theraputic yoga

You are currently browsing articles tagged theraputic yoga.

91 Year Old Yoga Instructor

April 12, 2010 in Yoga, video, yoga films | 16 comments

Watch this video of a 91 year old Yoga teacher who tangos in her spare time.  Her philosophy is as inspiring as her youthfulness. A life lived in service of others.  If you can't see the video in your email, got to my website and visit the blog.

Forward this post to a friend who could use some inspiration to get to Yoga:

You all asked, and we listened!

Danielle is coming out from New York City this weekend, she'll be assisting our 9am Yoga class this coming Sunday, and the Monday 4pm class. 

Danielle is gifted at helping people find just the right depth of a posture. If you've not experienced her co-teaching, you're in for a real treat. Come just a bit early if you can, so we can get started right on time.

Danielle in West Concord, April 18th, 19,th

Looking ahead slightly, Our Open Mic Kirtan on Sat. the 24'th, a free event.. If you like Yoga music, come on down! That Sunday, the 25'th is Restorative Yoga, 12:30. might be the last of the season, unless I hear differently from you. Get the scoop at the events page.

Thanks again for all your kind emails and feedback, and of course, for coming to class! This Friday night I'm at Global in Stow, 5:45.

Om-Shanti, I'll see you in class,

-John

p.s. Two more interviews coming soon, Our Airbus pilot fellow Yogi, and David, the surgeon who just went back to Haiti to serve another tour in the camps. phew, wait till you read that one. subscribe to not miss anything, upper left hand corner. -j

Tags: , , ,

Motivation

February 24, 2010 in Yoga, creativity | Add Your Comment

Making time for practice

Whatever it takes to get us to the mat…

The busier life gets, the more important Yoga becomes, and while crib notes may work for politicians, there are better ways to get your Om on.  

Sri Brahmananda Saraswati would say "Practice 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes in the evening, how hard is that?" When a reluctant student said "I don't have 10 minutes in the morning!"  he replied "oh, then you need an hour!"  

1. Make it a priority.  Remember how good you feel after your Yoga.  Plant the seeds for a daily practice.

2. Mark the classes you plan to attend on your calendar.   Go ahead, turn ahead to next month and write those classes in too!

3. Some people like to have a Yoga buddy.  Take turns driving to class, and now they're counting on you.

4. Technology can help,  Nowadays it's very-easy to send yourself a class reminder. Set it once and it will remind you every week.  Check out one of these free email and text message reminder services:

ReSnooze:  - Quick and easy to setup. The simplest of the bunch.

Time Cave:   –  Many more options,  precision timing.

My Email Reminders:  -   Highly configurable.

5. If you can't make the time for a full practice, 10-15 minutes of Yoga can really help keep the peace.  

If that's a challenge, Individual sessions really shine here, where we work together to develop a personalized home-practice.  

Hope this helps, I'd love to hear your ideas on making time to practice, just click on comment link and let us know how you get to the mat.

Om Shanti, I'll see you in class.

John

P.S.  check out the First Day of Spring countdown timer!, scroll down the left hand side of my website.  We'll be gathering for our special spring equinox class.  email me your rsvp.  -j   

Tags: , , ,

Just Ducky

June 19, 2009 in Yoga | 1 comment

Joy no matter what 

 

Namaste!

I’ve been hearing lots of grumbling about our current weather pattern.  Don’t join in.  Come practice with us and be one of ’those’ people who smile in the rain!  

With steady practice we can become as happy as
those people who rent the big tents.
 
Looking ahead

I’m sub-teaching Erin’s YNFL classes , 6/27-28,
and again on the 4th and 5′th of July.  Saturday class is 8am, and
Sunday’s in at 9am, Yoga and Nia for Life in West Concord.
 
A treat

Sundari will be coming out from Jivamukti Yoga in NYC to assist our independence weekend classes on the 4′th and 5′th!

It’s been great to see you all in class, I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach.  


Om Shanti.

-john

 

 

Tags: , ,

Pranayama

November 4, 2008 in Uncategorized, Yoga | Add Your Comment

Breath Ratios for Pranayama
Inhale hold exhale hold result
6 4 6 1 energizing
6 6 6 1 energizing
6 2 6 2 balancing
8 1 8 1 balancing
6 1 8 4 relaxing
6 1 10 1 relaxing
4 1 12 1 relaxing
4 1 8 4 relaxing

Breath is life.

In class we've been experimenting with breath, and how different patterns of Pranayama affect the nervous system.  Here's a nice chart that summarizes the effects of a focused Pranayama practice. 

If you're looking to raise your energy, start with the  first exercise, sit comfortably, draw a smooth breath in through your nose to the silent count of 6.  Hold the breath in for 4, gently release the breath out through your nose to the count of 6, hold the breath out for a count of 1.  Repeat 8-10 times, be still and notice the effect.  Nice…

Start out slow if this is new to you.  If you feel lightheaded, ease up on the holding of the breath in or out.

Om Shanti, I'll see you in class.

-john

P.S.  Yoga with John was just listed as one of the top 100 Yoga sites

Tags: , , ,

Waking

July 14, 2008 in Uncategorized, Yoga, books | Add Your Comment

Required reading for anyone who has a body:  

Waking: A Memoir

 A paraplegic Yoga teacher with much to share.  I’ll be re-reading this book next time I feel challenged.

From the web review:

Matthew’s mental awareness–as a result of a spinal cord injury–was literally knocked out of the lower two-thirds of his body. While doctors were able to keep him alive, he was not given the tools to reconnect his mind to his paralyzed body.

Matthew describes how for years after the devastating accident, from the chest down, he experiences a "schism" or "a form of silence" between his mind and his body. During his first months in the hospital and later periods in intensive care units there was so much pain that leaving his body became a survival skill. These experiences alone catapulted Matthew into unknown territory when it comes to understanding the mind and body.

From this understanding Matthew begins to practice, and eventually teach Iyengar Yoga.  
 

Take care, I’ll see you in class.

John

Tags: , ,