Scott Anderson, Ph.D.

As I mentioned in the previous blog entry, breathing is one of the least understood aspects of Yoga. True, we have many images and techniques regarding breathing techniques, though at the end of the day, the incidence of incorrect breathing is epidemic. Perhaps you’ve heard teachers suggest belly breathing , filling the collarbones , b reathing into the side ribs , filling the armpit-chest or other secondary instructions. While each of these carries an element of truth, in isolation, they’re often misleading. These instructions are all based on the assumption that the diaphragm is moving properly. In our 21st century world, this assumption doesn’t carry much weight. Perhaps proper diaphragm movement was commonplace at some other time and place, but today it’s become exceedingly rare. Why do we care about the movement of the diaphragm? The diaphragm signals the brain whether to be content, or ready-for-the-worst. If the diaphragm is moving improperly, the sympathetic nervous sys...

In the era before the iPod, it was rare to see adults riding their bikes down the street belting out songs. Such boundless enthusiasm is a wonderful and rare experience, and my first glimpse of Ashtanga Yoga inspired such a feeling. I enthusiastically described this first practice as though I felt like I’d been shot out of a cannon, and I imagine there are still mothers in South Minneapolis using hushed tones to warn their children of the daft man on a blue bicycle. It didn’t take very long before my dedicated Iyengar practice became a dedicated Ashtanga practice. As a fairly experienced yoga student, I quickly integrated the practices of first and second series into my routine. If sufficiently motivated, I’d chip away at third series every now and then. In the process, I quickly became stronger and more flexible than ever before. The only challenge with this practice, as many of you may have experienced, was working it into my daily routine. In 1991 I was a graduate student in the ...

By 1990 or so it was clear that I wasn’t going to renew my membership in the Society of Physics Students , and against all better judgment, was instead destined to pursue dreams of being a self-supported Yoga teacher. I had been blessed with very fine teachers who modeled such a life, and I also stumbled upon a most inspiring calendar at that time Just a couple years prior, I first encountered Ashtanga Yoga . My soon-to-be good friend, Julie Lerner, had just moved back to Minneapolis from Encinitas, California. She brought back not only a tan body, but also this most remarkable approach to Yoga. For my Iyengar -trained eyes and body, this was unlike anything I’d ever seen or felt. I’ll never forget that first day we practiced together – holding my belly firm, breathing like a freight train and moving (moving!) from pose-to-pose for what seemed like hours! Though I was drenched with sweat, and exhausted, I felt like I’d experienced heaven. After the practice I got on my bike and rode li...