Posts Tagged ‘yoga blocks’
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Nana and His Rickshaw
I believe it was David Byrne (it’s possible he was quoting someone else) who said, “Rich people will travel great distances to take pictures of poor people.” Certainly by local standards, this was me.
The last few weeks have been some of the most evolutionary of my recent life. For those of you following along, you know I’ve been through some harrowing times and some adventures, had a good deal of fun and done some great shopping. A friend of mine from home, who has been coming to India for 40 years and still finds it quite challenging said, “India is relentless in its pursuit of forcing you to become who you really are.” His words carried me through much of this journey.
My Ego was obliterated on the mat and my days made needlessly complicated by the simple lack of infrastructure this country suffers. I was forced to phone a friend for some emotional support for what I was experiencing. And yet somewhere around day 13, I came through the dark night of my own soul and emerged happy, energized, and excited to go to my next class, buy yogurt from the little store on my way home, and cross the death-defying 6 lanes of traffic that separated my neighborhood from that of the Iyengar Institute in Pune. India has a pace all its own and it clearly took me some time to adjust. As I get ready to leave, I am simultaneously relieved and sad and anxious to come back, though next time I will make a point of staying longer and seeing more of the country. There is just way too much good stuff here not to spend more time.
I made some friends here who I will miss very much. Parvez and his wife Zarin sell CDs and books in the institute. Parvez was a pharmacist for years and evidently sleeps on my Eggs to help the severe curve in his back — perhaps from years of hunching over to fill prescriptions? He and his wife love the Eggs so much they want to be my Indian distributor. Rima tailored a dozen articles of clothing for me by way of contributing to my Indian makeover. And Nana, oh, Nana. Everyone needs someone like you if they’re going to come someplace like this. When Nana was with me, life was smooth. When he was absent, life was much more… real.
I have some parting advice I’d like to offer for anyone coming here in the future. Feel free to ignore it. (more…)
Tags: ego, humble, India, RIMYI, three minute egg, transition, travels, yoga, yoga blocks, yoga eggs, yoga props
Posted in A Yogi Abroad | No Comments »
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
World renowned yoga teacher and father of Purna Yoga, Aadil Palkhivala, returns to Ventura Yoga Studio in Ventura, CA, from Friday 2/10 through Sunday 2/12 for a series of Egg-friendly workshops in a weekend intensive.
The weekend kicks off on Friday as Aadil guides students through asana in a preparation for pranayama in Pranayama: Preperation & Practice from 5:30-8:30PM. Students learn the balance of control between pranayama in the mind and nervous system, and asana in keeping the body still.
The five winds of the body that govern movement and progress are the focus of The Five Vayus in Twists and Backbends on Saturday, starting the day off from 11:30-2:30PM. Aadil closes the day with Healing the Pelvis and Sacrum, focusing on the anatomy of the sacroiliac joint that holds the weight of the entire spine and upper body.
Aadil wraps up the weekend on Sunday with Finding our Foundation, focusing on poses that strengthen the feet and knees. From the ground up Aadil moves into Healing the Neck, Shoulders and Upper Back, guiding students through asanas that help to relieve tension that we often hold in these areas. (more…)
Tags: 3ME Dealer, Aadil Palkhivala, Aadil Teal Three Minute Egg, asana practice, Egg-Friendly Studio, ergonomic yoga blocks, hatha yoga, Iyengar yoga, pelvis, Pranayama, Purna yoga, sacroiliac joint, sacrum, The Five Vayus, three minute egg, upper body tension, Ventura Yoga Studio, workshops, yoga blocks, yoga eggs, yoga props
Posted in Workshops | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
I’ve been ruminating all week on how yoga in the East differs from yoga in the West. Many teachers have told me that most Westerners wouldn’t actually enjoy taking yoga in India. As much as I am benefiting from these teachings, I can understand why. Life here is difficult. Yoga here is difficult. And living your life is living your yoga, because even the most mundane things, like drinking water, are not easy.
The Iyengar family takes teaching yoga very seriously, and they train their teachers to be tough. They are on time, so you should be on time. They work hard, so you should work hard. Much is expected of you in return for the privilege of being here. I happen to think that’s completely reasonable.
