In my role as the Director of the YYoga Teachers’ College, I have frequently been asked by recent training graduates, “Now, how do I choose my mentor?” For yoga students, this is akin to asking the question, “How do I choose my teacher?” First, it’s important define exactly a mentor is. From Greek mythology, “Mentor” […]
Cirque de Soleil. And your yoga teacher.
In the furor to “get noticed” and have street cred, yoga instructors are often expected to display Cirque de Soleil like physical prowess. Can you do a crazy pose? Do you have mad, unusual flexibility? Then I am impressed and you are suitable to be my teacher! While I have great respect for dedicated yogis who […]
Sauca: transcending body image
A little context About two thousand years ago, a guy named Patanjali compiled a series of pithy aphorisms called the yoga sutras. These cryptic sayings contain clues on how to escape suffering and ultimately reach samadhi (meditation/ bliss). In his compilation, he describes a series of steps called ashtanga yoga, where he offers some helpful […]
Here Be Tigers
Cast your mind back about a thousand years. You’re in India, walking in the jungle. Suddenly – a tiger! Your heart races, your adrenaline pumps, you fun as fast as your legs can carry you in the opposite direction. And you’re safe. Now, fast forward ahead to now. You’re at your desk. You open […]
How to Audition for a Yoga Studio. Includes: the worst piece of advice you’ll get.
The yoga industry has finally made it. Auditioning has arrived. The very word “audition” conjures up the image of nervous and leotard-clad showgirls warming for A Chorus Line while singing, “Got I hope I get it/ I hope I get it/ Please God I need this job.” But whether we call it a “practical interview” […]
Squeeze your Ass-ana
Okay, okay, we’ve all heard it in yoga class: “Don’t squeeze your glutes,” or “Relax your buttocks,” or something poetic like, “Allow the tissue of your ahem, buttocks flesh, to melt and soften…” However you’ve heard it, the message is the same: don’t squeeze your ass. Where “don’t squeeze your butt” started Now […]
Reflections from the River Styx: Near death experience.
I asked my Dad what is was like to come back from the dead. “Well, it was just dark and peaceful,” he said. My Dad looks a little like Clint Eastwood. He’s got the same kind of squint and no nonsense style. (And he spends most of his time operating heavy machinery on a farm. […]
How to: Wheel – strapping for shoulder stability
A good – if slightly claustrophobic way – of keeping the arms from splaying out in the ascent to Wheel (Urdhva Dhanurasana). Tips: I’d be less likely to use this on a really tight guy (who may need a little extra room to find full flexion of the arms) than on a flexible but instable […]
Wheel: modification for splaying legs and feet
Take a look at how the use of a simple block can transform the space and stability possible in Full Wheel (Urdhva Dhanurasana). Notice how the upper body is also affected by the prop. Tips: set the feet first and keep the inner edges of the feet anchored use a prop of an appropriate width […]
Wheel: Strap assist for spinal traction yumminess
Here is a two person partner assist for Full Wheel (Urdhva Dhanurasana). This assist is perfect for those needing more space and stability through their lower back. Tips: place the straps at the bra line and sacrum line guard your own body position (hinge at your hips, not your low back) pull the straps diagonally […]
Wheel: for wrist issues and tight shoulders – great partner assist
Anyone with wrist issues or tight shoulders knows that Wheel (Urdhva Dharusasna) can be hard to do. Here’s a simple and easy partner assist that you can do (keep it simple by not using straps and just using the ankle hold) to help your tighter students find their way into this complex pose. For a […]
How To: Forearm Stand
A marvelous doozy of a pose, Forearm Stand (pincha mayurasana) invites into a full inversion and a backbend a the same time. Here are clear and easy steps for safely instructing your students into the pose. Tips: finding the backbend in the upper back will help you to effectively balance in this pose using props […]
How to: Headstand with a prop assist
Teach your students to find the necessary stability for their upper backs with this simple block assist in Headstand. By placing the block at the level of the shoulder blades, you will help them to find the necessary scapular stability to get move their hips over their shoulders, which will eventually lead them to a […]
How To: Handstand
Step by step guide into handstand. Here are some tips: Straight arms: Keeping the arms straight will keep you and your students out of “nose to floor” danger Midline: Hug the inner thighs together to maintain a neutral alignment in the hips Straight legs: Keeping the legs straight makes your students safer, more supported, and […]
How to: Shoulderstand – Part 1 & 2
How to do and teach a safe and effective shoulderstand. Learn about why shoulderstand can be risky, why we prop, and how to make this pose safe for your students. How To Prop How To Teach
How to: Chaturanga!
Learn to do and teach an excellently positioned Chaturanga. Use props to find your best alignment and protect the delicate shoulder joint for repetitive stress injury. Check out as we do this is in the YYoga 200-hour Teacher Training.
How to: Chaturanga to Updog
This is a challenging transition for the best of us! Check out these options that you can use to help both do this transition – as well as teach it to your students. Avoid “cheating” and be kind to your rotator cuff 🙂
How To: Handstand Prep
Join and and the YYoga 200-hour teacher trainees as we look at how to do and teach Handstand Prep. The secret is in the bent knees and the shoulder blades…. 🙂
How To: Supta Hasta Padangustasana
An awesome way to teach Supta Hasta Padangustasana – the floor gives you great feedback for your spine and the wall allows you to feel the turn out that tends to happen as our leg takes the path of least resistance.
How not “doing it all” makes your Muppets happy
I have this fantasy. Involving many muppets. I attended an anatomy workshop last weekend with Diane Lee and LJ Lee. Also attending was a constellation of health practitioners: chiropractors, physios, massage therapists, Pilates teachers… The muppets in my brain went something like this: Kermit: “I did not know that, that is amazing!” Janice: “Wow – […]