Our home is a shoefree home but there's one pair of shoes that we allow Evan to wear inside: his "klompen". They're his favorites and it makes us laugh hearing him make his music with it around the house. Cute little dutch boy.

In ons huis worden geen schoenen gedragen maar er is 1 paar die Evan binnen wel aan mag: zijn klompen. Het zijn zijn favorite schoenen en het brengt ons aan het lachen als we hem zijn klompen muziek horen maken. Schattig klein Nederlands jochie.

Adarsh and Evan working in the garden. Evan loves it every time daddy goes out with him to dig in the ground. We have a lot more garden work to do which is good cause we have such a good little helper around....

Adarsh en Evan aan het werk in de tuin. Evan vind het heerlijk als papa met hem buiten aan het werk gaat. We hebben heel wat meer tuin werk te doen en dat is goed want we hebben een hele goede kleine helper...

Post Op Yoga Follow Up

It has been a little over a month since the appendix was removed from me' belly. When asked "how you doin' ?" I generally offer two answers:

1.) I'm doin' good, pretty much normal in fact. One of the hardest things was not being able to submerge my body for 6 weeks. This meant no bath time with baby...Finally, this past Sunday, Evan and I were able to slash around the tub again, yeaaaaa!

So, I'm pretty much normal as far as daily activities such as lifting, carrying, taking a bath.

2.) The other part that I feel compelled to answer is how I'm doing yoga-wise. At this point, I'm probably at about 65-70 % of where I was pre surgery. Before I get into specifics I should say that I'm so happy in practice at the moment and having a really good flow. I haven't been goal oriented in asana in a long time anyway. I'm really in the space of gratitude just to have 90 minutes to my self in the quiet of the early morning.

As far as specifics, I'm able to do all of the Primary Series (with care in Marichiasana D so the heel isn't pressing to much) and have added postures of the Intermediate. I've been cautious with deep back bending, but have started adding some things like a mellow version of kapotasana (if there is such a thing) and dropping back/standing from urdhva danurasana.

Given the fact that we are days away from hatching a new baby, I'm not expecting to intensify practice in any way....I'll do what I can, when I can! Or I'll simply substitute yoga for sleep...

It has been a great and interest January working with my changed body in asana practice. I do see the body as a Koan, to be worked with and investigated for greater insight into one's own nature. A large part of this is the ability to observe change without attraction or aversion. Just pure observation as it is...

What is the sound of one body breathing?

a

Tweet!

I wanted to point out that I have started a twitter feed on the right hand side of this blog, just below the slide show. Although I've only been tweeting for a few days now, I quite enjoy it. A little different than updating my status on facebook, which I rarely do. I figure it's a place where I can give a quick thought without bothering anyone, unless they are following me. Since I have zero followers, I am not bothering anyone. Heleen thinks that I'm a little silly, twittering away with no one reading, but I kind of like it...

Take a poll of yoga teachers and most will tell you that the corpse pose is the most important of all postures. This final resting position allows the body to integrate the various asana and pranayama forms that have been practiced. Additionally, we have a chance to stop and do nothing, the body has a chance to "re-boot" and prepare for the next activity.

Often, we tease students who quickly jump up from their corpse as doing the "New York City Savasana." Rushing off to the next activity without resting leaves the body jittery and sore, and the mind is more likely to give into agitation.

Although the corpse seems simple, it takes practice to really reach a state of complete relaxation.
I could go on and on about why yogis should learn to master the corpse, but I'll assume you believe me and tell you how to do it the Mysore way:

1. After completing Utpluthi and your vinyasa, jump through to the seated position. Massage the sweat back into your body, especially around the joints and any areas that feel tight or sore.

2. Cover your body with your sarong (called lungi in South India) or large towel and lie down. Even if the room is warm, you do not want the body to cool down or catch a chill after your practice.

3. Cover your eyes with a small towel (I typically use my shirt to cover the eyes). In the picture below, you can see how the eyes and head can be wrapped with a large ace bandage. This is really helpful in allowing the senses to soften and quite practically it keeps the light out so you may rest more deeply.

4. Take care to align the body in a way that is natural and comfortable:
Open the feet about shoulder width apart, allowing the legs to naturally rotate out-soften the hips and buttocks. Allow the pelvis to become neutral in neither a tilt nor a tuck so the lower back is relaxed.

Turn the palms up resting just outside of the thighs. Press down through the back of the head so you can "walk" the shoulder blades under. Have the shoulder blades flat under you will keep the chest open for easy, deep breathing.

