Practice

65 entries in 2021 · oldest first

2021
The classic.
in imageThe classic.
ohsurewinston
CJ
MAMI
JAMAS
АаГилалат
ЛИППГальпапьполис
ar иі
akiaP40
THANKS FOR THE
VAMWICA
RECOMMENDATION
HHN
Ashtanda
Ashtanga Yoga
The Practice Manual
David Swenaon
💬 Comment
Its that time of year again: resolution season. When you work in spiritual communities, gymnasiums, and/or wellness centers, you can't miss it.

Being aware of it doesn't mean that I've had to engage in it; I've typically been abroad, studying with my teachers during this pivotal time of transformation. I reckon what I've had come across my desk this time of year is more the "run-off"-- how it impacts those in my communities. Over the years, I've been struck by the dichotomy of response: managers and studio owners were thrilled to see rookies and wayward weekend warriors returning, while many yoga teachers themselves found that their progress in creating community was often frustratingly glutted by folks who lacked commitment, thereby "taking away from" the more committed practitioners.

Woof.

It's so easy to see both sides of it, and so easy to look down one's nose at so much associated with this malarky: conflating yoga with "getting fit", the pressure to be anti-fat, and of course all of the other dogwhistles things out there that say "you're not good enough."

I'll say it again: woof. But, it doesn't have to be this way inside of the lab of our own teachings and practices.

Come see more of my thoughts on this, and how to approach this season as both a professional and a practitioner, over at FunctionalAshtanga.com
in imageCOMPARE
CONTRAST
💬 Comment
💬 Comment
I'm teaching Asana Foundations this month over at Functional Ashtanga. We started on Bandhas this week, with a deep dive into Mula Bandha. I'm excited to cover more for the rest of February. If you're interested, the studio, academy, and Mysore room are all open.

http://functionalasthanga.com
in imageBADDHA PADMASANA,
YOGA-MUDRA
Baddha Padmasana
"bound lotus"
Yoga-Mudra
"symbol for yoga"
💬 Comment
“It doesn’t feel like it’s getting any closer,” she says. “Work with gravity— that’s good stuff, “ I say. watch the face. That eyeroll.
in imageThe struggle continues... But that's not why I'm posting this video
The struggle continues... / But that's not why I'm posting this video / watch the face. That eyeroll. / "Work with gravity— that's good stuff, " I say. / "It doesn
💬 Comment
in imageYOGA.
yogashalanashville
Join us with
Michael Joel Hall
for
PRATYAHARA
Practice & Philosophy
A VIRTUAL YOGA
WORKSHOP
$25
SATURDAY • MAR 13th
DEVHDn
130-330pm CST
CSA ЗHAC
NASHVILLE
YOGASHALANASHVILLE.COM
yogashalanashville Pratyahara - the elusive 5th limb of
Patanjali's ashtanga yoga - Come join the incredible Michael...
💬 Comment
Prasarita Padottanasana with heel grip. Focusing on posterior tilt of the scapula. I’m using this setup for alleviating alleviating upper crossed syndrome (commonly found in overhead athletes) and rounded shoulders (ashtanga/vinyasa practitioners). Excellent isometric strength training for shoulder posterior tilting, shoulder external rotation, and shoulder depression. Also good for forearm supination and grip strength. Base width and hip flexion can both create variability in shoulder upward/downward (superior/inferior) and spine segmentation. Focus on getting geniohumoral joint in line with elbows (approx 130) via abduction and thorasic segmentation. Application is particularly useful after pec minor stretching.

Found commonly in Bishnu Ghosh style yoga, currently being modeled with head in position to work anterior neck strength in conjunction with posterior scapular tilt and mild thorasic extension to create a well braced neutral upper back and spine.

Posture inspired by @holly.yogs.lightly
💬 Comment
Marichyasana A, modeled with a block and a bind.

This pose has a peculiar demand: *major* ankle dorsiflexion. A requisite for this posture is strength and flexibility in the ankle such that the knee can go forward and beyond the toes so as to get the center of mass towards and beyond the center of the foundation.

This can be a struggle for some, as these deeper ankle positions were not commonly taught in yoga rooms for many years, nor was deep squatting common in gym settings.

Thankfully, that has very much changed in the last 5 years.

Finding a position that allows for controlled articulation in the ankle is key for improving controlled articulation in other places... but finding a manageable setup pays dividends that are not so easy to see here.

