Liberated Yoga
Yoga is for everyone!
Archives: 2015
Yoga Practice - a Conversation between Awareness and Body
Sometimes a Yoga session feels more like a monologue - do this, then do that, then do it like this, no, do it like that. But a Yoga practice can be so much more - a two-way conversation between the mind and the body. Every movement and breath provide sensations, and every sensation is an invitation to react to it. Sometimes reactions are the standard, expected retorts in the spirit of "Hi, how are you?" that acknowledge but do not probe. Sometimes the body speaks such interesting, provocati...
Breathing Techniques: Seetali
This is an excellent Pranayama for the times when we are stressed, agitated, overheated, suffer from Pitta aggravation or hot flashes of menopause, inflammatory processes in the body, neck and shoulder tension (and tension headaches). In my previous blog I have described the energetic implications of Pranayama, so I am just going to jump right in with Seetali. Most Yogic breathing is done through the nose, because exhaling through the mouth too fast leads to a carbon dioxide deficiency...
Breathing Techniques: Alternate Nostril
In my previous post we discussed The Three Part Breath , which should be mastered first before attempting more advanced Pranayama. Of the more advanced breathing practices, Nadi Shodhana is my favorite. It is very soothing to the nervous system and it can be adapted to whatever needs I may experience at the moment - it can energize me if I am tired, or calm me down when I am stressed. In order for you to fully appreciate the Alternate Nostril breathing technique, also called Nadi Shuddhi in s...
Breathing Techniques: Three-Part Breath
In my previous post I described the benefits of proper breathing and the dangers of dysfunctional breathing, as well as a simple breath awareness technique. In this post I will take you a bit further into a more structured approach, where we are crossing into the territory of Pranayama. First, a bit of a refresher on the terminology. Pranayama is sometimes translated from Sanskrit as "breath regulation", but that is not correct. The Sanskrit grammar dictates that the same vowel at the e...
Breathing Techniques in Yoga: Breath Awareness
In my previous post I talked about how overbreathing and Sympathetic response of our nervous system create health problems once they become habitual. The practice of Yoga is centered around the breath, and it is the aspect that sets it apart from other types of "exercise". We begin every class with Breath Awareness. Breath Awareness is easy to do and requires simply to pay attention to the breath as it comes and goes. It is a great place to start, and the funny thing is that as soon as y...
Take a Long Breath... OUT
You probably have heard the age-old advise for stressful situations: "Take a big breath in!" However, if we examine the physiology of breathing, we will realize that actually we should do the opposite. Understanding how our nervous system works will help us be more aware of how stress affects our breathing, and how, in turn, with breathing, we can affect the levels of stress. Let's begin the with the basics. You probably know that the nervous system has two states - Sympathetic and Para...
Yoga Favorites: Warrior Pose
Want to build some courage? How about some heat? Warrior pose has been a favorite of mine since the beginning. It is amazingly versatile and can be adapted for beginner and advanced practitioners. It is also wonderful in a therapeutic setting. Let's consider some broader implications. Have you noticed, like I have, that fear has been a prevailing emotion in our lives lately? Fear has its place in our lives - we evolved to have a certain response to danger, and our nervous system is hard-wir...
Ayurveda and the Seasons - Part 1: VATA.
It is starting to feel like Fall again, and I am reminded in no uncertain terms what it is to be a Vata dosha. I was much happier during the Spring and Summer, but now that the weather has turned to cold, windy, and dry, I am feeling the effect on my constitution, which is made of the same stuff. Let's take a look at the eternal dance of Nature and Dosha. I have written about Ayurveda before , so this is a follow-up blog on Vata , since the season is upon us. I will talk in greater detail...
Fitness is not Synonymous with Health
Has fitness become synonymous with health in your mind? In a culture of goal-oriented overachievers, Yoga can offer a welcome respite and a completely different set of questions. Instead of asking: "How many pounds will it help me lose?" with Yoga the question is: "How can I live a healthier, happier life?" Many people are drawn to Yoga because of its physical benefits - we are all inundated with pictures of lithe Yogis on the covers of magazines. However, consider Yoga's a...
Eight Best Yoga Poses to do Every Day
Not all Yoga poses are appropriate for everyone, but there are some that most people can and should do. I paired down to just a few of my favorites that are going to make you feel great every day no matter your age, gender, or experience. Sometimes I say that just because you can, doesn't mean you should. This is the opposite - if you can, you definitely should! These are simple, easy poses that are not strenuous on the body, but each one has a long list of benefits. By including these p...
