Props Workshop in NYC: September 24, 2017.

Props: Awakening The Intelligence

I recently taught this workshop at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York. Props both inform us and ground us, holding the body secure and providing needed support. We explored the possibilities the props can unlock within the body in both familiar and lesser known set-ups. Here are just a few of the poses:

Adho Mukha Svanasana with rope. In this version, a small foam block was also used. Place the knot or small block where it is needed – where the intelligence needs to be bought to bear on area – and then slowly straighten the legs.  Not for beginners.

Parivritta Parsvakonasana toward the trestler.

Marichyasana III. The Simhasana (heart) bench provides help with the seated twists. I.e., provides access to the top of the sacrum so it can be lifted and moved into the body.

Marichyasana III again. Pushing against the curve of the viparita dandasa  bench to provide a fulcrum from which to lift the anterior spine.

Paryankasana with the simhasana bench.

Pariankasana with simhasana bench and platform.

Being dropped back to the viparita dandasana bench.

Parivritta Janu Sirsasana with a weight and trestler.

We were all very happy that Kevin Gardiner dropped by!

We finished with Bhishmasana.

Click to read my blog post about Bhishma.

© 2017 Bobby Clennell.

 

Hanging around with the kids

A yoga studio can be like a playground to young yoga practitioners. Their imagination can lead to some interesting set ups.

2-year-old Charli Jane came up with this set up all on her own. She likes to check out the ropes and props in her grandmother’s home studio, Toronto based Iyengar yoga teacher Brigitta Ortner.

Martín hangs out at Natural Yoga in Bogotá, Colombia.

Vickie Ewell’s granddaughter Marley likes to use the rope wall when she stretches. Vickie is director at The Yoga Loft in the Village in Sheffield, Ohio.

Balance with a wall, grab a brick, or hold a rope. It’s all fun. Kelly Biondo teaches at Namaskara Estúdio de Yoga in São Paulo, Brazil. Her young friends, Cauê (3), and brothers Noah (5) and Gabriel (6), all have moms who teach Iyengar yoga. What a great start.

Charli Jane has found a fun way to use the ropes, too.

Even relaxation can inspire an elaborate set up…

…but sometimes all you need is a folded blanket under your head.

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. I try my best to correctly credit all the photos, but if I’ve forgotten your child’s name, or the parent or grandparent who sent in the photo, please send it to me, and I’ll update the post.

©2017 Bobby Clennell.