Beijing: November 21 – 24, 2019

Workshop at Iyengar Yogashala, Beijing, China.

Adho Mukha Svanasana. Work this way to roll the tops of the inner thighs back, draw the anterior lumbar spine back and up, and release the posterior lumbar spine down. This is extremely helpful for those with low back compression or pain.

Adho Mukha Baddha Konasana with Three Blocks. This is the biggest hip opener ever!

The wide leg poses access space in the pelvic region, facilitate mobility in the hip joints, and supports health for women’s reproductive systems.

Half Padmasana with a figure of eight belt holding it all together.

Nirlamba Sarvangasana is particularly helpful for women. It reduces hot flashes, helps relax a tense throat and stimulates the thyroid.

The Chinese Translation of Watch Me Do Yoga! The English text is retained along side of the Mandarin.

Ming’s nieces practicing their version of Padmasana.

Tadasana with attitude – practicing along with my book.

Kids the world over love Lion Pose!

Yoga for Breast Care – Chinese translation!.

The Chinese students are enthusiastic about selfies, and will stop at nothing to get their picture taken with the teacher.

This Chinese “mudra” means love, I think.

My favorite pic of all time. This young student took my entire workshop in that outfit.

 

© 2020 Bobby Clennell.

Urumqi: November 13 – 16, 2019

Workshop at Iyengar Yogashala, Urumqi, China.

Arriving in Urumqi.

Looking at the midline in Janu Sirsasana with Chair and Block.

Practice Uttanasana with a Blanket Roll to soothe the lower back. Drop this into a post-menstrual sequence.

Women municiple workers, clearing the snow.

They do this running.

…still running !

Snowy view, with the mountain range at the top, from the yoga studio.

© 2020 Bobby Clennell.

Jakarta: November 1 – 3, 2019

Workshop at C Studio Jakarta.

Stage one of Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana. Allow the knee to decend, so that eventually, it aligns with the hip.

Parsva Hasta Padasana with belt and block.

Uthita Trikonasana with a belt and block. Resting the foot up on the block like this helps awaken the arch. Curl the toes toward you. Press the outer edge of the back foot firmly into the floor. Move the inner back leg knee toward the outer back leg knee.

Supported Paripurna Navasana with a Chair and a Wall.

Chair Kapotasana. Use all the support you need so that you get the most out of this pose.

The best way to recover from Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana through a Chair..

Recovery Prasaritta Padottanasana with a chair.

Roll forward into Halasana.

Halasana with bolster and blanket.

 

© 2020 Bobby Clennell.

Hangzhou: November 7 – 10, 2019

Workshop at Iyengar Yogashala, Hangzhou.

Post menopause. Time to sharpen up your practice.

Ardha Chandrasna is the quintessential woman’s pose. Practice it (and the other lateral standing poses) with the back to the wall to reduce pelvic rigidity. It gives freedom in the pelvis and spine; spreads the torso and pelvis horizontally and therefore cools. Practicing it facing the wall with a chair is helpful for women with fibroids because you can soften the abdomen. It also helps those with low back issues. To elongate the lumbar spine and to prevent it from falling forward (and therefore compressing), move the standing leg buttock toward the wall. Turn the hips up, and lengthen the tailbone away from the head.

 

Urdhva Dhanurasana from a chair. To develop enough strength to push up into the pose, start on a chair. You are already half way there – all you have to do is push the reast of the way up. The chair also helps keep you orientated. To avoid swinging backward or forward, keep your pelvis centered above the chair seat as you come up.

Cool down with Supported Halasana. Place enough support between the thighs and chair seat to maintain an upright spine.

 

© 2020 Bobby Clennell.

Singapore: October 26 – 28, 2019

Workshop at Cocoon Studio Pte Ltd.

Between classes: these two teachers were getting lots of lumbar spine and pelvic traction on the ropes.

Virabadrasana II facing into the wall with block.

Parivritta Paschimottanasana. As you revolve to the left, in order to maintain the feet and knees parellel to each other, pull the right thigh back into it’s hip socket

Pausing in the center before “walking” around to the left, and taking hold of the left foot for Parivritta Janusirsasana.

Slice a mango into three along its length.

This is how you get rid of the stone!

Happy Diwali from Singapore’s oldest Shiva Temple.

 

© 2020 Bobby Clennell.

Panama: October 4 – 5, 2019

Workshop in Panama

Ardha Chandrasana with a chair. Move the standing leg buttock forward and revolve the torso up to the ceiling.

”Focus on keeping the spine straight. It is the job of the spine to keep the brain alert”. BKS Iyengar.

Working with a long belt – tugging it down –  to re-educate tight trapezeum muscles. Counteract this action by moving your tailbone in and rolling your inner thighs back.

 

© 2020 Bobby Clennell