Reflecting the Heart of the Asana

All photos via Robert Sturman Photography.

I am inspired by yogis with the daring to practice their yoga in public spaces. When you bring yoga to a busy street corner, or a crowded subway station, you make a statement about what it means to share yoga with the community at large.

You invite others to witness the practice and its transformative power.

One photographer who captures this beautifully is Robert Sturman. I follow his posts on Facebook and am constantly amazed by the sense of raw presence found in his photos.

These yogis are daring. They are bold, precious, luminous.

And a lot goes into what they are doing, and a lot goes into the image that results.

As Robert says of the photography process: We do a lot to bring these pictures to life. I basically have to get so low that my cheek is on the ground and I am smelling the stink of feet and tobacco. But, as Jackson Pollock so eloquently put it, "When I am in my work, nothing else matters." 

He asked Sarah, pictured at the beginning of this post, about what it took for her to bring this pose, this image, and this story to life.

She says:

Having complete faith in the practice of yoga (of which the physical asana for me is just a tiny part), in the creative process and in your art reflecting the heart and intention of the asana. This means that even in the most unlikely spaces- here the Victoria line at rush hour there is a glint in the eye and the possibility of finding inner quiet and peace.

Isn't that breathtaking? I love the sense that there is so much dedication going into the yoga itself, as well as the artist capturing it. 

For more inspiration to practice your yoga anywhere, check out this post on guerilla yoga or this one on practicing yoga in nature. Namaste, yogis!

Happy Father's Day!

Photo via Pinterest.

Happy Father's Day! Here's wishing all you wonderful dads, husbands, uncles, grandfathers, and strong yogi men a beautiful day.

Today we celebrate your love, strength, courage and perseverance. 

Today we also remember: real men do yoga! If you're a guy who practices regularly and wants to share your yoga story, email me at aliveinthefire at gmail dot com about being a part of the Real Men Do Yoga series. 

Namaste.

Free Shipping All Summer at Sweaty Betty

Summer has started and the heat is here to stay. 

It's a great time to shop for new yoga or swimwear. I recommend checking out Sweaty Betty... they have an amazing deal going on all summer where you can get free shipping on orders over $100!

Just use the code USAFREESHIP when you check out. Ooh la la!

 

Returning to the Practice

Sometimes my yoga falls away.

I make excuses, or feel too tired to roll out my mat. 

It never ceases to amaze me how much I gain from returning to my yoga.

I feel lighter, more capable, stronger. I feel better about myself. My mind quiets down. I am more present.

It is worth the effort to spend a little time each day flowing through asana and sitting in meditation. Whether that's showing up at a studio for class, or (if you're like me) simply turning on a Rodney Yee video for an hour at home, you will be grateful you made the effort.

For every moment I put into my practice, the yoga gives back.

Partner Yoga

Photos by Wari Om Photography.

Yoga is a gift meant to be shared.

Today I aspire to support others with love and kindness, without expectations.

As I give, so I receive.

Namaste.

The Most Common Fitness Injuries

Photos via FYeahYoga and Pinterest.

Today on Alive in the Fire, I bring you a guest post from freelance writer Samantha Priest. She shares some wisdom on how to avoid injury when working out. Listen up, athletes!

If you exercise regularly, you also have the unfortunate side effect of the risk of injury. Knowing what injuries to expect can help you reduce your chances for getting injured while exercising to improve your health. The following injuries are common to athletes and exercise enthusiasts.

Back Pain
Back pain is a common injury during exercise. It is caused by a variety of things. Poor posture during daily life, poor form during exercise, and doing a lot of exercises that arch or strain the back, such as the cycling position, can all strain the back. Back pain can range from slightly annoying to incredibly painful.

You can avoid back pain using several different methods. Try keeping good posture as much as possible during the day. Avoid slouching while sitting or standing. Try core-strengthening exercises to make it easier to have good posture. Try these exercises to increase your core strength:
- Abdominal planks
- Push ups
- Hip bridge

- Back extensions

Shin Splints
Shin splints are still a mystery in the medical community. No one can agree on what exactly causes the pain. However, for individual who have been active for fewer than 5 years, their chances of getting shin splints are higher. Shin splints typically show up after a sudden increase in training.

The best way to prevent shin splints is to gradually increase training over time, such as no more than 10 percent per week. Stretching the calf muscles and targeting strength training on the calves can also help reduce the chances of shin splints. 

Muscle Sprains 

Muscle sprains are one of the most common injuries in fitness and sports. The reason is due to a lack of muscle strength and improper exercise form in the majority of cases. Commonly sprained areas include hamstrings, ankles, groin muscles, ACL, and the rotator cuff. 

You can prevent these injuries by keeping proper form during exercise and by strengthening the surrounding muscles. There are several exercises that can help reduce the chances of muscle sprains, including: 

- Standing deadlifts
- Hamstring curls
- Balance board exercises
- Front leg raises
- Core strength exercises

Concussion

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons estimates that there are nearly 4 million concussions each year related to sports and exercise activities. Helmets can help protect the skull from some concussions, but because many concussions occur due to high speeds, more injuries are caused by the brain hitting the skull from the inside, which cannot be helped with helmets or exterior protection.

You can help reduce your chances of getting a concussion my wearing headgear if at all possible, and avoiding hitting your head against other people, objects, or helmets. If you do get a head injury, rest and watch for signs of a concussion after, such as headaches, irritability, clouded thinking, and vomiting. 

Broken Teeth
Broken teeth are common in many different sports from hockey to football. Broken teeth typically happen when something flies at the face and hits the player in the mouth. The best way to avoid broken teeth is to wear a helmet with a mouth guard, or wear a bite guard. Most professional athletes wear a combination of both, when possible. Protecting your teeth with a bite guard will help reduce your chances of seeing broken teeth and avoid expensive cosmetic dentist bills. 

If you implement these tips, you will have a reduced chance of seeing injuries from exercise and everyday life. 

About the author: Samantha is a freelance writer, a part-time blogger and a health expert.

Insanely Cool Yoga Video

I watched this yoga video and immediately wanted to watch it again. And again.

Not only is Phillip Askew's control of asana downright impressive, but the sense that comes through in watching his flow is that he has a sincere dedication to his practice.

He is a devoted yogi.

How many hours has he spent holding a headstand? How long before he could do Hanumanasana? The point is that he's lost track of the time it took, but he knows the patience required to reach that place in the journey.

I love the humble moments in the film, too: at eighteen seconds, when he sits quietly on the bridge, and at four minutes, when he thoughtfully places each ankle behind his head before a well-deserved savasana.

At no moment in watching his practice do I get the sense that Phillip is trying to impress others by practicing yoga in public places. He is simply exhibiting his truest self: the one that moves effortlessly between the poses, the one that honors his own body and spirit on a regular basis.

Thank you, Phillip and the filmmakers, for sharing this beautiful example of what yoga really is. Namaste.