Thank you Torbin Ulrich for introducing me to yoga forty years ago. I am forever grateful!
Jai Bhagwan

YOGA: MEET YOUR EDGE WITH GRACE

Have you ever pushed yourself so hard while exercising that it actually sets you back?
Maybe you had to stop working out for a couple of days or weeks. Maybe you had to go to your Doctor or visit the nearest emergency room.
Is that the point of trying to get fit?
The obvious answer is a resounding- No.

It has been scientifically proven that movement plays an extremely important role in improving and maintaining our body, mind and spirit. Knowing that movement leads to greater plasticity and neuroplasticity, it is wise to view exercise and movement, study and self-discovery as a constant for the rest of our lives. Yet, so many are after the quick fix, the six pack by June, to be able to run a marathon by July and to climb Denali by September. We know it doesn’t work this way. Our life and our bodies require proper training forever.
Forget the saying “No Pain, No Gain.” Can you push yourself and work harder? Absolutely, but intelligently from a physiological perspective, and not from your ego view.
In yoga we say “Meet Your Edge With Grace!

What this means is that everyday our bodies are different and as a result, we need to tune into how we are feeling today and how far can we push ourselves while still obtaining the maximum benefits. Every asana, every pose in yoga, states that it is important to find comfort within your movements. To be able to breath calmly and yet still feel energized and strong. That dose not mean you wont feel invigorated, it means simply taking yourself to your edge and not past it!
Meeting Your Edge With Grace will bring to you a clearing on the other side of your workout, a wonderful feeling of greater health and happiness. Past your edge only brings you injury and pain. People work from either pain or pleasure. When you leave your yoga session, you should feel a glow and euphoria!
When you are in a class and see someone else clearly more flexible than you doesn’t mean that they are getting any more benefits than you. They may be more experienced in the pose; maybe they are naturally more flexible or stronger than you. But, it is important to know that they are not receiving any more benefits than you are. That is the beauty of yoga, of aligning your mind, body and spirit. Yoga done properly is only about how you feel; not how you compare. If you want to see acrobats, go to Cirque Du Soleil.
Yoga is not about being an acrobat or flying from a headstand to handstand all while rubbing your head and belly at the same time! Yoga is about you. About creating daily movement so your body and mind will be forever young at heart and forever young in mind!
Do you want to feel forever young? Of course you do.
It’s easy. Keep Moving!
Namaste’
Michael Zerner

High Lunge, Crescent Variation: Step-by-Step Instructions

Start in Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog). Exhale and step your right foot forward between your hands, aligning your knee over the heel. Keep your left leg strong and firm.

Inhale and raise your torso to upright. At the same time, sweep your arms wide to the sides and raise them overhead, palms facing.

Be careful not to overarch the lower back. Lengthen your tailbone toward the floor and reach back through your left heel. This will bring the shoulder blades deeper into the back and help support your chest. Look up toward your thumbs.

Be sure not to press the front ribs forward. Draw them down and into the torso. Lift the arms from the lower back ribs, reaching through your little fingers. Hold for 30 seconds to a minute.

Then exhale, release the torso to the right thigh, sweep your hands back onto the floor, and, with another exhale, step your right foot back and return to Down Dog. Hold for a few breaths and repeat with the left foot forward for the same length of time.

Eight-Angle Pose

(ahsh-tah-vah-krahs-anna)

asta = eight
vakra = bent, curved
Eight-Angle Pose: Step-by-Step Instructions

Stand in Tadasana (Mountain Pose), with your feet separated a bit wider than usual. Exhale, bend forward to Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend), press your hands to the floor outside your feet. Then with your knees slightly bent, slip your right arm to the inside and then behind your right leg, and finally press the hand on the floor just outside your right foot. Work your right arm across the back of the right knee, until the knee is high up on the back of your right shoulder.

Brace your shoulder against the knee and slide your left foot to the right. Cross the left ankle in front of the right and hook the ankles. Lean slightly to the left, taking more weight on your left arm, and begin to lift your feet a few inches off the floor.

With the right leg supported on the shoulder, exhale and bend your elbows. Lean your torso forward and lower it toward parallel to the floor; at the same time, straighten your knees and extend your legs out to the right, parallel to the floor (and perpendicular to your torso). Squeeze your upper right arm between your thighs. Use that pressure to help twist your torso to the left. Keep your elbows in close to the torso. Look at the floor.

Hold for 30 seconds to a minute. Then straighten your arms slowly, lift your torso back to upright, bend your knees, unhook your ankles, and return your feet to the floor. Stand back and rest in Uttanasana for a few breaths. Then repeat the pose for the same length of time to the left.

Yoga For Everyone

Need to relax and stretch? No matter what your age or fitness level, yoga is for you. Please join Yoga Mike and re-learn how to breathe and relax. Bring a yoga mat if you have one. We will be barefoot.

Saturday, November 7th, 2015
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Reynolds Corners Branch – Large Meeting Room

Please come join us, it will be fun!