ClemsonYoga

Dust of the Mind

Happy New Year to everyone!  Classes start back in just four days!

Here is my January teaching schedule:

January at The Garden
Wednesdays                        Thursdays
10th, 17th, and 24th.            11th, 18th, 25th
*No class on the 31st.           *No class Feb 1st.
*Please note that  on January 31st and February 1st, we will not have class as I will be out of town.

January at The Rec Center
Saturdays
13th and 27th

Practice Notes:  Dust of the Mind
Richard Freeman's breathing CD has helped me become aware of my breath in many ways.  He gives images to describe the mechanics of the breath that really brings me to a new understanding of what is happening.  For instance, he describes mulha bandha as the base of a flower and uddiyana bandha as the flower.  With the in-breath, the body drinks from this flower, and with the out-breath the energy from it radiates throughout the entire body.

Another way of understanding the action of bandhas is this:  as we inhale, bandhas expand, and as we exhale, bandhas tighten.  It is like a pump.

He also describes the dust of the mind that can become stirred up while working with the breath or sitting in meditation. We have a core of clarity, pure consciousness.  Layered on top are the traits, thoughts, memories, emotions, and all other activities of the mind.  This is settled all around the core or our pure consciousness, almost like a wetsuit that would cover the entire  body.  Using the image of dust really helped me get to a place of clarity, and breathing there is a very calming and stable experience. 

I encourage you to explore these two ideas as you practice too.  I'd love to hear back from you if you do....

Renee

September Schedule, Workshops, and Class Notes

My Schedule at the Rec Center this month is
September  9th and 23rd
New class time: 10:00-11:00

Here are some upcoming workshops that I think would beneficial if you have the itch to get some yoga saturation:

North Main Yoga in Greenville

• Max Strom September 8th-10th
• Headstand Workshop September 15th

Blue Turtle Yoga in Charleston

• Tim Miller November 3rd-5th

Atlanta Yoga

• David Williams November 9-12

Notes
Sun salutations can be challenging to the breath if we do not let the breath lead our movements.  If the breath is not developed fully in short and long breaths, this surfaces pretty quick in Surya Namaskara B.  So, what to do?  Well, I have taken a few approaches and feel that they have helped.  If you get out of breath, exhale completely before taking the next inhale.  Once you are back to Samastihiti, let your breath normalize before taking the next vinyasa.  This helped me become conscious of my breath, and I started to flow with my breath.  It feels so much better this way.  It's almost a luxurious feeling.  I let go of the struggle and with the notion that more powerful effort in my body is required. Another thing that liberated my breath was practicing along with Richard Freeman's CD.  I highly recommend anyone wanting to develop their breath in yoga practice to listen to his CD.  He clarifies so much and introduces you to the wonders of the body and breath.

Thanks!
Renee