Springtime is upon us, and for many Yoga practitioners who live in areas that experience long winters, the increasing light and warmth of this season is very welcome. Just like the seasons in temperate climate zones, there are also different types of Yoga practices. Some practices are cooling, and other sequences of asanas are quite warming. For example, practices that are cooling and restorative are Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra.
To teach your Yoga students Bakasana, have them fluidly move through the beginning sequence of Sun Salutation B and into a squatting position on their Yoga mats from Downward Facing Dog. Their feet should be a little wider than hips’ distance apart and parallel to each other. Direct your students to place their hands approximately twelve inches in front of their feet with their fingers spread comfortably far apart and facing the front of the Yoga mat.
As a Yoga teacher, it is also important to be aware of and uproot any of your own negative thoughts about your students, especially those students who may be struggling with health issues. Thoughts such as, “I can’t believe she is still doing the Yoga asanas while seated in a chair. Her knee seems strong enough now to support her weight!”
All inverted yoga poses are practices that help you sleep better. This can especially alleviate insomnia caused by hormonal changes. One inversion to try is Halasana or the Plow Pose. In this posture, you do not have to be perfect as long as you are achieving the proper posture. It is important to coordinate your breathing with your movements.
The Yoga practices of asana, meditation, prayer, chanting and pranayama, when practiced in balance and on a regular basis, have the ability to truly transform a Yogi or Yogini’s life. These ancient practices, as succinctly elucidated in Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras, provide a comprehensive alchemical path to happiness.