A couple exciting anouncements this week-
The new Yoga Shala space in the beautiful Buckman neighborhood opens on Monday! I will be there Tuesdays and Thursdays and there are lots of amazing other teachers there all week long! The studio is in the old Yoga Bhoga space on SE 14th and Morrison.
Seattle folks- mark your calendars- I will be teaching another workshop at Discover Yoga on April 21st to welcome in Spring. Email me for details.
Just in the last week or so I have really started to feel the lack of light that comes with a Pacific Northwest Winter. My coffee consumption has just about doubled and I still am ready to crawl into bed around 9pm most nights. Its this time of year that a challenging and active practice can really keep me going. I had some time to practice on my own this week and found myself coming back to the Ashtanga Standing Series (and part of the Primary when I had time)- the energizing Ujjayi breath and intensity of the standing poses helps me feel grounded and ups my energy at the same time. I've practiced a lot of high speed vinyasa classes over the years and I tend to get a bit too amped up after some of them- Ashtanga helps me find the energy I need without stressing out my nervous system.
I return to the breath a lot when I am teaching, it is a great tool to keep the mind focused and aware to check to be sure we aren't overworking or underworking- Ujjayi breathing- translating to Victorious Breath is the breath that I usually practice to and teach- Tim Miller- Yoga Teacher Extroadinaire has this to say about it, I really love it:
"When done properly, Ujjayi (translated as "victorious") breathing should be both energizing and relaxing. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali suggests that the breath should be both dirga (long) and suksma (smooth). The sound of Ujjayi is created by gently constricting the opening of the throat to create some resistance to the passage of air. Gently pulling the breath in on inhalation and gently pushing the breath out on exhalation against this resistance creates a well-modulated and soothing sound—something like the sound of ocean waves rolling in and out.
It is important to remember that the key to Ujjayi breathing is relaxation; the action of Ujjayi naturally lengthens the breath. Some small effort is required to produce a pleasing sound, but too much effort creates a grasping quality and a grating sound. Generally, it is the inhalation that presents the greater challenge. So begin by practicing on the exhalation where there is a natural letting go process.
To practice the inhalation, focus on creating a soothing and pleasing sound that is unhurried and unforced. I suggest working on your Ujjayi breathing in a seated, relaxed cross-legged position. Imagine sipping the breath in through a straw. If the suction is too strong the straw collapses and great force is required to suck anything through it. Once Ujjayi breathing is mastered in a seated position, the challenge is to maintain the same quality of breathing throughout your asana practice.
Throughout your practice, try to maintain the length and smoothness of the breath as much as possible. Once you find a baseline Ujjayi breath in a pose that is not too strenuous (Downward Facing Dog for example), endeavor to maintain that quality of breath throughout the practice. Some asanas require great effort, and you may begin to strain in your breath. If you are straining in your breath, you may be pushing yourself too hard in your practice. Use that feedback as a guide throughout your practice—if you start to strain, it may be time to back out of a pose and rest."
Tim Miller has been a student of Ashtanga Yoga for over twenty years and was the first American certified to teach by Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India. Tim has a thorough knowledge of this ancient system, which he imparts in a dynamic, yet compassionate and playful manner. For information about his workshops and retreats in the United States and abroad visit his Web site, www.ashtangayogacenter.com.
Public Teaching Schedule:
Monday 6:30am, People's Yoga North, Morning Flow
Monday 9:30am, Yoga Shala North, Vinyasa Level 2
Monday 4pm, Yoga Shala North, All Level Vinyasa
Monday 6pm, Yoga Shala SE, Vinyasa Level 2
Tuesday 9:30am, Yoga Shala Buckman, Vinyasa Level 2 *NEW!
Tuesday 12pm, Yoga Shala Buckman, All Level Vinyasa *NEW!
Wednesday 6:30am, People's Yoga North, Morning Flow
Wednesady 4pm, Yoga Shala North, All Level Vinyasa
Wednesday 7:15pm, Exhale Yoga, Yoga Basics
Thursday 9:30am, Yoga Shala Buckman, Vinyasa Level 2 *NEW!
Thursday 12pm, Yoga Shala Buckman, All Level Vinyasa *NEW!
Thursday 6pm, Yoga Shala SE, Vinyasa Level 2
Friday 6:30am, People's Yoga North, Morning Flow
Friday 9:15am, Exhale Yoga, Hatha Blend
Friday 5:30pm, Yoga Shala SE, All Level Vinyasa
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