This video highlights the importance of the halfway position that sets up the fold into the position proper. This half way position is part of the vinyasa sequencing that makes up the primary series in the ashtanga system. This lowly but infinitely valuable position can be easy to overlook when y...

Weekly thoughts for April 14th

This video provides you with what is known as 'counted vinyasa' instructions for the practice of Sun Salutation A. The emphasis is on breathing and flow, you are led through positions without interruption, and without extra instructions on how to do each individual position. You have the op...

In this talk, David uses Hindu stories to define and examine the 3 gunas. The word guna literally means “strand” or “fiber” and implies that, like strands of a rope, the gunas are woven together to form the objective universe. Philosophically, the theory of the gunas explains what this universe...

David instructs what seated positions are the most effective for your pranayama practice.

Side Angle Stretch Posture is a deceptively challenging posture, and here I have you place your hand on block so that you can experience the basic actions of the pose. Focus on creating a continuous ascending diagonal line from the back leg foot, back thigh, pelvis, torso, and up through the t...

Move into position by coming all the way to the destination with a confident, speedy move. Reach outwards through the spine from pelvis through head, skillfully come forward stabilizing the legs and rotating the spine to the right. Touch chin to shin.

In this Vinyasa Lab class, I use a progression of steps to teach you how to come up and go down out of Head Balance. Learning this progression will almost certainly challenge you. Therefore I urge to be patient and to follow the instructions carefully. If you can already go up and come down i...

Pincha Mayurasana is a foundational inversion. The key to so many advanced postures is within this inversion. For an advanced student it is essential that they know how to refine the posture. In this video I teach how to continue to clarify the central axis and the keys that truly stabilize the...

Talk 5
Yoga Sutras Book 1, Samadhi Pada
Sutras 1.23-1.28

Recommended Reading
1- Yoga, Discipline of Freedom by Barbara Stoller Miller
Pages 35-37
Read Part One, “Dedication to the Lord of Yoga”

2- Yoga Sutra Workbook, Certainty of Freedom by Vyaas Houston
Review Sutras 1.23-1.28

In this video I give instruction for clarifying the grounded leg and hip foundation for Eka Pada Sirsasana. I give tips for how to safely and effectively think about the positioning of the leg that will go behind the head in relationship to the hip and foundation. I also speak about keeping the ...

Open the thighs outward, imagine that the thigh bones lengthen and extend away from you in a line from the hip to the knee. Soften and release the inner thighs, and endeavor to ground the thighs downward towards the earth. Keep the sacrum (back of the pelvis) sucked forward into the body, sit dir...

Talk 10
Yoga Sutras Book 2, Sadhana
Sutras 2.42-2.45

Recommended Reading
1- Yoga, Discipline of Freedom by Barbara Stoller Miller
Pages 57-59
Review Part Two, “Breath Control and Withdrawal of the Senses”

2- Yoga Sutra Workbook, Certainty of Freedom by Vyaas Houston
Review Sutras 2.49-2.55

Ustrasana or camel posture is a beneficial introductory back bend that is done from a kneeling position. The crux of the posture is to ground the shins downward as you lift up the chest into a great dome shape that resembles a camel’s hump. The lower body and arms form the foundation, and one c...

What is the core reason why we do Yoga? Weekly thoughts for Jan 7, 2024.

How do you improve your posture? In this talk David gives many ways and details on the steps to improving an asana. This is talk 2 from David's video course, Practical Practice Talks.

Talk 2
Yoga Sutras Book 2, Sadhana
Sutras 2.4-2.9

Recommended Reading
1- Yoga, Discipline of Freedom by Barbara Stoller Miller
Pages 45-47
Read Part Two, “Definition of the Forces of Corruption”

2- Yoga Sutra Workbook, Certainty of Freedom by Vyaas Houston
Review Sutras 2.4-2.9

Exercise 1: Surya Namaskara Vinyasa Count
Exercise 2: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
Exercise 3: Supta Hasta Padangusthasana
Exercise 4:Headstand (1 chair and 2 blocks optional)
Exercise 5: Seated Meditation Padmasana Legs up wall (1 block, 1 blanket and 1 sandbag optional)

Uttitha Hasta Padangus...

Talk 3
Yoga Sutras Book 1, Samadhi Pada
Sutra 17

Recommended Reading
1- Yoga Sutra Workbook, Certainty of Freedom by Vyaas Houston
Review Sutra 1.17

If you are experiencing back pain, this is a great short form practice to either help you warm up or a complete light and protective practice all on its own.
Class includes:
Vrkshasana holding chair for support
Forward Bend with chair
Plank to Downdog with chair
Surya Namaskara with blocks