Rock the head from side to side until it reaches neutral and the neck is relaxed. Soften the face and scalp, release the jaw.

5. Continue with about 5 Ujjayi breaths until the body softens. Then allow the breath to become so soft that you can hardly feel it on the nostrils.

6. Become still. The first of the yogic abilities (Siddhis) to develop is stillness. Do not fidget. You could move, but for now you choose not to move.

7. As the body and breath reach a point of stillness, the mind is certain to follow.

8. Rest here for a minimum of 5 minutes, longer is better 15-25 minutes if you have the luxury of time.

9. This is not a sleeping pose. You may drift into a Theta brainwave state which may resemble lucid dreaming or the space just before sleep, but no snoring please!

10. Exit your corpse with care. Gradually deepen the breath and move a stretch slowly. Bend the knees and roll to the side, take a moment on your side before pressing up with the arms as to not strain the back.

The corpse can be practiced anytime. I'll do it several times in a day, just for a few minutes, so I may feel refreshed and energized - Truly better than a cup of coffee!

The Dog is Back!

Week 2 of my appendix-free yoga began on Sunday. Feeling pretty confidant after an optimistic meeting with the surgeon on Friday, I was ready to add gentle back bending postures to my practice.

I spent last week doing Sun Salutations skipping the upward facing dog. The sequence went a little something like this:

1. Inhale the arms up
2. Exhale bend forward
3. Inhale open up
4. Exhale directly to downward dog
5. Inhale step forward open up
6. Exhale bend forward
7. Inhale arms up
Exhale Samasthiti

Armed with the confidence of the surgeon's "thumbs up" and a general good feeling around my incisions, I was ready to gently arch the back. I began by lowering from plank all the way to the floor. Then I did gentle back strengthening postures like shalambasana and a low cobra pose. After 5 or so Namaskars, a very mellow version of the upward dog was introduced, no problem!

I was able to continue practicing the entire primary series omitting only a few postures where the heel might press into my incision areas such as janu sirsasasana C, and Marichyasana B and D. I even practiced Urdhva Danurasana trying to only moderately stretch the abdomen, keeping the arch in the upper back.

Energy wise, I feel pretty much back to normal. In my teaching and life activities I also feel pretty normal, just taking extra care with any lifting, etc.

As you know, the best thing about getting sick is getting better! Yet again, I have a chance to appreciate good health and feeling vibrant.

Thanks for reading!

adarsh

Taking Rest and watching movies

One of the nicest things about doing nothing for a week was a chance to watch some movies. I have to admit to being a bit of a film buff. I'll re watch a movie that I like several times. I've seen things like Pulp Fiction and Raising Arizona in the double digits. Yes, I'll pick up a DVD of a movie I've seen several times just to watch the Directors Commentary or other juicy special features. Basically, I would rather see repeat viewings of a movie that I like rather than sit through a plotless Hollywood Cash Grab.

We don't get to watch very many movies any more though. Those with kids and/or their own business can relate I'm sure. So I reveled in the chance to kick back with a few movies while resting. My week in film went like this:

1. While recovering from surgery in the hospital I was so happy when Ghostbusters came on the telly. I haven't seen this Bill Murray (love him) classic since I caught it on the big screen as a young fellow. It really holds up. The special effects are still solid, back before everything was "painted on" with CGI. I recommend it!

2. Browsing through the selection at the local Children's Library, I picked up a copy of In The Valley of Elah about a father searching for his son who recently returned from Iraq and has since gone AWOL. It's not a very uplifting movie but well acted (Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron). I suppose the film ended up at the Children's Library by mistake. Recommended if you do not mind a bit of a downer...

3. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the art of CGI. I've seen the entire Pixar catalog including earlier short films. Heleen and I saw Finding Nemo while in Mumbai on the big screen and have seen it several times since. Recently, I've started branching out and watching non Pixar films. We watched Ice Age with Evan and all loved it! Evan especially loved the little squirrel creature Scrat, big squeals of delight with every bonk on the head. Recommended.

4. Ocean's 13 was available at the Adult Library so we decided to enjoy a no brainer movie. It was a lot of fun. Heleen and I got to fantasize about being Vegas high rollers trying to pull one over on Al Pacino and his Hulk Hogan style perma-tan. I have to admit that we generally see and enjoy everything with George and Brad. Also recommended.

