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.

Beijing, China: November 21 – 24, 2018

Workshop at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of China, Beijing

Practicing Uttanasana with the legs separated allows for more mobility and a deeper forward extension than when the legs are together.

Practicing Uttanasana with the legs together compresses the abdominal area against the thighs (except where the student has tight hamstrings, and the trunk moves away from the thighs). This massages the abdominals, and helps keep the area healthy.

Tadasana. To ensure that the abdominal organs move up, roll the tops of the thighs back and take the tailbone in.

Uttitha Trikonasana. Revolve the tops of the femur bones out at the sockets. This ensures that the thigh bones will move into the sockets in a healthy way.

Rope Sirsasana. To ensure a deep internal alignment of the abdominal organs, make sure the belt is place exactly on the sacral bone.

Parsvakonasana. Similarly to Trikonasana, turn the tops of the thighs out.

Ardha Chandrasana. Turn the trunk and pelvis away from the standing leg. Can you touch the lifted leg shoulder blade and buttock to the wall?

Parsva Upavista Konasana. Turn from the navel toward the front leg. Everything below the navel is influenced by the activation of the left foot — press out through the left foot big toe mound.

Sirsasana. To avoid eye pressure, be exactly on the center of the crown of the head. Press the forearms down. Lift the shoulders.

Chatush Padasana over a chair. Raise the pelvic area off the chair, and placing the trapezius on the front edge of the chair, curve it around the edge of the chair. The upper back/shoulder skin will  get dragged away from the head and area just below the collar-bones will open.

Supta Konasana/Chair Halasana. This gives low back relief. It’s also a better way to go for those with long spines, where it’s not so easy to climb through the chair.

Coming out of Viparita Dandasana over Crossed Bolsters. Allow the lower back to spread.

Bolster Supported Setu Bandasana. Make sure the shoulders just touch the floor (and that you haven’t slid too far off the bolster).

 

© 2019 Bobby Clennell

Beijing: November 21 – 25. 2017

Workshop in Beijing, the Iyengar Yoga Institute of China.

Another city, another “L shaped” Wide Leg pose. The slant board provides support and lift for the chest.

Pincha Mayorasana.

…now the guys.

Vasisthasana. Align the soles of the feet so they remain on one plane. 

This motorized rickshaw was the transport of choice from the train station to the Institute for these two every morning.

Parsvottanasana at wall with blocks. Cut the front leg hip back. 

Parsvakonasana: learning to pound the back heel into the ground.

Ustrasana: Press shins and ankles down onto the narrow fold blanket. Keep your pelvis close to the wall. Coil and ift your back ribs. Move your shoulderblades down! Broaden the buttock flesh.

Paryankasana with blocks provides tremendous space for the lungs and heart and and stretches breasts and armpits.

Setu Banda Sarvangasana: The student’s feet are up on blocks and she is holding the sides of the mat.

Baddha Konasana in Chair Sarvangasana. This group has accomodated their long spines by making the chair seats taller.

© 2018 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.