Vinyasa for Strong Hammies

“Samadosha, samagnischa samadhatumala kriyaha |
prasanna atmenindriya manaha swasthya ityabhidheeyate ||”
-Sushruta Samhita

What is health to you?

Is it the absence of disease?

Is it a certain amount of energy?

Is it regular bowels and lack of pain?

Is it being able to do a certain number of pushups?

Is it restful sleep?
What does being healthy mean to you?

According to Ayurveda, being healthy is so much more than just feeling good and being free from disease.

It is defined as...

"One who is established in Self, who has balanced doshas (primary life force), balanced agni (fire of digestion), properly formed dhatus (tissues), proper elimination of malas (waste products), well-functioning bodily processes, and whose mind, soul and senses are full of bliss is called a healthy person."

Do you feel like your health encompasses that definition?

It's a lot, isn't it? To find that kind of all encompassing balance in the system.

It's something that takes a lot of work, changing of habits, and awareness of the larger picture.

But it's also innately simple.

How to become, or remain, healthy is not something that is accessible only to the wealthy. It's available to you as well, if you have a mind to pursue it.

And, honestly, it starts with awareness.

Awareness of yourself in and out of balance.

Mentally and physically.

So, in today's free class, we work on an oft underused but oh so important muscle group: the hamstrings.

This is a set of muscles that run down the backs of the legs from the pelvis to the shin, and are used for hip extension and knee flexion.

Many people mistakenly believe they are tight, and wish to stretch them more, rather than strengthening them! But that's where you may be wrong. We need to build a balance of strength and stretch for these muscles in order to support the lower back and take some of the work out of the quads (front of the thigh).

Just like we need to build balance in all aspects of our lives.

But, you know, we have to start somewhere.

Practice awareness during this class. Notice how you feel in these postures. Notice where you feel in balance, and where you don't.

And, most importantly, enjoy!

Sat Nam,
​Dylan