Relocating
When I started this blog in July, I just needed an outlet to talk about yoga. Only 5 months later, and I have completed a teacher training program and have started to teach yoga. In order to build my brand as an yoga teacher, this blog has been reincarnated as www.CatLarimore.com.
I’ll be posting there more often now; still about yoga, yoga in Louisville, and now I’ll be talking a bit about teaching. You’ll find all of the YogaCrazy posts have been copied to the new domain. The ones on this site will stay here until the hosting for YogaCrazy comes up for renewal this coming July.
I hope you come follow along!
www.CatLarimore.com
Namaste!
Cat
Yoga will only wreck your body if you let it.
The NY Times posted an article in its Magazine Section called How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body. I’ve had several family members send me this article and it’s been all over the yoga blogs yesterday and today. Just thought I would put in my two cents here, and would also like to direct you to some great responses:
There’s certainly the possibility of getting injured when you do ANYTHING, even taking a walk at the park, and asana practice is physical, but in any class I’ve taken and in the classes I teach, we place great emphasis on listening to your body. If it hurts, or if you’re gritting your teeth or holding your breath, then ease back!! It’s common sense, but there are those who feel the need to push so that they can look like the guy in the poster on the wall, or the girl in the front row, or the teacher, or whatever.
“But yoga hurt my back.”
When my dad sent me the article, he mentioned his girlfriend thinks she injured her back doing yoga. Here are my thoughts on that: Some people can get injured in yoga if their muscles are too bendy which makes them put too much stress on their joints. For example, think of a forward fold (bending over to touch your toes). Someone who is very naturally bendy could just flop right over and touch them without engaging any other muscles; but when they do that, they are putting too much stretch and strain on their lower spine. In yoga we teach to engage all of your muscles in your legs and your abdomen and your back and then fold at the hip crease, keeping everything engaged the whole time. That protects your joints and keeps you from going too far. So it’s possible that an injury like that came from being too flexible! (Learn more about Uttanasana, or Forward Fold)
This is just another example of why you don’t need to be flexible to do yoga. We teach you how to become flexible in a safe, engaged, and aligned way. If you are super flexible, we teach you to strengthen your muscles to protect your joints.
Would an article like this keep you from practicing yoga, or just be a good reminder to always listen to your body? I hope it’s the latter!
Cheers,
Cat
25 Days of Christmas: Yogathon
The 25 days before Christmas are usually full of indulgences. Christmas candy, cocktails, and dining out add to the festivity already lingering in the crisp winter air.
But maybe instead of using these 25 Days of Christmas to “treat” ourselves to unhealthy indulgences, we can gift ourselves with healthy treats to feed the soul!
This is the overall jist of Teeg‘s 25 Day Yogathon.
Teeg broke down her rules into three categories: mind, body and soul. But because I know I can’t give up refined sugar for 25 days (mmmm…brownies) I changed her “body” rule to something I personally need to work on. I can still partake in the occasional guilty pleasure, but I will focus my energy on nurturing healthy habits.
Here are GATO’S rules for #25yogathon:
- MIND: 25 days of yoga everyday. Should be easy enough since I already do yoga almost every morning… but no more hitting the snooze button!)
- BODY: 25 days of emphasizing fruits and veggies. (I never get enough fresh fruits and veggies; I’m a carb gal through and through)
- SOUL: 25 days of 15 minutes of meditation everyday. (I don’t meditate, but have been wanting to – I will start tonight!!)
You can join in too! Feel free to tweak the rules to fit your lifestyle or goals. I like the idea of the goals to be gifts for yourself instead of restrictions; it’s more positive that way. Join the twitter party too; we’re talking about it at #25yogathon. p.s. Follow me on Twitter; I love connecting with fellow yogis!
Good luck!
A Yen for Yoga, by Holly Holland
Illustration by Louise Ferguson, image from Louisville Magazine layout
The August 2010 issue of Louisville Magazine had a wonderfully inspiring article about yoga that truly moved me. I don’t think it was coincidence that late summer last year was around when I ramped up my yoga practice to about 4-5 times per week.
I had been going to Yoga on Baxter and told the owner, Kristi Fulkerson, that I had practiced Power Yoga in Santa Monica. She suggested I try Rocket Yoga. Having never heard of it, I went to the google machine and learned about how it was a type of Ashtanga yoga (which I had research too) that was “tweaked” by Larry Schultz for the Grateful Dead to “get you there faster.” I love a good challenge, so I showed up at the Sunday morning Rocket class taught by Holly Holland.
