Focus Forward Friday: Moving Toward Full Camel

Camel and camel: I love it. Photo via FYeahYoga on Tumblr.

Happy Friday, yogis! Hope you've all been having a week to remember. :) 

Things here have been busy, so apologies for my quiet blog space the past few days. I've got a bunch of great content in the works, though... and I'm hoping to hole up in a coffee shop soon and get some things ready to publish. Let's just say: you won't want to miss next week on the blog!

It's true for camel pose, and it's true for the blog next week. Photo illustration via I Can Read on Tumblr.

Focus Forward Friday: A weekly ritual for deepening your Bikram practice.

Today's focus: you can do backbends; you just have to let go of your fear about them. First off, for you yoga beginners: do backbends scare you? Or maybe advanced yoga students, too: do you get nervous whenever a backbend posture is approaching in the series?

Here's a tip: stay with the words. In the dialogue, the transition from Half Moon right and left bends and the backbend is seamless. When you get to the front of your mat and stand up on your knees for rabbit, there is no break. There's no moment to rest or think about it; you just do it. You let your head fall back, and then you keep going.

At first, this can be terrifying. Bend backward? But my spine hurts like hell! But my head will fall off! But I'm so dizzy I'll fall! Those are some of the thoughts that have raced through my mind, and which sometimes still do. 

Meeting resistance when you get to a backbend just means one thing: you need to let go.

Here's why you can trust Juliana's advice on full camel posture. She's got an amazing one! Photo via Facebook.

Ignore the fear. Enjoy the ride. Lean back, push back, way back -- and just see what happens! Maybe today's not the best for your backbend, but if you keep at it, tomorrow will be.

As always, though, be sure to watch for pain and remember to take care of your own body. Here's some great reading from Yoga Journal on neck placement in camel pose. Or check out this site's step-by-step description of coming in and out of the posture.

Remember: having a teacher in person to watch your progress and make corrections is your safest bet! And it ensures you get all the medical benefits you deserve.

Photo via slidingsideways on Flickr.

For today's focus, I also wanted to bring you the awesome advice I received on getting into Full Camel posture from some of my favorite yogini bloggers. After I posted this request for tips, both Marsha of Breathing Always Normal and J of Lock the Knee responded right away with some incredible thoughts on moving your camel into full camel.

Progressing in this posture is one of my biggest yoga goals right now, so I'll be meeting up with a few teachers at my studio for more personalized advice. I challenge you, readers, to do the same!

From Marsha @ Breathing Always Normal (@breathenormal on Twitter)

When I first went to advanced I was taught to go into full by setting up like regular camel, but putting your hands in prayer instead of on your hips. Toes (and heels if possible) together. Really PUSH your hips forward as you bend back. As you go back, extend your arms until they are straight and try to touch the floor with your fingertips. Keep pushing hips forward. 

Once you can do that then instead of hands in prayer at the beginning you can put you hands in a 'W' on your forehead and imagine your heels fitting in the points of the "W' when you bend backwards. Now I am trying to slide my fingers up my calves to get my head further forward. 

From Juliana (the Dancing J) @ Lock the Knee

Best way to learn advanced postures is IN PERSON from a competent teacher. Period. Find a teacher at your studio who can help you, somebody who knows your practice. There oughta be someone around there who's familiar with this stuff.

Your goal is not to make your lower back more flexible. This posture is about the flexibility of the WHOLE spine - lower back, middle back, upper back. In a good full camel, whole spine is bending evenly. Very hard. I've been improving my spine by just practicing the beginner's series. There are tons of backbends in there. My full camel keeps improving even when I don't get to practice advanced series, just because I keep practicing the 26 and 2.

Remember, yoga practice is about medical benefits. There's no additional medical benefit to sticking your head on your feet. Your backbends will naturally deepen as you improve your spine through consistent practice. No rush.
Thanks for sharing your helpful and motivating advice, ladies. You are inspiring!


And readers, if you have other thoughts or stories about your camel pose, please share below.
Enjoy the weekend, all!

Photo via this blogger's post on a 30-day Bikram challenge.

Dudes

Photos from Yoga Dudes on Tumblr.

Some awesome posts on the Yoga Dudes Tumblr today, so I thought I'd share.

Guys, are you doing your yoga this week? Where are you practicing, and what styles are you loving right now?

Don't know about you, but I can't wait to get my Bikram groove on tonight!

For Japan With Love

Go here: http://www.forjapanwithlove.com/

Read more, donate, and use your blog as a way to love those who are suffering from loss.

You won't hear from me again 'til Monday, but I hope the silence speaks for itself.

Namaste and happy weekend!

Good Morning, Family

Photo via Our Labor of Love.

