tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65489725206067996802024-02-18T20:04:26.632-08:00joniwellness yoga blogjoniwellness yoga experiences as practitioner and Iyengar Yoga teacher, especially for my studentsjoniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-30223949808137045892009-07-30T16:09:00.000-07:002009-07-30T16:11:55.140-07:00yoga summer...lots of yoga travels this july...<br />first assisting Joan White at Omega, third year, then attending the Joy of Teaching workshop with Joan and Patricia Walden in Cambridge, Mass.<br />lots of outdoor personal practice with the company of my 10-month old westie Kaya, who especially likes to like my face during Sirsasana (headstand)...<br />hope to add some pictures soon.joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-35890780415089738622009-01-05T03:44:00.000-08:002009-01-21T11:17:23.595-08:00New Yoga Student Newsletter coming soon!This newsletter is especially for my new yoga students, but anyone can sign up, and it's free! You can fwd the link to your friends, and you'll receive a special gift just for opting in.... watch for it soon, January, 2009!joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-53678575764974165352008-10-17T05:59:00.000-07:002008-10-17T06:09:59.881-07:00Yoga Wall Training in NYC! ThursOct 30 1-4 pm EARLY BIRD deadline TODAY!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiNDiR4SUj0S-3KVyQAhzqXbzeaHO7srn2Ol05xutBrPliJKppq9Ixoz9-dRkxoligu9tgJOBkNn4FjpU9IyVwnJT9mqVDAw50aUPj2o1HbGG5UL1Sfbqs-HPXSDtvb5ZG85RTYMtLKaJ/s1600-h/YogaWall+AMS.ClassDog.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258109374426423010" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiNDiR4SUj0S-3KVyQAhzqXbzeaHO7srn2Ol05xutBrPliJKppq9Ixoz9-dRkxoligu9tgJOBkNn4FjpU9IyVwnJT9mqVDAw50aUPj2o1HbGG5UL1Sfbqs-HPXSDtvb5ZG85RTYMtLKaJ/s320/YogaWall+AMS.ClassDog.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">You may have been waiting a while for a Yoga Wall Training in NYC, and it’s finally here! Hopefully, the first of several Yoga Wall Trainings. Please contact the studio directly to register, and contact me directly if you plan on attending, so I’ll know you’re coming – and please let me know what you’d like to cover spefically so I may consider including it in this basic training workshop. If by chance you are NOT able to attend this upcoming workshop, let me know if you’re still interested so I can keep you on the list and also let me know if you’re interested in a REGULAR time slot at this location so we can plan ahead.<br /><br />Namaste,<br />Joni Wellness<br />New Ark Yoga<br />39 Lincoln Park<br />Newark, NJ 07102<br />(201) 207-4448<br />joni@joniwellness.com<br />www.newarkyoga.org<br />www.joniwellness.com<br /><br />New!!! YOGA WALL Training with Joni Wellness<br /><br />Day: Oct. 30th (Thurs.)<br />Time: 1-4pm<br />Price: $65 ($55 if you register by Oct. 17th)<br />Location: ZenGirl & DD Fitness @ Grasshopper Pilates<br />515 Broadway, #2AR (btwn Spring & Broome)<br /><br />Limits: 8 person min./20 person max.<br /><br />Sign up: call Jennifer at 9175498667 or<br />email to </span><a title="mailto:ZenGirlFitness@mac.com" href="mailto:ZenGirlFitness@mac.com"><span style="font-family:arial;">ZenGirlFitness@mac.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />What you'll learn from the class:<br />*How to use the Yoga Wall<br />*How to get 10x the benefits of your yoga practice or workout!<br />*How to use the Yoga Wall for yourself or your clients/students<br />*Principles of Alignment, Traction and Yoga Wall Set up for maximum effect and benefit<br />*Basics of common poses:<br />adho mukha svanasana (downward dog)<br />Standing poses<br />Sitting poses<br />Inversions, especially Sirsasana (head balance)<br />Back bends<br />Shoulder Release Work<br />Strength Work<br />*How to focus in your yoga poses by offering support while teaching you correct form. It can relieve back pain, improve alignment, allow safe recuperative work even while injured or with limitations, strengthen, & elongate.<br />*That the Yoga Wall improves your poses and teaches you correct form.<br />And more....<br />Joni Wellness brings her experience and vast insight into the body to ZenGirl & DD Fitness @ Grasshopper Pilates with a great love of and expertise in working with The Yoga Wall system.