Free Yoga Class Opportunities Early Fall 2013

I always enjoyed the beginning of the school year when I was growing up.   There was a sense of excitement, with the anticipation of learning something new and of meeting new people.  I think that the beginning of the school year is also a great time to begin a yoga class!

I'm offering a couple of opportunities for people to take a free yoga class at Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor during the early fall (2013).

1.   During the week of Labor Day, there are three free Intro to Yoga classes available for anyone who would like to attend (current students and new people):

• Wednesday, September 4 - Level 1 - 9:30-10:45 AM
• Wednesday, September 4 - Gentle - 11:00 AM-12:15 PM
• Thursday, September 5 - Level 1 - 5:30-6:45 PM

These classes will give you a good idea of how I teach beginning level classes at Harmony Yoga.  The Gentle Yoga class is slower-paced and poses are practiced with more support than the Level 1 classes.   Pre-registration is recommended -- email me to reserve a space or if you have any questions.

2.   If you are new to Harmony Yoga, or haven't taken a class from me in at least 6 months, you can use this free yoga class coupon to take a class anytime from September 9 -- October 19.  Check our Yoga Class Schedule and Yoga Class Descriptions to choose a class that fits your experience level.   Note that a Level 2 class assumes knowledge of Iyengar Yoga, including how we set up for poses such as Sirsasana and Sarvangasana (head balance, shoulder balance).  There is a difference in how the various styles of yoga are taught (of course!), and in any style you would be expected to follow along with how that particular class is being taught.  And it's really easy for me to tell if you haven't had much Iyengar Yoga experience. Again, pre-registration is recommended (email me to reserve a space or if you have questions), but not absolutely required.

Happy practicing!

On Kindness in the Yoga Classroom

Earlier this summer, I came across the following blog post, Can Iyengar Yoga Attract the Masses?

This excellent post lists a number of reasons why Iyengar Yoga classes may not attract as many people as other styles of yoga, and each of these reasons are worth exploring more fully in other blog posts (which I may do later!).

But another reason that came up partway through the comments section is that there's the perception that many Iyengar yoga teachers are rude, bullying, insulting, dogmatic, and fundamentalist in their approach.

That is so sad to hear.    But unfortunately there is certainly an element of truth to these statements.

Granted, Iyengar Yoga is taught more as a discipline than a number of the other yoga systems, and adheres to more rigorous standards in both the practice and teaching of this method.   That in itself can turn off many people, but that is okay.   Some of us are fascinated by this disciplined, exacting practice, especially after we start seeing and feeling the results, while others prefer a "do what feels good" approach, or may be just in it for a good, aerobic workout, while not being remotely interested in all the picky little details for learning good alignment.

That's fine...different strokes for different folks....

But beyond that, the discipline of the Iyengar Yoga system sometimes really does seem to translate into overbearing arrogance and rudeness on the part of the teacher.  And it's not necessary. 

I do realize that some of this is in the eye of the beholder.   A strict taskmaster may be perceived as insensitive and overly demanding by some who aren't used to this method, but in reality is simply stating in a matter-of-fact way what is expected in this particular class, and what needs to be done and what shouldn't be done.

But I have also taken classes from a few Iyengar Yoga teachers who I perceived as appallingly rude, who seemed to disapprove of the class make-up (not locally BTW, but more at the national level at conferences / conventions),  and I have no interest in ever taking a class again from these 2 - 3 teachers no matter how well they know their subject.  If I had experienced these attitudes when I was a beginning yoga student, I would've searched out another style of yoga.  Or taken up Tai Chi. Or ballroom dancing.

I recently came across this quote by Maya Angelou ~
 “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

One of my aims as a yoga teacher is to make my students feel that they are welcome in my classes, and appreciated for who they are, at whatever level of experience they are at.  I'm not 100% successful, but practicing awareness of how I treat others is definitely a part of my overall yoga practice.

