590 From: "Greg" <trian3@charter.net>
Date: Tue Apr 5, 2005 1:20am
Subject: Halasana - Need help trian3
Offline
Send Email
Hello everyone,
I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
second to final asana in the first two week course is called
Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
Thank-you,
Greg M
PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
apologize.
595 From: victor yj <vic@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue Apr 5, 2005 0:36pm
Subject: Re: Halasana - Need help vic
Offline
Send Email
Don't worry about the interlock, just keep the hands loose or hold tghe back with them at first. Halasana takes time and to try to push too far too fast will do more harm than good. Just take it slow and go with the breath and the feeling. This pose and shoulderstand should really be taught by a good teacher though rather than from a book as the neck is very delicate and you don't want to injure your neck. Trust me on that.
Greg <trian3@charter.net> wrote:
Hello everyone,
I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
second to final asana in the first two week course is called
Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
Thank-you,
Greg M
PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
apologize.
For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group home page.
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger
Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
602 From: "Greg" <trian3@charter.net>
Date: Tue Apr 5, 2005 7:15pm
Subject: Re: Halasana - Need help trian3
Offline
Send Email
I thank you for your concern, but I consider myself to have a very
good sense of bodily awareness developed through years of training in
other disciplines. Given the nature of yoga, I find my level of
consciousness heightened even more as I do the exercises.
What
then is the best way to increase the requisite flexibility in this area?
Thank you,
Greg M
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
>
> Don't worry about the interlock, just keep the hands loose or hold
tghe back with them at first. Halasana takes time and to try to push
too far too fast will do more harm than good. Just take it slow and go
with the breath and the feeling. This pose and shoulderstand should
really be taught by a good teacher though rather than from a book as
the neck is very delicate and you don't want to injure your neck.
Trust me on that.
>
> Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
> beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
> second to final asana in the first two week course is called
> Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
> interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
> Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
> if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
> muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
>
> Thank-you,
>
> Greg M
>
> PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
> apologize.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
>
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
email to:
> AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
home page.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Messenger
> Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
606 From: "jim_and_his_karma" <jim_and_his_karma@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 0:02am
Subject: Re: Halasana - Need help jim_and_his_...
Offline
Send Email
Greg, I apologize...I didn't see your reply before I replied!
I'm not the guy to advise you on this one, because even after decades of avid hatha yoga
experience, I can't practice halasana due to a really awful injury I incurred practicing it in
my first year, when I was working without a teacher. I know it sounds like I've made that
up as some sort of arch response to your posting, but I swear it's true. I hope you have an
easier time of it than I did!
Let me also hip you to the other thing I hurt myself with back then: never do headstand
after shoulder stand. Shoulder stand always comes after. There are a bunch of unintuitive
things like this that are passed down from teacher to student. Well...unintuitive to me, at
the time, anyway!
I wish you great luck with your hatha and AYP practices!
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
>
>
> I thank you for your concern, but I consider myself to have a very
> good sense of bodily awareness developed through years of training in
> other disciplines. Given the nature of yoga, I find my level of
> consciousness heightened even more as I do the exercises.
What
> then is the best way to increase the requisite flexibility in this area?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Greg M
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
> >
> > Don't worry about the interlock, just keep the hands loose or hold
> tghe back with them at first. Halasana takes time and to try to push
> too far too fast will do more harm than good. Just take it slow and go
> with the breath and the feeling. This pose and shoulderstand should
> really be taught by a good teacher though rather than from a book as
> the neck is very delicate and you don't want to injure your neck.
> Trust me on that.
