Category Archives: sunsalutations

Stalking the Elusive Bandhas

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Kristin Shepherd

I’m supposed to have my mula bandha "locked" throughout my ashtanga practice. I hear that it’s the key to great yoga; that mula bandha is the doorway to flexibility, concentration, body heat, core strength, to stopping my wayward prana from… Continue reading →

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Spring Fever

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Kristin Shepherd

We’re still walking on water in this ridiculous part of the world. There’s nothing religious in that. The sad truth of it is that there is still 33 inches of ice between us and water in its liquid state. But… Continue reading →

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Walking the Path

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Kristin Shepherd

This morning during home practice my thoughts walked a familiar path:1. Rats. That left second toe still hurts a bit. I’ll bet it’s from walking across the lake in my big boots. It’s a bit red, too, and swollen. Like… Continue reading →

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Expanding the Definition of Yoga

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Kristin Shepherd

Like most North Americans, I first met yoga as a physical practice, a sport. Unlike most sports in my life, yoga combines strength and flexibility, which is like some kind of magic trick after years of activities (trail running, cycling,… Continue reading →

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Best Yoga of 2010?

Posted on December 28, 2010 by Kristin Shepherd

Best yoga of 2010? Okay, I’ll start. Hands down, no question, it was 108 Sun Salutations, done by myself at 4am on the solstice, December 21st. Why was it the best? (I will resist giving you all 108 reasons.) I… Continue reading →

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Putting the Yoga Back in Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Kristin Shepherd

Christmas is a crazy-making time of year. For every lucky person who loves it (the turkey! the kids! the shopping! the religious whatever!) there is one who doesn’t (the elevated pressure to be jolly! the family! the cooking! the shopping!… Continue reading →

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Falling for Warm Poses

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Kristin Shepherd

Home practice is wonderful these days. Mornings are getting cold here. We wear gloves while walking the dog. Most often, it’s still dark out. I look like a teenager who’s lost her skateboard: a hoodie, baseball cap, baggie pants,… Continue reading →

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