Let's Be an Angel

Many people wonder why I am so obsessed with whitewater that I have completely dedicated my life to it. It may even look as though I live selfishly. But this is far from my intentions. Back in 1996, I almost lost my life. Just in time, I found whitewater and it drew me into the magic of the river. The river gave me my life back and began to teach me about myself and everything else--it has made me complete. The sport of whitewater is a gift to me and I want to share this gift with others. So, I have joined a team of women kayakers to help raise money for young adults with cancer so that they can go to a whitewater camp for free and feel the joy of paddling. Our team is called River Angels, and I intend to be just that. This is not a competition for me to call attention to my ego, this is a chance to show someone else the magic of the river. If you would like to donate to this cause in my name from now until June 15 2010, please visit this website: Eddyflower Vertical Challenge, and simply 1. select my name; 2. enter your info; 3. and make your donation. Thanks for helping me be a River Angel!

Yoga for Shoulders

We have finally started filming my next yoga video (actually YOUR next yoga video!), "Yoga for Shoulders!" We will be out filming in various spectacular outdoor settings this summer so that we can make a kick ass video that you will love to watch and do!



Here's the scoop: A few years back during my yoga teacher training program, I sustained a shoulder injury while out whitewater kayaking. We were working on Sun Salutations at the time, and my shoulder healed up really fast. Since then, I have focused much of my yoga study on healing the shoulders. I have discovered some secrets to yoga techniques that have made a huge difference in my life, and now I want to share what I have learned. The DVD will be a step by step program to restore functional alignment and strength in the shoulders. As I make the DVD, I will post up some poses, so that hopefully you can start working on getting back in the game right away! But beware--if these poses irritate your shoulders, you need more instruction, and you should consult your yoga teacher and/or wait for the DVD.

If you want to do this series right now, I suggest you begin your session with my previous post on breathing, We Begin With the Breath. I have included an audio version down at the bottom of that post, which will be much easier to follow.

Also, follow these instructions in each pose: 1. lift mula bandha and uddiyana bandha (if you don't know what they are, ask your yoga teacher and/or wait for the video); 2. slide the shoulder blades down the back; 3. don't protrude the bottom rib cage; 4. keep the gaze steady; 5. avoid over-efforting from forcing into poses; 6. avoid sloppy lifeless poses by paying attention to your body and mind; 7. Relax your face! 8. Breathe Fully! There are many more instructions, of course, but just work on those for now.

And last, but not least, end the session with at least 5 minutes of Corpse Pose.

Here are some poses from the 4th Session in the video, "Standing Poses:"

Urdhva Hastasana--Upward Arms Pose:


Utkatasana--Powerful Pose:


Virabhadrasana 1--Warrior Pose 1:


Prasarita Padottanasana--Standing Straddle series:






May your shoulders be free!

Yoga and Exercise

Because I am an athlete, I do many kinds of activities and kinds of exercise. I view my yoga practice as a tool in life to help me in all of my endeavors rather than an end in itself. And this is my message to people--yoga is a tool to help you do whatever it is that you do better and with more clarity. So I love to hear stories where people's yoga practice is helping them live a better life--in the regular every day activities kind of way, like exercising at the gym. I read this story and its awesome--how practicing yoga has helped Francesca on her road to fitness at the gym. Read her quick and inspiring story here: YogaHub Blog.

We Begin With the Breath...

Before attempting any yoga poses, its necessary to develop awareness of your breath and relaxed breathing. Here is a breath practice that is good for complete beginners to advanced yoga practitioners.

To begin, lie on your back with your knees bent or straight. Completely release into the floor. Let go of any distractions and bring the mind inward to prepare for practice. Become aware of your body and of your breath.

Release the face, the jaws, around the mouth, the forehead and between the eyes. Let the eyes become receptive. Let the ears become receptive.

Now place your hands on your chest. Feel the chest rise and fall with the breath. Feel the collarbones as they spread apart. Feel the shoulders broaden outward. Notice the shoulder blades pressing into the floor as you breathe.

Now feel the breath as it moves your rib cage. Feel the breath in the front of your rib cage, in the sides of the rib cage, and in the back. Let the breath fill the whole rib cage.

Now bring your hands to your belly. Feel the belly expanding on the inhalations and falling on the exhalations. If you feel the opposite happening, you must stay with this exercise until you feel the belly expanding on the inhalations and falling on the exhalations. Do not force the breath, just let it move through your body. Release, relax.

Now place your hands on your hib bones. As you inhale and exhale, feel how the pelvis rocks with the breath.

Feel the breath moving through the whole body. Feel the whole body breathe. Let the body accept the breath.

Here is the exercise in audio: Enjoy!

Be a Better Athlete Through Yoga

Learn to move through difficult emotions during your sport by practicing moving through them in your yoga practice. If you have trouble meditating because you "cannot sit still," do it anyway-do it past your comfort zone and then you will be able to push past your comfort zone off the mat too. Set a timer and sit or lie down for that amount of time, even if its just 3 minutes--it will help you! Or if during your asana (posture) practice, you zone out and don't pay attention to what you are doing, not only will you eventually injure yourself, but you are not benefiting from your mind training that an asana practice provides. During your physical practice, when the mind wanders, bring it back to what you are doing. Then you will notice as you are about to run that rapid or push up that hill, when your mind wanders and then you get scared and feel like giving up, you can bring your mind back to what you are doing. In the moment, there is no fear.

Here are a couple more great articles from my favorite Yoga Journal writer, Sally Kempton:
Free Yourself
What Are You Resisting?

What is yoga?

I saw this posted on facebook, and its awesome! Its a a unique description that describes yoga very well, so I wanted to share it: Yoga Manifesto

Updates!

We are back from our adventures in Chile. We have many photos and stories! Here is our first trip report eloquently written by Leland Davis: River Gypsies in Chile

More news--Jeff McIntyre of the In Between Swims Podcast found my story that I submitted to Rock Climber Girl's blog last fall and he asked me to read it for his podcast! Here is the Valentine's Day special "The Adventure Together."

Enjoy and stay warm!