AshtangaDispatch

Last stop before I leave for India: Savannah, Georgia! check the website for details. ashtangadispatch.com

#TourOf2nd - Day 25: Mayurasana So ... this one is a tough one. To modify, put your feet on a block and see if you can tip forward a bit and lift your feet. To hold, you have to keep your legs long and reaching behind you - even (or especially) as you move forward. And yeah, I've belly flopped more times than I can count on this one. It's ok, peacocks aren't actually known by how well they fly, right?? 😜 __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd

#TourOf2nd - Day 23: Parighasana The most profound lesson I learned from this pose is how short a leash my mind keeps on me. One (maybe 2) swift and deliberate assists from @davidgarriguesyoga may have helped open this gate of realization. read more: www.ashtangadispatch.com/gatepose __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd image by @meghanreuck

#TourOf2nd - Day 23: Parighasana The most profound lesson I learned from this pose is how short a leash my mind keeps on me. One (maybe 2) swift and deliberate assists from @davidgarriguesyoga may have helped open this gate of realization. read more: www.ashtangadispatch.com/gatepose __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd image by @meghanreuck

#TourOf2nd - Day 22: Vatayanasana I can't tell you how insane I think this posture is. No really! First, just look at it! Then there's the fact that the vinyasa is uneven. Seriously, I think this one is impossible for anyone to fully "get" And maybe that's the point? That it is all pointless and impossible! Yet we do it anyway. Trying the impossible, in an attempt to make sense of the nonsense. Are we out of our minds?? Not yet, but hopefully one day ... 😜 __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd image by @meghanreuck

#TourOf2nd - Day 21: Nakrasana Betcha didn't know, crocs could live in snow. 😜 Seriously, best tip I ever got was to use the momentum of the first hop to carry me forward. so instead of "landing" in the chaturanga position, immediately spring into action as soon as you land. Maybe the Muck boots help? __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #bozeman #montana #snowga

It's like riding a bike - when we shift too far in one direction, we have to shift weight into the other direction lest we fall on our opinionated asses. 😏 This morning's periscope: Is yoga enough? Link in bio.

#TourOf2nd - Day 19: Ardhasirsasana (Half Headstand) Can you guess why we put this closing series posture today?? 🌟 My motto is to always work my most challenging postures in their least complicated versions - so that's your hint!! ❄️ Ski season begins in just one week and this is basically how I end up a lot so seemed appropriate! 😬😎 __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd

#TourOf2nd - Day 18: Pincha Mayurasana "The reluctance to put away childish things may be a requirement of genius." ~Rebecca Pepper Sinkler And I truly think jumping is one of those childish things to keep - along with giggling, skipping, singing out loud, daydreaming, and perhaps my husband's favorite: napping. __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd

I got asked about winter months and practice ... and how to continue practice when motivation is low. It was an early scope for me - so excuse the sleepy eyes and morning voice, but that's really me and it's really how I practice. Nothing fancy or noteworthy at all - and yet, that's exactly what keeps me motivated. Follow link in bio if you want to hear more from that short discussion.

#TourOf2nd - Day 17: Tittibhasana 💕From today's guest Dispatcher and good friend, @olicow 💕 "For this posture the tricks/tip that I do are when I enter the posture 🌟I try to get my shoulders as far underneath my legs or knees ... I spend a few breaths really working them over the shoulders. 🌟After I place my hands down exhale engaging in bandhas, inhale lifting up as I straighten my legs 🌟I imagine my legs are reaching out and as they reach, the legs stay strong and engaged ... with the foot in plexio (half pointed half flexed) 🌟Energetically I image my legs are growing longer and longer ... Kind of like Pinocchio's nose 😉 while also keeping a sense of lifting in the back body." __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd

