March 2011 Astanga Primary Series
O2 Yoga has its roots in the astanga tradition. This tradition was interpreted and organized by Shri K Patabi Jois during the last century, although it is based on ancient texts in India. Every year, I teach a 200-hour teacher training that always begins with the astanga Primary Series. O2 Yoga is not an astanga […]
February 2011 Twisting Triangle (Parivritta Trikonasana)
After month of lotus (did your knees survive?) and the month before on wheel (how’s your lower back holding up?) I wanted to shift the focus: a standing posture, something that would allow us to work on length and extension, something a little more clean and straightforward. Twisting Triangle (parivritta trikonasana) is the first twist […]
December 2010 Padmasana (Lotus)
Padmasana, or Lotus pose, is in many ways the quintesential yoga posture. It is the one most non-yoga practitioners think of when they imagine a yoga practice (that and ommmmmmmm). It seems appropriate to focus on padmasana at the end of the year because it represents consolidation of energy, balanced energy, and expanded energy. You […]
November 2010 Hanumanasana (Splits)
Hanumanasana, or split pose, is one of the most difficult postures both to access and to teach properly. There are a million “cheats,” but doing it with alignment in mind will help you in everything you do in yoga. Anatomically, hanumanasana hip flexion in the front and hip extension on the back leg. Believe it […]
October 2010 Backbends
Backbends are in many ways the opposite of much of what we do all day. In yoga there is the concept of balance of opposites. Sukha/Stira (hard/soft), ying/yang, warming/cooling, strength/flexibility. We are constantly being pulled on by gravity, so most of the time we are getting pulled forward and down. Backbending is the opposite of […]
September 2010 Handstand (Adho mukha vrkasana)
This posture represents many of the aspects of yoga that I cherish, as well as the aspects that challenge me. Handstands are playful, scary, teetery (is that a word?), unpredictable, elating, challenging, strengthening, and perspective-changing. We have all heard the phrase, “stand on your own two feet.” What about, “Stand on your own two hands”? […]
August 2010 Stillness
In yoga you often hear the word stillness associated with the practice. “Moving into stillness,” “find the stillness in the pose.” What does that mean exactly? Being still allows for more awareness of what is happening right in that very moment. It is a way of being present. Think about what many animals do when […]
July 2010 Intention
Many times, at the beginning of a practice, the teacher will say, “set an intention for today’s practice.” Setting an intention really means focusing on one thing, especially something important. It’s a way of harnessing energy and putting things in perspective. Many believe that yoga practice not only shifts an individual’s energy, but may shift […]
June 2010 Breaking Out of Basics
Are you a student who always takes Basics classes? Are you curious about whether you are ready to try other classes? Do you have questions about foundation postures and concepts of the practice such as proper alignment of the up-dog and push-up, breathing, locks, anatomy, and more? Do you find O2 Yoga practice fun and […]
May 2010 Astanga Second Series—Nadi Shodhana
It seems appropriate to focus on Second Series as we near the longest day of the year. The Primary Series is in many ways the entryway into the asana practice of the astanga yoga system. The Primary Series builds strength and flexibility and better connection of breath and locks, foundations essential for the asanas of […]
