The Need For Motor Control in our Yoga Practice
Yoga-related injuries have markedly increased during the past 15 years. We hear of shoulder issues, hip replacements, herniated discs and other physically traumatic experiences. If yoga is meant to be therapeutic, holistic and healing, what is behind these...
Why I Still Practice Yoga After 20 Years
This coming September will mark 20 years I’ve been practicing yoga. Except for a 2-year period where I hit a major wall, said “I’m done. Fuck Yoga. I am going to play tennis, drink beer, watch tv and be a regular person”, I have practiced most everyday over this...
The Psoas is not the muscle of your F@#$%ING soul
For years now I have seen different articles, books and advertisements stating that the psoas is the muscle of your soul. Claims are being made that the psoas is the source of all back and hip pain and releasing it will cure your disc issue and heal your sciatica....
Breath, Sports, and Consciousness
About 4 years ago I was having a conversation with a friend who told me that the Navy teaches their soldiers to breathe in and out of their noses while they’re training. At first thought, I said, “That’s a mistake”, but as I thought about it more, I realized I...
The Glutes
The Gluteus Maximus is part of our core stabilizing system. It is supposed to be one of the strongest muscles in the body but due to our lifestyles and compensation patterns, this is often not the case. Weak glutes can lead to back, hip, knee, neck pain and more....
One Year Later
It has been almost one year since BKS Iyengar passed and it has been one year since my last post. When I wrote of his death and the beautiful ceremonies that took place in Pune, I had no idea I would not write again for this long. It was only about one month ago...
The Passing Of Our Yoga Master
I have been hesitant to write this, but as I have been in Pune for 3 months now and have been a part of the processions and celebration of Guruji BKS Iyengar, I feel a bit compelled to write and share what it has been like to be here. The day that Guruji passed was...
Class With Abhi
Today we had the honor of having women’s class with Abhijata. It was a bit of a surprise as a different teacher started the class and only after about a minute of being in Ado Mukha Virasana did another voice emerge from the front of the hall. People’s heads popped...
The End Of Month Two
I just finished my second month here at the Iyengar Institute in Pune. With only one month left, I already feel tinges of sadness and fear, and the desire to stay for the rest of the year. I will have completed 3 months by the time I leave, have learned so much, and...
Backbends With Dave
Without a doubt, my favorite part of the day is the self practice in the hall from 9-12. After the 7-9 am class, I often leave, eat half a watermelon or a coconut, and get back to the hall by 9:30 for 2 1/2 hours of practice. In some ways, even though there is no...
A Yogic Journey
Its 7am. I am sitting in the yoga hall, sweat dripping down my back as Prashant enters to lead the opening chant. He does it so matter of factly. Nothing fancy at all. As he speaks, I realize I can’t understand a word he is saying. I start to panic and think, ...
Mobility VS. Stability: The Creation of a Healthy Joint
Over the last year or two, the question of mobility vs. stability has taken rise within the therapy world. Many argue that mobility must come first while others claim that if stability is not first established, mobility will lead to injury. While its fun to debate...
Pain: Nuisance or Teacher?
Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to deal with and face a great deal of pain. When I tore my ACL, the physical agony I experienced was unlike any other I had ever had. And then after surgery, the recovery was no joke. My range of motion was drastically...
Impermanence, Doubt, and Freedom
If there’s one thing that traveling offers to you, its the opportunity to reflect and observe yourself at the deepest level. Without the normal distractions of TV, internet, etc, this “I am with me” environment can be incredibly fruitful. I had a real clear...
Perfection, Patience, and Practice
There’s a great story of a very revered Thai Monk who came to America in the early 80s. Many of his disciples were excited to bring him to the states and made a very big deal about it. One of them, in particular, was a painter and spent about 12 months painting a...