Stumbled upon this video of an ashtangi from Texas practicing three days before giving birth (watch through the end of the video to see the sweet pictures of her healthy baby girl).  It always makes me so happy to see videos of other ashtangis practicing while pregnant.  Watching these videos makes me feel a little less nervous about whenever my husband and I decide to have a baby.  It’s nice to see that yes, you can still have an ashtanga practice while pregnant.  It’s still possible to do backbends and headstands.  I’m sure, like any physical activity, the extent of which I’ll be able to continue my practice depends on the state of my current practice.  Modifications are always possible.  It just goes to show that any body type can practice ashtanga yoga…even pregnant bodies. 

    Ah, mayurasana…I should work on this posture more.  I usually make a half-hearted attempt (out of laziness) and then satisfy myself with a one or two second lift.  I think this posture is all in weight distribution…and having some abdominal muscles to brace the elbows against. 

    In other yoga news, I finished The Subtle Body: The Story of Yoga in America by Stefanie Syman.  Still putting my thoughts together to write up a brief review.  It’s a pretty good booth though.  A lot better (in my opinion) than the recently published The Great Oom.  But, they’re both history books…so not the most enthralling reads.

    And, even more yoga news…working on setting up a new class in town.  Perhaps Thursday nights.  Still trying to decide on actual class content…but I’m leaning toward a beginner’s level class.  It’s always good to offer a class that’s accessible to new yoga students.  I forget sometimes how challenging the ashtanga series is for new students.  Even getting through the beginning standing postures can be quite a challenge.  So…I’d like to offer something accessible for beginners, but also fun for current practitioners.  Maybe a class similar to Kino’s Ashtanga Elements class in Miami.  We’ll see…

    I like Kathryn Budig…even with the recent scandal over her modeling in advertisements.  Her arm balances are awesome.  And, it’s nice to see a famous yogi that doesn’t look emaciated.  She looks healthy.  Anyhow, she’s in a short video clip from Yogic Life talking about how arm balances are excellent tools for helping people confront their fears.  Arm balances are helpful in teaching that it’s okay to fall down when learning new things…on the yoga mat, as well as in everyday life.

Neat new video by David Garrigues about floating from downward facing dog to standing in surya namaskara.  Lots of nice modifications.  I should be working on this more…

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Nice video from ashtangayogabali.com on the differences between led ashtanga class and mysore class.  When I started learning ashtanga, it was in a led class.  I often wonder how my practice would be different if I started out in a traditional mysore-style environment.

    I love the thought that all over the world, students are going through the same chant before practice.