Toronto Yoga Conference

At this year's Yoga Conference I took a one day workshop with Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman, dubbed a one day retreat.

Although not certified in the Iyengar method, both were quoting from BKS throughout the day. "Pose and repose." "Inhale. Exhale. Pause. Each with the same length."

A few weeks later, these are the things that stay with me:

Om

When we chanted om, Rodney observed that the class was prolonging the 'o' in om, shortening the 'm', and not leaving much of a pause between one 'om' and the next. We rechanted, and I could feel the difference. The vibration of the 'm' was far more resonant. The pause became a presence. Very powerful.

Michael Jordan pose
Athletes slip into uddiyana bandha on basketball courts and tennis courts and other sports arenas all the time - they just don't know they are doing a powerful yoga pose to replenish when exhausted.

Engaging the Bandhas
Don't force this to happen. Rather, take the asana and then feel the body's response. (In this sense, it is similar to pranayama, you don't do it, it does you. Each asana has its own breath.) It takes years to feel the different bandhas. Feel mula bandha and uddiyana bandha come naturally when in headstand.

...

I brought home a Tibetan bowl and bells for my morning meditation and have been incorporating them into my practice. Very much enjoying the sound and vibration and will explore these elements more.