"HOW HAS YOUR PRACTICE CHANGED AS YOU'VE AGED? For one, I've slowed down some and the physical practice is harder. As I've aged its been challenging to consistently keep the asana practice at its top level. Partly thats due to aging but it's also due to losing focus mentally. There are so many responsibilities and things that seem to call for one's attention. Its all cyclical, but consistency of focus is really challenging. It's a marvel to see how challenging it is to put the asana practice first with a consistency that spans over decades. This commitment effects all of your choices. Also as I've gotten older the focus and intention behind the work is much more genuine and smarter. I'm able to utilize the asana and pranayama to open up within myself in much more powerful ways even though I can't necessarily bend as swiftly or even though I don't consistently have quite as much ready energy. Now I have to listen to my self and my body more attentively and be willing to go into what is there today. Sometimes that means being satisfied with less and being more subtle in my awareness. Also, I used to need a lot of asana practice, a lot of sweat and rhythm as a catharsis, as a way to wrestle with demons and overcome things within myself. I needed to exhaust myself through that kind of battle. Now that isn't as necessary or relevant and so I don't need that same kind of intense rhythm every day that I needed in the past. Through my practice I've worked through a lot and understand what constitutes a deep asana for me. Its such a curious paradox because I understand what a deep asana is and I can go there much faster now even though there's a sometimes more physical unwillingness. Sometimes I feel a tinge of regret, I wish I had figured out some of what I know now sooner. As I age I have more appreciation for Guruji and his method and the sequences of asanas." read more by visiting @davidgarriguesyoga FB page.

#TourOf2nd - Day 16: Yogi Nidrasana Aaaah, the sleeping yogi is today. And this sleepy yogi is happy to be home, back in #Bozeman, MT where the snow is falling AGAIN! I've pictured various options: 1. happy baby: a lovely counter pose often done after backbends in power yoga classes. 2. supta kurmasana*: reclining tortoise, from the primary series 3. yogi nidrasana: from intermediate series. ❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓❓ Can you see how these progressively build upon each other. Although yoginidrasana seems easier than its predecessor in primary, can you guess why one is before the other? * note: not necessary to put legs behind you, just bind hands. 😉 __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd

TourOf2nd - Day 15 : ekapadasirsasana Tomorrow, I will periscope at 11:30 EST from @cityoga to talk about this particular posture and show how to work intelligently. (just too much and too important to write in a post - hope you will join me tomorrow!) __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd image by @meghanreuck

Today doesn't need a challenge - we all have one already. So today, just remember Matsyendra - the namesake of today - was not a sage, but a man. A really good and devout person. Someone who cared so much and made the world better. Be that person. And #PrayforParis for today's #TourOf2nd

#TourOf2nd - Day 13 : bharadvajasana Today’s posture is named after the sage, Bharadvaja who spent lifetimes of dedicated study but still could not break the cycle of death and rebirth. Three times, accruing knowledge, buried in texts. But knowledge is no good if not applied and that’s what Bharadvaja was missing - so focused on his goal of learning yoga, he missed the point of it altogether. For Bharadvaja, the fourth lifetime was a charm and he didn’t just learn the yoga - he lived it. Today, Dave, of @cityoga said to me: We must show up everwhere in our lives the same. I love that. We can study and practice, recite the sutras, chant prayers … but if we don’t show up in our lives in the same dedicated, loving, and prayerful way - all that study ain’t worth a damn. The point is to LIVE the yoga, not just learn it. __________________________ Find the entire Intermediate Series (and more) in the latest Ashtanga Dispatch —> visit ashtangadispatch.com/themagazine. *5% of all proceeds go to @eaglemountboz, a small charity making a BIG difference by providing outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities. And visit @michaeljoelhall and @jrene01 for more practice ideas! #yogagivesback #makeadifference #yogachallenge #ashtangadispatch #yogainspiration #intermediateseries #practicedaily #ashtanga #kidsmatter #Tourof2nd image by @meghanreuck (at CITYOGA School of Yoga and Health)

what does a slingshot and today's #tourof2nd challenge pose #Bakasana have in common? watch the replay on Periscope and also see my personal page: @pegmulqueen image by @meghanreuck