Happy New Year 2015

 

 

 

 

“Yoga does not remove us from the reality or responsibilities of everyday life but rather places our feet firmly and resolutely in the practical ground of experience.

We don’t transcend our lives; we return to the life we left behind in the hopes of something better.”

~ Donna Farhi

 

Happy New Year!

I felt this was a great quote to start the New Year. We often are trying to make such grand changes in ourselves instead of coming back to the best version of ourselves.

 

Wishing you all joy and happiness on and off the mat!

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.blogspot.com

plnyogastudio@gmail.com



Classes start January 6th 2015

 

 

The blankets and bolsters are washed and repaired
The blocks, mats and straps put back neat on their shelves
Of course with the help of those weird little elves

The walls have been scrubbed and the floors sparkle like glass
So that with a... Happy New Year and wish for a joyous new year
PLN yoga studio welcomes you back to class!

Classes start January 6th.
Still time to register. 

 Morning, noon, afternoon, evening and weekend classes
Check out www.plnyoga.blogspot.com for details

plnyogastudio@gmail.com

Light and Joy

"It's not just about doing,

moving this muscle and that bone,

nor about doing with mind,

but about doing with the soul

and filling it with light and joy."

 

-B.K.S. Iyengar

From Iyengar Yoga Centre of Victoria November 2014 Newsletter p.30

There is so much to learn from the quotes and stories of the many students who have been able to learn from Mr. Iyengar and the Iyengar family.  In the recent newsletter from Victoria there were many personal stories of tribute to B.K.S. Iyengar. It is amazing how many lives he has touched and changed.  His biggest teaching was that we need to practice and we need the discipline to practice. This is one of Patanjali's main teachings. Mr. Iyengar did not want us to just follow him aimlessly, but to get to know ourselves from the outer body inward. As the quote above says, yoga asana is not just about doing. It is not how many poses one can or can't do. It is about being present during the movements that matter. 

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.BlogSpot.com
plnyogastudio@gmail.com

Serenity of the Soul

 

 

"Where there is peace and meditation,

 there is neither anxiety nor doubt."

 

- ST. Francis of Assisi

(c.1181 - 1226)

2015 Winter Schedule for PLN Yoga Studio in Prince Albert and Christopher Lake

Hello,

Just a thank you for a wonderful and busy fall session. Still a few weeks to go but wanted to post the winter classes that will start in the new year.

This upcoming winter I will continue to attend workshops and teacher training courses as well as start some great online anatomy courses for yoga! So, looks like will be another busy and exciting year for PLN Yoga Studio.

If you are interested in any of the classes or would like more information please contact me.

306-982-2737 or 306-981-4703
or by email plnyogastudio@gmail.com

Please note that I forgot to change dates for the Wednesday classes.

Wednesday classes run from January 7th to April 1st, 2015.

 

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

Virabradrasana II - Warrior II

Virabradrasana II or Warrior II is a strong standing pose  that helps build stamina and will power while aligning the spine.
Mr. Iyengar wrote that this pose can help relieves stiffness in the shoulders and back, tones up the ankles and knees and cures stiffness of the neck.


I started with some photos of the pose showing the variations first.
Below that is a video of a pose.

Start in Tadasana (mountain pose).
Then place the back (left) foot at the wall to give support to the back leg. 
Step the front leg out about 4 feet from the back foot.
Raise the arms parallel to the floor, left hand at the wall for support and to gently push into to release the shoulders down the back.

 

Cut the right leg out 90 degrees, aligning the front heel with the instep of the back foot.

 



 

As you press into the back foot, keeping it straight, bend the front knee to 90 degrees.  Keep the shin, knee and thigh in alignment by moving the knee towards the little toe side.  Gaze over the front hand keeping the breath smooth and steady.

 

 

Variation II - have a chair and foam pad

In this variation you can stay in the pose a bit longer.  The chair allows the legs to stretch more, creates width in the pelvis and lift and open the chest.

 

 

With the seat of the chair facing in place the chair at the right side of the mat.
Then step the right leg through the chair.
Turn the right leg out 90 degrees as did in pose above.
Bend the right knee to 90 degrees. Use the back rest of the chair to keep the upper body lifting up.
The chair seat supports the right buttock.
Press firmly into the back foot, keep the leg straight by tightening the knee.
Raise the arms parallel to the floor. Turn the head to look over the front hand.

 

 If a bit taller use the foam block on the seat of the chair.

 

 

 

 

This is Virabradrasana II in quicktime.  Fun to watch.

 

 Part I

 

This is my first attempt at uploading a video to my blog.

Even though only about a minute and a half I had to divide the pose into two short videos.

I will try and figure out how to upload all as one video for the next one.

 

 Part II

 

 

 

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.blogspot.com
plnyogastudio@gmail.com