> >
> > Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone,
> >
> > I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
> > beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
> > second to final asana in the first two week course is called
> > Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
> > interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
> > Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
> > if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
> > muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
> >
> > Thank-you,
> >
> > Greg M
> >
> > PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
> > apologize.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
> >
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> > To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> > AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> > To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
> email to:
> > AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> > To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> > AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> > You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
> home page.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Messenger
> > Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
613 From: victor yj <vic@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 2:10am
Subject: Re: Re: Halasana - Need help vic
Offline
Send Email
yes, i strongly agree with Jim on the headstand/shoulderstand sequence. In headstand tehre is pressure on the head, neck and shoulder girdle. You use effort for teh balance. Shoulderstand relkieves that tension by softening. Once you have sotened its good to move on, not retension. Shoulderstand can be practiced along but not headstand, it should always be followed by shoulderstand or plough. Over the years I have learned to prefer plough as there is actually less pressure on teh base of the neck than shoulderstand if done correctly.
jim_and_his_karma <jim_and_his_karma@yahoo.com> wrote:
Greg, I apologize...I didn't see your reply before I replied!
I'm not the guy to advise you on this one, because even after decades of avid hatha yoga
experience, I can't practice halasana due to a really awful injury I incurred practicing it in
my first year, when I was working without a teacher. I know it sounds like I've made that
up as some sort of arch response to your posting, but I swear it's true. I hope you have an
easier time of it than I did!
Let me also hip you to the other thing I hurt myself with back then: never do headstand
after shoulder stand. Shoulder stand always comes after. There are a bunch of unintuitive
things like this that are passed down from teacher to student. Well...unintuitive to me, at
the time, anyway!
I wish you great luck with your hatha and AYP practices!
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
>
>
> I thank you for your concern, but I consider myself to have a very
> good sense of bodily awareness developed through years of training in
> other disciplines. Given the nature of yoga, I find my level of
> consciousness heightened even more as I do the exercises.
What
> then is the best way to increase the requisite flexibility in this area?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Greg M
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
> >
> > Don't worry about the interlock, just keep the hands loose or hold
> tghe back with them at first. Halasana takes time and to try to push
> too far too fast will do more harm than good. Just take it slow and go
> with the breath and the feeling. This pose and shoulderstand should
> really be taught by a good teacher though rather than from a book as
> the neck is very delicate and you don't want to injure your neck.
> Trust me on that.
> >
> > Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone,
> >
> > I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
> > beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
> > second to final asana in the first two week course is called
> > Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
> > interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
> > Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
> > if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
> > muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
> >
> > Thank-you,
> >
> > Greg M
> >
> > PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
> > apologize.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
> >
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> > To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> > AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> > To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
> email to:
> > AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> > To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> > AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> > You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
> home page.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Messenger
> > Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group home page.
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Better first dates. More second dates. Yahoo! Personals
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
616 From: "jim_and_his_karma" <jim_and_his_karma@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 0:02pm
Subject: Re: Halasana - Need help jim_and_his_...
Offline
Send Email
You can (as Victor knows) reduce pressure on the base of the neck by doing both
shoulderstand and halasana with the shoulders on 3 or so neatly folder blankets and the
back of the head off the blankets and on the floor. This is a safety move that most yoga
schools are moving to. In the past, you could always recognize a hatha yoga practitioner
by the big bulging vertebra at the base of his/her neck - a result of shoulder stand. The
blankets prevent this by taking that part of the neck off the floor.
The other move I've learned to do to reduce the neck focus in shoulderstand is to really
activate the arms and biceps by taking the feet away from the head and moving more body
weight onto the hands. This makes it a true shoulder stand; whereas many of us are doing
more of a neck/shoulder stand. When the body acclimates, it reduces the weight on the
hands and you can do an unsupported shoulder stand (forgot the name) with the feet
further back. This is a more advanced move, though, because the first task of the beginner
is to make the body really straight, and if a beginner tries to take feet back, he'll likely do
that movement at the waist or hips, which would throw off the alignment.
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
>
> yes, i strongly agree with Jim on the headstand/shoulderstand sequence. In headstand
tehre is pressure on the head, neck and shoulder girdle. You use effort for teh balance.
