Namaste!

SweatyYaya is a blog created to help Yoga St. Louis Intro students with building a home practice. SweatyYaya is a memorable mispronunciation of the Sanskrit word: svadhyaya. Svadhyaya is the practice of self-study and is one of the niyamas (observances) presented in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Disclaimer

This blog is for information only and should not be considered medical advice of any kind.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Monday 9:30a Intro: Week 1 (May 4, 2009)


11 students, 4 new. Focus of class: do, re-do, learn, unlearn, re-learn to touch perfection. Begin to make the mind connect with the body in ways & places that have been unexplored before. Learn to use the legs/thighs to support the pelvis, spine & head.

Please note: The pose names are provided here in both Sanskrit and their English translation the first time they are listed in a session, and the first time taught in class. Ex: If Utthita Parsva Konasana is taught twice in one class, the definition is given after the first listing (see #7 & 9 below). If taught the following week, the definition will not be provided again to encourage students to follow along from Week 1 and begin to learn the Sanskrit names of the poses.

1. Swastikasana
Swastika = Cross, Asana = Pose
We begin each class in cross-legged pose, seated on a bolster with blankets supporting under the feet and knees to level the height of the knees;
Observe and make it so the buttock bones are balanced;
Lift the sternum, the side chest & bring the shoulders back, shoulder blades into the back body;
Bring the palms together, elbows down, chest broad & head level for chanting AUM 3x;

2. Tadasana / Samasthiti
Tada = Mountain / Sama = Same, Sthiti = Stable
Make 4 points of the feet* press evenly like 4 wheels on a car;
*Big toe mound, little toe mound, inner heel, outer heel;
Lift knee caps up by contracting the frontal thigh muscles;
Roll inner thighs inwards/back & outer thighs forward;
Move frontal thighs back, buttocks back;
Lift the sternum, the side chest & bring the shoulders back, shoulder blades into the back body;
Extend arms down through the fingers;

3. Urdhva Hastasana
Urdhva = Upward, Hasta = Hand
In Tadasana, raise arms up w/straight elbows;
Don't allow frontal thighs to come forward;
Extend from hips to finger tips opening the side body;

4. Tadasana w/ brick
Place foam brick between upper thighs;
"Eject" the brick backwards & use thighs to lift;

5. Urdhva Hastasana in brick Tadasana
Which is easier? With or without the brick?
Compare / contrast effects on arms & on the mind;

6. Virabhadrasana 2
Virabhadra = Warrior
3x;
Bend front knee to a right angle over the ankle, open inner thigh;
Back leg straight, inner knee lifted;
4 points of each foot planted firmly;
Lift evenly the sides of waist & chest;
Arms extended,
"shoot spaghetti" through finger tips to activate entire arm;
3rd time: move into...

7. Utthita Parsva Konasana
Utthita = Extended, Parsva = Side, Kona = Angle
From Virabhadrasana 2, reach front arm out and down, hand to brick;
Extend side waist over bent thigh;
Back leg straight, knee firm;
Upper arm extend towards ceiling;

8. Utthita Trikonasana
Utthita = Extended, Tri = Three, Kona = Angle
2-3x;
In triangle pose, both legs are straight, both arms are straight;
Lift knee caps up, 4 points of feet press firmly down;
Back foot turns in about 30 degrees;
Front foot, knee & thigh turn out so inner edge of foot is parallel to front edge of mat;
Move from hip joint to take hand to shin or brick; other hand/arm extend toward ceiling;
3rd time: move into...

9. Utthita Parsva Konasana
Same as prior Parsva Konasana, but take upper arm alongside upper ear, as in Urdhva Hastasana;

10. Chatuschpadasana
Chatusch = Four, Pada = Foot
Similar to Setubandha Sarvangasana (bridge pose)
2x;
Two blankets stacked under shoulders, head on the floor;
Brick placed under hips/sacrum; belt around front of ankles with reach of heels;
Knees bent, feet beneath knees near buttocks, toes turned in/heels out;
Press heels down, raise hips up;
Clasp hands under buttocks;
Roll shoulders to the right to tuck left arm under chest & roll left to tuck right arm under;
Press upper arms down into blanket to lift chest up;
Lift hips towards ceiling;
Find belt & pull with arms to pull shoulders under & left chest towards chin;
If able, hold ankles or stand heels on upward facing palms;
Keep head straight, eyes soft;

11. Savasana
Sava = Corpse
Rest with head on folded blanket;
Arms & legs extend out straight;
Eyes closed, breath soft & regular;
Relax everything.

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