So if I had to boil this difference down to one word, that word right now would be (more…)
Tags: comfort, east vs. west, India, Iyengar yoga, Jason Scholder, learning, lifestyle, Pune, RIMYI, travels, vanity, yoga, yoga blocks, yoga studios
Posted in A Yogi Abroad | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
By special request Joan White returns to Postures yoga studio in Naples, Florida, for an Iyengar workshop weekend starting Friday, February 17, and continuing through Sunday, February 19.
General Classes are offered on Friday from 6-8PM, Saturday from 9-11AM, and Sunday from 9-NOON; students may also participate in Continuing Education, offered Friday from 2:30-5:30PM and Saturday from 1-4PM. Course fees vary depending on how many classes you want to take. General Workshop (7 HR) and the Full Workshop (13 HR). Full Workshop includes Continuing Education Credits for those wishing to apply the course toward their Iyengar Yoga teacher training.
This is the first set of workshops of Joan’s 2012 tour. Be sure not to miss this very special opportunity offered by one of Iyengar yoga’s most respected teachers. Joan is among only (more…)
Tags: BKS Iyengar, ergonomic yoga blocks, IYASE, Iyengar yoga, Joan White, Naples, Postures, Suzie Muchnick, three minute egg, yoga blocks, yoga eggs, yoga props, yoga teacher training
Posted in Workshops | 1 Comment »
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
Cora Wen will teach Crossing the Bridge and Rotator Relief, featured here with the Thank Pink Three Minute Egg
This weekend Cora Wen will join fellow experts Leslie Howard and Sterling Painton, in the body, yoga and respective areas of specialization for a Therapeutics Workshop series. Offered for both teachers interested in learning to incorporate therapeutic yoga into their teaching, as well as students who wish to gain increased insight into their own body, the workshops are hosted by Yoga Bloom at the California Yoga Center with locations in Palo Alto and Mountain View. (more…)
Tags: breast cancer and yoga, breast cancer awareness, breast cancer education, cora wen, ergonomic yoga blocks, hand therapy, Iyengar yoga, Leslie Howard, Parkinson's Disease, shoulder therapy, Sterling Tainton, Thank Pink Three Minute Egg, three minute egg, yoga blocks, yoga bloom, yoga bloom thank pink eggs, yoga eggs, yoga props, yoga therapy
Posted in Workshops | No Comments »
Friday, January 27th, 2012
After venturing to India following the new year, Jason Scholder brings his travels to a close with a pit-stop in Zurich, Switzerland, where he will be teaching a demonstrative 3ME workshop on January 28th, 10am -1 pm, sponsored by Yoga Artikel and Yoga Carmen. The workshop will help yogis of all levels learn how to incorporate the Three Minute Egg® into their practice. Offered for both yoga students and yoga practitioners, Jason’s approach will allow participants to gain “insight into the myriad ways this deceptvely simple and versatile yoga prop can expand your practice.”
Students and teachers who are local to the event and will be participating can purchase Eggs through our Swiss dealer, Yoga Artikel. Participants are encouraged to dress comfortably and bring 2-6 Eggs. For more information, contact info@yoga-carmen.ch.
Tags: Egg workshop, ergonomic yoga blocks, Jason Scholder, Switzerland, three minute egg, yoga blocks, yoga eggs, yoga props, Zurich
Posted in Workshops | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Following her participation in the 2012 Yoga Journal Conference: San Francisco, Egg Signateur Annie Carpenter continues her Winter Tour with a workshop at InYoga Center on Sunday, January 22, in Village Valley, CA.
The workshop, entited “Yoga for Beginners: (Re) Learning the Essentials,” is for those who are new to yoga as well as those who would like to review yoga’s (more…)
Tags: Annie Carpenter, beginner yoga, ergonomic yoga blocks, in yoga center, signature eggs, three minute egg, workshop, yoga blocks, yoga eggs, yoga props
Posted in Workshops | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Yoga Bloom Pink Egg - Supporting the Search for the Cure to Breast Cancer
Three Minute Egg has partnered with Cora Wen to create the Yoga Bloom THANK PINK Egg. The Yoga Bloom Egg, now available in the Good Karma Eggs section of our Products page, is a Hot Pink Namastegg in honor of its devotion to breast cancer awareness. One side features the Three Minute Egg logo as found on all of our Eggs, and the other side is adorned with the Yoga Bloom logo, which is beautifully crafted. In accord with our commitment to Cora, 10% of the sales from these Eggs will be donated directly toward breast cancer awareness and education.
