David Yearwood talks about Iyengar Yoga

In the video below, David Yearwood talks about the fundamentals of Iyengar Yoga. David is a highly dedicated Yoga teacher with whom I see at Lois Steinberg's studio once in a while. This video is great for beginners to see as it is helpful for explaining an overview of Iyengar Yoga.

Backless Chairs that are Sturdy

Click here to see the backless chairs that are sturdy! See my previous post with a video on how to make backless chairs.

Backbend with 2 Chairs

The pose in the photo below of Rebecca Lerner doing a backbend with 2 chairs is a favorite pose of mine to help open the upper chest and prepare for Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow Posture). The belt on the pelvic area is not required. It is best to learn this pose from a teacher first. The guidance below is to help remind you after you have been taught from a teacher.

*Place 2 chairs on a mat to prevent sliding, back to back (you do not need back-less chairs for this
  pose)

*Place 4 blankets on top of the back rims of the chairs

*Stand in front of the chair seat. Bend the knees slightly and reach from the sides of the hips backwards to touch the blankets behind you. Place the heels on the chair legs, which is very important to keep the chairs stable (notice the photo below).

*Keeping the hands on the tops of the blankets, bend the knees more, bend the elbows out to the sides and carefully lower the upper chest/shoulder blade area onto the chairs.

*Once the chest is on the blankets, lower and straighten the arms to the sides of the hips.

*Exhale, press the toe mounds and heels to lift the buttocks and engage the legs.

*Curl the upper chest backwards to lift and open the sternum.

*Take the head back

* Reach the straight arms over-head, shoulder width apart with palms-up or palms facing each
  other.

*Reach through the fingertips keeping the arms active and lengthening. Straighten the elbows to
  lengthen even more through the arms.

*Breathe and allow the chest to open. The support of the chairs and blankets encourages the chest to open and to expand vertically and horizontally.

*To come out of the pose, lower the arms to the sides of the hips, bend the knees and lower the buttocks onto the chair, sit in a neutral position.

BKS Iyengar states:

"In resting you are responding." 

-Quote from the article called"Interview with BKS Iyengar on Backbends  12/5/91 Questions asked by Victor Oppenheimer and Patricia Walden

-Photo taken by Daryl Fowkes, a funny/talented friend and teacher at Houston Iyengar Studio, Alcove Yoga, and Yoga Heart Studio

How to make a Yoga backless chair

Here is a good video that shows how to make a Yoga backless chair. You can spray paint the entire chair in a cool color to make it look nicer! How to Make a Yoga backless chair

Click here to see the type of backless chair that is sturdy