Shoulderstand relkieves that tension by softening. Once you have sotened its good to
move on, not retension. Shoulderstand can be practiced along but not headstand, it should
always be followed by shoulderstand or plough. Over the years I have learned to prefer
plough as there is actually less pressure on teh base of the neck than shoulderstand if
done correctly.
>
> jim_and_his_karma <jim_and_his_karma@y...> wrote:
>
> Greg, I apologize...I didn't see your reply before I replied!
>
> I'm not the guy to advise you on this one, because even after decades of avid hatha yoga
> experience, I can't practice halasana due to a really awful injury I incurred practicing it in
> my first year, when I was working without a teacher. I know it sounds like I've made that
> up as some sort of arch response to your posting, but I swear it's true. I hope you have
an
> easier time of it than I did!
>
> Let me also hip you to the other thing I hurt myself with back then: never do headstand
> after shoulder stand. Shoulder stand always comes after. There are a bunch of
unintuitive
> things like this that are passed down from teacher to student. Well...unintuitive to me, at
> the time, anyway!
>
> I wish you great luck with your hatha and AYP practices!
>
>
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > I thank you for your concern, but I consider myself to have a very
> > good sense of bodily awareness developed through years of training in
> > other disciplines. Given the nature of yoga, I find my level of
> > consciousness heightened even more as I do the exercises.
What
> > then is the best way to increase the requisite flexibility in this area?
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Greg M
> >
> > --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Don't worry about the interlock, just keep the hands loose or hold
> > tghe back with them at first. Halasana takes time and to try to push
> > too far too fast will do more harm than good. Just take it slow and go
> > with the breath and the feeling. This pose and shoulderstand should
> > really be taught by a good teacher though rather than from a book as
> > the neck is very delicate and you don't want to injure your neck.
> > Trust me on that.
> > >
> > > Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello everyone,
> > >
> > > I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
> > > beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
> > > second to final asana in the first two week course is called
> > > Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
> > > interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
> > > Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
> > > if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
> > > muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
> > >
> > > Thank-you,
> > >
> > > Greg M
> > >
> > > PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
> > > apologize.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
> > >
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> > > To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> > > AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> > > To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
> > email to:
> > > AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> > > To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> > > AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> > > You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
> > home page.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> > >
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Yahoo! Messenger
> > > Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
>
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group home page.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Better first dates. More second dates. Yahoo! Personals
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
612 From: victor yj <vic@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 2:02am
Subject: Re: Re: Halasana - Need help vic
Offline
Send Email
What you want is to roll the shoulders towards the the shoulderblades so that the bodyweight is balanced as much as possible on the shoulders and not on the neck. the feeling should be that the neck is somewhat lifted from the floor by the roatation of the shoulders. The sequence for hand placement in halasana is first to hold the back as in shoulderstand. In some months as this becomes easy then take the arms over the ehad on the floor towards the feet. Then when this becomes easy one take the hands and arms in the opposite direction from the feet but not interlocking. The final grasp of the hands is the icing on the cake. It should go along with the lift of the neck from the floor and the weight on the shoulders. There should feel no pressure on the 7th cervical vertebrae and the neck should retain as much of its natural curve as possible rather than being flattened on the floor or lengthening. Do not try to lengthen the neck but feel that the neck is light with minimal stretch to
the back of the neck. stretch should be at the throat with the chin untucking and soft as the chest moves towards the chin.
Does that help?
Greg <trian3@charter.net> wrote:
I thank you for your concern, but I consider myself to have a very
good sense of bodily awareness developed through years of training in
other disciplines. Given the nature of yoga, I find my level of
consciousness heightened even more as I do the exercises.
What
then is the best way to increase the requisite flexibility in this area?
Thank you,
Greg M
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
>
> Don't worry about the interlock, just keep the hands loose or hold
tghe back with them at first. Halasana takes time and to try to push
too far too fast will do more harm than good. Just take it slow and go
with the breath and the feeling. This pose and shoulderstand should
really be taught by a good teacher though rather than from a book as
the neck is very delicate and you don't want to injure your neck.
