Had a great outing this afternoon up in Balto working with the Loyola Men’s & Women’s X-C teams. We did a big session in their main gym. This is my third year doing pre-season sessions with their teams. And as usual, they all did very well!
Go Greyhounds! Have a successful season as well as a strong academic term!!
Thanks Coach Woods for having me up again…
Yoga Anatomy: Back & Hips ~ Register Now
Sun, Sep 26, 2p – 4:30p
Galesville Memorial Hall
$30 by Sep 22 – $35 after Sep 22
Explore your anatomy – theoretically & practically – in this highly interactive workshop. Co-presented by Shawn C. O’Neill, D.P.T. (Bayside Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation) & Satyam, this session will focus on developing a greater understanding of how our yoga postures (asanas) affect the health of our hips and back. Learn what goes into a pose from the inside out. We will begin with a short informative presentation and segue into an extended yoga practice marked by stop & start action, giving maximum opportunity for dialog, inquiry, and modifications. While the class will address the “big anatomical picture” of the hips and back, there will certainly be time to address personal health issues & concerns related with these areas. This is a unique opportunity to gain an expanded perspective of your yoga practice and enhance your ability to maintain proper care of your hips and back. All are welcome – register early as we expect this to fill quickly.
Handouts given; please bring a pen; notebook, i-Pad or journal (optional).
Dr. O’Neill holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from University of Maryland – College Park, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from University of Maryland – Eastern Shore.
This afternoon we had a hearty and courageous crew for our Intermediate workshop. We covered aspects of svarshastra (science of breath control), the role of asanas within the greater schema of astaunga yoga, and we of course spent time reviewing, enhancing, and learning intermediate level poses like: Triangle (and variations), Half Moon, Bound Side Angle, Warrior III, Chaturaunga Dandasana, Crow & Side Crow, Side Plank (and variations), Shoulderstand, Wheel and more! All who came did a most admirable job with their poses.
More than that however, the session shined because of everyone’s spirited sense of inquiry, openness to peer review, supportive words, and can-do attitude. Our on-going dialog not only addressed technical aspects of our poses but over-arching topics and inspirations about yoga in general.
I am also pleased to report that along the way my clumsiness only led to knocking over a single water bottle (and spilling it on Irene’s blanket and mat) and my drawing blood on only two separate occasions (inadvertently kicking my clipboard & rising up from a squat only to slam my back onto the overhang of a table). For me that’s actually a pretty decent afternoon. Who says mine isn’t the school of hard knocks!
All clumsiness aside, everyone dived and strived deeper into their practice and moved safely ahead on the journey of yoga.
To those who came out – thank you for your wonderful satsaunga (uplifting company) and to those who couldn’t be there, we hope to see you at the next one!
No, that is not a striped horse that mom is feeding – that is a zebra.
Some of you may be thinking that mom took a jaunt to Africa. Not exactly…
Get this – that zebra is living in the Green Mountain State, i.e. Vermont!! And mom is up there this weekend visiting family & friends – and yes zebras too!
ZEBRA FACTS:
- Their stripes come in different patterns unique to each individual.
- It was previously believed that zebras were white animals with black stripes, however, the animal’s background color is dark and the white stripes are additions.
- When chased, a zebra will zig-zag from side to side, making it more difficult for the predator.
- Zebras have excellent eyesight. It is believed that they can see in color. Like most ungulates, the zebra has its eyes on the sides of its head, giving it a wide field of view. Zebras also have night vision.
Ahhh…summer: Sunshine, beaches, family outings & handstands!!
Here is Jean Rupard, one of our NECC faithful, airing it out under the sun!
You might think that Jean is flanked by curiosity seekers, but alas – no. Those are her grandchildren!! And it did not take long until gram’ got them into the act – is that a cool grandma or what!!
So here they are!! For the first 2 minutes, they all had their legs perfectly straight together, and then as a grand finale they decided to shake it out a little and do an inverted dance! That is what we see here.
The moral of the story: If you think you are going to have a relaxed day at the beach with grandma – think again!!
Tour some of the more remote and inspiring places on this earth, contemplating the link that unites us all.
For a full screen, high resolution viewing, click here.
Celebrate
National Yoga Month
with us!!!
September 2010
Free Yoga, Free Raffle & Giveaways, & special savings!!!
Just in from Mary Flora’s (Mon Nite NECC) team!!
The ground may be hard and burning hot, but that did not deter these brave, young souls from trying to get a handle on bakasana or crow pose…
Here they are captured in a number of creative variations, with a couple of onlookers making sure all goes smoothly. The guy in the middle just completed a perfect crow pose and now is just trying to find his money that fell to the ground!
Here they are trying their luck at viirbhadrasana II or Warrior II.
They get an A+ for spiritedness – after all the heat index was only 105 degrees, in the shade!!!