<br />She is a Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. She has been in the field of Wellness and practicing and teaching Yoga for over three decades, and is considered an expert with yoga therapeutics, props, back and knee care. After her years in the theatrical dance world in the 80’s she had accumulated numerous injuries. She was then introduced to the precise Iyengar style of Hatha Yoga, which therapeutically addressed her injuries. In the mid-90s she began to apprentice with longtime student of BKS Iyengar, Aadil Palkhivala. She continues her Advanced studies of Iyengar Yoga with its senior-most teachers. She teaches in Newark and other NJ locations, as well as NYC. Along with the accurate physical precision of the Iyengar Yoga approach, Joni went through and became a Mentor and Program Leader of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. Joni was also an Ohashi trained Shiatsu practitioner, massage therapist for the Joffrey Ballet, Childbirth Educator and Doula, Hospice volunteer and still is a Drum Circle Facilitator. For more about Joni,<br /></span><a title="http://www.joniwellness.com/" href="http://www.joniwellness.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">www.joniwellness.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A TEACHER TO ATTEND!!!!<br />If you are registering for this event and have particular requests, please contact Joni ahead of time: (201) 207-4448<br />***Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you think might also be interested.</span></div>joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-31691670106011573712008-10-17T05:56:00.000-07:002008-10-17T05:58:22.133-07:00off to Kripalu this weekend to assist Joan again...leaf peeping, too!I'll be at Kripalu in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains again.... assisting one of my teachers, Joan White. other news.... I'll be teaching at East West in NYC <a href="http://www.eastwestnyc.com/">www.eastwestnyc.com</a> on 5th Ave & 14th Street, and I've been asked to teach in the Ironbound section of Newark at a gym there.... schedule in the works...<br />have a great weekend!joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-76101330098282342872008-10-14T07:37:00.000-07:002008-10-14T07:40:52.636-07:00Joni @ Kripalu with Joan White Oct 17-19If you have the weekend free, I will be assisting Joan White, senior Iyengar teacher (see earlier Omega posting) at Kripalu, <a href="http://krpbeta.com/program/view/SYPF81/">Spiritual Yoga in Physical Form</a>. She told me the registration was small this time, so take advantage of getting expert attention from the two of us in this beautiful location!joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-30478650996690774192008-10-14T07:34:00.000-07:002008-10-14T07:37:37.082-07:00Joni teaching in NYCJoni is teaching at <a href="http://yogaunion.com/">Yoga Union</a>, 32 W 28th St between 6th/Bway AND new classes and workshops at <a href="http://eastwestnyc.com/">East West Yoga</a>, 78 Fifth Ave, 2nd fl @ 14th St. Look at their schedules and call with any questions.joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-74020912707023475372008-10-01T07:47:00.000-07:002008-10-14T07:53:00.718-07:00Joni's Workshop: Releasing The PsoasIf you have a tight psoas (what and where is your psoas - <a href="http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4DMUS_en___US203&q=psoas+muscle&um=1&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title">images</a>) photos from this workshop will be posted soon!joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-7545875900683896752008-01-31T10:00:00.000-08:002008-10-14T07:46:56.858-07:00youtube video link<a href="http://www.youtube.com/jonieast">http://www.youtube.com/jonieast</a><br />see Iyengar Yoga videos, my youtube uploads, and more...new clip added sept 2008. 4 beginner yoga clips for students who regularly attend Iyengar Yoga classes to support your home practice and remember the details of what you learned in classs...including surya namaskar, salamba sarvangasana and set up, chair sirsasana, viparita karani belted to a banister...joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-60316398347330327462007-10-10T10:41:00.000-07:002007-10-10T10:42:56.136-07:00great interview with Mr. Iyengar!!