Trust me on that.
>
> Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
> beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
> second to final asana in the first two week course is called
> Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
> interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
> Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
> if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
> muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
>
> Thank-you,
>
> Greg M
>
> PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
> apologize.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
>
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
email to:
> AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
home page.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Messenger
> Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group home page.
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
615 From: "Greg" <trian3@charter.net>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 11:26am
Subject: Re: Halasana - Need help trian3
Offline
Send Email
Hello Victor,
Yes, indeed. It helps very much. Thank you. I look forward to
making the adjustments for this morning's practice. Given that
explanation, I can see now how proper instruction is considered so
necessary. Right now, where I live, that's not an option, but soon
(hopefully) I'll be moving down to the Bay Area (CA) and will most
assuredly be getting proper instruction at that time. Until then, the
book and this forum are my only resources.
Thank you,
Greg M.
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
>
> What you want is to roll the shoulders towards the the
shoulderblades so that the bodyweight is balanced as much as possible
on the shoulders and not on the neck. the feeling should be that the
neck is somewhat lifted from the floor by the roatation of the
shoulders. The sequence for hand placement in halasana is first to
hold the back as in shoulderstand. In some months as this becomes easy
then take the arms over the ehad on the floor towards the feet. Then
when this becomes easy one take the hands and arms in the opposite
direction from the feet but not interlocking. The final grasp of the
hands is the icing on the cake. It should go along with the lift of
the neck from the floor and the weight on the shoulders. There should
feel no pressure on the 7th cervical vertebrae and the neck should
retain as much of its natural curve as possible rather than being
flattened on the floor or lengthening. Do not try to lengthen the neck
but feel that the neck is light with minimal stretch to
> the back of the neck. stretch should be at the throat with the chin
untucking and soft as the chest moves towards the chin.
> Does that help?
>
> Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
>
>
> I thank you for your concern, but I consider myself to have a very
> good sense of bodily awareness developed through years of training in
> other disciplines. Given the nature of yoga, I find my level of
> consciousness heightened even more as I do the exercises.
What
> then is the best way to increase the requisite flexibility in this
area?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Greg M
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
> >
> > Don't worry about the interlock, just keep the hands loose or hold
> tghe back with them at first. Halasana takes time and to try to push
> too far too fast will do more harm than good. Just take it slow and go
> with the breath and the feeling. This pose and shoulderstand should
> really be taught by a good teacher though rather than from a book as
> the neck is very delicate and you don't want to injure your neck.
> Trust me on that.
> >
> > Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone,
> >
> > I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
> > beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
> > second to final asana in the first two week course is called
> > Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
> > interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
> > Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
> > if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
> > muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
> >
> > Thank-you,
> >
> > Greg M
> >
> > PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
> > apologize.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
> >
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> > To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank
email to:
> > AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> > To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
> email to:
> > AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> > To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> > AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> > You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
> home page.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
Service.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Messenger
> > Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
>
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
email to:
> AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
home page.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
617 From: "jim_and_his_karma" <jim_and_his_karma@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 0:07pm
Subject: Re: Halasana - Need help jim_and_his_...
Offline
Send Email
Greg, I'd very strongly recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679722874 if you have no choice but to work from books.
There are great Iyengar school teachers in SF. Ping again if you need reccos.
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
>
>
> Hello Victor,
>
> Yes, indeed. It helps very much. Thank you. I look forward to
> making the adjustments for this morning's practice. Given that
> explanation, I can see now how proper instruction is considered so
> necessary. Right now, where I live, that's not an option, but soon
> (hopefully) I'll be moving down to the Bay Area (CA) and will most
> assuredly be getting proper instruction at that time. Until then, the
> book and this forum are my only resources.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Greg M.
