Knees and yoga can be found as a conflicting topic. Recently I strained my knee, or should I say what I am guessing is the tendons and ligaments above my knee. Poses that put pressure on this area, such as low and deep lunges and simultaneous quad stretches, can create tension, but when used sensitively with correct knee alignment can create further flexibility and increase knee health. The thin line between flexibility and strain is easy to cross and that is exactly what I did about two weeks ago. In addition, after sitting for a long length of time, the ligaments and tendons under my knee cap sometimes experience shooting pain when I resume placing pressure on my leg by walking down stairs. This typically happens to me in movie theaters after sitting for over an hour and a half, then immediately having to walk down stairs. In an effort to learn more about my issues research led me to the following:
Knee Deep in Yoga
Strengthen Your Knees With Yoga
On Your Knees
11.28.2010
11.12.2010
Shoulder challenged
When you have limited range of motion in one or both shoulders, certain asanas become difficult. This is especially noticeable during binds. This week in class I spoke with Ben about my limited range of motion in my right shoulder. The muscle layers under and around my shoulder blade are extremely tight and tense. His advice for releasing this was by utilizing a long tubular exercise tool that I can roll the under arm area on releasing tension in the right side of the shoulder blade. In addition, specific deep tissue massage can be useful in addressing this type of muscle tension. Ben did emphasize that this particular muscular challenge will be a long, slow process.
During this same class time we practice ujjayi breathing technique which is a pranayama technique used during asana practice. I learned more about this technique that I have now practiced many times. Ujjayi is a diaphragmatic breath, which first fills the lower belly (activating the first and second chakras), rises to the lower rib cage (the third and fourth chakras), and finally moves into the upper chest and throat. A balancing and calming breath, it also increases internal body heat. It also increase circulation of prana in the body.
Prana, vital life in sanskrit, it enters the body through the breath and is sent to every cell in the circulatory system. Yoga and prana activate the parasympathetic nervous system in the body creating a more healthy, balanced self. Prana is also known as chi in Chinese culture.
During this same class time we practice ujjayi breathing technique which is a pranayama technique used during asana practice. I learned more about this technique that I have now practiced many times. Ujjayi is a diaphragmatic breath, which first fills the lower belly (activating the first and second chakras), rises to the lower rib cage (the third and fourth chakras), and finally moves into the upper chest and throat. A balancing and calming breath, it also increases internal body heat. It also increase circulation of prana in the body.
Prana, vital life in sanskrit, it enters the body through the breath and is sent to every cell in the circulatory system. Yoga and prana activate the parasympathetic nervous system in the body creating a more healthy, balanced self. Prana is also known as chi in Chinese culture.
10.31.2010
Anusara yoga at Underground Studios
I just got home from a wonderful morning yoga class with Andrea Fotopoulos at Underground Studios in Watertown, MA. Andrea is an anusara style teacher and this was my first foray into a wonderful practice focused on the alignment of each aspect of my physical body. Yesterday, I took my first class at Underground with Ben McLellan, the owner and hath a yoga teacher. So far both of my experiences have been grounded in a strong foundation of traditional yoga... Not just moving through asanas, but grounding it in the spiritual practice of yoga through breath work, meditation, and mantras. Recently I have started to seriously pursue research about yoga teacher training. Being in the Boston has really helped me to understand various styles of yoga and to deepen my personal practice. It is truly a privilege to
Be in an urban area with so many wonderful studios and teachers. Prior to joining Underground through an awesome Living Social deal, I was trying out Baptiste yoga... Which I also found a deal through Group On. This new found way of trying yoga has suited me well for the past few months, as yoga can get pretty pricey.
Baptiste is a specific style of Power Vinyasa Yoga. The baptiste studios in Brookline and Cambridge are usually packed with practitioners, streaming into a room so hot the steam rolls down the windows. I truly enjoyed the feeling that Baptiste left me with. Over the course of days after practicing Baptiste two days in a row, I felt truly grounded and centered. What does those words mean anyways.... Let's just say, I wasn't scattered, emotional, irritable, frustrated, or anxiety ridden. This is some of what yoga should definitely offer you following practice. My boyfriend went to Bikram yesterday while I was in Hatha.
Be in an urban area with so many wonderful studios and teachers. Prior to joining Underground through an awesome Living Social deal, I was trying out Baptiste yoga... Which I also found a deal through Group On. This new found way of trying yoga has suited me well for the past few months, as yoga can get pretty pricey.
Baptiste is a specific style of Power Vinyasa Yoga. The baptiste studios in Brookline and Cambridge are usually packed with practitioners, streaming into a room so hot the steam rolls down the windows. I truly enjoyed the feeling that Baptiste left me with. Over the course of days after practicing Baptiste two days in a row, I felt truly grounded and centered. What does those words mean anyways.... Let's just say, I wasn't scattered, emotional, irritable, frustrated, or anxiety ridden. This is some of what yoga should definitely offer you following practice. My boyfriend went to Bikram yesterday while I was in Hatha.
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