Category Archives: Yoga

A Moment in Time

While in Pune, 2019, I attended a Sunday morning “Learning the yoga sutras with clarity and rigour” group with Prashantji. Because Srineet was delayed in traffic, Prashantji changed the topic and spoke about the present moment. He spoke about how the past brings regrets, the future brings anxiety and while the present moment is now, it is gone the very next moment.

This came to me so vividly today during my morning sadhana. Are you able to sit quietly long enough to witness that moment in time between the past and future where you truly get a glimpse of yourself?

Gitte Bechsgaard has shared many times Mantriji’s quote: “You aren’t who you think you are.” A visit to that moment in time that is neither the past nor the future can unlock that door and bring clarity to the moment.


Last week I visited Robb, Alo and Kando in the Bay Area. As I was sitting on the floor next to the heater (where I parked myself much of the time), Kando plopped down in front of me with his feet like this. In Light on Yoga, Guruji shows this as the first (easy) stage of Virasana (plate 85). Perhaps a yogi in the making!

Virasana, easy stage

I hadn’t seen the boys in person for a very long time. Because of the rain, we spent most of the time inside playing games with a couple walks squeezed in when the rain stopped. I had a great time with them!

Blogged on Amma’s iMac after two years of silence with LOVE!

Togetherness

Above – Kando & Alo picnicking at Heather Farm Park. Doesn’t Kando look like he’s got a mohawk?


Below – A photo Alo took. I don’t know what’s up with the giraffe on top of the giraffe. But if it made sense to Alo, I love it!


Maya and the Sparts. Precious!


Class last Thursday night at my home studio – standing pose week. 


Neck curvature. This is one of the poses in the sequence I was given when I was in Pune 10 weeks post rotator cuff repair surgery. Randy, a friend who stayed with us Sunday and Monday night while he was here for the senior workshop, needed something to help relieve some neck pain he was having so I fixed him up. This is one of my favorite things to do when my neck ails me. It’s really relaxing and it takes all the kinks out.


This afternoon Maya is coming over to make Valentine’s Day cookies. I’m looking forward to flour and sprinkles everywhere!

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone and MacBook with LOVE!

Skype

Above – Kando Sunday night during our Skype session. He wasn’t very talkative …


Below – Alo “See my bus.”


Maya inspects Daddy’s jobsite, a taco shop on El Cajon Blvd.


Ron Mix – Former Chargers #74, former workmate, attorney and friend. This photo was was hanging among many celebrities’ photos at D Z Akins Sunday.


Also Sunday – Waiting for the rain.


Another Monday morning restorative class with Bear the Dog …
  


Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE!

Variety

Above – I’ll call this one “Palm Trees”


Bird Rock at the end of Froude Street (our street) at high tide. 


Sunday evening – No, Sparty is not blowing a kiss. He’s working on his best pout. Well done!


Monday morning restorative – Even Bear gets in on the action.


Pay no attention to the lines on the hand … Lady bug. I found this little fellow or “Lady” in the kitchen. Of course, I took him/her outside.


The early morning sun cast a great shadow on this newly opened hibiscus flower – two different angles, same flower.

  


The girls …

Today – Music with Sparty followed by gymnastics and an afternoon with Maya.


Blogged on Amma’s iPhone/MacBook with LOVE!

Just another day in the life …

Above – Hogan on safari.


Lookie, Bear carried my socks downstairs for me! Eager to go on a walk. This is her guilty look.

Photo worthy …

Our SD Lifeguards practicing to save lives.

I had lunch with Bill yesterday at Atria. This tuna melt from the “anytime menu” was really good. I ate the whole thing.

Yum. German chocolate cake and strawberry ice cream.

More chest openings from the playground … 


We heard from Ron last night from Cabo. They weren’t anticipating any winds there, only some high surf. So no worries.


Blogged using Amma’s MacBook and iPhone with LOVE!

Amma’s Playground (Selfies)

Above – Ahhhh!


“Playing around” to open my chest and relieve congestion.

The sequence of entry to finish …

  
  

You: “How does it not tip over?”

Me: [Smile]

You: “How’d you take those photos yourself?”

Me: [Smile]


Poses depicted were accomplished by a trained stunt woman. Please do not try this at home.

Me: [Smile]


Blogged on Amma’s MacBook with help from iPhone!

Oktober Medley

Note to Robb & Akuch – Keep those photos coming!


Oktoberfest tractor.

Oktoberfest sausage …


Thursday – Two of the newest batiked OBYoga t-shirts I got in India at work on the mat (Merle & Kim). 


Saturday – Three headstand modifications. L-R: using the headstand stool (soft block to keep feet active and from moving around), upside down through the ropes, & using a bench for sacrum support and lifted sternum (Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana in Sirsasana).


This afternoon we’re heading to Cineplex in Del Mar to watch The Martian in 3-D with Evan and Jill. Evan and I both read the book a while back and it was really good. Let’s hope for everyone’s sake I’m able to keep the coughing to a minimum :-/


Blogged using Amma’s iPhone & Macbook with LOVE!

Gloria

That’s my yoga teacher, Gloria. She turned 70 this year!!! I think that just about says it all… PS, that’s not easy.

Here’s Alo with the twins after school Friday.

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Sparty selfy Saturday night. Remember all the funny faces Maya used to make? Haha

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Ron & Jen heading out for a night of fundraising.

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Akuch kickin’ back relaxing in her room while Alo naps upstairs.

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Welcome home, Mom!

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!

Yoga

My yoga classes are growing so I thought I’d share a few photos. Above, in Salamba Sarvangasana (aka shoulder stand)

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Above, Halasana (aka plow pose).

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Above, the final process – Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (modified supported bridge pose).

I had two other students doing their Salamba Sarvangasana over chairs at the other wall.

Blogged on Amma’s iPhone with LOVE!)

LA Ceremony & what happiness really is …

The picture above is L-R, Ehrman (the Mighty Ruler), Gloria Goldberg (my teacher) and me. As I mentioned a couple days ago, Gloria was awarded the Lighting the Way award for her dedication and service in the field of Iyengar Yoga. I met Ehrman a couple years ago at an Arrowhead retreat. He’s an opera singer (baritone), and he sung the most beautiful song for Gloria and Guruji following her receiving the award.

Happiness is …

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… Alo, under the highchair with his belly button.

… and being IN the highchair with his best friend, Ernie.

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… and HUGS!!

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“AAAAhhhhhh”

Blogged on Amma’s iPad with LOVE!