Sunday, February 25, 2018

One Hundred Days of Celebrating B.K.S. Iyengar - Day 82 to Day 87



One Hundred Days of Celebrating B.K.S. Iyengar
 
 
Working with correct alignment of the hips and knees these poses are coming more now than many years ago.  You may not know this about me but I had both my knees scoped quite a few years ago and was told I have no cartilage left in my knees.  I was also told I would be back in a few years. 
The cause...many, many years of running and high impact sports probably often without proper alignment or awareness. 
 
At that time I had a decision to make - let my knees heal and continue doing what I was doing or make some changes.  Although at first I missed running I knew I needed to practice ahimsa - non-harming the best I could so that as yoga sutra 2.16 says, "the pains that yet to come can and are to be avoided".  Although past pains can not be erased - present and future pains can be avoided.  We do have a choice and responsibility to avoid suffering that we can bring on ourselves. 
 
Take a few moments to think about a choice you could make today that could reduce pain and suffering in the future for yourself or those around you, be it tomorrow, next week or ten years from now!
 
Day 82
 
 
Day 83
 
 
Day 84

 
Day 85

Day 86
 
Day 87

 
 
 Namaste.
Pamela Nelson


 

Friday, February 23, 2018

March Online Yoga Classes



March Online Yoga Classes
 
Thanks to all who joined me for the February online classes. 
There is still one left, but they are going well so far and I have received positive feedback so I am adding more in March. 
 
The classes are videoed using Facebook Live.  It is great if you can show up to the live class, but don't worry if you can't as all the March classes will be there for you to access for 6 months.
On that note so are all the February classes. So you can really join either set of classes at any time!
 
This gives you lots of time to practice along with the videos as many times as you like. 
 
If you are interested please email me.  If you register with payment before March 1st I will email you an audio recording of a relaxation mediation.
 
If you still aren't sure visit my Facebook page. I have a few free classes there you can check out first!
 
Thank you,
Pam
 
 
 
 

 

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Reflections on Intensive with Jawahar Bangera - Paksa Pratipaksa



A few weeks ago I was fortunate to travel to Calgary to take part in a teaching intensive and workshop with Jawahar Bangera.  It was my first workshop with this esteemed teacher.  Many times I had tried to work it into my schedule as he has been to Calgary, Kelowna, Victoria and Vancouver quite a few times.  I am glad I was finally able to go. 

The intensive began early, but flights from Saskatoon are even earlier!  So, we were the first to arrive at the facility and have a bit of time to freshen up!

It was great to see many familiar faces from attending other workshops, AGM's and teaching assessments and to meet many new people too. Calgary, like so many places I go, has a wonderful yoga community and made us feel very welcome.


A bit of a bio I found about Jawahar:

Jawahar Bangera has been BKS Iyengar's pupil since 1969, and was one of the first pupils from Mumbai tasked by Guruji to teach yoga. Jawahar has accompanied Guruji on countless teaching tours around the world and has conducted a large number of yoga workshops himself in various countries. He is one of the key drivers of the Light on Yoga Research Trust and is one of its trustees. The trust was formed more than 30 years ago and is active in promoting the learning and practice of Yoga in the Iyengar method.



I don't usually take photos at workshops, but I did find a few online with Jawahar. 
The first one below is obviously from many years ago.


Jawahar and B.K.S. Iyengar from many years ago.

Photo I found online from a recent workshop.
 
 
I am not going to write every pose we did, etc. but the main take away Jawahar wanted us to get was how to observe ourselves and therefore others better.  It can become quite easy to do a pose and if not getting feedback to continue doing it maybe with wrong alignment when we aren't asking the right questions or know what to look for.  It is not just observing with the eyes, but with the breath, skin, muscles, all the way to the nervous system.
 
Jawahar was able to weave in the teachings of Patanjali and the yoga sutras on so many levels that it took seemingly simple poses to a new level.  One of the sutras he quoted many times throughout the 5 days was sutra 2.33 and 2.34.
 
Sutra 2.33 Vitarka badhane pratipaksa bhavanam - Principles which run contrary to yama and niyama are to be countered with the knowledge of discrimination. 
 
Where pratipaksa means the opposite.  For example the opposite of hate is not love, but non-hate, letting go and releasing so that love with naturally arise.
 
