UNITED NATION
"Yoga for health, now at home" is the theme of the International Yoga Day this 2020, when the world is going through a completely new contingency that has forced the population to confinement and has faced an unknown sense of uncertainty that affects everyone. aspects of life and that triggers high levels of stress, anxiety and, in more extreme cases, depression.
Since its first celebration in 2015 by decision of the United Nations General Assembly, June 21 is a day that aims to raise awareness of the benefits of practicing yoga. Benefits that in the current context are notable for those who have integrated this practice into their daily activities. The term yoga comes from Sanskrit and means union, the union of the body and the mind, this unity is sought through body poses and breathing to reach a meditative state. Originating in India 5000 years ago, its practice became popular in the western world in the last century, in the 1960s and 70s with a rather physical focus. Jon Witt, a yoga teacher for two decades in Asia and the United States, explains that this may be because many people feared that it would run counter to their creeds or religions. Today, yoga has become popular worldwide and its followers understand better every day that although the physical aspect is important, this practice goes further and has a mental effect often difficult to achieve by other means. 6/20/2020
Read more: https://news.un.org/es/story/2020/06/1476232
ALIGNYO
Alignment Basics with Jon Witt
There are lots of regulars in Jon Witt’s Alignment Basics class, and after a few minutes of following his thoughtful cues, and gentle adjustments you’ll be wondering...
Type: Hatha / Good 4 Everyone
Teacher(s): Jon Witt
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Location: Pure Yoga West, 204 W. 77th St. at Amsterdam Ave., New York
There are lots of regulars in Jon Witt’s Alignment Basics class, and after a few minutes of following his thoughtful cues, and gentle adjustments you’ll be wondering how you, too, can make this class part of your weekly plan. Jon used to be a wrestler so he really knows anatomy, plus he spent six months studying yoga therapeutics in India, so he really knows how to ease muscles and joints within each and every pose. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned practitioner you will thoroughly enjoy Jon’s ability to teach intricate alignment in a laid back, totally understandable way. Added bonus: juicy restoratives at the end!
http://www.alignyo.com/local-classes/new-york-city/alignment-basics-with-jon-witt
YOGA SLEUTH
Back Care with Jon Witt @ Pure Yoga
Yoga Sleuths ears perk up every time we hear of a specialty yoga class, so when we heard about Jon Witts Back Care class at Pure, we were super curious to find out how this yogi was going to pay special attention to the spine.
Prior to class, the receptionist warned that it would be slow moving, geared toward those suffering with back pain or injury; with nary a vinyasa to be had on a Saturday afternoon, this yogi still broke a sweat in the hour-long class chock full of standing poses.
Before we took to the top of our mats, though, Jon had us start on our backs hugging our knees into our chests, extending one leg out at a time while we held the bent leg in close.
Then he had us do a hip opener that was brand-new to this yogi: Still lying on our backs, we crossed our legs Indian-style above our torso (think supported Padma Sarvangasana where you bend at the waist so that your folded legs are hovering over your face and hands are holding the knees). Jon had us grab either ankle, pressing our knees up into our elbow crease or forearm depending on the individuals arm length.
Next he had us come into Setu Bandhasana with a block between our thighs. While squeezing the block with our legs, Jon had us grab for the side of the mat instead of clasping our hands beneath us. We really want to move our shoulders into the ground to help open the chest, he said. I dont really think clasping the hands underneath you does anything, but thats just me.
After moving through Downward Dog and plank a few times, we all met at the top of our mats, stepping back into Warrior 1. Once completed on each side, Jon had us come back to Samasthiti, finding Cactus pose with our arms. Having us take notice of how our shoulders draw toward one another on the back here, he asked us to maintain this action while extending our upper limbs straight up beside our ears, finding a lift in the chest rather than the shoulders. Lifting through the chest is what helps us to elongate the back, he said.
It was this lifting through the chest that Jon kept pointing out in Warrior 2, Tree Pose, even in Prasarita Paddottanasana, where folded forward us 14 yogis grew our chests toward the earth below us, releasing our necks so that we gazed to the wall behind us instead of the floor.
Any kind of command given when your head is below your hips can get confusing, but since there were no vinyasas in sight with this class, Jon gave his students ample opportunity to figure out how one lifts their chest while upside down. And he brought us to this pose multiple times throughout class as a way to release the spine.
Right side up again, Jon had us find Parsvokonasana and Triangle, giving variations of the poses so that all levels could participate. A pose isnt going to service you if all youre concerned with is looking good. It has to feel good, said Jon. If youre body is hurting or not liking the shape youre in, its a sure sign that you shouldnt be in it.
This proved to be Jons mantra as he reiterated this point just about every time we came into a pose to help us lose some of our ego, that voice or drive that pushes us to try to keep up with our neighbor or try to outdo them. Im not so concerned with doing a pose perfectly, but rather coming into a shape thats safe, he said.
By continuously telling students that it was okay to be wherever theyre at with their pose, Jon was creating a safe and trusting environment, welcoming students to really listen to their bodies and to move into a pose that best suited them. Which was especially helpful for this yogi who couldnt seem to find her balance to maintain Tree Pose.
Maybe you don't raise your arms today in Tree; maybe you dont come into it at all, Jon soothed. Thats okay.
These classes at Pure are membership only. Please see a yoga advisor or call ahead.
--Jessica Mahler for Yoga Sleuth