Here Comes the Sun

Even though the studio is in wind down mode, Jade held a workshop centering on the Ashtanga sun salutation this past weekend.

Surya A is the basis of my teacher training via YogaWorks and it's the first set of movements in Primary Series. Deceptive in that it looks simple, the sun salutation broken down is intense, involving the entire body when done correctly.

I like workshops. I always learn something. This time I came to the realization that my Up Dog was sagging too close to the floor and probably just as much to blame for my shoulder issues as chatarunga is. I also found a few tweaks for Down Dog and came to the firm conclusion that I will need to modify the entire set of movements for a while longer until I've regained the lost ground from my illness over the winter.


The surprise of the workshop for me was the realization that I can roll over my toes. Hurts like hell, mind you. But it's now accessible - provided I have my upper arms strapped.

I'd encourage anyone - at any level - to try out a workshop at least once. They are not for every student, but they usually provide insight that a regular class or home practice doesn't.

Army Dumps Situps For Warrior Poses

Now that U.S. Army finds it difficult to refuse fat recruits, it's struggling to shape up the softer lumpier versions of future soldiers it finds itself with these days.

What's a drill sergeant to do?

Asana, baby, asana.

The Army is dumping it's calisthenics in favor of yoga, which is not - as any Ashtangi can attest to - a girly-man pursuit.

Over the summer, my teacher, Jill was invited to lead a morning yoga class at the local boot camp inspired fitness center. The owners are ex-Military and only just being won over to the idea that yoga is about strength as much as flexibility. It will be interesting to see where their new awareness leads them.

My own personal practice is Ashtanga primary-based. Strength is more of my issue at the moment than length of muscle or freeing limbs. I am at a point where flexibility is stalled until muscles are strong enough to propel me to the next level.

I recently began Sattva at The Yoga Room in town. Jade instructs. She's a beginning teacher like me. Well, maybe a bit more mat time under her belt than me. Sattva is an Ashtanga based instruction in its early pioneer days here on the western prairies of Alberta. My feelings about it are mixed, which according to my own teacher training instruction means I should do more of it. Never allow yourself to be seduced by that which comes easily. If something gives you pause or makes you work, it's probably more necessary to your training and growth.

Good for the Army though. A little asana never hurt anyone and it's fitting in a Gita sort of way.