Holly has a deep understanding of yoga anatomy that allows her to explain the postures in a way that actually MAKES SENSE (hard for teacher to do, as I’ve been learning in yoga teacher training), while also moving about the room demonstrating the poses and offering adjustments for each individual. Her Sunday Rocket class is a challenging and fun way to start your Sunday!
Over a year after I read that inspiring yoga story in LouMag, Holly sent me a link saying I should share her article on YogaCrazy…the very same article that had inspired me in the beginning of the YogaCraziness! Small world Louisville.
I invite you to read A Yen for Yoga, and then go take a yoga class! You’ll be so inspired that you won’t be able to resist it.
I also invite you to check out illustrator Louise Ferguson who did the whimsical illustration that accompanied the article.
–
Side note: Since I started yoga teacher training, I have had very little free time so this blog has been quiet. Ironic, isn’t it? Please sit tight though, because I’m not going anywhere. -cat
Prenatal Yoga in Louisville
updated 1/5/12
I haven’t had the need for prenatal yoga so it hadn’t been on my radar, but a friend (hi Becky!) asked what classes I knew about here in Louisville so I did some sleuthing. Below are the yoga classes specially designed for pregnant women around Louisville.
*Before I list these classes, I would like to note that yoga teachers are trained to modify poses for many different conditions, including pregnancy, so you do not necessarily need to seek out a specialized class. Please see below on modifying a regular yoga class for pregnancy. But there is probably something very special and helpful about a class devoted to pregnant women, especially the camaraderie and potential fellow-mommy friendships you could form in such a class.
Prenatal Yoga classes in Louisville:
Yoga East
Price:
Drop-in $12, a class package (10 for $99) can get you down to $10/class
Class time:
Saturday 9-10:15 AM
Emily Thompson
Trilliquin Center
Price:
Drop-in $15, as low as $9 with a package deal
Class time:
Saturday 11-12:15
Infinite Bliss
An anasura-based yoga studio in the Highlands.
Price:
Drop-in $15, a class package can get you down to $11/class
Class times:
Tuesday 7:30 – 8:45 PM
Prenatal Yoga with Laura Patterson, Anusara-Inspired Teacher
Saturday 12-1:15 PM
Prenatal Yoga with Laura Beasley & Heidi Vaught
OwlTree Yoga
They specialize in mommy & me type classes; all classes are held at various “partner” locations which are listed with each class. Here’s their current info:
Price:
$13 drop-in, $45 for 4 class session
Class times:
Thursday 7pm-8pm
Mama’s Hip
Begins January 19
Shine
A wellness studio in Nulu that offers several “movement” classes.
Price:
Drop-in is $15
Package options:
5 class card, $65
10 class card, $100
AND they have a new student intro offer:
“New Student Wavespell” Class Card:
13 days for $13
52 days for $52
Class times:
Tuesday 7pm -8pm
Milestone
Price: ?
Class time:
Tuesday 6:30-7:30
Modifying a Regular Class for Pregnancy
I don’t claim to be a prenatal yoga expert, but I can provide you with some articles from the ‘net that can help guide you. Always talk to your yoga teacher about modifications if you are pregnant or injured.
- Yoga During Pregnancy (Yoga Journal)
- Contraindications (a.k.a. “poses you shouldn’t do”) for pregnancy (Yoga Journal)
- One Teacher’s Journey into Pregnancy… And Beyond! (Yoga TuneUp)
Good luck, and congratulations!
-cat
Spotlight on Yogi Illustrators
You may have noticed that I’m trying to accompany each of my posts with an original drawing/illustration. This is why there is so much time between posts! But it’s a great challenge for me to help build my illustration portfolio with a subject matter that I am passionate about.
I know I’m not the first person to do yoga illustrations, so I thought I would show some love for other yogi illustrators out there. Consider this in the first in a series.
Penelope Dullughan
My first Yogi Illustrator Spotlight is on an illustrator I have been following for a long time, Penelope Dullughan. Penelope does great graphic, conceptual illustrations using interesting limited color palettes and a naive drawing style. This particular piece accompanied an article for Yoga Journal about modifying headstand using some chairs (which is apparently what I need to do).
Read more about this piece here.
I’ve dug up lots of yoga illustrations in my research so look forward to more of these spotlights. Now hopefully I can find some time this weekend to do some yoga artwork myself!
Yoga East converts Frankfort Ave to Community Studio!
