Focus: Backbends to open the chest.
Thinking of Guruji Iyengar’s 91st birthday on December 14, yoga practice is not limited by either class or time (or place) [Patanjali Yoga Sutra II.31]. When handing out certificates this past July at the yoga school of his nephew, Desikachar, one student complained of difficulty doing Sirsasana because of his age and stiff neck. Guruji Iyengar responded:
"Age is your enemy. It restricts you to a certain frame of mind, but the purpose of yoga is to get out of that frame of mind and go beyond. I was practicing non-stop right up to the age of 57... [until] I fell from a scooter and hurt myself so badly that I could not even lift my hands. My students thought my life was over. But I combated it. I told myself that if I stop, I it would mean I have no faith in myself. So I fought. I combated my fear. Today I am 91, but I can do headstand for 30 minutes, and my feet don't oscillate even for 30 seconds. Sadhana (practice) cannot be stopped."
Source: Times of India, July 2009:
In this class, especially, we find ways to adapt the poses so that all students can do them.
Note new poses for this week are in bold face.
Invocation in Swastikasana
1. Salamba Purvottanasana
2. Viparita Dandasana on the backbender
a. With the apex of the curve just below the shoulder blades, support the crown of the head on a bolster, the neck with a neck roll, and the lower legs on bolsters.
3. Utthita Trikonasana
a. With the back to the wall, and holding the wall ropes to prevent fatigue or falling due to lack of balance and stamina
b. Easier to do with an open chest.
4. Viparita Karani
a. Contact of leg with support to prevent clonus.
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