by Valerie Brooks

Bringing Yoga Home

There’s no need to drive home the point that the recession has hit. But this certainly is an ideal time to start a home practice, until you can afford those classes again. One of my favorite bloggers, the everyday yogini, succeeds in her latest muses, in challenging readers to start a home practice. She cuts through the old excuses with aplomb. Time in the way? Then stop putting a time restraint on yourself. Never tell yourself that if you don’t practice for an hour or even a half hour, it’s not worth it. House need to be spotless before practicing? Be honest. You don’t even need a mat. And she’ll, of course, list all the reasons why striking a downward dog at home is good for you. Check out her blog at everydayyogini.com.

The Five Tibetans for a Host of Ailments?

The Oasis Mind-Body Conditioning Center in North Dallas is one of the studios that is incorporating the series of yoga-related poses, called “The Five Tibetans,” found in Peter Kelder’s book, Ancient Secrets of the Fountain of Youth. What’s unusual about Alice Ann Daily’s classes, which uses this book, is that Daily has noticed some unusual neuromuscular benefits in her students, including those who suffered from motion sickness, inner ear problems, and migraines. Daily uses Kelder’s methods as one part of a regimen the studio calls Inner Body Workouts, which focus on smaller underused muscles. The program stems from a “method in neuromuscular re-education that adds strength while improving flexibility and spinal alignment.” The Five Tibetans is an ancient system of yoga-like exercises that are based on vortexes found throughout the body. Read more at dallasnews.com.

Breath for Beginners

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen on breathing. I say this for a number of reasons: The hostess, Suzanne, a Viniyoga teacher in Seattle, has a soft, easy approach; she explains the breath in detail instead of just telling you what to do; she talks you through the seven-minute practice, but leaves you time for your own concentration; and she emphasizes important concepts such as avoiding distraction and using the right sitting position (which is different for each person). Even though it says it’s for beginners, I’m a strong believer in going back to the basics once in a while. Enjoy it at woyopracmo.ning.com.