5. and 6. We were on a roll with our movies until our mail man delivered out Netflix choices of Bruno and Observe and Report. Both movies made it on the Que because we really enjoy the respective lead actors Sacha Baron Cohen and Seth Rogen. Interesting that both movies arrived on the same day. Both of these "comedies" left me feeling depressed. While O and R had few redeeming qualities, Bruno did provide a few big laughs. I do appreciate that Cohen is pushing people way beyond their comfort levels, like a modern Osho. But again, the movie left me feeling a little down. I would recommend Bruno for those who enjoy a wicked sense of humor and do not mind squirming while watching others squirm on the screen.

7. Finally, we re watched Rushmore. This is one of those movies that gets better with repeat viewings and more Bill Murray. This Criterion Collection DVD had a ton of special features including a documentary "making of" (filmed by Wes Anderson's brother) and commentary track. I didn't get to watch the commentary, so I'll have to do that in the future. I can't wait for the Fantastic Mr. Fox to come out on DVD.

Now that I'm back on my normal schedule, we usually only get to watch movies on the weekend. Julie and Julia just arrived in the mail which I'm very excited about!

Any recommendations for us?

For now the balcony is closed,

adarsh

Slowly, slowly starting back yoga after surgery

As many of you know, last Monday I underwent an emergency surgery to remove my appendix. I'm guessing that an appendectomy is always an emergency surgery?

Knock on wood, I've always been lucky in health. In fact, this was the first time I've ever been in the hospital (as a patient) for anything and have not seen a doctor (other than Ayurvedic) since I was a small child. Oh well, I guess it was time for a new experience!

Before continuing I should define; "yoga" in the title of this post is referring to my asana practice. I actually never stopped practicing the yoga of breath and mindfulness (that's the real stuff) which was extremely helpful in calming my anxiety before the operation (anesthesia, being cut, possible death, financial cost of health care in America...) As always, staying with my breath and trusting in the process and the extremely qualified staff at Stanford helped a ton.

While recovering in the hospital room the day after the operation I began with gentle Chi Kung and Active Isolated Stretching for my neck and shoulders. My belief is that allowing the oxygen, blood, chi to flow consciously through the body would expedite the healing process. I already felt much better having lost one sick appendix. The doctors and nurses seemed pleased with how everything looked and sent me home. I was able to decline any pain medication as I only had mild soreness from the incisions. I wanted to have my wits about me.

I came home on Tuesday and spent the week recovering by watching movies (I should include some reviews here), weening myself from coffee (goodbye my french roasted friend), and trying not to lift heavy objects like baby, cat, manduka yoga mat...

Before continuing I should mention that I would not encourage anyone to practice post op without the approval of their surgeon. I based my decision to practice on trusting in my own sensitivity, knowledge of anatomy, and mind/body awareness based on a 15 year practice. I know how to go slow with care and patience.

Yesterday morning (Monday-exactly one week post op) I was ready to begin a gentle Ashtanga practice. My focus is currently on what I can do rather than what can not be done: The "Not Yet" category includes back bending (including upward dog), deep twists, lotus pose (not wanted to press the heal into the abdomen). The "Can Do" list is quite long I am pleased to report!

With an awareness of not wanting to overstretch or compress the abdomen in any way and budgeting 75 minutes for my initial practice I was able to complete the following asana series:

Surya Namaskar A x 10 (minus the upward dog)
Padangusthasana
Padahastasana
Trikonasana and Parivrita Trikona with a gentle rotation
Parsvakonasana
Prasarita Podottanasana
Parsvottanasana
Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
Utkatasana
Virabhadrasana

Janu Sirsasana
Marichyasana A (as a gentle twist)
Supported Navasana
Baddha Konasana (w/o bending forward)
Uppavishta Konasana
Supta Konasana

Sarvangasana (Iyengar style with blanket and strap-long hold as Sarvangasana is the "Medicine Cabinet" of yoga)
Halasana
Karnapidasana
Mathsyasana with straight legs, keeping arch in my upper back, neck
Sirsasana
Yoga Mudra
Sukhasana
Resting

I feel I could actually do more, but I wanted to stick with things that were fairly easy and could be performed with minimal risk. The most wonderful part for me was not being goal oriented, rather oriented to experiencing my new body.

I'll continue posting my journey of appendix free yoga. Thanks for reading!

namaste,
adarsh

Christmas 09

Happy New Year to all of you!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas together and on the slide show to the right you can see some of the pics we shot of Evan having fun with his new goodies.

