Tag Archives | Ashtanga

Yoga: Visiting Omkar 108 Yoga in Los Angeles

By Claudia on April 10, 2016 in Ashtanga, Yoga

What does Omkar mean? I wondered, and google told me that first of all it:

Causes you to be systematic, technical, and attentive to detail

My first practice after a lot of confusion and suffering in my life happened today when I had the privilege of visiting Omkar 108 Ashtanga Yoga in Los Angeles.

From outside, on the back of the studio, there is a speaker so you can hear mantras – I thought I recognized Manju’s CD which I find energizing and focusing.

omkar

I was there early so I peeked in, and saw one of the assistants practicing an advanced pose.… Read the rest

The Yoga Episode #9 – Joy Marzec – A Movie Director In 4th Series Of Ashtanga Yoga

By Claudia on May 7, 2015 in The Yoga Podcast

Joy Marzec is a movie writer, producer, director, a music band member, an idea machine, a complete choose yourself case (she invested what she would have paid in film school into making her own films), OH AND…

A yogi practicing the fourth series of Ashtanga Yoga (which in plain terms means something like winning an olympic gold medal three times, not that asana should EVER be on the olympics… But just to give you an idea)

If you cannot see the episode photo with the big play button click here to listen, or play in I-Tunes or Stitcher or Podbay.Fm
… Read the rest

The Yoga Podcast #8 – From Corporate World To Yoga Teacher: Jessica Blanchard

By Claudia on April 19, 2015 in The Yoga Podcast

I met Jessica while daydreaming of leaving the corporate world around 2005/6. She was a resident teacher at Yoga Thailand, a great place in Ko Samui led by Paul and Jutima Dallaghan. I was a stressed out worker who did not enjoy the cubicle life.

But Jessica had been in the corporate world too. And that is what attracted me to read about her, because I thought if she could do it, maybe I could too…

[If you cannot see the big picture with the play button click here to listen to the episode] Or you can find it in I-Tunes, Stitcher or Podbay.fm
… Read the rest

The Yoga Podcast Ep#7 Kino MacGregor Strength and Grace

By Claudia on April 9, 2015 in The Yoga Podcast

I had a chance to record this episode with Kino “live”. And what a difference it makes!

If you don’t see the photo with the PLAY button below, you can listen on Stitcher – I-Tunes – Lybsin or click here if you are not sure.

… Read the rest

3 Reasons NOT To Use A Strap On Forward Bends

By Claudia on March 1, 2014 in Ashtanga, How To, YOGA TIPS, YOGA TIPS

Michael asked this great question on my private letter: What about using a strap for forward bends?

If you can’t see the video here is the link.

Michael asked this wonderful question in my private newsletter: What about using a strap for forward bends? [Here is the link to the video in case it does not show]

Great question!

Here is my take In 3 Steps:

1- NO NEED FOR STRAPS IF ALIGNMENT AND BREATHING “ON YOUR EDGE” IS HAPPENING

The issue with straps is that you can be very tempted to force… so, if instead, you work on getting the right alignment and breathing, you will already feel the forward bend.