Thursday, June 27, 2013

The Autistic Yogi Reflects on the Flood in Calgary 2013

Today was another full day of work helping out the community of Mission in Calgary, Alberta. This is where I stayed the past couple months in Calgary up to the day of the flood.  

Seeing all the selfless people coming and taking part warms my heart and reinforces my belief that we will have a bright future.

If all that you can do is take a case of water or make sandwiches and take them to the men and woman that are hauling the refuse out then you are contributing something good.  When those of us who are capable of being on a worksite have others that bring us food and water that means that we can stay focused as a crew.
If all that you can do is open your house to a person or an animal then you have taken part in making this better.
If all that you can do is send love to those who are busy working then you too have taken part.
If you happened to take pictures and posted them you have done your part by allowing others to be aware of what is happening.

Awareness is a huge part.

If you are going to enter a community that is being cleared please be aware of where you park so that construction and emergency vehicles have a clear pass if and as they need.
Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

And please don't spread hate for any reason and speak in the language of love.


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Autistic Yogi Reflects on a Cadaver Lab

"It is crucial to be mindful of death - to contemplate that you will not remain long in this life" ~Dalai Lama

Today I took part in a Cadaver Lab that was hosted at the University of Calgary and conducted by Seminars For Health. This was my 2nd lab.

Having the opportunity to work with prosections (already dissected and prepared for viewing) has been very helpful for me to gain greater insight into the inner workings of the body and discover that there is far more going on then I could have previously imagined as direct others and myself through movement.

So many people attribute yoga as stretching and I am not sure why these 2 have become synonymous with each other. Looking through the surface of our being shows that so much more goes on when moving or holding a posture, like how the nerves, veins, arteries, organs are moved, stretched, flossed.
I have not been to a yoga class yet that the teacher mentions how a particular movement affects or is effected by a movement or position other then online ( Simon Borg-Olivier ). There is tons of online information about how a particular position of the body and activation of muscles or movement directs tension into a nerve.

Seeing the one cadaver that was cut down the centre was truly an astounding site. Seeing the pituitary within the brain, the septum of the nose, the sinuses, the spinal cord, spinal column, etc, etc on one side and the other.. just WOW

I wonder if orthopaedic assessment techniques for each joint complex would be useful for Yoga Teachers to learn?

Loving life!

Namaste,
~Lyle


Monday, June 3, 2013

The Autistic Yogi Reflects on Adjustmens, Assists, Modifications, Human Touch and Props in Yoga

Since getting much more indepth into the acro/partner yoga I have become far more interested in adjusting and modifying in yoga. It definitely always held an intrigue through the years of doing yoga but it was only in the least 3 years that I feel that I was comfortable other people touching me, or at least not being totally side lined by someone else touch because I have a tremendously poor ability in understanding other peoples body language.

So far adjustments have been involved in the 4-200 hour teacher trainings I have been involved in and the smatters of Workshops that I have taken over the last few years. Progressively becoming more and more refined as I discover the essence of the individual and how comfortable I am with others as I approach an adjustment/assist.


Book & DVD Resources for Adjusting, Modifications and Human Touch

  1. Yoga Posture Adjustments and Assisting: An Insightful Guide for Yoga Teachers and Students also available in Kindle.
  2. Hands-on Adjustments: Techniques for Adjusting Yoga Postures by David Keil
  3. Yoga Assists by Sharon Gannon & David Life



Online Resources - Videos & Articles