Bakasana, by Yoga Journal
From Elias Lopez, at Abhaya Yoga:
Elias, demonstrating Bakasana: You can stay here, with the toes on the ground. That’s the pink variation. Or you can lift one foot, that’s the blue variation. Or the other foot, that’s still blue. Or lift both feet, that’s the purple variation. Any color you wish; all colors are light.
Rough quote, but it was a beautiful use of language. To get people to detach from chasing “advanced” variations, just because they’re there, we need to eliminate the hierarchy of Beginner < Intermediate < Advanced. The variations are like colors, distinct but equal; we just want to choose the one that feels right for the moment.
[Strala Yoga does something similar, calling its classes "Strong", "Relax" and "Recover."]
Visvamitrasana, from Yoga Journal
From Tara Glazier, at Abhaya Yoga:
Student: Why do I feel like I’m pulling my shoulder out if its socket? [in Visvamitrasana]
Tara: You might be!
This wake-up call drew a big round of laughter from the class. It’s easy to forget that the asanas are serious challenges for the body. (She went on to explain that we need to draw the shoulder strongly back into its socket to counteract the force of the leg.)
I’m still chewing on an idea from yoga this morning, a delicious treat. Even better than weekend pastries.
Tara Glazier, the owner of Abhaya Yoga in Dumbo, was teaching us the concept of arm spirals. (It’s an alignment refinement she said she just figured out last week, after 10 years of practice.) We would internally rotate the arms, rounding the shoulders, to feel the width across the upper back, the spreading between the shoulder blades, and the expansion of the breath in the back of the body.
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Abhaya Yoga
On Friday I stopped through Dumbo on my way home. A friend was having a party in her workspace there, and my can’t-make-it excuse (“I’m supposed to go to yoga”) held no water once she informed me that her office had a yoga studio ON THE SAME FLOOR. So, 6:30 yoga; 8:00 party it was. ($10 new student specials help with spontaneity.)
Abhaya Yoga just opened last week. It’s the only yoga studio in Dumbo, so it’s a welcome addition to the beautiful waterfront. (They lead free classes in the park at 2pm Saturdays.) The views from 10 Jay Street are ridiculous, so I was excited to test my focus against them.
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Sangha Yoga Shala, the new-ish “Community House” in Williamsburg, is offering a free class with founder Alana Kessler!
On Tuesday, Sangha Yoga Shala will make sure that finding yourself in an awkward position leaves you more centered than bent out of shape. As part of its “free yoga Tuesdays,” the studio offers a basic vinyasa class with a professional instructor.
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Thank you Brokelyn! The awesome blog about “living big on small change” researched a list of massages under $50. There’s one five blocks from my house! Check it out here:
http://www.brokelyn.com/massages-for-50-and-under-in-brooklyn/
“Be the Change You Wish To See In The World”
These are the words of Gandhi, a man whose life was defined by selflessness, nonviolence and whose legacy ignited a spiritual revolution. It is true that humans must expand their own individual consciousness and integrate that awareness in themselves before one is able to offer that truth unto the world, but the real transformative power lies in the collective. Only in community can we transcend and truly make a positive impact on the world.
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Brooklyn adventurers, have some fun tomorrow:
To share some holiday spirit, Resurgent Fitness offers a full day of excellent free classes, including abs at 11:15, capoeira at noon, Muay Thai at 1:15, bellydance at 2:30, Congolese dance at 4pm, yoga at 5:15, and Djimbe dance and drum at 6:30. Call for a full schedule.
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Just found out about this great program: CityParks is offering six-week fitness classes to seniors, for free. The fall session started September 21. Yoga offerings are located at the following parks:
QUEENS
Roy Wilkins Park: Yoga W/F 11 AM, Tennis Courts Baisley Blvd & 177th St
Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Yoga M/W 9 AM, Park Tennis Courts Meridian Rd
BRONX
Van Cortlandt Park / Woodlawn: Yoga M/W 9 AM, Woodlawn Courts Jerome Ave & E 233 St
Pelham Bay Park: Yoga M/W 9 AM, Middleton Road & Stadium Ave
MANHATTAN
Inwood Hill Park: Yoga T/TH 9 AM, Tennis Courts W 207 St & Seaman Ave
BROOKLYN
Marine Park: Yoga M/W 9 AM, Nature Center Ave U & E 32 St
Red Hook Park: Yoga M/W 9 AM, Recreation Center 155 Bay St
STATEN ISLAND
Greenbelt Park: Yoga M/W 9 AM, again at 10 AM, 501 Brielle Ave
Thanks to CharityFocus Blog for the tip. (Click the link to read about her experiences teaching the classes.)
Free Week of Yoga
Yoga Month is almost over, but you have six days left to register and get a free week of yoga at participating studios. You must be a new student at the studio.
In New York City, that includes:
That’s a really nice deal! You can’t even BUY single classes at Pure, it’s membership only. Don’t miss out…