<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/02/talkasia.iyengar/index.html">http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/02/talkasia.iyengar/index.html</a><br />CNN Asia - I love being inspired by him, at 88!joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-21550770341475249232007-09-14T13:32:00.000-07:002007-09-14T14:09:27.154-07:00Motivation - starting home practice - acknowledge your successes!So, you've watched the couch potato video, and you've been to yoga classes. you know you'd like to have a home practice....now..... you're looking at your yoga mat, it's way over in the corner, calling your name.... Day 1 You don't unroll it, but you lie supine, supported on vertical roll, focus on your breath, let your shoulders relax with gravity and your chest open. Wow. Acknowledge your success! <a href="http://www.playfair.com/standingO/standingO.htm">High five! </a>You did a little home practice! Day 2 Your mat is now away from the corner, where it's easy to reach. You unroll it! You do 3 standing poses, and 3 shoulder openers! <a href="http://www.playfair.com/standingO/standingO.htm">big success!</a> Day 3 You get reinspired by going to class. Phew! All you have to do is show up! <a href="http://www.playfair.com/standingO/standingO.htm">yay!</a> Day 4 You practice some of what you learned in class. You end with the <em>Savanasa</em> (corpse pose) track 9 "Extended Body Relaxation" on joniwellness CD Volume I. Day 5 You make a date with a yoga buddy to practice together. It sure is easier to practice together! <a href="http://www.playfair.com/standingO/standingO.htm">bravo!</a> Day 6 You are still so inspired from your first 5 days, you may as well keep going so you start a 7-day record. Practice your favorite poses. <a href="http://www.playfair.com/standingO/standingO.htm">pat on the back!</a> Day 7 You can't break your record now, but you're a little tired. You take our your rolled mat and start with the supported chest openers. You feel so good you keep going with easy, soft, restorative poses. You thought you would do just a few minutes, but the poses feel so good, you spend over an hour just being present with yourself in simple <em>asanas</em>, tuning into your thoughts, your feelings, your True Self.<br />It feels so good, no applause needed....joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-53146778891681751672007-09-03T11:41:00.000-07:002007-09-10T07:16:36.581-07:00NH Workshop with Patricia Walden and Edwin Bryant Sept 6-9, 2007This getaway in New Hampshire was rich with the teaching of Patricia Walden and the third pada (chapater) yoga sutra study with <a href="http://www.edwinbryant.org/">Edwin Bryant</a>. Especially after coming home from Enlightened Warrior Camp! (see facebook for our group in Ellenville Aug 20-26). The accomodations were in the largest structure ever built by the Shakers (not the Quakers - I took the museum tour to refresh my memory, and got to ring the bell in the cupola!), with a peaceful and beautiful energy - from the wood structure, the loving care of our NH organizer Janice Vien, the fresh New Enlgand air, and to make it complete for me, a dip in the lake and view of full sky of stars, with shooting stars to boot! If you have a regular practice (level 2-4) , I would highly recommend you consider this workshop next summer (sometime next August - dates not firm yet). Drive is 4.5 hrs from NYC, 5 hours from NJ side of the Hudson.joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-24350719293243843822007-07-10T20:57:00.000-07:002007-09-10T07:15:53.384-07:00Yoga Teacher Training in CambridgeI'm in Cambridge, Mass this week with Patricia Walden and Joan White at their "Joy of Teaching" workshop for Certified Teachers. What a dedicated bunch! This is our ongoing education, part of our commitment to refine and improve our craft so we can help you even more effectively. Watch out in my classes after I return!joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-67573931791410339132007-07-07T19:29:00.000-07:002007-09-10T07:16:53.667-07:00Get your ass to yoga class<span style="font-family:arial;">I am earnestly trying to help you have a home practice, besides going to class, <a href="http://www.funny-video-stuff.com/viewmovie.php?ad_key=VJGKMGOGXQQV&tracking_id=756552&id=504">but this funny 1-minute video is for the couch potatoes among you.....</a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"> if you're not ready for your own practice yet, at least get your ass to yoga class....you'll feel better and you'll be glad you did.