Last week, two people, separately said to me,

“I have thought about doing yoga, but I am not flexible enough.”

Their misperception comes from the thousands of photographs and YouTube videos of yoga-lebrities, and NOT, demonstrating their best asanas.  Rarely do you see a photograph showing the length and shape of the bridge they had to build from where they started on the far bank.

Yoga is for any body.  Yoga is about Becoming Aware of our abilities regardless of the package they are wrapped in.

Sri. T. Krishnamacharya, the father of modern Yoga, wrote,

Everyone has the right to do yoga.  Everyone – brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya, sudra, gnani, strong, women, men, young, the old and the very old, the sick, the weak, boys, girls, etcetera, all are entitled to yogabhyasa with no restrictions on age or caste.

This is because yogabhyasa rapidly gives maximum visible benefits to all.

This June I am working through fifteen, basic asanas to help a new group begin their journey towards flexibility.  This week’s class will include instruction on the Bridge pose.

Yes, flexibility and strength is required for any strong bridge.  Still, pressing the feet while tucking the tail bones, even a little, massages abdominal organs and improves digestion.  One block under the back begins to stretch open the shoulders, chest, neck, spine and hips.  Lifting the hips to set them in your hands strengthens the back, buttocks, and hamstring muscles.

The real benefit comes when we hold our bridge stable for thirty seconds and allow our brain and nervous system to become calm.

Yoga promises health and peace, but nowhere have I read that these goals will be reached without bridging what we learn on the mat to our lives off the mat.

And don’t we all need a little flexibility in our lives?

ABOUT SRI T KRISHNAMACHARYA’s YOGA MAKARANDA

In 1934, Sri T Krishnamacharya published Yoga Makaranda or Yoga Saram (The Essence of Yoga).  Yoga Makaranda was written in Kannada then translated into Tamil in 1938.  The book was dedicated to the fourth Sri Krishna Rajendra.  TKV Desikachar’s students Lakshmi and Nandini Ranganathan translated the Tamil Edition into English in 2006.

Krishnamacharya’s first book, Yoga Makaranda was based upon his study of the great books of antiquity, his guru’s teachings and his own experience.

The Bibliography included Rajayoga Ratnakaram, Hathayoga Pradipika, Yoga Saravalli, Yoga Balaprathipikai, Ravana Nadi, Bahirava Kalpam, Sri Tattvanidhi, Yoga Ratnakarandam, Mano Narayaneeyam, Rudrayameelam, Brahmayameelam, Atharvana Rahasyam, Pranjala Yogadarshanam, seven Upanishads, and eight other works.

ABOUT THE BRIDGE POSE aka THE DESK POSE

• Stretches your chest, neck, spine and hips.
• Strengthens your back, buttocks, and hamstring muscles.
• Calms your brain and central nervous system which helps alleviate stress and mild depression.
• Massages abdominal organs and improves digestion.
• Stimulates the lungs and thyroid glands and helps relieve the symptoms of menopause.
• Reduces anxiety, backache, headache and insomnia.

ABOUT JUNE VINYASA FOR SUMMER VACATION

Mixed class.  Tuesday nights, 7:30-8:30pm, at World Beat Fitness.  I have to pick up my daughter after class so there be no lingering.

Appropriate for beginners, as well as, those of you who confuse your upward with your downward facing dog, or your chatter with a ranga.  It is a good opportunity for detailed instruction.

Call ahead to book your spot.  Ensure you benefit from the entire series and confirm for the month.

ABOUT WORLD BEAT FITNESS

World Beat Fitness is located in Janibiyah, on the northern side of the island, near Sheik Mohammed’s Camel Farm.  Please call World Beat at 17 61 2576 and book with Michelle.