Category: Strength

Story Behind the Pose: Koundinyasana

8/23/2017

Eka Pada Koundinyasana (the pose dedicated to Koundinya) is an arm balance, In this pose the key to success is more related to leverage than strength. Therefore, in order to achieve this pose, we must have faith like Koundinya. Faith to find the middle way between balance and strength; belief in our self and physical ability (readiness) in order to achieve the pose.

Who was Koundinya?
The sage, Koundinya, was a royal court scholar. He is known for predicting Prince Siddhartha Gautama would become Buddha (the Enlightened One). This news was not well-received by the king. Nonetheless, Koundinya vowed to become one of the Buddha’s most dedicated disciples.

Eventually the prince (Siddhartha) decided to leave his life of luxury behind and followed Koundinya into the forest to live as an ascetic. They lived together for six years in extreme self-deprivation and harsh living conditions. Siddhartha's hope was to find enlightenment. Eventually Siddhartha decided this was not the path to enlightenment and left Koundinya, which greatly saddened Koundinya.

The Middle Way
However, on his own, the Buddha discovered that true happiness was a balance of both extremes, the material and the spiritual, and he called it the Middle Way.

The Buddha returned to Koundinya and the forest community to share his new philosophy. After initial trepidation, Koundinya became one of the Buddha’s first students and taught this Middle Way for the rest of his life.

The story of Koundinya is one of faith and belief. His trust and confidence in Siddhartha remained steadfast even when the Buddha ventured away from Koundinya’s own teachings.

Trying out the pose.
If you want to give a go at Koundinyasana A or B, below are two videos by a favorite yogi of mine, Kino. I hope you find them helpful. Please let me know if you gave the pose a try!

Koundinyasana A

Koundinyasana B

***DISCLAIMER***
Do not attempt any of these poses without the aid and supervision of a well-trained yoga instructor. Please be sure to consult a medical practitioner before starting any new exercise regime. This is particularly important if you are overweight, pregnant, nursing, regularly taking medications, or have any existing medical conditions. The information contained in this website may not be tailored to your current physical and mental health. Rock Climbing Yogi and Ann Seibert accept no liability whatsoever for any damages arising from the use of this website. As with any workout or yoga class, be sure to warm up properly and cool down afterward to avoid injury.

Icons edited and created from source artwork made by Roundicons from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

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Wednesday Workout: Grovin' to Garuda

8/2/2017

Benefits of Garudasana

Strengthens & stretches ankles and calves
Stretches thighs, hips, shoulders, and upper back
Improves concentration
Improves sense of balance

Theraputic Applications of Garudasana

Asthma
Low backache
Sciatica

Download PDF

This week...We focused on opening up our IT bands, shoulders, chest, and back as well as strengthening our quads in order to work into Garudasana also known as eagle pose,

In particular, the poses we did during the second flow sequence, helped to prepare our bodies for garudasana. All of these poses are great because they help test our flexibility, openness and strength, all with the goal to help us move more gracefully into and out of splits.

So, if you want to work on this sequence at home, I've worked up this cheat sheet for you to bookmark, save or download. Enjoy yogis!
Namaste.
- Ann

Prepping Poses

Icons edited and created from source artwork made by Roundicons from www.flaticon.com is licensed by CC 3.0 BY

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Wednesday Workout: Fledgling Flow

7/19/2017

utthita hasta padangusthasana
(extended hand-to-foot)

This sequence...is perfect for beginner level yogis. If you've practiced yoga in the past and are looking for a progression to help motivate you after a long hiatus away from your practice, this may be exactly what you're looking to use.

Fledgling Flow works on opening up hips, hip flexors, hamstrings, shoulders, and back. It aims to help strengthen the core and to improve your overall balance. In general, it should be an easy flowing sequence to help you work all areas of the body.

So, if you want to work on this sequence at home, I've worked up this cheat sheet for you to bookmark, save or download. Enjoy yogis!
Namaste.
- Ann