</span> :)<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">joni</span>joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-19676303043846566442007-07-06T00:19:00.000-07:002007-09-03T11:45:48.866-07:00first youtube yoga upload: chair sirsasana<span style="font-family:arial;"> My </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm4vHlX1O1Q"><span style="font-family:arial;">very first youtube upload </span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">-(click on link - it's not just the picture you see to the right!)</span> an instructional 2 minute clip about how to do "chair sirsasana" as taught in class. hold for 1-2 minutes maximum. benefits: releases trapezius tension, neck release, allows inversion even with (and especially if you have a) neck issue. If you stay in the pose longer than 2 minutes, you should use head support (blankets, etc.) as we do in class. If you have still have trouble going up by yourself, ask me next class to show an easy way to come up by yourself. If you use padding, as shown in this picure, make sure it is symmetrical, and lined up with the edge of the chair! </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This is meant for my Iyengar Yoga students as a supplement to their class attendance, to aid them in their own practice. My advice is not to attempt this without a teacher, as there are a few details, without which, discomfort and even injury are possible. And of course, no inversions during menstruation, with high blood pressure nor eye pressure issues such as gluacoma.<br /></span><br />Namaste,<br />joni<br /></span><a href="http://www.joniwellness.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.joniwellness.com/</span></a>joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-49541791756555657812007-06-30T20:17:00.000-07:002007-07-06T00:50:20.526-07:00assisting Joan White at Omega, June 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmHjyo8DkfbOAj7Cl1uEOXXz4G_CXhkfhXt6fPucnm1OIyyau2AWTYpJOSVgUPEB2velLbcqLQxfmeM0UxT2WknIb2sZXJLZJPW369BAiNZ5Vc6Joh6Zo2TAEJPqFD8r6KJM3ZozNKUdJ/s1600-h/IMG_0432.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082357255244778946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmHjyo8DkfbOAj7Cl1uEOXXz4G_CXhkfhXt6fPucnm1OIyyau2AWTYpJOSVgUPEB2velLbcqLQxfmeM0UxT2WknIb2sZXJLZJPW369BAiNZ5Vc6Joh6Zo2TAEJPqFD8r6KJM3ZozNKUdJ/s400/IMG_0432.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-C2zbC9GDyVov95AaapQiBQAN8IKhbTymKAVPIVITL-FcwRGW6MHCnj7UCSzvr8NnHEMLQjQ2deeeikdwU9aX2wSuao5GdBLdIOckg59FWd_YNpicvYlS7o3Ap8Hgx3CKCuqnKdxd_14/s1600-h/IMG_0432.JPG"></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">...<strong>another extraordinary yoga experience! </strong>I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of serving as program assistant along with another very experienced Iyengar Yoga Instructor, </span><a href="http://www.postures.com/"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Suzie Muchnick</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">, to a wonderful Senior teacher, </span><a href="http://www.joanwhite.us/"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Joan White</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">, from Philadelphia, during her Iyengar Yoga 5-day Intensive Workshop.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.eomega.org/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Omega</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> is a mere 2 hour drive for me, and I love being in the green, going barefoot, swimming in the lake, walking through the garden, the library, and the food is great, too. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7zAEhR_nsrd1CDR2c9bt5Io6MvkEboT2kTinlrzQT6Drocp3VgM4UGT18e6_irK67OGk2sXdYDO4bv6k3qUgNfthIyqBHTMwkoEUquk5as79-34kA5K_-cVb3lmplk0W-1MtJUkNr_pl/s1600-h/IMG_0395.JPG"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082346998862876034" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7zAEhR_nsrd1CDR2c9bt5Io6MvkEboT2kTinlrzQT6Drocp3VgM4UGT18e6_irK67OGk2sXdYDO4bv6k3qUgNfthIyqBHTMwkoEUquk5as79-34kA5K_-cVb3lmplk0W-1MtJUkNr_pl/s320/IMG_0395.JPG" border="0" /></a> Pictures: Top, Joan leading the group in <em>Utthita Padangusthasana.</em> Below, Joan is demonstrating <em>Parivrtta Trikonasana</em> (YIA PC p. 39), with Suzie (standing, left) looking on. Seated in front among the other participants were Certified Iyengar Yoga teachers Joann Warren (long braid), Nancy Kardon (glasses), and Cathy Eising (wearing all white). <span style="font-size:85%;">click on either for larger size views.