by Kara-Leah Grant In recent months, we've looked at all the different asanas or postures that make up a standard sun salutation. We've explored each of these postures in-depth, and explained them on video. Now it's time to took at the transitions between the postures. Because this is what makes sun salutations such a fantastic yoga sequence - especially for home practice. Each pose flows effortlessly into the next posture, creating a complete circle where you end up where you started, … [Read more...]
‘Gentle is the New Advanced’ A Review of J. Brown’s Yoga DVD
by Seka Ojdrovic-Phillips, Spirit Fire Yoga Life hurts. This helps. So goes J Brown’s slogan on his simple DVD cover. Much like his cover, J’s teaching transcends hollow mantras and trite maxims to get to the heart of the practice. Though initially skeptical upon learning that Yogi J hails from Williamsburg, Brooklyn (AKA the hipster incubation tank), his sincerity is undeniable. The timing of this DVD release coincides with a time in my personal practice when I’m over the “brand” of … [Read more...]
What Nobody Ever Tells You About Yoga Teacher Training
by Seka Ojdrovic-Phillips, Spirit Fire Yoga Many a starry-eyed, full-hearted yogi signs up for yoga teacher training - whether it’s to deepen their practice, to start a career as a yoga teacher or to learn more about the subtle energy fields that guides their life’s direction - they're ready to dive deep. To be sure, your experience will be unique to anyone else’s. Kind of like growing up in the same household with your siblings (I’m an only child, but I’ve heard sisters talk about the same … [Read more...]
Sun Salutations Video Series: How to do Chaturanga Dandasana
by Kara-Leah Grant Chaturanga Dandasana is one of those postures that we often don't spend time in - either in yoga class or in our home yoga practice. It's a one-breath wonder. We're in, we're moving out, that's it. Partly this is because it's a challenging posture and we usually want to get out of it as soon as possible. And part of it is because it's not a flashy yoga posture where we feel like we get somewhere or gain a lot over time. It's easy to see Chaturanga Dandasana as just a … [Read more...]
Five Mistakes I Made As a New Yoga Teacher
by Seka Ojdrovic-Phillips, Spirit Fire Yoga Yoga in all its forms has brought me head-to-head with my greatest challenges and the satisfaction that comes from working through them. My own brand of yoga evolution led me to teaching, first in New Zealand and now in the States. As with every evolution, I learned tons each time I showed up to teach. Showing up at anything is all it takes. While making mistakes as a teacher, I grow and learn to become more connected to others, and kinder to … [Read more...]
Sun Salutations Video Series: How to do Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
by Kara-Leah Grant Welcome to the first in a series of articles & videos exploring the foundations of an asana practice through sun salutations. But first... In my ideal universe - besides living next door to Johny Depp and and down the road from Einstein (imagine that dinner party!) - every yoga student would be encouraged to start a home yoga practice the very first time they ever went to a yoga class. Yes, the first time. In fact, every yoga teacher would teach with the … [Read more...]