OKOK so I'm a crappy blogger....

the world doesn't need another dumb@ss blog..
but since I'm here...was at a Dog Sled Race in Weed, CA yesterday and saw the REAL Downward and Upward dog by a Alaskan Huskie--Perfect form, fluid motion.

So much yoga, so little time...

Reading about Ashtanga, Viniyoga, Iyengar, Kripalu, Yin yoga
Am especially enjoying Paul Grilley's DVDs on anatomy and from them learning to appreciate the idiosyncrasies of the vessel. Remembering Rodney Yee's writing in one of his books...sometimes students having flexibility at the expense of stability...so I started looking at my not being able to bend as far as others as my 'stability' (instead of my 'lack of flexibility').
I highly recommend perusing Paul Grilley's site and learn to appreciate your own vessel (as well as others).
http://www.paulgrilley.com/

Advanced Practice of Yoga

Practicing with total attention withing the body is advanced yoga, no matter how easy the posture; practicing with your attention scattered is the practice of a beginner, no matter how difficult the posture.

page 17 Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by David Coulter

Breathing during Asanas

By learning to coordinate your breath with your movements, you'll find that you feel much more at ease in the poses. The rules governing whether your inhale or exhale- and when-are dictated by the direction in which the spine or limbs moved. ...

On the Inhalation:
Inhalations are generally mated with upward or expanding movements. Going into a backbend such as the Cobra, for example, you begin on an in-breath. Then you simply hold the pose and breathe rhythmically. An exception to this rule: Upward movements of the legs work best on the exhalation since the legs are much heavier than the arms.

On the Exhalation:
Exhalations are usually mated with downward and contracting movements, such as lowering the arms, and with any positions that employ flexion of the spine (i.e. folding the body into itself such as in forward bends, abdominal curls, lateral stretches, or twists). When you lift a substantial weight, exhale on the effort. This applies whether you're lifting a 10-lb dumbbell or your leg. The out-breath helps contract the abdominals which in turn stabilize and protect the lower back.

From Yoga Journal's Yoga Basics by Mara Carrico

Starting yoga...

Went to a yoga class last night that was wonderful!
( www.zarnayyoga.com ) The flow was great, new asanas for me.

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...As you do each asana....Focus your attention ...on the pertinent regional anatomy, both to prevent injury and refine your understanding of the posture....
To strengthen [connective] tissues in preparation for more demanding work with postures, concentrate at first on toughening joint capsules, tendons, ligaments, and fascial sheathes, that envelop muscles. The practical method for accomplishing these aims is to build strength, and to do this from the inside out, starting with the central muscles of the torso...Unless you are already a weightlifter or body builder, stretching and becoming flexible should be a secondary concern. Only as your practice matures should your emphasis be changed to cultivate a greater range of motion around the joints."

page 18 Anatomy of Hatha Yoga by David Coulter

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