</span><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>Joan focused much on <em>Pranayama</em> this time -- with beautiful imagery -- hoping to inspire us to a daily practice.</div><div></div><div></div><div>If you were an attendee, please add a post, with an insight or something you gained...</div><br /><div>I recommend you join us all there for the last week in June 2008 to re-launch your summer practice. I would wager that Joan will lead you to new, previously unexperienced territory and guide you to the next level(s) in your yoga practice. Between the three of us, you will surely be thoroughly spoiled with astute observations and corrections, and of course, effective hands on adjustments. Included with the course is a comprehensive manual Joan has revised over the years, a great study tool. I am using the sequences in its pages this week in my own practice.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-22555402873389132202007-06-20T20:06:00.000-07:002007-07-02T20:12:31.973-07:00THE JOURNEY: with Geeta Iyengar in Las Vegas, May 2007<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082630466704412130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNkwKBIkf5tBM-NCIssOt7J-LDDlZjPY7bldYBc6uSU57WMPwmGJyX381K4V31v1g0n-WZSdu2qcLpAOOtexv2HG4lyU0M3Uzh0Utn0eQHeLqbgnWdyurqeexFGz8aAaAFzUNr1p7zgXR/s320/joni+with+geeta+baddha+hastasana.jpg" border="0" /> What a Journey! From the layer, or sheath <em>(kosha),</em> of Body (<em>annamayakosa</em>) to Sheath of Bliss (<em>anandamayakosa</em>). This was the theme (logo below) for the Iyengar Yoga Convention, held in Las Vegas, Nevada , <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYlhU89Ogyki5pE4ekXXpGZ5M4nGHms0vqiFqem6j7OW2uNfkqmazHKPvD2Q2khoNAJQ8dYj9wY0vzBJwgZvir8f21O84VfE6yym6-Rsib9w7Dw7vJhWd6V4lgKZYYNVpp9c2KDe4GgWL/s1600-h/joni+with+geeta+baddha+hastasana.jpg"></a>wow, so amazing! (and I love the heat...) Our conventions are held every 3 years. Last one in Estes Park with Mr. Iyengar during his <em>Light on Life</em> book tour, previous one was in St. Paul, Minn.; before that, in 2001, since I was living in the Seattle area, I just drove up to Vancouver and attended the Canadian conference.<br /><br />I had the prerogative of attending the Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher's Conference (about 400 attendees), followed by the General Conference (about 800 attendees), open to all Iyengar Yoga students (start planning for 2010). Then there was the specially unique opportunity to be on stage performing the asanas under Geeta's instruction, watchful eye, and magic touch <span style="font-size:78%;">(click on Getta and me for larger size view)</span>. A special thank you to Carrie Owerko for suggesting and urging me to volunteer on the stage as demonstrator of the poses.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtVMFpAfw400jHK_zPnbAGbw9Dqia1oGsdXeJjraoaSnKTgU1XQ7CHHRjjtmlVMNrXP-akpJyuSa8FkAQyU7KEorxh1bOm1NclaJiM9zeBes-CqgNK6cD6wxUNpuYqjNgB0z8zKn27TRv/s1600-h/joniConventionSuptaPadangustasana1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082110951755255074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtVMFpAfw400jHK_zPnbAGbw9Dqia1oGsdXeJjraoaSnKTgU1XQ7CHHRjjtmlVMNrXP-akpJyuSa8FkAQyU7KEorxh1bOm1NclaJiM9zeBes-CqgNK6cD6wxUNpuYqjNgB0z8zKn27TRv/s200/joniConventionSuptaPadangustasana1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKXpmC5c4FgkBNk6kf5bzSYkGriCX6qEeQibCG38-MlZ8SMaCjy-nh-K9664F-Dg-m_aaZx2cIv4r5rrgxnEgLOKN-QzWSzvsSlhLfjOuZ3ygRh35vUyZLjGuyaOitTbHeJkS5P_6Ejw8/s1600-h/JourneyLogo.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082110737006890258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKXpmC5c4FgkBNk6kf5bzSYkGriCX6qEeQibCG38-MlZ8SMaCjy-nh-K9664F-Dg-m_aaZx2cIv4r5rrgxnEgLOKN-QzWSzvsSlhLfjOuZ3ygRh35vUyZLjGuyaOitTbHeJkS5P_6Ejw8/s200/JourneyLogo.gif" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />The picture (right <span style="font-size:78%;">-click for larger size view</span>) is me at Convention in <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">supta</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">padangustasana</span> I</em> (I still have some flexibility, it just takes a little more to maintain it these days).