Yoga relies on the timeless principles passed down by esteemed teachers like Tirumalai Krishnamacharya and his son T.V.K. Desikachar. These principles, however, need to be personalized for each individual.
I consider myself fortunate to have embarked on my learning journey with Mark Whitwell nine years ago, and his teachings have truly transformed my yoga practice. Like flicking a switch on a generator, I quickly developed my own simple yet dynamic routine.
Mark Whitwell, who has studied yoga under both Krishnamacharya and Desikachar for over 20 years, has been a dear friend and mentor for the past eight years. Allow me to share two of these transformative principles with you, which seamlessly combine movement and breath.
The movement begins and ends with the breath:
(——————breath——————)
(————-movement————–)
Inhale into the chest, Exhale as the belly contracts and lifts.
Now, experience the ujjayi breath at the back of your throat, creating a gentle, wave-like sound and enhancing your focus on the breath.
Next, integrate the breath with the movement of your hands. Start with your hands by your sides, inhale into the chest, then slowly raise your arms along the outside of your body, meeting above your head or stopping at shoulder height.
Take a moment to pause before the exhalation. Begin exhaling as you lower your arms, engaging your belly.
Repeat this sequence three times.
