While teaching one of my senior privates she started off telling me how stressful her weekend was since she had some problems concerning co-workers. She needed something to allow her to calm down. I proceeded to do some very slow, 3-minute poses that help to unwind and regenerate. Half way through she told me that in the midst of her…
A senior moment or more; 2-minute yoga practice
When my senior beginning students ask me what they should practice at home I always prescribe Leg stretches. Never to overwhelm a new student with more things to add to their pressured day, I keep it simple by suggesting to start with just one pose. Simply asking them to hold each leg stretch for only one minute to begin with.…
Seniors love Yoga too!
One of my teachers, Martyn Jackson, would tell us that the best time to begin yoga is in your forties. That’s when children are grown and you have the time and maturity to devote to your practice. In October I was graced with one of my favorite teaching experience in recent times. I am teaching 2 classes a week to…
Asana, your treasure trove of Possibilities
Do you know that just one yoga posture can change your whole day? Believe it or not, it can! There are days when you only have five minutes to spare to do yoga. That is enough time to find one pose that will refresh you to move through your day with more energy. The freedom that comes with the study and…
The Nature of Yoga; The Yoga of Nature
After a 5-day stay in the amazing Sequoia’s I had a chance to rediscover, on another level, the essence of Yoga practice. Yoga means Harmony, union, and balance. Doing Yoga in the vast expansion of Nature is the expression of absolute Union with a powerful force active in Life itself. We can do yoga to keep the body looking strong…
Confessions of a Yoga Nerd: headstand and shoulderstand
Two months ago the rains in Los Angeles broke up my favorite daily pastime of late; my 90 minute hike up in the mountains very close to where I live. I thought that it would be a wonderful opportunity for me to stay home and do some yoga. I thought I would do a head and shoulderstand series. I decided…
What’s distance got to do with it?
Occasionally I will have a student tell me that they are moving and may not be able to come to class any more. Now, I do understand that when you live in Los Angeles and with the idea of driving anywhere extra, It feels like an extra burden so you just say NO. Regardless, when it comes to Yoga classes…
Martyn Jackson on BKS Iyengar, Himself, and Yoga.
There are eight installments from my interview. I have portioned them in segments. I sincerely hope that students, teachers and those who are simply curious and inspired will appreciate the sincerity and candid vision from what Martyn says, sees and reveals about himself and his experience with his teacher, his students, and his life. Shelley Piser Shelley Piser:How do you…
MARTYN JACKSON: Personal Thoughts
Shelley Piser: How do you imagine the next decade, the next 10 years for yourself? Martyn Jackson:The next 10 years, when I finish this teacher’s course, I’m going to have about a months rest.I’ll spend with my son and daughter and I’ll start by practice gradually, intelligently. I’m not going to start going into it with brute force, I’m not…