<br /><br />It was wonderful to come back to my yoga students sharing some of the inspiring highlights from Geeta's teaching, especially from this pose <em>baddha hastasana</em> shown in the picture (which is in your <em>Yoga in Action Preliminary Course</em> books, p. 46!). As a cumulative result of the previous days exquisite instructions during other poses including <em>Urdhva Hastasana</em> <em>and Pranayama,</em> during this pose, I felt from deep behind the chest wall, that old bands of imbedded holding (and <em>samskaras</em>) were being (gently) shredded open.</div><div></div><div>I’m sure the hands-on from Geeta in Las Vegas had more impact than I can even describe, but all timely for my new life at 50.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTA1kDfQ9KqWPbOA59p9BNajXxPSULyai4tvzd-03ca6eYBZOyYGloCNLiyIBYUVSI-yyXO7Xnq1hUjWbNGRRdY_w3UBY1D0vie5etwvQB_eQ2zvMPEf5GCTFlnkwNxPdXanBdYbG8DwFo/s1600-h/joni+with+geeta+baddha+hastasana.jpg"></a></div></div>joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-16480650424941797802007-06-18T11:55:00.000-07:002007-07-02T20:15:02.630-07:0050, no - 108 (!) backbends for my 50th birthday, gratitude<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysdZp3QmY_5kgqWlMLzn_6yIA7RPhWk0FwQuVK1xSbl4SAMPIdcTElxbh0-KffiLL4qNg4hceOV8aDadlVc-ufxOsyB9wuaqy1MPgo0wO_QwWu402TILOmlfFJR96lIi-b-mJm-0-1QkW/s1600-h/wheel016UD.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082355090581261746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysdZp3QmY_5kgqWlMLzn_6yIA7RPhWk0FwQuVK1xSbl4SAMPIdcTElxbh0-KffiLL4qNg4hceOV8aDadlVc-ufxOsyB9wuaqy1MPgo0wO_QwWu402TILOmlfFJR96lIi-b-mJm-0-1QkW/s200/wheel016UD.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082091169135889570" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtMFdYdwzR7sU3vNnInJYXBDDK6DNPKPk_ys9D8CLQ3wjRG5Q7Cx0VXUOigxUY8dpD13ecjy7RzQi-vrAWrgfqnVbL2mxDMzxP9nvsQYMhS3khflhNVB2sftqaqVRPtoZIL_h5No7CWYc/s200/joniUrdhvaDhanurasana50.jpg" border="0" />108<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3333ff;"><strong> backbend experience.... at the annual IYIGNY "Yogathon" Fundraiser, on Sunday, June 3, 2007</strong></span><br /><a href="http://www.vedicheritage.org/Arch%20More%202%20MarApr%2003.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">significance of 108</span></a> </div><div>A humble note of gratitude to my Iyengar colleagues: I see every day, every breath as a re-birth, but at the brink of my 50th year, it has taken on some unexpected significance. I want to thank all of you who have such dedicated, strong and disciplined practices. It has helped me step up to the plate of my own infinite possibility. It has been a privilege to witness and be inspired by all of you! Due to your trail blazing, I have set new standards for myself. You are all my teachers.</div><div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Sutra</em> I.14 Long, uninterrupted, alert practice is the firm foundation of restraining the fluctuations.<br /><em>Sutra</em> II.43 Self-discipline <em>(tapas)</em> burns away impurities and kindles the sparks of divinity.</span> </div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><div>Thank you letter to my yoga teacher and mentor, <a href="http://www.aadilpalkhivala.com/">Aadil Palkhivala</a>:<br /></div><br /><div>Dear Aadil,</div><div>Good yoga news....<br /><br />Much with memories of your many stories of 250 backbends, etc., and stories of 75 backbends (Urdhva Dhanurasana) for Iyengar's 75th birthday, I chose to ready myself for 50 backbends for my 50th birthday (this first week of June) to perform at our annual NYIYI fundraiser. I figured by the time I'm 75 I will be able to do 75, demonstrate them with more grace, and perhaps even all in a row. The difficult part for me had been going into and coming out of the pose, with the biggest challenge being lack of strength in my quads.<br /><br />I built up from 20 (two days after the first 20, my quads - my previously weak area, were sore) in the last few weeks to 30, 35, 40, then 45, so I knew I could manage 50. After each incremental increase of 5, about two days later, I "felt" my quads a little walking downstairs.<br /><br />When I first studied with you in Bellevue, Aadil, I was shocked during class when you nonchalantly instructed, "okay, everyone, do 8-10 UD to warm up." "8-10!!!" I thought to myself! Up until then, I had thought 5 was a big accomplishment. I struggled in the class to do 6-8, and gradually, on my own, was able to do 8-10 as an easy warm up.