h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yoga practice, have you noticed that most books on yoga show people in perfect postures(asanas) where as those who come to practice for the first struggle to attain even the basic positions, this not a criticism since it is important that correct methods are demonstrated. The secret for an individual is to fit yoga around the body rather than trying to squeeze the body into yoga. To become adept at the postures is ongoing process, but really where your at in this process is your present level of adeptness, pushing pass that point to soon destroys the essence of the practice. A purpose of the postures is to remove the obstacle of the body so that the mind can be still, if you can take away the distraction of the body then the realization of the Self through meditation can begin. This brings me back to trying to force into the extremes of yoga postures, it must to start with be a gentler practice letting the body find a natural course, over time the posture become deeper and stronger.

Is that really your first journal entry? After almost a year?
it just surprised me!
Keep up the tutorial, I'll bet we could all learn a thing or 3

I have done a few other posts but deleted them, thought it was about time I made better use of the journal.

I wouldn't exactly call it a tutorial, more of a guide based on my limited knowledge, hoping to provoke general comment and also alternative interpretations by others who may have a greater insight into the concepts of yoga.

Long ago, lost in the mists of time, there was once a very, very small guide which became something much greater than the sum of it's parts

Everything which effects anything in any way, must start somewhere

maybe a good name for this guide would be "The Little Book of Karma" - Panic, what's Panic??

Panic is the state which one seeks to eliminated through meditation, yes?

Panic is the fear of the unknown, meditation practice ultimately releases one from the attachments that can create fear. This is why the Guide has Don't Panic in big friendly letters on it's cover.

I have just been reading back over your previous posts about yoga asanas.

When I was a regular at Ashtanga classes, I really liked it when my teacher was able to adjust my postures, and help me to get more deeply into them. I also trusted her (as a really great teacher - check out her website at http://www.helenpainter.fslife.co.uk, and someone with whom I had been practicing for a long time) that she would not try and push my body farther than it would go.

It was a proud moment indeed when, during a workshop I did with Liz Lark, I achieved a great turtle posture (can't remember the name, but it was full arms under legs and chest to floor!!!!)

I have been unable to practise Ashtanga for some time now, due to the fact that I am 25 weeks pregnant, however, I have found a really great Birthright Yoga teacher, and am now doing a much reduced and more gentle practice. Apparantly, it will make sure my baby is in the right position for a quick and easy delivery - and let's face it - who would not try anything to ensure that!!!!

Good news about your baby Lelly, Yoga is can help you a lot but you need the advice and attention of a good yoga teacher.

The tortoise(supta kurmasana) would be your favorite posture, where you thinking of Lettuce at the time you need to be very supple to find your way into the full posture.

I understand what you mean about adjusting a students posture, a good tacher will with careful touch direct which way the energies should flow in the posture rather than forcing, connection to the breath is important to create the movement.