What is Low Cobra?

Low Cobra, a backbend pose, is done often in rounds of sun salutations. As a warm up for the spine, low back, arms, and shoulders, Low Cobra increases strength and flexibility. The prevention of back injury or its healing process depends on the connection among those areas. For back ache or back injury, use Low Cobra or Boat (laying on belly, hands clasped behind back, chest and legs up) instead of Cobra or Updog. If it is done correctly and regularly, it can relieve back pain.

Don’t believe it? Try it for the next few months.

To come into the pose,

Put your hands forward, about one foot in front of shoulders. Inhale, press through the hands and lift chest and belly off the mat. Line up elbows directly underneath shoulders and lift them up about one inch off the mat. Pressing through the palms, pull chest forward (not up). Exhale, slide shoulder blades down the back and squeeze them towards one another. Keep arms, shoulders, and upper back strong. Tuck tailbone towards feet. Squeeze legs together and reach them towards the back of mat. Have fun!

If you have a question, please come to the studio or email Lori at: lori.odoherty@gmail.com

Lori O’Doherty is the All One Yoga Studio Director.
Come take class with Lori and learn injury modifications.

 Awaken your core in this invigorating yoga class 8-9:15am. 

 This class begins Friday, May 2nd!

   9:30am-11:30am

   with Jodi Carey

   Click on EVENTS for more details!

  9:30-11:30am

 Click on EVENTS to sign up!

Forrest Yoga is an intense practice with a strong focus on awakening and strengthening the core.  This workshop will include pranayama, abdominal work, shoulder and hip opening, as well as safe, pain-free back-bending.  Expect to sweat out toxins, heal scar tissue, and rejuvenate every cell of your body!

During my time away I was working with an injury in my neck, and this limitation shed a brand new light on how I approach yoga postures.  My mantra was, “less is more, and with patience”. As we practice together, I’d like to begin sharing with you some of the core principles that I have been applying to my own practice and noticing how it has broadened my perspective on my own sense of being in my body, patterns of conditioning, and listening to the language that my body speaks.  Sometimes there isn’t enough time in the flowing sequences of vinyasa to really quiet the mind and slow down in order hear what our body is trying to tell us. How quickly we assume. If we continue to ignore the intelligence that we inherently possess, pain becomes the messenger from the yoga gods that gives us no choice but to stop, breathe, listen, and begin to seek refuge in the wisdom of our bodies.

Take a look at the link below for those of you with special lower backs:)

http://www.viniyoga.com/yogaforlowerbackpain.html

 TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW MARCH SCHEDULE!!

Hello fellow yogis and yoginis,

I’ll begin by sharing with you one of Patanjali’s yoga sutras that have been an inspiring and necessary part of my studies here with Gary.  For those of you who have not been introduced yet to this essential component of the practice, I encourage you to explore these translations as they will expand your perspectives on the purpose behind what we do on the mat. As you deepen your understanding of yoga through these ancient texts, you will discover that the physical element is just one itsy bitsy part to this in depth science of observation. 

Sutra I-12:

From abhyàsa, vairàgya will develop.  Posture practice and breathing are only part of what is meant, and they are done to support and shed light on our inner endeavours. . Vairàgya is “the stability and serenity that arise when we withdraw from desire”.  Through constant, consistent practice with non-attachment to results, this state of being can be achieved.

 The next time you step onto the mat, ask yourself if there is a deeper intention behind the postures that we are doing. Is it about form or function?  Are they means to an end or a mirror through which we can see our selves as we really are; and who is that person breathing, feeling sensations, sweating and noticing their experience?  Who is the one aware of the breath, the challenge, the peace….Are we ready to be with who we really are in an intimate way?  This may be bring up the question of are we doing yoga for transformation or for an experience limited to a good sweat….i invite you to contemplate this without judgement.

 As my teacher says, “the greatest obstacle in seeing clearly, is assuming that you already know”. 

Dwell in the mystery, keep practicing on and off the mat, and remember that the practice should always nourish us.

See you soon:)

Jodi

If you haven’t done so already, definitely drop into one of my classes that are being covered by some awesome teachers while I’m away.  One of them is Lori O’ Doherty who we are thrilled to have come and grace us with her diverse yoga knowledge in styles like forest and yin.  Also, for those of you who are diggin’ the “slow flow” vinyasa, Vicky Garcia, who I have been so excited to have join our team, comes to us with her insightful, soothing approach to the vinyasa practice.  So although we all have favorites, as the yoga practice teaches us, open your mind to the possibilities and check out these fine yogini’s classes to deepen your practice by breathing in the company of a new voice.

Well, off I go to wander and explore with curiosity the Cali scene to discover what my heart most desires….a refreshed perception of me! I figured why not use our website for a little dialogue, for those of you who would enjoy, read along as I keep you posted on how my training with Gary Kraftsow is flowing for the next two weeks, yay! 

 in light and love,

Jodi