Photo Credit: lululemon athletica via Compfight cc

Iyengar Yoga at Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor

When I first started taking yoga classes, in 1993, Iyengar Yoga was the most commonly taught method of hatha yoga in Ann Arbor, and in much of the country.   Times have changed, and there are many other methods and styles being taught in Ann Arbor and around the country.   All are a form of hatha yoga, which refers to the physical practice of yoga (if you know anything about yoga philosophy, you'll remember that the physical practice is only a part of the entire practice of yoga).

Different styles of yoga will appeal to different types of people.  What is so special about Iyengar Yoga?

First of all, Iyengar Yoga is named after B.K.S. Iyengar, who is currently 94 years old, and still practices yoga including the asanas (albeit in a much more supported manner) in his home city of Pune, Maharashtra, India.   He would be quick to tell you that he didn't name this style, but his students gave it this name to differentiate it from other methods that are taught.

A main feature of Iyengar Yoga is that it places a very strong emphasis of learning and practicing good alignment in the yoga postures, or asanas.  Besides allowing us to more effectively and safely stretch and strengthen our muscles, to create more freedom of movement in our joints, and healthy space for our organs, this practice also develops our awareness - first of our own bodies and where we are in space, and then it starts to extend to what we are doing in other areas of our lives.   As we learn to move consciously into and out of the yoga asanas, we also learn to move consciously throughout our daily lives, so we can respond intelligently to what life throws us.

We often use props to help us move into better alignment and to give us extra support.  We may use blankets, blocks, straps, chairs, or the wall to help support our bodies in the poses.   If your hamstrings are tight, and you can't touch your hands to the floor in a standing forward bend and still keep your legs straight, you might take your hands to blocks or a chair instead.   If your hips are tight and sitting with an upright spine is difficult, you'd sit up on blankets to bring better alignment to the spine and more ease to the pose.  Also holding the pose for longer, in a supported manner, deepens the effects of the pose.

If you are just looking for a good aerobic workout, Iyengar Yoga may not be for you, although it will depend on the nature of the particular class.   Typically the classes I teach don't have an aerobic component, but there is emphasis on learning how to move toward a fuller representation of each
yoga pose within your own physical capabilities.   You'll become stronger and more flexible with this practice.

If you want to experience an Iyengar Yoga class at Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor, check our class schedule and class descriptions.   A Level 1 class is great for beginners and is not excessively strenuous.   Drop-ins are fine during most weeks, but occasionally a particular week won't be as suitable for someone who is new to Harmony Yoga (for instance, the last week of each session is often "restorative week",  and the classes are taught differently than during the rest of the session).

Yoga Builds Awareness - Crazy Wisdom Article by yours truly

Karen in Halasana, photo by Pam Lindberg

I had the opportunity to write an article for the current issue of the Crazy Wisdom Community Journal, May - August 2013.

The subject could be of anything that was relevant to my practice and teaching of Iyengar Yoga so I wrote, Yoga Builds Awareness ~ The Practice of Yoga,  Done with Awareness and Intelligent Action, Enhances our Physical and Emotional Well-Being 

I have a couple more copies at my studio, Harmony Yoga of Ann Arbor, for those of you who come to my classes, and I'll try to pick up a few more.  

Or you can read it online Yoga Builds Awareness  (pdf file)

The photos are by fellow Iyengar Yoga teacher and friend, Pam Lindberg.   I think it all turned out very well!   What do you think?

Still room in Holiday Yoga classes

 Image of Yoga Holiday Card from YogaDudes Shop

There's still room in the rest of the Holiday Yoga classes at Harmony Yoga.  The Thursday 5:30 -- 6:45pm class is especially small.  If you'd like a smaller class, this will be a nice one for you!

Go to Holiday Yoga Classes (skip past the free yoga class for new people section) and check the schedule and fees for the final Holiday classes.

Pre-registering / pre-paying still applies for the discounted price. 

If you want to pre-pay but can't easily drop off your payment at the studio by the day before the class, you can pay through PayPal.  If you don't have a PayPal account, you can pay with credit card or debit card as a PayPal Guest.

