Yoga Traveler

 If you have been following this journey with me through the Ashtanga Primary series, you will know that we now arrive at the "bread of the sandwich": the closing sequence.  This portion of the practice is primarily focused on back bending.  When I do a back bend, I like to focus also on the forward lengthening of the poses.  This way, I will find balance and not overtax my back.  This lifting and lengthening is made possible through a strong focus on the hands and feet creating the base of the pose.  We must find a solid grounding point for the hands and feet.  If we do not utilize our legs, we take all the strain into the arms and lower back.  The legs and feet must create a balance for the arms and hands. Please note that I would add Urdhva Danurasana (wheel pose) and Paschimottanasana (forward bend) before the shoulder stand. Back bending poses are always countered by forward bends.  This brings us back to a neutral point. Back bending as...

  The Standing Sequence "Seeking the Balance" The standing sequence of the Ashtanga Primary Series  initiates weaving of one asana into the next form which K. Parrabhi Jois called "a garland of asanas."  Think of this as a sandwich; our first piece of bread is Surya Namaskara, the peanut butter is the standing sequence, the jelly is the seated sequence, and the last piece of bread the finishing sequence.   In the standing sequence we challenge our balance and learn to understand how the forces of gravity work on our body.  In all the asanas there is an "equality of opposition where we find the greatest sense of stability and comfort." (David Swenson)  We equally root to the ground and energize upward.  Our feet establish our base and we root them deep.  From there, we can grow and expand to lengthen and lift through each asana.  Practice the asanas along with me: https://youtu.be/CTm0xeq0IVE The practice of yoga is a place to explore the...

Welcome to the foundation of the Ashtanga Primary Series, the Surya Namaskara A and B sequences.  Surya means "the sun" and Namaskara is a greeting of honor and respect to the divinity present in each of us.  With the Surya Namaskara, we set the rhythm and mood for each session of yoga.  For Ashtanga, the Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced sequences are an extension of what we learn in the movement of the sun salutation.  We marry breath and movement in a way that sets this system of yoga apart from other methods.  Try one of each A and B with me here: Feel the relationship between the movement and breath as you enjoy the sequence.  Notice that the inhales happen as you lift your body, like with urdhva dhanurasana (upward dog), and the exhales happen as you fold the body, like in adho muhka svasana (downward facing dog).  I suggest working up to completing five of each sun salutation daily! Breath is a source of movement and the very core of our exist...