Many recent studies have pointed to yoga as a holistic supplement to breast cancer treatment, revealing many significant health benefits and an overall improved quality of life. Complications such as fatigue and pain have been shown to be significantly lowered as a result of certain types of gentle yoga, including restorative and therapeutic practices.
Breast cancer awareness is an issue that is close to Cora’s heart, as everyone in her maternal lineage has had a battle with it, thus making her a very high risk candidate. Having this in mind she embraces each day with full awareness of her body and active self-care. Her work with yoga and women living with or recovering from breast cancer is extensive, by aiming to transform into “a positive experience for ourselves to live life fully, and live every moment fully and completely.”
Read more about Cora’s relationship to breast cancer, (more…)
Tags: breast cancer and yoga, breast cancer awareness, cora wen, donation, ergonomic yoga blocks, restorative yoga, therapeutic yoga, three minute egg, yoga blocks, yoga bloom, yoga bloom thank pink eggs, yoga eggs, yoga props
Posted in Announcements | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
There are really only two ways to travel in India: luxury class, or sense-of-adventure class.
*For the record, I actually prefer the latter as I enjoy seeing the people, being among the people, and talking to the people whose country I am visiting. So I want to preface the rest of this blog by noting that I am not complaining one bit about having taken the train and walked a half-marathon to get there. It was a really fun day.
Led by a budget-conscious Dutch yoga teacher (Pascal) who wanted us all to have a real Indian adventure, we set out today for a trip to the Karla Caves about 90 minutes outside Pune by train.
I was under the impression that we’d hired a car and this trip would be easy. I had forgotten something of critical importance: India, while wonderful, is seldom easy. We spent most of the day walking, waiting and/or negotiating with people from all walks of life.
TOP 6 EXCUSES A RICKSHAW DRIVER MIGHT GIVE FOR DENYING YOU A RIDE: (more…)
Tags: Ayurveda, Hindi, India, Indian food, Karla Caves, Kirtan, Marathi, Pune, Rickshaw, Sadhus, three minute egg, trains, travel, Vedanta Institute, yoga blocks, yoga eggs, yoga props
Posted in A Yogi Abroad | No Comments »
Sunday, January 8th, 2012
I couldn’t believe it was already 9:22 when I woke up this morning, only minutes before my loyal Rickshaw driver, Nana, would arrive to fetch me and my suitcases in order to deliver me to my new apartment — just about 20 minutes walking from “The Institute” [i.e. the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, or RIMYI.] That doesn’t include crossing six lanes of the most terrifying traffic I’ve ever seen. There is only one way across. (Think Eddie Murphy’s special needs brother in the movie Bowfinger, trying to scurry across the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles, to complete a scene.) The fact that I was able to find my way back tonight was nothing short of a miracle. It really could have gone either way.
But, more importantly, today was my first Indian Yoga class!!! Mr. Iyengar is under the weather, and even if he were well, I am not experienced enough to attend his classes. One must apply two years in advance and have at least 8 years of experience in Iyengar Yoga. I have one. However, I have a ten-year visa, so there’s hope! Mr. Iyengar will be 101 years old by then. If he’s still teaching, I am SO coming back!
I learned a lot in tonight’s class, but before I get into the yoga, here are the most important things I learned: (more…)
Tags: BKS Iyengar, Bowfinger, coconuts, ergonomic yoga blocks, India, Instant Karma, Iyengar yoga, Pune, RIMYI, three minute egg, yoga blocks, yoga eggs, yoga props
Posted in A Yogi Abroad | 1 Comment »
I made some friends here who I will miss very much. Parvez and his wife Zarin sell CDs and books in the institute. Parvez was a pharmacist for years and evidently sleeps on my Eggs to help the severe curve in his back — perhaps from years of hunching over to fill prescriptions? He and his wife love the Eggs so much they want to be my Indian distributor. Rima tailored a dozen articles of clothing for me by way of contributing to my Indian makeover. And Nana, oh, Nana. Everyone needs someone like you if they’re going to come someplace like this. When Nana was with me, life was smooth. When he was absent, life was much more… real.
