LightbyGrace

Thank you, Gabrielle…Looking forward to your Eagle thoughts…I have a love/hate relationship with that one…It is one of my favorites but it’s a toughie.

I have been having better luck with balance since having the chance to get the Home Practice Kit (THanks, Gabrielle!). The instruction to tighten the abs and reminders to lock out the leg are helpful.
Still having trouble in Eagle…I wrap my leg as far as possible but when I try to push it to get my toes behind I usually fall out. So I will just stay at my limit and trust that eventually that limit will grow and I will eventually get there.

I also have to say that the instruction for standing bow was GREATLY helpful. I get such a nice stretch back behind my shoulder blades now – which is sooo helpful because I have so many knots in that area. I am better able to keep my hips lined up properly which causes less stress on my knees. Knowing that the pose is intended to be a backbend was also a revelation and immediately corrected a bunch of stuff. AND it helped to know that holding the ankle was ideal, because that is actually easier for me to do than to hold the foot.

BTW – Kristin – did you see that this discussion was mentioned in one of the recent e-mails that Gabrielle sends out?! 🙂 🙂 I said ‘hey – I recognize that thread!’….

Blessings All!

Helen

I can attest to the fact that the initial breathing exercise is a) intense for a tight or delicate neck such as mine and b) that the exercise does help loosen it up. I started easy, only going as far as was comfortable and now I can go further before I get to that point. It is surprisingly one of my favorite parts of the work out (started off as not a favorite because of my tight neck).

H.

This happens to me, too…As you said, usually when I get in a good place and think ‘wow! Look at that, I’m in this pose! I made it!’ then I wobble and fall out. Grrr…What’s up with that??

I will try the singing thing. That sounds fun if nothing else!

Helen

As a Christ follower, I can liken this issue to the difference between following religious rules and living in freedom. I watch the Christian ‘church’ in so many ways damage people with religion in the name of someone who I believe came to bring freedom and life. The same way that Yoga is intended to bring health and goodness to our lives, it, too can get wrapped up in dogma, rigidity, and in-fighting amongst those who practice it. I have learned both in my relationship with my faith community as well as in my study of Yoga, to separate the wheat from the chaff. Follow my spirit and good sense, and understand the difference between healthy discipline and toxicity.

Great forum – Thanks, Gabrielle!

My life-long friend turned me on to Bikram Yoga and I love it. I think you summed it up well to separate the message/yoga poses from Bikram the man. While I find Bikram’s book and CD to be fabulous tools as well as entertaining I sense that he um, shall we say thinks very highly of himself…I just kind of tune out his claims that his way is the only way and the only ‘I can add years to your life with my 26 postures’ talk. He’s not the Messiah, but he’s a good teacher and I am thankful for what he has shared. At the same time, I have learned a lot from other people and techniques as well! Very glad to have stumbled across this website!

Blessings!

Helen