 13 years before. The nervous tension, post traumatic stress, the anxiety. More fears and questions started racing through my brain. How will I recover? Will I ever be free from pain? Will I learn to walk normally again? My husband looked at me and said, “Adi, this is your yoga, do your yoga.” He left me for about an hour and I started breathing. I began practicing a calming breathing technique that immediately returned me to the moment. My fears and assumptions about the future began to dissolve as I came back to center.
From that day on the healing really began, and my injury became my teacher.
When you have a physical limitation, a chronic illness, pain, or an injury, sometimes you have to learn how to get out of your own way. Instead of harping on the negative, it can be an opportunity to grow awareness and sensitivity within your body and mind. By really tuning in and coming back to the moment, you can learn so much about the way you handle resistance and/or difficulty and begin to cater to your needs. Your level of compassion expands significantly for yourself and others.
Martin Luther King said, “The measure of a man is not determined during times of ease and comfort, the measure of a man is determined during times of difficulty and challenge.” Our challenge is our therapy if we are willing to open and learn from the experience.
I have read all of your comments and feedback, and am so touched and inspired by how much our classes have encouraged and impacted so many. In particular, I read about limitations that some of you are working with, and how you have progressed by really listening to your body and modifying your postures.
This is yoga. It is not forcing, it is not critical, it is not competing with yourself or others. Yoga is listening and feeling, even when what we hear and feel is difficult. From that space we become our own teachers and learn more about ourselves than we could have ever imagined.
It has been one year since my surgery and I still struggle with pain and physical limitations. I have allowed myself to slow down and accept the change that is present in my body. One lesson learned from this obstacle has been to truly uncover the intricacies of how yoga really works. For me it is not about perfecting the physical body, it is about being present. From there I can listen; and through listening, I come to know myself.
Feeling a lack of focus and need to snap out of it? Try this short Kundalini set with Sarah, designed to oxygenate your blood, balance the left and right hemispheres of your brain and bring you greater mental clarity!
Neesha teaches.
Every one I meet reflects another face of this amazing existence. Lucky me! I get to come and see you! Come and get your yoga groove on if you are in the following areas!
Jan 30 – Feb 1 I will be in New Orleans (swanriveryoga.com). Certified Anusara teacher, Cat McCarthy and I are teaching “You’ve gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em… The Gambler Weekend”. We are going to weave these tantric metaphors for life into a fun weekend workshop for all levels. For more information, here is a link: http://swanriveryoga.com/events/2009/events_january_2009.html#Gambler
Once again Yogatoday is joined by Olympic ski racer Resi Stiegler and professional snowboarder Rob Kingwill. With their help Sarah Kline takes us through a fantastic set of stretches to help us cool down after a long day on the slopes.
Neesha Zollinger explains the basics of how to fix those detested sore knees. Starting with the feet and working our way up. Stacking bone on bone for proper alignment, greater motion and more flexibility.