>
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
> >
> > What you want is to roll the shoulders towards the the
> shoulderblades so that the bodyweight is balanced as much as possible
> on the shoulders and not on the neck. the feeling should be that the
> neck is somewhat lifted from the floor by the roatation of the
> shoulders. The sequence for hand placement in halasana is first to
> hold the back as in shoulderstand. In some months as this becomes easy
> then take the arms over the ehad on the floor towards the feet. Then
> when this becomes easy one take the hands and arms in the opposite
> direction from the feet but not interlocking. The final grasp of the
> hands is the icing on the cake. It should go along with the lift of
> the neck from the floor and the weight on the shoulders. There should
> feel no pressure on the 7th cervical vertebrae and the neck should
> retain as much of its natural curve as possible rather than being
> flattened on the floor or lengthening. Do not try to lengthen the neck
> but feel that the neck is light with minimal stretch to
> > the back of the neck. stretch should be at the throat with the chin
> untucking and soft as the chest moves towards the chin.
> > Does that help?
> >
> > Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > I thank you for your concern, but I consider myself to have a very
> > good sense of bodily awareness developed through years of training in
> > other disciplines. Given the nature of yoga, I find my level of
> > consciousness heightened even more as I do the exercises.
What
> > then is the best way to increase the requisite flexibility in this
> area?
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Greg M
> >
> > --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Don't worry about the interlock, just keep the hands loose or hold
> > tghe back with them at first. Halasana takes time and to try to push
> > too far too fast will do more harm than good. Just take it slow and go
> > with the breath and the feeling. This pose and shoulderstand should
> > really be taught by a good teacher though rather than from a book as
> > the neck is very delicate and you don't want to injure your neck.
> > Trust me on that.
> > >
> > > Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello everyone,
> > >
> > > I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
> > > beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
> > > second to final asana in the first two week course is called
> > > Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
> > > interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
> > > Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
> > > if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
> > > muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
> > >
> > > Thank-you,
> > >
> > > Greg M
> > >
> > > PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
> > > apologize.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
> > >
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> > > To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank
> email to:
> > > AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> > > To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
> > email to:
> > > AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> > > To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> > > AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> > > You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
> > home page.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> > >
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Yahoo! Messenger
> > > Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
> >
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> > To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> > AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> > To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
> email to:
> > AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> > To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> > AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> > You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
> home page.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
618 From: victor yj <vic@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 0:37pm
Subject: Re: Re: Halasana - Need help vic
Offline
Send Email
While the blankets are certainly helpful (and not at all mentioned in "Light On Yoga") I do not find them as necessary in Halasana as in the shoulderstand. I would certainly fold up a blanket or two to put under the shoulders in Halasana if for no other reason than to prevent the occiput from taking too much pressure on the floor but I also see a trend towards too much reliance on lots of blankets. Iyengar developed this blanket usage for people with stiff necks and then decided that it would be safer for everyone. I still recommend it especially in shoulderstand but you need less in plough as the weigh is also distributed through the feet rather than in a line directly over the neck.
This use of the blankets should be folded flat and stacked with two or three blankets stacked and placed on the floor. the head lies off of the vblankets on the floor while the arms and shoulders are supported by the blankets. One should experiment with how many blankets rtanging from 1 to 4 depending on your length of neck, size of blankets, stiffness etc. Don't worry about beineg beginner or advanced with this, use what feels the most comfortable, supportive and encourages the lift in the neck that I talked about.
jim_and_his_karma <jim_and_his_karma@yahoo.com> wrote:
Greg, I'd very strongly recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0679722874 if you have no choice but to work from books.
There are great Iyengar school teachers in SF. Ping again if you need reccos.
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
>
>
> Hello Victor,
>
> Yes, indeed. It helps very much. Thank you. I look forward to
> making the adjustments for this morning's practice. Given that
> explanation, I can see now how proper instruction is considered so
> necessary. Right now, where I live, that's not an option, but soon
> (hopefully) I'll be moving down to the Bay Area (CA) and will most
> assuredly be getting proper instruction at that time. Until then, the
> book and this forum are my only resources.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Greg M.
