Yoga Journal - San Francisco Conference 2009

Finding Ease at Your Edge with Jason Crandell

In a world that frequently challenges us to PUSH our limits, Jason Crandell offered a different perspective in this morning's asana workshop. As we began the practice, Crandell asked us to consider that "Integrity and stability are more important than range."

Throughout the energizing sequence, he focused on the idea that your edge is that balance between effort and relaxation. Crandell made his way around the room, instructing and guiding the practice, while offering up sage insights that were worth stopping and making a note of (and I did more than a few times in the two hour class).

We want to learn to work with conscious effort and not hurl ourselves in (and out) of poses. How many of us can relate to that style of "practice"?? We muscle (and force) our way into some pose exerting maximum effort and then come out of it with equal abandon. Slow down, Crandell advises, and see that the balance of effort and relaxation is more important than achieving any particular form.

The pose is not the goal. (Say "what?!) Instead we use poses to FREE the body. The work of the pose is there to unveil who we really are. In basic poses, we want to learn how to work; in the more challenging ones, we want to learn how to relax. As Crandell reminded us, "Anything that is difficult for you will work better when you relax." This is true in life as well as our asana practice.

Funny, that's how most things are.

Posted by Pamela Walsh on January 17, 2009 05:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yoga at Home: Everything You Need to Practice on Your Own

I grant myself permission to buy new magazines whenever I go vacation. This is a little indulgence that I enjoy, whether it's a road trip down to the beach or a non-stop flight to destinations far & near. And so as I prepared for my flight to San Francisco yesterday, I decadently perused the newsstand at the airport with reckless abandon.

After browsing the latest issue of People, (okay, that might be just a little too indulgent) my eye caught the cover of a Yoga Journal that I had not yet seen. I've been a subscriber for a few years, but this was one of the "special editions" that are periodically issued separate from the regular subscription: "Yoga at Home: Everything You Need to Practice on Your Own."

Touted as the "2009 Complete Guide" from the editors of Yoga Journal, this magazine sports a price of $8.99, which definitely puts it into the "decadent" category as far as impulse magazine buying goes. As I picked it up, the gate attendant announced my flight. I quickly pulled out a $10 bill, purchased the magazine and hurried onto the plane.

I rationalized the purchase as being "work-related research." Yeah, that's the ticket. And who among us hasn't struggled with establishing a home practice? I found with my purchase that age-old question, "What should I do?" was answered in sequences, photos and languaging that's easy to follow and understand. Several of the sequences are outlined by teachers who are presenting here at the San Francisco conference, and include:

~ Forward bending practice with Yin Yoga's Sarah Powers
~ Restorative practice with Judith Hanson Lasater
~ Standing poses with Anusara Yoga's Desiree Rumbaugh
~ Backbends with Rodney Yee
~ Down Dog in De "Tail" (get it, dog-tail) with Jason Crandell
~ Beginner's Guide to Inversions with Aadil Palkhivala

Additionally, there are practice sequences from other great teachers for inversions, twists, abdominals, block work for strength, and even a beginner's primer "Meditation for Everybody" by Frank Jude Boccio. As I thumbed through the pages, I was inspired and pleased. Inspired to see so many great do-able sequences, and pleased that my indulgence yielded a worthwhile investment.

Do yourself a favor ... go indulge!

Posted by Pamela Walsh on January 16, 2009 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jason Crandell Classes

Jason Crandell is featured in Yoga Journal's most recent DVDs Yoga for Well-Being and Your Complete Home Practice Companion-Morning, Noon, and Night. He's a contributing editor for Yoga Journal and a teacher on YJ's monthly Podcast. His vinyasa classes combine fluid movement, subtle detail, and inner exploration.