Asanas and an Ode to Great Summer

22 Sep 2010 3 Comments

by sashawoodard in Uncategorized

Asanas – the Third of the Eight Limbs of Yoga

Asanas are the postures practiced in yoga.  It is the most commonly known aspect of yoga for the modern “yoga” world or for those unfamiliar with the other seven limbs of Pantajali’s Yoga Sutra.   Asana literally means pose or posture in Sanskrit.  This is why you will typically see the word “asana” at the end of most yoga poses (i.e. savasana means “corpse pose”). 

The following yoga asana photos were done by my great friend, Todd Good. Check out his work at

http://ec-designstudiosblog.com/

 

The asana practice has a wide range of benefits; physical, mental and spiritual.   Of these benefits, the most underlying is the physical benefits improved health, balance, flexibility, and strength.  On a deeper level, the practice of asana can be used as a tool to quite the mind and move into the inner essence of being.   The challenge of an asana practice can offer the opportunity to explore and control aspects of the practitioners focus, intention, emotion, faith and the connection between the physical and spiritual self.  The asana practice can be a way to explore our mental attitude and find balance between our material world and our spiritual experience.

 

For a bit more on the third limb, asana, check out Yoga Journal’s link http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/158?page=2

An Ode to a Great Summer

The following are just highlights are the wonderful summer we had this year:

• Great times with college girlfriends at Melbourne Beach in Florida (our hubbies – Mike, Steve, and Bill- enjoying the surf) 

• Boys (Oliver 18 mo and Aidan 4) doing down dog in the sand

 

• Watched my hubby, Mike, complete and do amazingly in his very first Iron Man race in June.  The whole family drove out to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to see him complete in an awesome 10 hours and 21 minutes!  A very inspirational event to watch.

 

• Sunny days here and there all over Denver and the burbs.  Aidan at the park and the boys with the Kaplan kids on our “Wildflower Hike” on Turkey Creek trails somewhere in Evergreen

 

• Mountain biking with friends.  Here I am with Chelle at Deer Creek trail – one of my fav trails to ride.

 

• Grilling and eating dinner outside!  This night we had grilled pepper stuffed with cheese, roasted sweet potatoes with tarragon and beet salad.

 

• Camping in the Rockies

 

• Oyster Urban Adventure race in Denver with good friends, Jeff and Adrian.  Lots of fun but was six hours too long! We did not do as well as we thought we would!   http://www.oysterracingseries.com/

 

•  Lake-side picnics at Evergreen Lake http://www.evergreenrecreation.com/facilities.php?id=10

 

As much as I dislike saying good-bye to summer, fall shall bring new adventures.  I shall relish in all the moments so that they bring joy and not sadness to say farewell.

May you find peace and happiness in your day today!

~Sasha

 

Advertisement