>
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
> >
> > What you want is to roll the shoulders towards the the
> shoulderblades so that the bodyweight is balanced as much as possible
> on the shoulders and not on the neck. the feeling should be that the
> neck is somewhat lifted from the floor by the roatation of the
> shoulders. The sequence for hand placement in halasana is first to
> hold the back as in shoulderstand. In some months as this becomes easy
> then take the arms over the ehad on the floor towards the feet. Then
> when this becomes easy one take the hands and arms in the opposite
> direction from the feet but not interlocking. The final grasp of the
> hands is the icing on the cake. It should go along with the lift of
> the neck from the floor and the weight on the shoulders. There should
> feel no pressure on the 7th cervical vertebrae and the neck should
> retain as much of its natural curve as possible rather than being
> flattened on the floor or lengthening. Do not try to lengthen the neck
> but feel that the neck is light with minimal stretch to
> > the back of the neck. stretch should be at the throat with the chin
> untucking and soft as the chest moves towards the chin.
> > Does that help?
> >
> > Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > I thank you for your concern, but I consider myself to have a very
> > good sense of bodily awareness developed through years of training in
> > other disciplines. Given the nature of yoga, I find my level of
> > consciousness heightened even more as I do the exercises.
What
> > then is the best way to increase the requisite flexibility in this
> area?
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Greg M
> >
> > --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Don't worry about the interlock, just keep the hands loose or hold
> > tghe back with them at first. Halasana takes time and to try to push
> > too far too fast will do more harm than good. Just take it slow and go
> > with the breath and the feeling. This pose and shoulderstand should
> > really be taught by a good teacher though rather than from a book as
> > the neck is very delicate and you don't want to injure your neck.
> > Trust me on that.
> > >
> > > Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello everyone,
> > >
> > > I just recently started doing Hatha yoga and am following the
> > > beginner's regimen as outlined in BKS Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The
> > > second to final asana in the first two week course is called
> > > Halasana (Pgs 216-220 if you have the book). I'm having trouble with
> > > interlocking my hands and most especially with turning them over.
> > > Does anyone have a tip or two that will help with this? I'm uncertain
> > > if it's a matter of simple flexibility or if it's more the case of
> > > muscle getting in the way. Any advice is welcome.
> > >
> > > Thank-you,
> > >
> > > Greg M
> > >
> > > PS I hope this is the right forum in which to post this. If not, I
> > > apologize.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
> > >
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> > > To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank
> email to:
> > > AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> > > To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
> > email to:
> > > AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> > > To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> > > AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> > > You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
> > home page.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> > >
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > > AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of
> Service.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Yahoo! Messenger
> > > Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
> >
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
> > To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
> > AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
> > To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank
> email to:
> > AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
> > To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
> > AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
> > You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group
> home page.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
For the AYP Lessons and Books, go to:
http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices --
To change your email delivery to "daily digest," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-digest@yahoogroups.com --
To stop email delivery and use "web viewing only," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-nomail@yahoogroups.com --
To resume "individual email delivery," send a blank email to:
AYPforum-normal@yahoogroups.com
You can also make these changes in "Edit my Membership" on the group home page.
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AYPforum/To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
AYPforum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger
Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
619 From: "jim_and_his_karma" <jim_and_his_karma@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 0:59pm
Subject: Re: Halasana - Need help jim_and_his_...
Offline
Send Email
But all the senior teachers, to my knowledge, use multiple blankets. Iyengar has disavowed
many things in LIght on Yoga...he's learned much in the half century since the book came
out. And I think you may be understating his rationale for the blankets. It wasn't an "oh,
what the hell" thing. Consider: Patricia Walden (one of the two top Iyengar yogis in US,
famed for being able to do every pose in Light on Yoga, does 100+ dropbacks into urdva
dhanurasana, etc) has recently gone from three blankets to two in her shoulderstand
practice, only because after decades of work she is finally able to elevate the cervical
vertebra on her own...a little (Iyengar himself creates an enormous tunnel in the spinal
cavity - you can plunge your fist in easily when he's in shoulder stand or halasana...so he
doesn't need blankets).