Go to the Harmony Yoga Pay With PayPal page.
Click on the bottom button that says, "Buy Now".   It will take you to a page where you can add the price for the class.   (There are no special PayPal buttons for the individual Holiday Classes).   On the confirmation page there's a space to write a note to tell me which class you're paying for.   If you miss that, just email me and tell me.

Yoga Practice Tips for the Holidays, Part 4 - Refer to good yoga books

Happy New Year 2013!

Was one of your New Year resolutions to practice yoga poses more often between classes?   It's an excellent resolution to make at any time of the year!   If you practice at home in between classes and during times when classes aren't in session, you'll notice a big difference in the ease in doing poses during class and during your own practice.   Difficult poses will become more of a delight to work on!  Your muscles won't be as sore after regular classes if you also practice at home.  You'll become stronger and more flexible and less prone to exercise-related injuries.   You'll become more mentally centered.  All of you who've been taking yoga for some time know all of this!  

The Tips for Practicing during the holidays that I've been presenting recently are good tips to follow any time of the year, whether or not your regular classes are in session.

Tip # 4 for practicing yoga during the holidays, or at any time of the year, is to practice from instructions and sequences in good yoga books.    These books also present the philosophy of yoga, for those of you who are ready to learn more about the full scope of this ancient art and science.

As an Iyengar Yoga practitioner, I highly recommend the following books.  They all include detailed instructions and photos of many poses.   The first two books include sequences for practicing as well (although Light on Yoga sequences are more difficult).

 If you are a serious Iyengar yoga student, you probably already have some of these books.   If you don't, get them, especially Light on Yoga, which is considered to be the "Bible of Modern Yoga".   

Also refer to The 10 Best Iyengar Yoga Books for summaries of these books and other more specialized yoga books.

Yoga Practice Tips for the Holidays, Part 3: YouTube Videos

Another idea for practicing yoga during the holidays or at any time is to follow along with these Iyengar Yoga YouTube videos.

There aren't many YouTube videos of Iyengar Yoga sequences that I'd recommend for practicing to, but there are a few that I think are good.

This first video is a simple 30 minute sequence taught by Iyengar Yoga teacher, David McLaughlan. While I don't recommend this for those of you in my Gentle Yoga classes, it will be a nice, basic sequence for the rest of you.

Some of the instructions will be very familiar to those of you who come to my classes, although some are a little different. It's good to see / hear how other people teach (I stand behind my instructions, though!)

Work to your own ability and use props to maintain good alignment in your postures.

Those of you who don't practice Iyengar Yoga -- no, this is not a sequence for getting a good "work out".  These poses are done in a deliberate manner, working toward optimal alignment. 



There are also a number of videos of Senior Iyengar Yoga teacher, John Schumacher, teaching one pose per video. On YouTube, search:
 John Schumacher teaches yoga
(or click on the link) for the selection of videos.

The poses included many of the standing poses you're familiar with (those of you who practice Iyengar Yoga), and also Adho mukha svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose), and the inversions Sarvangasana and Sirsasana (shoulderstand, head stand). His instructions are excellent and his poses are superb!

I highly encourage you all to view these videos!

 I've also pulled together 7 of these videos on the page Seven Basic Standing Yoga Poses.

For those of you who are more adventurous,  I just discovered a few short videos by a student of Iyengar Yoga teacher, Carrie Owerko.  This student shows a recap of class sequences.  I'm intrigued by these!   Many of these sequences I've never seen before.   If you practice any of them, let me know how it goes!

Iyengar Class Sequence 9/20/12 - Interesting use of the wall for Ardha chandrasana, Virabhadrasana I, and more.
Chair Salabhasana  -- Hands on chair for Salabhasana (I have practiced this, but haven't taught it recently).
Iyengar Yoga Class Sequence 11/24/12 Part 1 -- Adho mukha svanasana, eka pada adho mukha svanasana, and a very unusual variation that I've never tried.
Iyengar Yoga Class Sequence 11/24/12 Part 2 -- Supta padangustasana with some unusual variations (moving into Anantasana, and a prone Padangustasana)
Restorative Class Recap, 11/29/12 -- 13 minutes