Workshop in Bogota, Columbia

As soon as I landed in Bogota, my host Anna Uribe from Natural Yoga whisked me off to an orchid show. The orchid is the national flower of Columbia.

Workshop at Natural Yoga

Adho Mukha Svanasana on the ropes with the head supported and hands clasped behind back. Be sure to roll the shoulders back when the arms come up and over.

My host Anna Uribe is on the left. Viparita Karani in Chair Supported Sarvangasana; make sure that the sacrum is pressed flat into the chair seat, and that the shoulders are rolled way back. Press the shoulder blades in to bring the sternum into an upright position.

© 2013 Bobby Clennell.

Kids love props

Kids sometimes have their own unique and interesting ways of working with props. Thanks to everyone who has sent me photos of their kids who were inspired by my book, Watch Me Do Yoga; please keep sending them in.

From Ann Van Regan in Ottawa does yoga with her 5-year-old grand-daughter, Darrah Boudreau: “Using a strap in Paschimottanasana. Elbows high.”

“Janu Sirsasana… needs to flex her foot. She’s enjoying learning to open her chest.”

Older sister Padmé Boudreau “after seeing a pic of one of Sri Iyengar.”

22-month-old Adrian Wells from Ottawa doesn’t need to run to get blocks when he practices Uttanasana — he uses the floor. Photo by his mother, Christine Benedict.

Ann Van Regan’s grand-daughter has an interesting way of working with blocks. She “likes to bring out every prop when she comes to visit. She makes long paths that meander from my yoga space int the kitchen. Little yogini’s get hungry. This is her version of Savasana… a bit hard on the neck, but comfy on the foam blocks.”

We use props to help us achieve the pose. Or the couch.

“Mama, can I help you?” Valerie Chai is helped by her 6-year-old son, Min. Valerie teaches at Maha Yoga, Kuching (near Kampong Tabuan), Malaysia.

And sometimes the only prop you need is a helping hand from a friend.