We went outside and to the park on Christmas morning and it seemed like the entire town had left. We were the only ones there (ok, admitting that 8:30am in the park was a bit early). The wagon you see in the slide show is an old radio flyer we found at our house. Adarsh fixed it up like new so we took Evan for a ride in it which he loved.

Monday after Christmas Adarsh had to go to the hospital after a night of pain in his stomach. It turned out to be his appendix which was taken out straight away that evening. After taking a week of rest he is doing well again and has slowly started his AIS practice again (smartstretch.com) and will gently begin his Yoga practice tomorrow. Slowly slowly is his motto here...

New Years eve and day was spent with a sick Evan and not much sleep but he is also on the mend so we're happy to go back to regularity with everyone healthy again.

Wishing you all the best for the new year,

Heleen

Practice of a yogi mom #2

So here I am, 7 months pregnant with our second child. Quite amazing how time flies and how our life has changed already with another soul entering our lives. Evan is going to have a baby sister very soon!

When I wrote the first chapter of "practice of a yogi mom" in 2008, life had balanced out beautifully and I was very content to have found my true yoga practice. I experienced positive changes within my physical, emotional and spiritual approach to yoga and was very happy to see this process continue over the next year.

When Evan was 16 months old my Ashtanga Yoga practice was back to where I was before I got pregnant with him. In fact, my body and awareness of it had changed so much that I surpassed that level in a way that it felt smoother and easier. And much more full and aware than before.

On the day where I had one of those "aaahhh, Yoga feels sooooo good" moments and everything felt light and bright, I found out that a second soul chose us to be his/her parents. It was very surprising and very welcome news to us. Now that I am 7 months along there have of course been changes in my yoga practice again. In my first pregnancy as well as in this one I developed an over-flexibility in my pelvis and an instability in my hips. This is common in pregnancy and by now I knew what to do to eliminate and prevent pain: no ashtanga yoga!

This isn't an easy feat for me but I immediately developed a practice I could do. Unfortunately I was very very nauseous and tired the first 4 months and during that time my yoga practice was to sleep as much as I could and be as present with Evan as best as I could. It wasn't easy but I survived.

I still need more sleep than when not pregnant but most mornings I manage to get up before Evan and do a little routine that centers me and connects me to myself. The hip area cannot be stretched, instead it has to be strengthened. I do a few movements that stabilise the hips and build core strength. Some of them are pilates style moves but a lot is also found in Ashtanga Yoga: moola bandha and uddiyana bandha. I take this practice with me throughout the day and know from experience that it will help me bounce back fast after labour.

The rest of the body can be stretched but it gets complicated when you can't do anything from a standing position or when you can do no folding forward bends etc. A lot of movements end up going into the hips. So.....I use a technique called AIS - Active Isolated Stretching. A technique that Adarsh has studied thoroughly in the past years and which he has now included in his work with students/clients both one-on-one and in group sessions. You can read more about it here: http://www.smartstretch.com/

For me it has been an incredible tool to stay strong and flexible and to stay connected to my body on a deep level. I believe that a healthy happy body brings healthy happy children. Not that this is always the case but for me it's very important to be present in my body, to not get too carried away in the mind with the daily things but to feel balanced and connected. The AIS has given me this during a time where Yoga is not so easy. I can work specific muscles that need attention (in my case my neck and shoulders and my calves) and get rid of aches and pains from carrying Evan and carrying the belly.

I have also developed a modified seated half primary series sequence that I do on days where I have the time (not often) but I always do a few AIS stretches before. The two complement eachother beautifully and it brings me back to: "aaaahhhhh, moving and yoga feels soooo good!"

There will without a doubt be even less time for a yoga practice on the mat when our little girl has arrived but that's ok. Whatever I can do is great but my approach and attitude to the changes are much more important. With Evans arrival 2 years ago I found a whole new approach to what my yoga practice means and it has been the best change for me as a human being. With our little girls arrival there will be a whole new shift in how I practice yoga and I welcome the challenge and the change.

To all the yogi moms out there who struggle to find time for themselves and who miss their relationship with the yoga mat: everything is temporary! If you are open to adjusting your practice and your approach to it you will find that yoga is more than being on the mat. It may be that staying calm during another tantrum of your child is your yoga or taking a few deep breaths while he/she is playing. Yoga is there. Everywhere. Always.

Love Heleen

doing yoga

D came over and shot some yoga pictures for me

Halloween 2009. What a great time we all had, especially Evan was very excited. He and Ayesha charmed the neighbourhood.