Forward folding and pressure onto the forehead region is associated with the relaxation response and a great way to bring a feeling of safety into your mind-body organism. Utilizing the parasympathetic nervous system (think: rest & digest), this posture is a great way to support both anatomical and physiological changes that benefit the practitioner. Don’t let this poses stress you out, in other words. Adjust the setup for maximum personal benefit.
💬 Comment
feeling vibes
in imageninaesperanza
I know I probably sound like a broken record with my
"I'm learning to slow down my practice posts"
Myth:
you have to
do advanced
asana
to make
progress
in Yoga.
QUNRULYASCETIC
@unrulyascetic
This morning was the first time in four months l've
been able to bind after my shoulder injury.
@michaeljoelhall led a slow progression through the
marichy series. It wasn't forced but slow and
controlled. On Saturday I was able to stack my
shoulders over my wrists for a split second handstand
in @ericabaca202's amazing class. These are the
littlest things but they feel huge. More importantly I'm
truly focused on rebuilding my practice. This morning
I was able to say look at what I'm doing rather than
0mg I can't believe I can't grab my foot in this pose l've
always been able to grab my foot in this pose. I feel
less angry towards my practice but am constantly
reminding myself now that the advanced practice is
the mental part not the asana. The hardest asana isn't
always the most advanced.
feeling
vibes
💬 Comment
Side bending is one of the most lovely ways a spine can move.

Here’s a love letter to this humble tadasana variation.

1) I love that you are so free of frills. Your simplicity and elegance highlight how even the most minuscule of changes can impact the way things feel in a posture dramatically.

2) I love that you let me decide how much to push and how much to pull-- I just have to lean and breathe. You help to highlight the push and pull from the side of the body, but also the deep muscles inside like my transverse abdominals and disphrapgm! You help me understand the layers of stability a posture can have— and you don't make me go very far to discover what is comfortable and stable!

3) I love that you help so many kinds of backs feel so good! Little side bend, you do a world of good for folks who have rounding, swaying, or curving to the spine-- things like kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis.

Thanks, side-bend!
💬 Comment
live long practice, according to Ellie. cc: @heathermgordon3
such fine goals
in imageelliewannemacheryoga
elliewannemacheryoga One of the most important things you
can do for your 80-year-old self, if you want to be a lifelong...
live long practice,
according to Ellie.
cc: Cheathermgordon3
such fine goals
💬 Comment
in imageYoga practice is like any other
substance your body needs to
digest; If you enjoy it, it will go
down easier and you will get
more nutrition trom it.
ELLIE WANNEMACHER
@elliewannemacheryoga
💬 Comment
The Yoga Club’s very first ad will be right here.

When I first started coming to DC, I would go to a little coffee house at 22nd and P (love to Soho!) to hang out, spending time reading all of my favorite (read: free + edgy) DC newspapers— The Blade, the City Paper... and Pathways.

Each of these publications has struggled to stay in print over the last 10 years. I likely don’t need to tell y’all about the rapidly changing face of media— and how it has adversely impacted queer journalism, alt-newspapers, and trade-zines.

For y’all that haven’t been here for 30 years, lemmie tell ya: Pathways is the OG DC natural living/holistic health trade publication. Last year, Pathways didn’t have a print publication (due largely to the pandemic... and the changing landscape of readership).

One of the reasons i love DC so much is precisely because i was able to find my tribe— and so much of that is due to publications like this. Who knew that the local publications i loved growing up I’d eventually get to work with?

We went with Pathways first because it’s owned by my bestie’s bestie— and you know I love family owned and friend-ran.

For 7 years, my yoga program, DC Ashtanga, was fiercely independent and grassroots — and while we remain firmly non-commercial, the Yoga Club (my new practice space) wants to help others find community while also supporting and elevating others in our community.

While DC ashtanga will remain a grassroots practice group (as it always has been), we’re now proudly in residence in our new home at theyoga.club, and it is a pro ledge to help Pathways relaunch in print, so that other little woo woo gays can find a copy... and a tribe.
💬 Comment
(same, brit)
in imagebritneyspears
Me in a yoga class:
I'm killing it
I love this pose
Shit this is hard
OMG I'm dying
When is it over
Actually dead
Love this song
Fuck this teacher
I can't do this anymore
Savasana
I fucking love yogaaaaa
britneyspears Literally me
(same, brit)
💬 Comment

Get MichaelFilter

Enter your email. We'll send a one-tap link to read today's edition free, in your browser — the link works for 24 hours. Membership unlocks every issue, PDFs, and transcripts.

Already a member of theyoga.club or ashtanga.tech? You're already on file — no re-registration. We won't add you to any list.