James Walsh Yoga

Marichyasana II / The Pose of Marichi A favorite pose of mine that keeps your spine flexible and supple. This pose aids in digestion and elimination as well.  Tuesday, June 23, 2020 (Part I),  As always, I'm writing this Part I post before beginning my practice. I will take a page from my own book of advice, and focus on keeping my monkey mind still today. To begin keeping "the monkey" still, I'm going to begin with Pranayama/breathing techniques, and prayers.  I usually move from breathing and prayer, into meditation; for me, and my current skill level, and understanding (which is always evolving), I begin meditation by holding the image of something in my head, and focusing on that image.  My attention will wander after just a few seconds, but I bring my brain/"the monkey", gently back to his "chair" and have him "sit" again.  From here, I begin my physical practice. Padma Sirsasana/Lotus Tripod This is an example of prepar...

Wednesday, June 17, 2020 (Part I) One of the best analogies that describes our mind, and awareness, can be found in this short, one minute video. Our mind, and thoughts naturally run around in our head; disobedient, willful, and reactive....we rarely make our brain/mind sit still for any length of time. A goal of yoga, and meditation, is to be able to condition and control your mind (and body), so that you can, on a whim, ask the "monkey" to sit still...and it will obey. A simple method to practice is finding an object (any object will do from a religious item, to the bowl of apples sitting on your table), and holding that image, and that image alone, in your mind.  See how long you hold the image before other thoughts begin to creep in.... Become comfortable with the idea of sitting still, and it can become a habit.  A still mind can discern what's real, from what's fake; a still mind is not depressed, scared, or apprehensive; a still mind is not anxious. ...

The steps leading to full  Urdhva Dhanurasana/Upward Bow Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (Part I),  Today's practice marks the second opportunity this week to rebuild my practice (after a two week, poison ivy hiatus). As always, I'll begin with prayers and meditation before warming up, and beginning my sequence. Time to begin.... Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (Part II),  As always, the Part II post comes after a practice.  Today is the second opportunity I've had this week to rebuild my practice after a two week, poison-ivy-induced, hiatus. Preparation for Urdhva Dhanurasana. Because this pose is challenging, it should be done at the end of your practice, wen you're warmed up. Hands are placed directly under the shoulders... I went through my full, modified Ashtanga Series (a non-traditional sequence, for any yogi who follow this blog), and finished with my favorite/least favorite/love it/hate it/ closing sequence of backbending.  Urdhva Dhanurasana , also...

M onday, June 15, 2020 (Part I),  As the title suggests, the last time I hit my mat was Friday, May 29.   After that practice,  two weeks ago, I joined my brothers for a delightful little camping/floating trip in Central Missouri, only to find my arms, stomach, and legs covered in a poison ivy rash upon my return home. I toyed with the idea of getting on my mat but, as anyone who's contracted poison ivy knows, the oil of the plant can create a gnarly looking, bubbly mess of your skin; you can't shower in hot water, as it'll spread the oil.  Knowing this, I determined it would be best to stay off my mat, as I don't want any oil/sweat getting onto my mat to re-spread at a later date. That's over two full weeks of no yoga!  What's a yogi to do?...... The answer is simple; you rebuild..... Time to begin.... Monday, June 15, 2020 (Part II),  Look at this.....all over.... Even with a two week hiatus from my mat, much of my flexibility, stren...