From Mr. Iyengar's book Light on the Yoga Sutra's of Patanjali, "The sutra stresses that yama and niyama are an integral part of yoga.". 
 
Mr. Iyengar also explains that, "When the mind is caught up in dubious ideas and actions, right perception is obstructed. The sadhaka has to analyse and investigate these ideas and actions and their opposites; then he learns to balance his thoughts by repeated experimentation."
 
How are we able to work on this on our mats, and then take it into our daily life?
 
Mr. Iyengar writes that each asana acts and reacts in its own way, cultivating health on a physical level, helping the organic systems which creates changes to the senses, mind and intellect.  The practitioner must carefully observe and adjust and learn if need paksa or pratipaksa.
 
"The internal measuring and balancing process which we call paksa pratipaksa is in some respects key to why yoga practice actually works, why it has mechanical power to revolutionize our whole being.  It is why asana is not gymnastics, why pranayama is not deep breathing, why dhyana is not self-induced trance, why yama is not just morality. In asana for example, the pose first brings inner balance and harmony, but in the end it is merely the outer expression of the inner harmony." .

 
I am sure I will continue to absorb the teachings from this intensive for a long time now as that was really just one facet from the 5 days.
 
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
 
 

 
 
 

Monday, February 19, 2018

One Hundred Days of Celebrating B.K.S. Iyengar - Day 76 - 81



One Hundred Days of Celebrating B.K.S. Iyengar - Day 76 - 81
 
 
Day 76
 
Day 77


 
Day 78


 
Day 79

 
Day 80
 
 
Day 81
 
 
I can't believe I only have 18 days left in my 100 Days of Celebrating B.K.S. Iyengar!
 
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
 

 

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Sunday Morning Workshops


NEW Offering!
Sunday Morning Workshops!



Giving the body, breath and mind time to really explore and become still is what yoga helps us to do.

This morning workshops will give you time to explore the body, breath and mind and bring the intelligence of yoga into the cells.

Join me at my home studio with a few friends when it suits your schedule.  3 hours of yoga and a light lunch and beverage served after.
With a small group there is much more time to explore and work on areas you suggest also.

Here is a first draft poster but I wanted to share it with you.


Namaste.
Pamela Nelson


One Hundred Days of Celebrating BKS Iyengar - Day 64-75



One Hundred Days of Celebrating BKS Iyengar
Day 64 - Parivritta Janu Sirsasana
 

Day 65 - Ardha Badha Padma Padottanasana

 
Day 66 - Paryakasana

 
Day 67 - Astavakrasana

 
Day 68 - salambasana - locust pose
 

 
Day 69 -  Parigasana - gate pose

 
 
Day 70 -  Supta and Parsva Konasana




 
Day 71 - Ubayha Padangusasana


Day 72 - Virabradrasana III
 
 
 
Day 73 - Baddha padmasana
 
 
Day 74 - Jathara Parivatasana

 
Day 75 - Bakasana and Parsva Bakasana
 
 
 
 
 

 

Monday, February 5, 2018

A Wonderful Day of Yoga - February Staycation!

 

Looking for a bit of a get away that isn't to far from home?

Join me February 18th for a February Staycation!

I've extended the Early Bird Deadline until February 10th. Please register with payment by then at the latest!  It will be a fun, relaxing, enjoyable and "A Wonderful Day of Yoga!"
 

Upcoming soon is my "One Thursday a Month Workshop".  In January we explored the hands and feet and this month will be twists and bends on Feb. 15th.

Meditation, Mantra and Mindfulness will be an evening of healing vibrations and relaxation for the body, breath and mind. Join me March 28th.

Please pre-register early.  plnyogastudio@gmail.com

I have a few more upcoming announcements but will share those when I return from my teaching intensive and workshop with Jawahar Bangera in Calgary.

Online Yoga Classes:

I have been enjoying teaching the Facebook live classes. I have a few free ones up on my Facebook page. Please check them out.
Next FREE Class is February 22nd - 7:15-8:00p.m.

If you are interested in adding a few more classes please check out the poster below regarding the 5 Online Classes.
You don't have to be watching live to take part. You can watch from wherever you are, when ever you would like and as often as you like.
If you would like to join the PLN Yoga Online classes just send me a message.