Sugarcane in the moonlight: Ardha Chandrachapasana

Who doesn’t like sugarcane in the moonlight?  De-lish. But let’s face it, getting into this variation of Half Moon (Ardha Chandrasana) can test your balance, flexibility, and coordination as you reach back and grab your lifted leg.  Never fear, here are some tips that help make this elusive pose more accessible. Component Parts First, to [...] [read more...]

The Elegant Wheel

Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow, also known as “Wheel”) is one of the most delicious and expansive of yoga asana, inviting a full opening of the “Eastern,” or front, side of the body.  As in all yoga asana, the stability (sthira) of the back body is essential for supporting the full expansion and sweetness (sukha) of [...] [read more...]

Headstand: a lesson in patience

Headstand is like the grandpappy of inversions.  Unlike the 5-year old exuberance of handstand, or the slightly more moderated enthusiasm of forearm stand, headstand evokes a deep seated patience and – dare I say – necessary dignity in the practitioner. Kicking up into headstand is a big ol’ no-no, primarily because the head is rooted [...] [read more...]

Protected: Rachel’s Anusara Class

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Finding the sukha spot - even in parivrtta ardha chandrasana

I realized last week that I was trying too hard to lift my arms. I was reaching my arms overhead in urdhva hastasana and – I thought – doing a pretty good job.  I was straightening the arms, lifting through the sides of the waist, and (for once) not sticking my ribs at.  Ah-ha, I [...] [read more...]

“Eka pada Koundin-What?”

Eka Pada Koundinyasana.  It’s one of those poses that you see on the cover of yoga journal, performed by someone smiling peacefully (and seemingly in no state of stress or panic) that makes you go, “Huh?  Riiiiiiiiiight.”  As my boyfriend said with alarm upon seeing this picture to the left, “Jesus!  That is not good!”  [...] [read more...]

Getting Quiet in Practice: Halasana

During the holidays, it’s more important than ever to have some quiet time. With all of the distractions – parties, relatives, drama, presents, planning, joy, baggage – it’s easy to get swept away on a holiday rollercoaster! This week’s pose is halasana (plow). By turning ourselves upside down and folding over, we are literally looking [...] [read more...]

Bakasana - stoking the inner fire

Bakasana is one of those asani that looks impossible until you actually do it. “You want me to put my knees where and balance on my what?” we think with dismay. But with just a few steps, you two can begin to find the effortless flight that characterizes this arm balance. And the key lies [...] [read more...]

November 9th: The King of the Asanas - Headstand

Moving with our fear. Headstand is an elegant inversion, insisting on patience, presence, and control to be done properly. For many of us, headstand is an opportunity to brush against our fear. Fear of the unknown, of falling, of not being in control. As such, the practice of headstand become an opportunity to practice intimacy [...] [read more...]

When you can’t sleep – from Aadil and Mirra Palkivala

“Two of the biggest causes for not being able to sleep at night are over-exhaustion and over-stimulation. You must clarify which of these scenarios is true for you or for your students. Are you or your students totally exhausted and beyond sleep because of working all day, or is the mind racing and the body [...] [read more...]