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Prep/Ideal setup
NOTE: The information below might seem a bit much, but don’t worry—I’ll walk you through it! 2 cameras: these can be your phone and a laptop/tablet/phone 2 full-length mirrors 2 to 4 yoga blocks Strap Mat Bolster/blanket Chair. Sturdy and with a hard seat, not cushioned. A stool would also work. Internet connectivity. I will…
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Baseline Evaluation Package
5 session package that will provide you with: A basic understanding of how to safely stretch and improve your range of motion. A personalized post session report with pictures and video of your current posture and behaviour patterns while standing, sitting, bending. Basic next steps to work on for personal progression. Overview of certain basic…
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Mat Cleaning
Manduka Pro mat (Manduka has a cleaning solution on their website that they recommend; I use the home-made alternative described below) Requirements: Water, liquid dish soap, a bowl to mix the solution in, one damp and one dry towel cloth. To half a cup of water, add a few drops of liquid dish soap. Use…
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101: 5-Step process for all asanas/postures
Step 1: Visualize the asana Step 2: Move to the starting position Step 3: Move into the asana Step 4: Stay in the asana Step 5: Come out of the asana (return to starting position) Following these simple steps for all your asanas/postures will increase the efficiency of your practice. Visualize: This includes picturing steps…
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102 A – How to safely do your asanas
On a scale of 0 to 10 for muscle engagement, where 0 is completely relaxed and 10 is fully contracted, you should never exceed 4-5. Similarly, when you are in a stretch, you should never exceed 4-5 here as well. If you do exceed it, then breath in and out, and slowly come out of…
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102 B – Basic muscle and body movement
Our muscles help move our body. The muscles can either contract or release. And when you are releasing a muscle, it cannot take load/generate movement. Therefore we are designed with muscles that work in opposition, for example the biceps and triceps in your arms; the quadriceps and hamstrings in your legs. If you only had…
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103 – Asanas, and the necessity of Props
Props are your friends! Basic Props: Mat, Strap, Blocks, Mirrors Why use props? Help align your body—regardless of current physical condition. Help align your body—in spite of physical limitations. Philosophically, a little history lesson… (Click here to skip) As we look at Indian literature, we can see the evolution of Asanas talked about in Yoga…
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104 – Active legs*
For standing postures, whether they be bending or twisting, it is very important to perform these with active legs. And yes, you can have active legs even when your knees are bent, for ex in veer bhadrasana or even when spread out like trikonasana. Active legs while standing (Samsthiti, Pranamasana) are: Stand with equal pressure…
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105 – Physical Alignment – Personal check
Every body is different, and your practice should be targeted based on personal current state. What is your current state? Back Stand with your back against the wall, feet roughly 2-3 feet away from the wall (approx 1 foot distance between parallel feet; it’s like you are leaning against the wall with your feet ahead…
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106 – Asana names in Yoga are in Sanskrit. What do they mean?
Most of the asanas (postures) are based on animal/birds, directions, and types of movement. For ex: Adho (down) Mukha (face) Shvan (dog) Asana (posture), aka downward dog. Some of the more common ones are: Shvan Dog Adho Mukha Shvan Asana Downward dog Go Cow Go Mukh Asana Cow facing posture Ashva Horse Ashva Sanchalan Asana…