Amman, Jordan

Workshop at Inta Ana Studio in Jabal Al Weibdeh, Amman.

On the first day I taught the standing poses. We started with Prasarita Padottanasana to prepare the legs for the strong work to come.

On the second day, we did back bends. To mobilize the upper back, curve it over the chair rest. For stability, keep your heels pressed against the front legs of the chair. Walk your hands down the wall. Lift the pelvis.

Urdhva Dhanurasana with hands on blocks. As you push up into the pose, keep your feet parellel. Women in particular, as your hips are wider and heavier than men’s, be sure to lift the pelvis (taking the tops of the shins to the wall).

Recovery, (legs apart) Uttanasana. Touch your hands to the floor. Relax the abdomen. allow your lower back to broaden.

Petra

We walked through many of these gigantic and ancient rock formations to get into the ancient city of Petra.

Camels outsides the Treasury.

A very friendly kitten, the same color as the sand.

Turkish-stlye coffee – very strong. I couldn’t find a capucino anywhere in Petra.

These two Bedouin women were running the coffee shop. Dig the eyebrows.

The world’s biggest sand castle?

© 2015 Bobby Clennell

Beijing. November 8, 9 and 10. 2014.

The Summer Palace, Beijing.

I could definitely spend my Julys and Augusts here!

Workshop at FineYoga.

My translator, Ming, supported me every inch of the way!

A variation of Parighasana (Gate Pose).

Maintain the bent leg hip directly above the knee. The upper arm shoulder blade should feel sharp: pull it away from the upper-arm itself, and down away from the neck. Press the front (straight) leg buttock forward. Revolve the torso and pelvis away from the front leg.

Everyone got up into Adho Mukha Vrksasana, one way or the other.

This was a Side Stretch class, so, more Parighasana….Pull the right thigh bone deep into the hip socket. Extend both sides of the torso toward the window.

 

Unwinding with Parsva Uttanasana. First to the left,

and then to the right. Keep that left hip pinned well back. Move the left ear toward the outer right shinbone. I like the way this student used the chair.

© 2015 Bobby Clennell.

 

China, part 1

Beijing

Inside the Forbidden City

It was wonderful to share the experience of the Forbidden City with Chinese tourists, who were as excited as I was to learn about the history and the life within the walls of this imperial palace.

Entrance.

There were many gates and bridges that we passed through.

I was fascinated by the patterns, textures and colors.

A guardian to yet another chamber within the walls.

Ceiling.

Another painted ceiling.

Doors are a symbol of hope; opportunity; a passage from one state or world to another; an entrance to a new life. In India, divinities are carved on door jams, indicating the deity through which man enters the Supreme Presence. This Chinese door in the Forbidden City is particularly beautiful.

Here is one of several thrones in the Forbidden City.

Eight dragons symbolized the power of the emperor.

Parent & Kid Yoga in a Shopping Mall

There were 20 sets of parent/child. The event was organized by Le Yoga.

I stand firm,
Steady and brave.

With long legs,
And broad chest,

I stand on my feet
And spread my arms up.
To reach the sky;
I stand tall and firm.

— Yogagshastra, Tome 1. Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune. YOG, Mumbai.

Urdhva Hastasana in Tadasana (Arms Raised in Mountain Pose).

Utthita Hasta Padasana (Arms Raised, Legs Wide Pose).

Vriksasana (Tree Pose).

Adhomuka Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose).

You have to be quick to jump through the jaws of the crocodile before they snap down on top of you!

© 2013 Bobby Clennell.

Hanuman comes to Greenwich Village

Huge thanks to Lindsey’s student Justine Fisher, who scoured Pune for this beautiful sandstone Hanuman. He stands three-feet tall and is heavy; he travelled on an amazing journey from India to the US in a packing case.  We are so happy to welcome him into our household.

Hanuman, the monkey god, is worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance and devotion.

Justine, the two gentlemen who delivered the statue, and Lindsey.

“Where shall he live?”

“This is the perfect spot, with a nice view of the garden!”

© 2013 Bobby Clennell.

