Ask the Yogi

Wild Energy in Backbends Q: I have noticed that after doing a night of backbends I am filled with this sort of wild energy.  Sometimes it can make it difficult to sleep.  Some off my classmates also have the same experience.  What’s going on?More than any other pose, backbends have the potential to open up the heart, which is the …

Ask The Yogi Twists and Calmness Question: Why do twists, which are often challenging postures, often have such a calming effect? Answer:  This question can be answered at many levels, which ultimately all flow together, linking physiological and anatomical details to amazing sensations of wholeness and integration. The muscular-skeletal system provides structural stability and controlled mobility, which allow you to …

Boredom Q: I love yoga and coming to class. At times, like with anything, my routine can get monotonous. Do any of you ever feel you need to take a break with yoga or change it around? My day wouldn’t be complete without my morning routine. It’s like my coffee to get me going for the day and puts me …

Ask The Yogi Terrifying Meditation with guest ‘Yogi’ Maredith Q: I was meditating recently, looking into a mirror in a class when I saw what, for me was a terrifying sight.  My body began to decay like a corpse right before my eyes.  The only thing left on my face were my eyes, perfectly unchanged by the situation, the little …

Yoga and Insomnia Q:  Is there a particular pose or flow of poses condusive to reducing insomnia? A: Your question really depends on the cause of Insomnia.  Is it stress?  Diet can play a huge role in healthy sleep and their are many excellent supplements and herbs that can aid in healthy sleep.  Do you have a proper circadian rhythm?  Some …

Yoga and Healing the Spine Q: I am busy 36 year old mother of two young boys and a business owner.  For as longs as I can remember I have suffered from low back, butt, hip and leg pain.  Any advice? I have no idea why I’ve ignored the pain and tried to push through it by adding more physical activity …

Headaches and Yoga (Answered by Michelle Hegmon) Q: After yoga class the next day I usually have a mild headache (i think this is due to dehydration), and once that goes away, and it does, i still have a head cold feeling. What causes this? A: You’ve raised lots of possible questions, and there are lots of possible answers.  In order to …

Strength for Practicing Deep Backbends Q. How do I get strong enough to do urdhva dhanurasana? A.  A:  Urdhva Dhanurasana or Upward-Facing Bow is a deep backbend requiring the significant integration of strength, flexibility and alignment.  It also requires a fairly open thoracic spine and a harmonic integration of the heart, rib cage and shoulders.  Many people believe that it …

Uddiyana Bandha Q: I think I’m engaging uddiyana bandha wrong — my stomach has started to pull out and, rather than pulling in and having a thinning effect, it is now out at the level of my ribs. When I engage my bhanda, I contract the muscles below my navel.  Should I be sucking them in instead? A: Uddiyana Bandha is …

Ask The Yogi Teaching Jobs and Competition Q. The competition for classes to teach appears to be intense, people who were your friend before you were qualified to teach a class, suddenly are no longer friendly when you can teach the classes that they do.  Sure, everyone has to make a living but we thought being yogis would make us …

Ask The Yogi Pranayama and Metabolism Q.  I have heard that starting the day with breakfast is needed to get the metabolism going… My question is around getting the metabolism going with breath work.  Would the metabolic system increase in activity in the same fashion as with breakfast (I am thinking of a breatharian, too.)  I think that beginning the …

Ask The Yogi Q: I have suddenly started to experience some very annoying and hindering panic attacks. There should be no apparent reason for this, as I am doing what I love (teach keep fit and dance) and generally feel quite happy with myself but somewhere along my way I have lost all confidence in myself and forever worry about …

Q. What is “Love” in Sanskrit? A. Your question about what love is in Sanskrit intrigued me a bit.  So I looked at an online dictionary and found that, in addition to bhakti, there are literally over a hundred entries!  I thought of Eskimos and how many different words they had for snow, describiing the subtle nuances and differences and thought …

Ask the Yogi: Round Back in Forward Bends Ask The Yogi Q:  My back always rounds in forward bends.  Is this a problem? A:  A round back in forward bends can be the result of several different forces.  Tight shoulders, “armored” thoracic spine, weak lower back or abdominal wall and the most common causes of tight hips or hamstrings.  Usually a …

Follow Your Dharma: The Difference Between Quitting and Surrender By Jeff Martens In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna rides with his chariot driver Krishna (an avatar or God incarnate) into a no-man’s land between two vast armies about to wage war.  After seeing friends, teachers, family cousins and brothers arrayed on both sides of the battlefield, Arjuna, the greatest archer of his …

Ask The Yogi Fasting and Exercise Q.  My husband and I are going to do the Stanley Burroughs Master Cleanse.  We started once last year but only made it through 2 days.  Tried to do it while camping …  bad idea  :o} I am wondering if you have known of anyone else who has done this?  I understand from the …

Ask the Yogi: Downward Dog Ask The Yogi Q:  How do I get my heels down in downward dog? A:  Adho Mukha Svanasana or downward facing dog is one of the most comon yoga postures practiced in class.  It can also be one of the most challenging… Downward-Facing Dog is particularly challenging to new students because it works alomost every part of …

Ask The Yogi Savasana by Michele Dante Question: “I find corpse pose to be the hardest for me to practice. My mind races, thoughts come and go, music is in my head, and so I find it very difficult to concentrate on the sensation of the breath and deep realxation. Is there something you can recommend that will help me?” …

Ask The Yogi: OK to drink Water? Ask The Yogi Q:  Is it wrong to drink water while practicing yoga? A:  The short answer is no, of course not.  If you are truly thirsty… But that is a big “if”.  As your practice develops over the years, you most likely will find that you rarely need to drink water during …

Ask The Yogi Kundalini and experiencing ‘the rise of spiritual energy’ Q: What does it mean to be eaten up by the flame in kundalini? I have had shocks of energy at the base of my spine that lead up to and out of my head giving me head aches. What does awaking through all this weird energy mean?  Is this …

Ask The Yogi Yoga and Creative Visualization Sankalpa and Freedom: Setting a Non-Binding Intention for your Yoga Practice Q: I have heard that setting an intention or Sankalpa in your yoga practice is not good.  What is the teaching of yoga and visualization?  What if my intention is to love or accept someone?   Is there a difference between visualizing …

Q: I have seen many chakra medtations and read of many more.  My question is, how often can someone meditate on the chakras daily?  What is too much? A:  How much meditation is too much? There was once a young woman who was searching the world over for a true master to give her the secrets of life.  She felt that …