*** EDIT 1/9/12 – This location is no longer a community studio, although as of this edit Yoga East is still offering several $5 classes:
- Wednesday 6-7:15, Vinyasa, Heather (Frankfort Ave)
- Thursday 6-7:15, Gentle/Hatha, Gina/Grace (KY Street)
- Thursday 6-7:15, Vinyasa, Emily (Frankfort Ave)
- Saturday 1-2, Gentle/Hatha, Traci (Holiday Manor)
- Sunday 10:30-11:45, Vinyasa with me (Frankfort Ave)
This is very exciting news.
As we’ve discussed before, yoga can be pricey. Fortunately, Louisville has many community yoga classes; just check out my list of affordable yoga classes in Louisville.
That list just quadrupled:
Yoga East has converted their Frankfort Ave (Clifton) location to a Community Yoga Center with 25 new donation-based yoga classes!
TWENTY-FIVE!!!
They are offering Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini (I’ve been wanting to try that!), PiYo, Iyengar, Yin, and more. Those who like to practice before work won’t find much on the schedule, but there are lunch time classes and several evening classes. View the complete listing here.
SO MUCH YOGA, SO LITTLE TIME!!!!!
The studio is still affiliated with Yoga East, but is not operating under the same class-package structure. It’s probably easiest to just think of it as an independent studio. Make your checks out to the teacher of the class or bring cash. Suggested donation is $10, but bring what you can. The point of this studio is make yoga accessible to everyone without money being an obstacle.
A bit about Yoga East on Frankfort Ave
Space
This is a beautiful little studio with those charming architectural details that only older buildings can have. The room is bright and spacious with high ceilings, welcoming lilac walls, and a big window facing out to Frankfort Ave. The room is cozy yet large enough to hold about 20-25 students, probably. There is a thin carpet which I welcome when balancing on my achy knees, and lots of props are available.
Tips
In the evenings/sunset, claim a spot along the north side of the room if you don’t want the sun burning your retinas during triangle. Park along the street and enter the studio through the back door behind the building. In the colder months, wear an extra thin layer until you warm up.
This is the only Yoga East studio I have been to (they have locations at Holiday Manor and on Kentucky Street), so I cannot report on those studios.
See you in Kundalini!
Headstand Made Me Cry
Yeah that’s right, I just announced that to the internets. But I’m not the only one who gets emotional in yoga, as evidenced by the nearly 13 million web sites from Google. They say we store our emotions deep within our bodies, so when we open those joints and spaces that are normally closed off, say, for instance, our hips, a tidal wave of emotions falls over us.
I thought this was a bunch of BS until last night.
I’ve been taking classes regularly from an amazing teacher here in Louisville, Susan Schroeder. She teaches all around town and runs the Louisville Yoga Co-Op which encourages and supports affordable yoga around Louisville.
Her classes are challenging. They make me feel like a new student every time because I’m constantly learning new poses, new alignments, new perspectives.
Last night, we started working into a series of poses that I recognized as being prep poses for headstand. I panicked. By the time we got into Dolphin pose, my anxiety came rushing in, and the internal dialogue went from blissful to self-doubtful. I don’t understand headstand. Is the right part of my head on the ground? My pony tail is suddenly in the way. Are my hands cupped right? My shoulders just aren’t strong enough to support me. Are they supposed to be pushing down towards the ground or hugged in at my shoulder blades? How am I supposed to push my head into the ground without my neck snapping in half?
Susan did a great job of explaining the steps to get into headstand, as she does with every pose, and everyone around me was popping their legs up in the air. But I could hardly get my torso vertical. Then…my eyes got misty.
Childs pose came next and I gratefully folded my head between my arms, happy to have that moment to get my shit together. I wondered, was my emotional breakdown from frustration? Or was the mystical and elusive “emotional release” they speak of actually happening to me??
I’m not the only one with upside-down-phobia. According to this article from Yoga Journal, many people have anxiety about being upside down with so little to support them. Here’s a little excerpt from the article (that is actually about handstands, not headstands) that spoke to me:
Since Handstand brings you face to face with your insecurities and fears, it provides a wonderful laboratory where you can observe and work on overcoming all such emotions. Handstand offers a controlled situation in which you can develop self-confidence, courage, and, Cooper emphasizes, a somewhat playful and curious approach to solving challenges. In addition, she says, Handstand increases your understanding and control of your body because it turns your world upside down and requires you to master an unfamiliar relationship with gravity.
The irony. The pose fosters self-confidence and courage, but those are exactly the qualities I need to get my ass feet up in the air.