So while the back arm may be wilting a touch – their hearts are totally into the pose!!
Nirvana!!!
Anandam!!!!
Bliss!!!
Here are two confident youths doing handstands on the concrete – with the steadiness of mind they neatly pull of the pose. Well Done!!
Now back to the pool!!!
Thanks Mary for sending us these great pics!!!
No movement is without its debates and controversies. As yoga moves from east to west, there is a growing discussion about its presentation.
In particular, in the past week, there have been some bigger discussions coming to the fore.
For those who like debate and controversy – or simply like to know what is going on – here are some articles and blogs to consider.
1) The nature of advertisements in Yoga Journal: One of the founders of YJ, Judith Lasater, wrote a letter to the editor (Sep 10) about the “naked & half-naked” photos used nowadays in YJ advertisements. Here is that letter as well as an interview with Ms Lasater, & more (note: the below blog posts are the same yet featured on different blogsites hence different comments).
Advertising in YJ #1 ~~~~~~~ Advertising in YJ #2
2) A Yoga Entrepreneur: Then there was a very large article in the New York Times about one famous American yoga teacher (John Friend) and how he does business.
In response, the following reply was given…
The above is for those interested in some of the discussions within the contemporary yoga movement.
This poignant message from Chief Seattle of 150 years ago still provides reflection for us as a humanity. Imagine if we could have paid heed to his words back then. Today, we also have such an opportunity. It is never too late. When we rediscover our link with this earth / universe, then so many positive transformations will invariably unfold. In this regard, the great chief’s message parallels yogic principles of oneness and reverence for all forms of life and natural expression. May this be the meditation of today’s humanity…
On July 11, 2010 we held a Live Sitar and Yoga program at Galesville Memorial Hall. The Chesapeake Current was on hand and they wrote this wonderful article about the program that appeared in today’s edition.
==> Click here to read it on-line… (hint scroll to page 5)
Be sure to pick-up your own free copy of the Chesapeake Current at your local library, rec center, community hall, or shopping center like the Safeway in Dunkirk, among other places – plus we have some on hand in class.
As the article states, our next Live Sitar & Yoga program will be held on Sun Oct 24 from 2p – 4p.
The new labyrinth at St James Parish (Lothian) is now complete. It is an absolutely wonderful presentation that can serve as a place for walking meditation, contemplation or simply as a refuge from the rigors of life. Do be sure to take note of this great addition to our community.
It has to be mentioned that Patti Sachs spearheaded this project, funded by memorial contributions, from beginning to end (1 – 2 years). There is more to come also! Patti informs us that as soon as summer’s heat passes a garden will be planted around the labyrinth. Without her vision, diligence and perseverance, this entire project certainly would never have happened – nor come to fruition. And it is she who sent me the above photo with the note that “Everyone is welcome!!”.
Here is an audio for your listening pleasure…
“The melange of sitar and violin that manifests in Neel Murgai Ensemble’s “Space Twang” represents fusion at its best.” – NPR
What do you think? Is this not yet another neat blending of east and west.
For the full article on NPR and more about Neel Murgai, please click here…
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Here elephants use their brawn and brains – and most importantly their feeling of collective welfare – to rescue their little toddler.
There is a great lesson in this for our present humanity. As strong and as smart as we may be, that strength & smartness should always be used for helping those in need – not any self-centered agenda.
As we develop as a humanity, slowly we are making our way in the right direction, with a few growing pains here and there.Yoga and meditation will certainly help illumine the proper pathway – enabling us to create a world-based human society upon on the pillars of peace, security and universal benevolence.
Enjoy watching the elephants!!!
Intermediate Workshop~ register ~
Sun, Aug 22, 2p – 4p
Galesville Memorial Hall
$20 by Aug 18; $25 after Aug 18
In this open forum, we will deepen our knowledge, advance our practice & explore poses like triangle, half moon, and their variations as well as challenging & strength building sequences, arm balances & more.
This is the ideal time to get the essentials in a step-by-step format. There will be plenty of time for questions, personal & peer review, and requests.
This workshop is ideal for anyone interested in furthering their practice, transitioning into Strength & Fitness classes, learning new variations, and / or reviewing the foundation of poses in your current level of practice.
Warrior III – on a slope no less!!
Here is our good friend Gillian majestically doing Warrior III on the dunes of the Outer Banks (N.C.)
While many may have exercised caution on such terrain, Gillian dove right into it, which is what our warrior poses are all about: fearlessness.
Here is another balance pose, no less easy mind you – not with that wind anyway!!
Tree pose overlooking the dunes – a nice addition to the landscape.
So nice to see everyone doing yoga on their vacations – to see all our yoga vacation posts and pics, click here.
When you are on the road this summer – share with us your yoga best!!
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