Muscle Strain - Finding Happy Muscles
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
As much as I'd like to say that practicing yoga has only left my body feeling joyous, strong, and fluid, this is not always the case. A matter of fact, there have been times that I've pulled or strained a muscle so severely that the pain lasts for days and, if I'm not careful, weeks!Here's a remedy that has proven useful. Hopefully you'll find r...
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Yoga Asanas -- What's the point?
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Lately I've been questioning the usefulness of asanas. When a teacher, usually in the Anusara style, says to "open your hamstrings in order to let the divine in" I (sort of) want to puke. (I must disclose here, that I studied Anusara--and received my hatha yoga certification from Todd Norian --for 2-3 years.)There are plenty of people ...
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It's not what you do, it's how you do it that matters.
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
We've all heard the expression,It's now what you do, it's how you do it that matters.Aadil Palkhivala brought this statement to life earlier this week. Aadil is a yoga master and commonly referred to as "the teacher of teachers." He's been practicing yoga with Iyengar since the ripe age of 7 and has taught some the better known teacher...
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Spiritual Growth - The private relationship between you and God
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
GOD: Now there's a loaded word! If you want to see an argument break loss bring up religion or politics.My relationship with this label has had its ups and downs over the years, but in the end it's just a word. Stick in any combination of sounds that works for you, be that Universal Consciousness, Higher Self, Jesus, Buddha, etc. What's impo...
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Tulip Photo
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Love Much, Kris http://www.totalhealthyoga.com/http://www.totalhealthyogaclasses.blogspot.com/Today is the first day of the rest of your life!
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Yoga Poses - Astavakrasana
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Welcome to my first Blog! Why open with a picture of myself? I swear it's not vanity! It just seemed like a nice idea to put a face to the name for those of you reading this that do not know me--yet. In order to get a photo in my bio, I have to link to somewhere--here seemed as good a place as any. This asana or yoga pose is called Astavakr...
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Benefits of Yoga - Is your yoga practice servicing you?
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Could you use more calm and joy in your life? Which fellow above would you like to feel like? If it's the one on the left, Yoga won't help. However, if it's the smiling guy, then Yoga has a place for you. But as with anything in life, overdoing it can wreck havoc!Several weeks ago, I attended a Yoga Workshop in Chicago. We worked with the bandha...
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Global Warming - What does it have to do with Yoga?
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
My brother-in-law seems to think Global Warming is a hoax. I got this info second hand, so you know how that goes. Perhaps, what he meant was that "we" are not the cause of it. Admittedly, I have not spent weeks researching the topic, but have poked around and every study I could find, pointed to the human race. Regardless of what you personally...
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Yoga at Home
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Recently, a student emailed the following question:"At home I don't seem to have the discipline yet to be able to do a session like the ones that you facilitate. Is there a book or author that you could recommend that might be of some help in remembering what some of the progressions that you teach are?"This is a common question. Currently, I am...
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Health - Cancer
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Cancer seems to affect just about everyone's life is some way. Either having it or having a close friend or family member with it. There are many CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) techniques available for treatment along side the conventional methods (not necessarily instead of!). Yoga is one of them. The National Cancer Institute...
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Prana
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Interesting article called Prana Energy (found by clicking on this link ). The author is not shown. So, personally, I'd take it with a large grain of salt. However, I have been studying Yoga for quite some time now (5-10 year now, depending on what you define as "studying"), and there are some good points raised in this article. The author, tal...
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The Secret Review
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
How does The Secret pertain to Yoga? For those that haven't seen this DVD, it's about the Law of Attraction which states that "what you put out, you get back." Ancient idea in new packaging. A bit too much hype for my personal taste, but kudos to the creator, Rhonda Byrne, for finding a way to get this "philosophy" out to so many.John Friend of ...
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Book Reviews - Yoga: The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness by Erich Schiffmann
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Now here's a great book! It's been around since 1996 and still I'd say it's one of the best Yoga Posture books. Erich, the author and very funny guy in person :-), starts with an easy to read explanation of what Yoga is about. When I first read this book many years ago, I remember thinking--"Oh, this is why so many folks love Yoga." It really op...
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Yoga Poses - Downward Facing Dog
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
A common question regarding Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) is how do I maintain straight legs, a straight back, and the sit bones lifted all at the same time? What is the priority, a straight back or straight legs? In the pictures, the gal to the left is rounding her back, lifting her head, and bending her elbows. All 3 of theses al...
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Hatha Yoga - Ayurveda - Rod Stryker - Day 1
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
For the last 5 days I've been at a VinyasaKrama (wise progression or sequencing) Workshop with Yoga Pluswriter, founder of Para Yoga (previously called Pure Yoga), and renownedYogi, Rod Stryker. Over then next week or two, I'll share with you some thoughts on these 5 days. Some I wrote right after class, and some I'll write as I reflect back o...
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What's the "right" Yoga?
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Just now I read a posting at http://groundingthruthesitbones.blogspot.com/2007/05/opening-comments.html regarding the Yoga Journal Conference in Lake Geneva. When you read the post, you'll see that the one thing that all Yogis agree on is to disagree. Well, it might not be that bad, but it's pretty close.Here is the comment that I left regardi...
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Health - The role of stress
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
I love to read! At any one given moment, I usually have anywhere from 3 to 13 books started--all, except maybe one, are non-fiction. To bring this joy into my life while driving, this past week I've been listening to Bruce H. Lipton's CD, The Biology of Belief.I'm only on CD 2 of 3 CD's, but this is some fascinating stuff! Very different than th...
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Vegetarian Recipes - Oatmeal
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
Nothing like a warm bowl of oatmeal on a chilly morning. And the nutrition is a great way to start the day!Even though it's Spring, here in Wisconsin the mornings have been in the 50's lately.Here's a quick and healthy method to cook your oats in the morning or anytime. It's complements of a dear friend of mine, Karen:Heat 1 cup of water to boil...
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Menopause - Yoga benefits for Menopause
by
Kris K.
Posted in: Blog Posts in Yoga
It seems that many students come in with similar questions or concerns. I'll be honest, I work on remembering everyones' names and faces. There's just no room in my brain for each ailment or health history as well. Not too mention the fact that in a group class to offer specific modifications for each person--back pain, arthritis, herniated cerv...
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