<br /><br />In a later class, we had warmed up and focused on intricate details in UD. Then you said, casually, "okay, everyone, we'll hold for 2 minutes." "2 MINUTES!!!" I thought to myself.... "Blah blah blah," my mind said.... So, in my own practice, I started with one minute. Gradually, I built up to two minutes, with struggle. Then I worked to take out the struggle. I arrived at two minutes of (mostly) 'effortless effort' in UD. At the time, these were lofty accomplishments. This method of non-violent goal-setting carried me with grace to greater levels in my asana practice, especially being on my own much of the time. So, I had you and your calm voice very much in my thoughts during these last few weeks' build-up for the "big event".<br /><br />In preparation for my big feat, I used these Sunrider foods*: Every day about a week before: 5-7 Sportcaps and 1 Sunrise prior to yoga practice, the basics, + my daily usual which have lately included: one 1-2 Evergreen, 1 Electrosport, Metabooster (15 - 5, 3x a day), JOI, BP, etc. On the day of the event, I had 5-8 Sportcaps almost every hour from the late morning (about 5x total), 3 Sunrise and 3 Evergreen spread out that morning until the event. The day after, 5 Sportcaps every other hour the first half of the day. Hardly any soreness at all in my quads afterwards, just a little in my left triceps, about 2 days later. Amazing!<br /><br />During the event, the last 10 (to reach 50) were so easy, with all the cheering, that, in honor of Mr. Iyengar (and for a few more funds raised) I ventured to do up to 75, (previously unthinkable for me!). Fairly easily accomplished!<br /><br />I wondered, when else would I have the opportunity to have this energetic support? - so I went for the 108! A piece of cake! I'd never done anything like this. I felt like I could have continued with 108 more, so much was stirred up and awakened...In the stillness afterwards, I had a beautiful and profound meditation, fanning the tremendous tapas present into various areas of my life. I arose quite calm, with a wonderful feeling of entering this new phase of life beginning at 50, a quiet and humble knowingness. From the known to the unknown, we can all do almost anything!<br /><br />Thank you for being part of my inner inspiration.<br /><br />Namaste,<br /></div><div>joni<br /></div><div><span style="color:#3333ff;">disclaimer about my photo</span>, which is the only one I have, taken at the event - it was definitely not the best moment to snap the shutter, as i am probably not all the way in the pose, or perhaps on the way out - with photos, we must practice <em>vairag</em> (detachment) :)</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>*Sunrider foods are highly concentrated live foods with enzymes, anti-oxidants and wholeness intact. I eat and drink them every day for extreme health. more on them in other posts, by request.</div></div></div>joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6548972520606799680.post-34364028972898070992007-06-17T20:18:00.000-07:002008-01-31T09:10:16.570-08:00Surya Namaskar Workshop and Club<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfmONLhfwVOaQXuQbzJbzVj3cuZyfk-ZJIhTwZQS1kaDyNyXfnZ3Km6qRg2KhVpfVkxG28qg07F0UYd0LLptXK6yTJvp97DZ50P2I11U6Ym5x8C-Ze-GA27r-ZU3uEIwuefP4wUiKsSr0/s1600-h/surya2.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082805400722378226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfmONLhfwVOaQXuQbzJbzVj3cuZyfk-ZJIhTwZQS1kaDyNyXfnZ3Km6qRg2KhVpfVkxG28qg07F0UYd0LLptXK6yTJvp97DZ50P2I11U6Ym5x8C-Ze-GA27r-ZU3uEIwuefP4wUiKsSr0/s320/surya2.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">For participants of</span><span style="color:#000000;"> June 16th <em>Surya Namaskar</em> Workshop, and the 30-day Surya Club</span></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#333399;">disclaimer about our friend demonstrating, above (oi vey) ... Obviously, he could choose to study some Iyengar Yoga and clean up those poses... To my yoga students.... What would you correct so he could receive more benefits from his well-intentioned efforts? :)</span></div><div></div><div>The classical Iyengar <em>Surya Namaskar</em> beginning level jumping is on p. 105 of <em>Yoga in Action, Preliminary Course</em> by Geeta Iyengar.</div><div></div><div>Remember, you may begin with just 5 minutes, taking the first step, no matter how small....</div>joniwellnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15820405523303158989noreply@blogger.com0