Photo via Jaquilyn Shumate Photography.

I'm up early today. Whispers of spring are here, just outside the window.

The sun breaks through, the sparrows flit and emit their fleeting chirps. I've got the radio on with the kinds of songs I only listen to when I'm alone. 

I've been thinking about family lately. The progression of love. The meaning of the relationships we build, and how we sometimes tell ourselves we don't really need them, and then realize how much we do.

I think of my girls. My bridal party. Grandmothers. Cousins and friends. Mom. Stepmom. The women I've spent my life looking up to, the women who have looked up to me over the years, the women I couldn't be me without. 

All subsequent photos via Jaquilyn Shumate Photography. 

I think of siblings. How precious the bond between a brother and a sister, a sister and her twin, a bond that would be suffering to lose. Stretched so distantly from each other; needed so much. I think about the joy of a phone call with my brother or sister, how hearing about their lives always cheers me up.

Who wants to come visit once spring hits Chicago, eh?

I think too of my husband, my Only, my everything.

I think of friends who are about to get married, to start their own little families. I think of my nephew and how every time I see a new picture, it feels like I've missed years.

Families are precious these days, it seems. Sometimes in the early morning, the house quiet, I think of the family I have and the ones I hope to one day grow in a world of love.

How have you loved your family lately? Any of you out there starting your own little families?

Out in the World

Photos via The Vagabond Bond blog.

I could use a trip. A getaway. The chance to be somewhere far from snow.

Anyone else out there longing for some adventure?

Names to Faces

We're yogis. We blog about it.

Introducing some fiery friends. Check em out!

More information (bios and backgrounds) coming soon. 

Stay tuned.

Afternoon Getaway

From recently discovered photography blog Vagabond Bond (via Sarah Rhoads).

Three spots I'd like to be right now. Anyone else needing an escape from all the snow?

All the News That's Fit to Print

Photo via my new favorite blog find: Fashion Toast!

It is most definitely Monday. Buzzing around the office (on tea, not coffee!) catching up on weekends, the big game, and trying to sort through my Google Reader.

Lots of yoga news in the mix today! If you haven't already, check out the story on Tara Stiles via the New York Times. Interesting stuff. I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

I had to agree with YogaDork's review in saying that "It's yoga. Yoga is as yoga does." I'm all for creating community around yoga that's open, welcoming, and true to the heart (not the ego). Let's all avoid the snobbery and do our backbends, OK? :)

Photo via Google.

I'd also encourage you guys to check out OMB Yoga's open letter to a new Bikram student. There are some great reflections on why the teacher speaks loudly, why we require silence and stillness in between postures, and why wearing short shorts is the way to go (and here's a hint: none of it has to do with your ego!).

Photo of Coby Grant via PrAna's blog.

 PrAna also has some great posts on the upcoming Wanderlust trifecta as well as a lovely review from Coby Grant (a favorite up-and-coming artist of mine!) on the wonderful PrAna line of yoga gear.


Yoga blogger Julia Yee has some wonderful advice on sticking with your yoga routine. Don't miss this post!

Photo of Joslyn Chandler of Miss Fit Bliss by Mechelle Lavelle of Bryant/Lavelle Photography.

Finally, one of my favorite hot yoga bloggers, Joslyn over at Miss Fit Bliss, featured awesome advice on the top 14 things she's learned from Bikram (plus photos of her rockin' the yoga at an advanced class and in competition). Amazing stuff, Jos!


What are you guys up to this week? What are you reading?


I hope all is well and I'm wishing you the best.

Photo of Joslyn Chandler and yogi competitors by Mechelle Lavelle of Bryant/Lavelle Photography.

Gratitude

Photo via Kirsten's awesome yoga blog.

A while back (on Black Friday to be exact!), fellow Bikram yoga blogger Kirsten won this kick-ass sarcastic "some like it hot" towel from me (via Yoga with Style).

Look at this sweet graphic she made!

Such a lovely thank you "note."

I love when people show their gratitude in creative ways. Happy weekend everyone!

How Happy is Your Yoga Bum?

Photo of K.Deer Model via her site. These are the beautiful bumbums I've been loving lately!

A couple days ago another Bikram blogger, The Dancing J over at Keep it Locking, posted about the crazy costumes we wear to yoga class.

I loved her reflections on how appearance can make us feel more ready for our practice, whether we are a student or a teacher.

And she notes that the dialogue even refers to "costumes." She says: 

It happens a couple of times. ("Heel touching the costume, sole of the foot facing the ceiling.") It’s an apt description. We do put on costumes to do yoga.  Everyone has at least one article of clothing - a favorite tank top or pair of shorts - that is For Yoga. And when you put that clothing on, you are in your yoga costume, looking like a yogi, ready to try to do some yoga.