I am officially declaring headstand as my arch nemesis, and he will be mine. Oh yes, he will be mine.
Have you ever cried in a yoga class? Was it from emotional release or because you were frustrated? Have any tips for headstand?
Yoga as Perpetual Motion machine
Earlier today, Kate Kuss tweeted, “I can’t wait to teach yoga forever.”
Porchon Lynch, the 92 years old yoga master in the video above, is a living testament that it is totally possible to teach yoga “forever.” How beautiful is she?? My hero.
So many people work long hours at stressful jobs to be able to afford nice things (like yoga classes!), with their end goal being retirement. When I was studying at the Illustration Academy (now part of TAD), there was a lot of talk about how you never actually retire from being an artist because it’s something you do out of love, not just for the money.
Teaching yoga must be of the same school of thought. Why would you ever stop?
The amazing thing is that doing yoga helps you do yoga forever, and it makes your forever even looooonger.
Therefore, yoga is just like a perpetual motion machine.
Did I just blow your mind?
Bikram = Bootie Buster
Thursday night, I got my butt kicked by a Bikram class.
I have been practicing yoga several times a week for over a year, including several “Beginning Hot Yoga” classes over at Yoga on Baxter, but my oh my… I was not prepared.
The class I took was the popular Thursday 6:15 class at Heat Yoga & Wellness, a yoga studio in the newly renovated Vogue Theater Shopping Center. My friend ERay, a hot yoga devotee and regular student of Heat, led me past the pizza eaters at Coal’s and through the maze of doors and hallways to get to the 2nd floor studio. When upstairs, it occurred to me that I was going to be practicing yoga approximately where the Vogue Theater’s movie screen used to be. **sniff, sniff.
I handed the lady at the desk my Groupon, filled out the “I won’t sue you if I pass out” waiver, was instructed to “stay in the back of the classroom,” and followed ERay into the boiling hot studio. It was essentially the same as a sauna to me, but without that delicious sauna smell. We claimed our spots and then killed time outside or in the very crowded hallways/locker room until class was starting… it’s so hot you want to minimize your exposure.
When class started, the instructor stood directly in front of me, THE NEW GIRL, and was prepared to show me how to do the first of the 26 postures, Pranayama, which is a deep breathing exercise. I panicked. I know the poses from my Beginning Hot Yoga experience and was NOT thrilled about being babied for the next 90 minutes while the other participants flowed through their practice, having to pause to wait for the teacher to explain everything to THE NEW GIRL. How annoying would that have been? (I was too anxious and intimidated to say anything). Fortunately, the teacher must have noticed The Fear and asked, “Do you have experience with the poses?” Relieved, I answered yes. Things returned to normal. The class seemed VERY similar to the beginning class at Yoga on Baxter…
Here are the major differences between “Real Bikram” and “Beginning Hot Yoga:”
(in my opinion)
| Beginning Hot Yoga | Real Bikram |
|---|---|
| 60-70 minutes | 90 minutes |
| about 85º | 105º |
| ~30-40 postures, varies per class | 26 Postures |
| Most Repeated Twice | Everything Repeated Twice |
| Some Sweat Drips off of you | So much sweat, you will wonder where it came from |
| You will feel powerful conquering all of the poses | You will feel like you need devote all of your energy to just NOT pass out, so you don’t put as much power into the postures |
Finally, sweet savasana. I have never been so happy to reach the end of a practice. I laid still and soaked it in and gave myself a mental pat on the back for the accomplishment. After only a minute or two, I realized that the studio had cleared out – either the students of Hot Yoga don’t appreciate the resting postures, or they are just overly eager to get into the air conditioning.
Overall, I was personally not psyched about the “Real Bikram.” In Vinyasa, there is a lot of talk about how we don’t need heat because we generate the heat within ourselves. At YOB’s beginning class, the room is warm, but not stifling. Both of those classes provide wonderful stretches without the dizzying, sweat inducing temperatures of the heated studio. I have 9 more classes on my Groupon so I’ll be back to try some of Heat’s other classes, like Hot Vinyasa (this scares me) and Warm Yoga (that sounds lovely).
ERay says she loves being drenched in sweat afterwards, claiming the sweat is evidence of a great workout. I’m not saying it isn’t difficult; the poses are very challenging and require strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance to perfect. But I think the same benefits can be obtained in a normally heated room. I’m not knocking the studio or the Bikram style – just a personal opinion.
Do you love Bikram? Have any experiences from a Bikram class to share? It seems almost everyone has a Bikram fainting story…