Nobel Prize initiative for Guruji

I received this message from IYNAUS. Let’s all work together to make this happen:

Dear Members,

We are pleased to announce that a world wide effort is underway to nominate Shri B.K.S. Iyengar for a Nobel Prize to recognize his tremendous contributions. His lifelong example of integrity, practice, teaching, and writing exemplifies a man worthy and deserving for consideration of the Noble Prize for Peace. His tireless effort to unravel the ancient Indian art of Yoga and interpret it into practical application has brought inner peace and health to humankind around the globe.

We are writing to request your help in locating potential nominators who are qualified to submit nominations to the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Individuals in the following categories are eligible:

– Members of national assemblies and governments of states
– Members of International Courts
– University Professors of social sciences, history, philosophy, law and theology
– Directors of peace research institutes and foreign policy institutes
– Persons who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
– Board members of organizations that have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
If your position qualifies you as an eligible nominator, or you have a personal relationship or connection with an eligible nominator, please contact me by replying to this email (IYNAUS@mail.vresp.com) for details on how to submit a nomination, including sample letters and supporting documentation. The deadline is February 1, 2014.

Even if you can’t help connect us with eligible nominators, you can still help.

As part of the selection process, the Nobel Committee will conduct their own search and we would like to flood the internet with videos and examples of the powerful nature and effect of Iyengar Yoga. Currently on Youtube is a series of 9 videos entitled “Light on Iyengar Yoga Series”. You can access the videos directly on Youtube and we will be uploading links to each of these videos as well as others on the IYNAUS website. You can help by sharing these videos on your own social media pages and websites.

Thank you for your support in our effort to give credit and show our immeasurable gratitude to Guruji for the vast body of knowledge he passes on to us, his students.

Sincerely,

Janet Lilly, Board President

IYNAUS • PO Box 538 • Seattle WA 98111 USA • 206-623-3562

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.

Kids, Yoga, Friends and Family

Here is the latest crop of photos of kids who were inspired by my picture book, Watch Me Do Yoga.

Keep sending in your photos!

Kids love to do yoga with friends:

Sammy, from New York, roars in Lion Pose (Simhasana) with me.

Sammy and the famous Teddy from Watch Me Do Yoga practice Staff Pose (Dandasana).

Kids inspired by Michelle LaRue’s demonstration of Side Plank Pose (Vasisthasana) at Yogathon 2012 at IYAGNY. Photo @ Liam Cunningham.

Ben, from Brooklyn, practicing Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) with his friend Jen Kagan.

Kids love to do yoga with Daddy:

Father and son practicing Reclining Big Toe Pose (Supta Padangustasana) at the Iyengar Yoga Center, Tel Aviv.

This father and son team are practicing Supported Setu Bandhasana together at the new Iyengar Yoga Center of Ojai. The Ojai valley – considered one of the most beautiful valleys in the world, is situated between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.

Kids love to do yoga with Mommy:

In Mexico, Watch Me Do Yoga inspired Monica Peon to practice with her daughter, Irene. Irene is practicing Urdhva Dhanurasana.

With a little help from my friends — “This is what my home practice looks like.” — Christine Brody with her son Quinn from Patchogue, NY. Photo by Riley.

And some kids just like to hangout by themselves:

Just hanging around. Eight-year-old Kyle Smith in Baddha Konasana in Rope Sirsasana. Photo by his Mom, Lori Berenz.

Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana II), robot-style.

Inspiration: Watch Me Do Yoga

Ada, from New York, prepares for her yoga practice with Watch Me Do Yoga. Photo by Simone Leonhardt.

Ada in Inverted Bow Pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana). Photo by Simone Leonhardt.

Ada finishes with Child’s Pose (Adho Mukha Virasana). Photo by Simone Leonhardt.

The New York Gay Parade felt particularly joyful this year!

© 2013 Bobby Clennell.

The Great Swanage Duck Race

May, 2013

Get ready

Choose a winner.

That’s my duck!

On you marks…

…get set…

…where are they?

Yay! Ducks!

The winning duck — not mine 😦

 

 

 

 

 

Gay Parade, New York City 2012

© 2012 Bobby Clennell.