But which Religion?

Many people wonder, do I have to practice a certain religion to practice yoga? No. The word 'yoga' means to yoke, or unite the body, mind and spirit. Ah, there I go, talking about "spirit". Spirituality comes in all forms and yoga is simply a method to help students align their own spirituality with their mind and body. Yoga is compatible with any religious faith or non faith...but we all have some sort of personal spirituality in our lives and working that into your yoga practice will help bring you into balance.

Create Your Haven

One of the purposes of practicing yoga is to be so focused on your breath that you can release yourself from your physical body. I don't know about you, but this is pretty difficult for me to do in a cold, harsh room. So I create an environment that is conducive to such an endeavor. I dim the lights, sometimes turning them off entirely and light candles. I light incense and play music that fits my mood at the moment. Do whatever you need to make your space comfortable and do not let anyone interrupt your time. For once, it is ok to be selfish. This is your time. Create your space. Enjoy your practice. Shanti

Teens & Yoga

I recently had the honor of teaching a group of teens. From my perspective, it was thrilling to see how open their minds are, how easy it is for them to be in the present moment. The feedback I received was that they enjoyed the session not only for the physical aspect, but also as a way to relieve the stress they experience from school and social activities. They all expressed an interest in having true Hatha Yoga taught at school. If you have a teen in your life, take them to a class with you. They will appreciate the release and you may learn how to just be...

To the group I taught; thank you and namaste

Could you repeat that please...

We've all experienced it; the yoga instructor who teaches entirely in Sanskrit, forgetting that the rest of us are not Sanskrit scholars and have no idea what she wants us to do! There are some poses we are familiar hearing presented in Sanskrit (for the beginner, you will become used to them quickly); Savasana "corpse pose" is a perfect example. For the most part, yoga can be taught effectively in English. Do not hesitate to ask your instructor to translate. He/she will not be offended...even teachers need direction sometimes :-)

Bottom line: don't let your fear of not understanding what's being said stop you from practicing. Yoga instructors come with their own personalities and teaching styles and there is one out there for everyone; kind of like dating... ;-)

Can you be TOO flexible???

Well, yes...and no. Yes, but only if you lose body awareness. That happened to me while striking Virabhadrasana I (Warrior 1). I didn't realize it until colleagues pointed it out. What's the big deal? Over time, misalignment can cause serious injuries. A couple things you can do: lay your strap or draw a line down the middle of your mat. For this pose in particular it will help insure you are lining your heals on the same plane. Secondly, practice in front of a full length mirror. At some point you'll want to break away from this so you can bring your thoughts inward, but it is a great way to see how your body is performing. Shanti

Laughter during Yoga?

Ever been in a class where everyone was silent and so serious? Then there was that one person who started laughing when she fell out of Tree pose? That person would be me. I love yoga! I enjoy it so much that every part of my being is engaged, relaxed, happy! Sure, I am quite capable of quiet moments, when appropriate, but outside of those moments I laugh and smile and truly enjoy. My apologies if I have offended anyone. For those of you holding back, try it. It can only add to your experience. Besides, its great for your abs!

Plank position...its a love/hate relationship

Anyone who's been in plank knows what I'm talking about...you're holding your body up with your arms, on the tips of your toes...its almost military! But, it is a wonderful pose. All of your muscles are engaged and if there is any area of weakness it will show up here. The more you do it, the more you'll love it. Here's the key...BREATHE! I've been told one day I'll be able to hold plank effortlessly for any length of time. I'm working on it!

Welcome!

Hi all! Welcome to my blog. I have created this because I have a passion for teaching yoga. I would like to help demystify the practice so more people bring this incredible study into their lives...to their own comfort level. I have attached a recent article I wrote on the subject and look forward to your comments.

Shanti (peace)

Kimberly

October 2007

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Yoga: Is it Just for Women?
When you hear someone say, “I take yoga,” what is the first thing you usually hear? Most likely, it is “wow, you must be flexible!” There is a misconception that Yoga is a form of exercise geared toward women to increase flexibility. It’s time to burst that bubble. Yoga is for more than just women. Some of the most respected Yoga practitioners in the world are male. It is also much more than an exercise; it is a way of life, an attitude. Will you gain flexibility? Absolutely. However, the benefits of Yoga have been proven to be much greater than simply allowing oneself to bend into pretzel-like positions. Yoga proves to be an excellent muscle
toner that provides fluid movements of the joints, ligaments and tendons and aids in resisting stress and detoxifying the body. Yoga practitioners enjoy better posture, resulting in proper functioning of the organs and digestive system. Proper practice increases lung capacity, eases arthritis and can cure varicose veins. Studies have shown that Savasana, everyone’s favorite
position of resting tranquilly on your back, can reduce high blood pressure, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and calms the nervous system. All these benefits can serve as a base for
an exercise regime including weights, aerobics, Pilates, swimming, or whatever it is you enjoy; or you can dedicate yourself to full Yoga practice. The important part is to start with an instructor, and not with a book or video. Yoga is not a do-it-yourself kit. It is an oral tradition passed down thousands of years. It is extremely important to have the guidance of an experienced instructor who can tailor positions to your specific needs and abilities. Find
an instructor and setting, be it studio or private, who you are comfortable with. The goal of any instructor should be to assist you in opening and guiding you along your path, not simply reaching a destination. Hatha Yoga is a great place to begin. The movements are soft, patient, and deliberate. But don’t fool yourself; you will be challenged and you will sweat. If you are experienced and are looking for a more vigorous session, Vinyasa Flow may be more suitable for you. These are only two of the many forms of Yoga offered. No matter which form you choose to practice, you will become more in tune with your body, reap multiple health benefits and enjoy life more! So gentlemen (not just ladies), buy yourself a sticky-mat and join others in the fantastic journey of balancing your mind, body and spirit.

Contributed by Kimberly Bradshaw, Yoga
instructor and DeepBendYoga proprietor. Email
her at kimberlyyogini@yahoo.com.