<Toronto East Bikram Yoga - Hot Body Cool Mind
A journey of a thousand miles must
begin with a single step.

                                 Lao-tzu

The Hub 

The ancient Masters were profound and subtle. Their wisdom was unfathomable. There is no way to describe it; all we can describe is their appearance. They were careful as someone crossing an iced -over stream. Alert as a warrior in enemy territory. Courteous as a guest. Fluid as melting ice. Shapeable as a block of wood. Receptive as a valley. Clear as a glass of water.

Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving till right action arises by itself? The Master doesn't seek fulfillment. Not seeking, not expecting, she is present and can welcome all things.

                                                                                                                                   Lao - Tzu

 

Starting June 21 we will be systematically reviewing in the class all  26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Starting with one posture per week PRANYAMA, STANDING DEEP BREATHING.

There are many different aspects to our practice that we work on and every day,  every class  we learn, listen and respond to our physical, emotional, mental, spiritual bodies. The intent is to create more  understanding, connection and deepen our practice. Students are encouraged to ask questions  before and after the class.

GETTING READY  It is  a good practice to give your self 5- 10 minutes rest on your mat before the start of the class.  Our life's are busy and we need physical time to  slow down and allow the mussels  to warm up and help us prepare for the class.

BEGINNING - Your class begins with you, on your mat. EYES looking in your own eyes, soft gaze. Feet grounded. Spine tall, shoulders relaxed.


ELEMENTS: Body and Breath
Upper Body:   NECK AND HEAD;  SHOULDERS AND ARMS -
Flexible, Flowing

Shoulders position relaxed, down and back and broaden and exhale, fingers always  interlocked, thumbs slide, elbows stay high, active stretching. Eyes walking with you.

Lower Body: SPINE,  STOMACH, HIPS AND LOWER BODY -
Suportive, Engaged
 
Tall spine,straight back at all times, no back bends, tail bone tucked under.
Stomach MUSCLES are helping you the whole time with strengthening of your diaphragm.    Muscles holding your lungs in place..Hip and leg muscles always engaged.

BREATH


THE WITNESS, MOVING, EXPANDING, GROUNDING
Coordination of the movements of the breath with inhales and exhales, controlled deep SLOW breathing, sound, volume. Sound is always in the throat.

Because of sedentary habits, most people use only ten percent of their lungs, never allowing the lungs to reach the maximum expansion capacity that Nature intended. As a result, they are susceptible to emphysema, asthma, shortness of breath, and dozens of other breathing problems. Standing Deep Breathing teaches you to use the other ninety percent of your lungs.
This exercise should be done before any kind of physical activity. Because it expands the lungs to their full capacity, it increases circulation to  whole body, awakening everything up and preparing the muscles for action.

BENEFITS - PRANAYAMA DEEP BREATHING

  • Helps with mental relaxation
  • Helps high blood pressure
  • Relieves irritability
  • Good for detoxification
  • Exercises nervous, respiratory and circulatory systems

 

Week of June 28, 2010

Half Moon - Ardha Chandrasana

(hands to feet part will be part 2)

 

Benefits - Half Moon

  • Stimulates proper function of the pancreas, kidneys and liver
  • Stretches and stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid glands
  • Regulates hormone production
  • Relieves back pain
  • Improves and strengthens every muscle in the central part of the body
  • Increases the flexibility of the spine
  • Corrects bad posture
  • Increases flexibility and strength of rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, oblique, deltoid and trapezius muscles
  • Good for frozen shoulder
  • Good for abdominal obesity
  • Helps with sciatic problems
  • Stimulates digestion
  • Firms and trims waistline, hips, abdomen, buttocks and thighs

 

July 05, 2010

Hands to Feet - Padahastasana

Benefits

  • Works into the whole skeletal and circulatory systems
  • Opens shoulder joints
  • Good for frozen shoulder
  • Reduces or eliminates pain in the lower back
  • Good for abdominal obesity
  • Improves and strengthens every muscle in the central part of the body Increase the flexibility of the spine
  • Tones the spinal nerves and abdominal organs inproving the working of the bowels
  • Increases flexibility and strength of rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, oblique, deltoid and trapezius muscles
  • Helps with sciatic problems
  • Alleviates anxiety and reduces mental stress
  • Stimulates pituitary gland
  • Exercises colon, pancreas, kidneys, muscular, skeletal, respiratory and glandular systems
  • Firms and trims waistline, hips, abdomen, buttocks and thighs

 

July 12, 2010

AKWARD POSE - UTKATASANA

Benefits

  • Improves overall body strength
  • Opens pelvis
  • Strengthens and tones leg muscles
  • Relieves menstrual cramping
  • Reduces fat pocket under buttocks
  • Aligns skeletal system
  • Good for arthritis conditions
  • Good for digestion
  • Relieves joint pain
  • Relieves sciatica
  • Improves flexibility in toes and ankles
  • Exercises liver, intestines, and pancreas