And since (at least in strict Iyengar practice) shoulderstand follows immediately after
halasana, without pause, it's hard to imagine how the blanket stack could be modified on
the fly.
That said, the whole point of yoga is to do what you think is right for you, plus Iyengar is
just one system, anyway, so I'm not arguing with you, Victor! I think we can at least agree
that blankets are a good path of caution. I know that I'd have a much better neck today
(and a vertebra less reminscent of a squashed kiwi fruit) if I hadn't done a few years of
blanketless shoulderstand and halasana practice. I wasnt' then (and still am not today,
decades later) able to get c6/c7 off the ground through sheer physical control.
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
>
> While the blankets are certainly helpful (and not at all mentioned in "Light On Yoga") I do
not find them as necessary in Halasana as in the shoulderstand. I would certainly fold up a
blanket or two to put under the shoulders in Halasana if for no other reason than to
prevent the occiput from taking too much pressure on the floor but I also see a trend
towards too much reliance on lots of blankets. Iyengar developed this blanket usage for
people with stiff necks and then decided that it would be safer for everyone. I still
recommend it especially in shoulderstand but you need less in plough as the weigh is also
distributed through the feet rather than in a line directly over the neck.
> This use of the blankets should be folded flat and stacked with two or three blankets
stacked and placed on the floor. the head lies off of the vblankets on the floor while the
arms and shoulders are supported by the blankets. One should experiment with how many
blankets rtanging from 1 to 4 depending on your length of neck, size of blankets, stiffness
etc. Don't worry about beineg beginner or advanced with this, use what feels the most
comfortable, supportive and encourages the lift in the neck that I talked about.
>
> jim_and_his_karma <jim_and_his_karma@y...> wrote:
>
>
> Greg, I'd very strongly recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/> detail/-/0679722874 if you have no choice but to work from books.
>
> There are great Iyengar school teachers in SF. Ping again if you need reccos.
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "Greg" <trian3@c...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Hello Victor,
> >
> > Yes, indeed. It helps very much. Thank you. I look forward to
> > making the adjustments for this morning's practice. Given that
> > explanation, I can see now how proper instruction is considered so
> > necessary. Right now, where I live, that's not an option, but soon
> > (hopefully) I'll be moving down to the Bay Area (CA) and will most
> > assuredly be getting proper instruction at that time. Until then, the
> > book and this forum are my only resources.
> >
> > Thank you,
> >
> > Greg M.
> >
> >
> > --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, victor yj <vic@y...> wrote:
> > >
> > > What you want is to roll the shoulders towards the the
> > shoulderblades so that the bodyweight is balanced as much as possible
> > on the shoulders and not on the neck. the feeling should be that the
> > neck is somewhat lifted from the floor by the roatation of the
> > shoulders. The sequence for hand placement in halasana is first to
> > hold the back as in shoulderstand. In some months as this becomes easy
> > then take the arms over the ehad on the floor towards the feet. Then
> > when this becomes easy one take the hands and arms in the opposite
> > direction from the feet but not interlocking. The final grasp of the
> > hands is the icing on the cake. It should go along with the lift of
> > the neck from the floor and the weight on the shoulders. There should
> > feel no pressure on the 7th cervical vertebrae and the neck should
> > retain as much of its natural curve as possible rather than being
> > flattened on the floor or lengthening. Do not try to lengthen the neck
> > but feel that the neck is light with minimal stretch to
> > > the back of the neck. stretch should be at the throat with the chin
> > untucking and soft as the chest moves towards the chin.
> > > Does that help?
> > >
> > > Greg <trian3@c...> wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > I thank you for your concern, but I consider myself to have a very
> > > good sense of bodily awareness developed through years of training in
> > > other disciplin
