By Lucille Chi •
June 7, 2008
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Yoga has been an interest of mine for quite some time now. We are joined now by Ginger Coy, a dear old friend of mine, who has recently completed a yoga teacher training and shares with us some of the ways yoga has changed her life.
1. Since you’ve become a yogi, what are some of the health benefits you’ve enjoyed?
I feel much more solid, integrated and aligned. I have a much healthier body, mind, spirit and heart and a vastly improved outlook on life. When I first started I did not have the endurance, balance, coordination, and strength that I have now. I had very little upper body strength. I couldn’t push up into a backbend (Urdhva Dhanurasana, Full Wheel) or lower down to Chaturanga Dandasana with skill and ease. Now I am stronger than ever!
2. Do you have any poses or breathing exercises that help to restore health and vitality to the body to feel better?
Downward facing dog is a great pose to release the hamstrings and increase flexibility for stiff backs and arms. It is an inversion which has a cooling effect and is great for the nervous system. It will also help increase wrist strength and arm strength.
When practicing yoga, it is important to remember to breathe through your nose. It is calming to exhale twice as long as you inhale.
By Jennifer Lance •
March 17, 2008
When I taught grades K-8 in a one-room schoolhouse, we began each morning with the sun salutation, only I called it the “good morning” stretch in order to not freak out some right wing parents.
We would go to the grassy field, form a circle, and flow through this vinyasa each morning. On rainy days, we modified this practice in the classroom. I’ve recently come across several articles about yoga in the classroom and the benefits to children.
By Jennifer Lance •
February 25, 2008
I love this book! Well, maybe I am a little biased, since I love yoga, but I think the simple text of this book intermixed with yoga poses is genius. Written by Baron Baptiste and illustrated by Sophie Fatus, My Daddy is a Pretzel: Yoga for Parents and Kids introduces some asanas in the context of a story.
The story begins with the typical primary school discussion of parental careers. As each child shares what their parent’s job is, the main character refers to a yoga pose his/her dad does that relates to the occupation.
On the following page, the yoga pose is discussed and demonstrated step by step for children to try. The pages of My Daddy is a Pretzel alternate between the children sharing their parents’ jobs and yoga poses.
