Sunday, November 27, 2011

Asana Sunday: Adho Mukha Svanasana


I taught my eighth internship class this evening - 17 students in attendance!! It was a lot of fun, and I received great feedback from fellow teachers. I have never had teachers attend my class, but was lucky enough to have three this evening :)
Some of the feedback I received to saying what the pose is as opposed to just describing it to students. Saying the asana will give them a better idea of where to go if they are not watching me or cannot see me.  Because of this feedback, I have chosen to write about a different pose every Sunday in order to better learn the names of the asanas - I would like to ingrain them into my brain!
My husband gave me this idea, but I will also be speaking to a single pose and also describing the background or story behind the pose - why the pose is called what it is called.
Hopefully this weekly post will aid in enriching my teaching as well as my students' understanding of the postures.
The first pose I have chosen to speak about is in my mind the most widely known, the most fundamental yoga asana.


English: Downward-Facing Dog
Sanskrit: Adho Mukha Svanasana

Adho = Downward
Mukha = Face
Svana = Dog

Primary Muscles used: Trapezius, Latissimus Dorsi, Triceps, Gluts, Hamstrings
Secondary Muscles used: Rhomboids, Rotator Cuff, Anterior and Medial Deltoids, Posterior Deltoids, Extensors, Serratus Anterior, Soleus, Gastrocnemius

From Yoga Journal, here are the Benefits of Adho Mukha Svanasana...
1. Calms the brain & helps relieve stress & mild depression.
2. Energizes the body
3. Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands
4. Strengthens the arms and the legs
5. Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause.
6. Relieves menstrual discomfort when done with head supported.
7. Helps prevent osteoporosis
8. Improves digestion
9. Relieves headache, insomnia, back pain, & fatigue
10. Therapeutic for high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, sinusitis.

There are more reasons than ever to practice this pose; thankfully it is a part of most if not all yoga practices!!

I am still searching for the story or the reason behind this pose... Some sites discuss the body becoming a ray of light - when in Down Dog drawing the focus from the pelvis to the throat. I'll see what else I can find.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Gratitude

What are you grateful for ? Gratitude leads you away from judging and puts life into perspective. Thank somebody you are grateful for today.

Monday, November 21, 2011

AU Interior Design Program is #1

DesignIntelligence has announced that the Interior Design program at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama is ranked #1 - tied with SCAD!!!


Hooray for all of the students, teachers, and staff who have made the program such a huge success!! Here is the article.


Note, in order to view the listing, you have to purchase DesignIntelligence in print or digital format.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Early Riser

Woke up... 3AM
Drove Justin to the Airport...4AM
Grocery Shopped for a family's Thanksgiving in an empty grocery store... 5:30AM
Yoga Practice ... 6:30AM


Now the sun is rising and it is time to continue on with the day ... May it be a great one for all.


XO
Robyn

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Legwarmer Loves

LEGWARMERS ... I can't seem to leave to the house without them... I don't wear them to work, but to and from the gym, yoga or even out in the evening... They are sooo cozy and will always be cute to me :) I'll still be wearing them when I am 80!








Thursday, November 10, 2011

Ride On




Today is Justin's Birthday!! Hooray!! I took him out for dinner last night and tonight he is playing dodgeball with his team and then we may grab a drink afterwards :) Gotta love Birthdays!!

On October 22nd, Justin attended VeloSwap, the largest consumer cycle expo!! He returned with some goodies  for his bike. He also came home with a pretty cool surprise!! He bought me a bike!! This isn't just any bike... 

We believe it to be a 1970s-ish bike...'76, maybe ? It's a Schwinn Collegiate 3-speed... Just riding it around makes me feel as though I am back in time.... back into the 70s or something :) And I have the cutest little bell!! LOVE IT!!

We ordered new tires for it as when Justin purchased it, the originals were still on the bike. I cannot wait to take it out for some longer rides to the Highlands!!!



 Schwinn with Existing Tires

My First Ride

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

On My Bookshelf



Have you ever come across a few quotations from books and knew you just had to read THAT book ?


I have come across a book such as this...


A Natural History of the Senses - by Diane Ackerman


Cannot wait to start this one :)


photo via

Monday, November 7, 2011

Spirograph Inspiration

Don't you remember that super cool art "toy" from the 80s and 90s that would allow you to draw the coolest shapes perfectly - circles, parabolas, curves, they went on forever!! Oh, the spirograph. I literally had to google "80s toys drawings" to remember the name of the thing!! 


Here are new pieces of art - upholsteries, etc. that are a lovely "spin" off the spirograph... Enjoy, and don't get too dizzy :)

Momentum Textile's Veer in White.

Arc|Com's Echo in Flamingo.

Folded NoteCards on Etsy.

A larger scale spirograph, called "Drawing Machine" has been created by artist Eske Rex out of Copenhagen to create larger than life geometric designs utilizing pendulums:




Sunday, November 6, 2011

Food For Thought



I came across this publication containing fabulous recipes paired with heart-felt stories... What a great idea, I may just have to ask for this for the holidays :) Remedy Quarterly will leave you inspired, with real stories from real people...and great recipes ... The magazine is centered on the fact that food brings people together. Now, who wouldn't agree with that?!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Friday Loves

How to Worry Less... Read this and picture your life like this.
Neon Pink Masking Tape... Perfect for a creative's home office!
Choose Happiness this Weekend.
Check out a restaurant centered on repurposed design like Saraghina in Brooklyn. 
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