Isn't it interesting how a fun pair of shorts or a low-cut bra, or a big t-shirt, or no t-shirt at all can affect the way you think of yourself at yoga?

I definitely have my favorite outfits. Most recently, I've added a pair of "bum bum" shorts from K. Deer's haute yoga wear line. I love them!

Photo of K.Deer Model via her site.

Photo of the entire K.Deer line via her site. Look at that awesome selection!

Kristine's line is fantastic -- lots of wild colors and prints, and most everything can be ordered in matching sets of headbands and shorts. The fabric she uses is super flexible and doesn't slip (so you can rest assured that your bum won't be hanging out during the postures... and that's nice, because you've got enough to worry about in yoga anyway!).


Check out her main website, which links to her Etsy shop. So many fun pairs of shorts to choose from!


And all of these look and feel (and perform) like true Bikram outfits, the ones you see being worn by advanced and stylish students. 


Me, I just got lucky, because my friend Jenn at Yoga With Style told me about them! You can shop there for K.Deer's stuff, too.

  

Heads up to TruHarmony (Chicago) and Bikram Yoga Evanston readers: I'll be posting some awesome flyers in the locker rooms in the next week or so. They feature coupons so you can place an order for a discount! Woohoo!


I encourage all readers to check out K. Deer's awesome stuff, and let me know if you have questions or feedback.


Here's to happy yoga bums!

Photo of K.Deer Model via her site.

Seeing Double

Photos via Beth and Carissa's amazing photo blog. 

I love photography, especially artfully paired photos that have nothing to do with each other but somehow give meaning when placed side by side. 


Like these, from Beth and Carissa.


Yep, same Carissa as Andrew + Carissa who I recently posted about. Help them adopt a beautiful girl!

Photos via Beth and Carissa's amazing photo blog. 

Help an Awesome Blogging Couple Adopt

Video from adopt rinah from VsTheBrain on Vimeo.

Andrew + Carissa is one of my favorite blogs. I love their creative vision, amazing photography, and the sense of love they so obviously have for each other.

Andrew and Carissa are hoping do adopt a beautiful girl from Africa, Rinah. Watch the video above and consider donating your prayers or a few bucks to help them make a huge difference in her life. 

Sending my love to all three of you, and wishing you best of luck with the adoption process!

XO

Suddenly

All photos by Justin Battenfield, an Oklahoma wedding photographer.

PS A little love poem for your Saturday afternoon, by one of the greatest poets (and a favorite of mine). If you can read Spanish, check out Pablo Neruda's work in his native tongue. It is beautiful and tends to take your breath away. 

Sonnet LXIX

by Pablo Neruda

Maybe nothingness is to be without your presence,
without you moving, slicing the noon
like a blue flower, without you walking
later through the fog and the cobbles,

without the light you carry in your hand,
golden, which maybe others will not see,
which maybe no one knew was growing
like the red beginnings of a rose.

In short, without your presence: without your coming
suddenly, incitingly, to know my life,
gust of a rosebush, wheat of wind:

since then I am because you are,
since then you are, I am, we are,
and through love I will be, you will be, we'll be. 

Here's to a weekend filled with sudden hugs!

Kat Doodles & The New Banner!

All custom illustration doodles by Kat Wong of Kat  Doodles.

So I met Kat Wong of Kat Doodles back in college. We lived in the same dorm and I always marveled at how cute, shy-yet-friendly, and stylish Kat was.

Recently, I hired Kat to do an awesome custom doodle print for my nephew, Zeke. I gave it to him and my sister on Christmas, and they loved it.

He now has the adorable drawing hanging above his crib.

Now I have another super cute reminder of Kat's drawings to hang in a special place... a new blog header! Isn't her work wonderful?

I'm totally stoked for the new Standing Bow image. It's based on a photo I took in Puerto Rico (on self-timer of all things ha!).

I love how the fact that I'm not perfectly in the posture. My body still needs to come down; my chin needs to be touching my shoulder.

But the doodle perfectly conveys that sense of process that we encounter in yoga, especially in Bikram. We know that the dialogue is pushing us to reach perfect execution, but we are happy and content at our edge. Yes, we want to get our legs in standing splits and our chin to shoulder, but as long as we can lock the knee and keep reaching for the mirror, we know we have done our best.

Wherever we are in the posture is perfect. Wherever we are in the posture is exactly where we are meant to be today.

Kat also recently opened her own Etsy shop and line of hilariously cute Valentine's Day cards. Check them out!

The cheese card is my favorite.

Kat has set up shop here at her Etsy store (the long lost lemonade stand she always wanted!).

Thanks again, Kat, for the wonderful doodle. You are the best!