Feature Posture

Tuladandasana




What does Tuladandasana mean?
In Sanskrit, it means "Balancing Stick".

Posture number 7, This posture is the one that sends your heart pounding through the roofs. When doing balancing stick, you lower your heart below your hips, which send large amounts of blood rushing into the heart. You give yourself that mini heart attack, which makes you stronger and never have one of the unwelcome kind. Balancing Stick is actually much more demanding than those other inversions; for example it would be much easier to stay in a Headstand for an hour than to do this one-legged Balancing Stick correctly for 10 seconds.

The forward tilt of your torso sends oxygenated nutrient-rich high-speed blood pouring into the four chambers of the heart, especially the neglected region, cleaning out the veins and all the coronary arteries, strengthening the heart muscle. The same rejuvenating flood rushes into the brain as well. The effect of this posture is rather intense which is why this posture does not need to be held very long for its tremendous beneficial effects. Balancing Stick is one of the best exercises for bad posture. It also perfects body control and balance; strengthening your concentration powers.

*The most important component of this posture is locking the body into one solid line. Imagine that someone is pulling your back foot by your toe towards the wall with all his might while someone else is pulling your out stretched hands by your index fingers as hard as she can in the opposite direction, towards the mirror in front of you. This puts you into a natural human traction, stretching from coccyx to neck.

• When did you attend Teacher Training?
  I did teacher training in the fall of 2006, the last one held at Bikram's Los Angeles headquarters before training was moved to Hawaii.

• What are your hobbies?
  It goes without saying: "the" yoga. So there, I've said it! Also, I am an avid downhill skier. I love gliding down the mountain, hearing the rustling sound of snow under my skis and leaving a spray of snow behind! Conquering the demanding terrain always gives a gratifying sense of accomplishment, much like getting through the challenge of a tough yoga class! I love living in the lower mainland where we have great local mountains as well as Whistler, one of the world's best ski resorts, at our footsteps, our own little playgrounds. There are a lot of other seasonal sports and activities I like to dabble in. My current favorite activity is spending a ton of time with my 15 month old nephew who is a bundle of endless joy!

• Do you have any related education?
  My background is in medicine with training in diagnostic radiology. This has provided me with a thorough knowledge of anatomy and a strong understanding of general physiology as well as pathology. Combined with my own general interests and pursuit of knowledge in the fields of nutrition and exercise physiology along with the training received for Bikram yoga teacher certification, these have helped me to have a comprehensive understanding of the hatha yoga postures chosen by Bikram for the series and why they work individually as well as synergistically in the chosen combination to provide such a uniquely beneficial and healthful yoga series.

• What is your favorite posture and why? Least favorite posture?
  Most favorite: Standing head to knee has definitely been a long-time favorite, perhaps since it is such a difficult posture to master and requires such an intense amount of mental focus and concentration as well as the fact that it continues to be challenging and humbling each and every class. The more I've improved in this posture, the rewards have been more self-confidence, discipline, and determination. It's also taught me patience with myself. Still to this day, if I fall out, I look at myself in the mirror and smile, and think, "Oh well!" as I recognize that it is meant to be vigorous and demanding. Then I take a breath and get back in and try again. There is no room for frustration, just for patience.
  
  A close second are all the backward bends. Though I may not have the super-flexible spine that some do, I find these to be such a relief and a release that I often literally dream of backward bends.
  
  Least favorite: As for the least favorite posture, I wouldn't personally use this phrasing to describe any of the postures. I've recognized for quite a while the beauty of the Bikram yoga series which includes the perfect balance of postures to maximally benefit the entire body as well as the mind. There have been a number of postures which at different times have been more trying than others. For a while this past year, as a result of an injury, I suffered from an ongoing chronic case of elbow tendonitis which would at times flare up and make locust posture extremely grueling. I would do my best (key phrase) for that given day, which occasionally meant coming out of the posture and getting back in, or perhaps not lifting the legs as high to decrease the pressure on the injured elbow, yet still provide some degree of tourniquet for benefit. It took about eight months, but with persistence during class, as well as seeking a round of acupuncture treatments, I have now been pain-free for over four months and consider the condition cured. Therefore, I can now perform this posture without pain and without the prior impediment.
  
  From anecdotal stories from scores and scores of other students with regards to health benefits and reversal of injury and pain, I know I am not unique in my story. I hope this can serve as inspiration to other students to believe in the process and to continue with patience, discipline, and determination in order to reach their health and fitness goals, whether these may be healing certain conditions, healthy weight attainment/maintenance, and/or improvements in strength and flexibility for personal gain and for competitive sports.

• What is the key to your practice?
  As I've already referenced above, it is the mental aspect of the practice of this yoga where I've seen amazing improvements in myself and that has also become the very foundation of my yoga practice and of continuing on the path of development and fulfillment in my life.

• When did you attend Teacher Training?
  I attended to the Teacher Training in Fall 2005. Way back in Sep 2003 I was shocked when I noticed my waist size and my age were the same number! I went to the gym, cuffed myself on the treadmill, and hoped to lose a few pounds before the so-called midlife crisis started. Nothing changed significantly. Later I saw an ad on Georgia Straight, "$6 for 6 days Bikram Yoga". Good deal! I went to Cambie and dropped of $6 and that was the beginning of the story. I remembered my practice was so horrible and the teacher on my second class had to ask another teacher who practiced in front of me to help me. Later, I found out they were Danny and Lisa.

• What are your hobbies?
  Listening to Wham! Culture Club, playing "Ping Pong" on my Atari, watching Six Million Dollar Man and Charlie's Angels over and over again…..(Jacklyn Smith, not Drew Berrymore)
  
  Alright, I like to read, favorite author is Haruki Murakami. I love to cook. I feel peace when I am by myself, cooking in the kitchen. Don't get me wrong, I feel peace when I am doing savasna too! Oh, I love watches too. Omega Speedmaster is my favorite. Neil Armstrong took it to the moon the year I was born. I take it to the yoga room when I torture you guys.

• What is your favorite posture and why? Least favorite posture?
  Most favorite: My favorite posture is the first set half moon because everything get out of control afterwards, my heart starts pounding like crazy, I feel dizzy, and I want the teacher to open to door…
  
  Okay, my favorite posture is Triangle and I could hold Awkward 2 for 1 min and 45 seconds.
  
  Least favorite: My least favorite posture is Standing Head to Knee Stretching. Lock the knee lock the knee lock the knee… I am trying! :( I just wrote Santa that I wanted to get my left knee to lock 100%. I am sure I will get that done before the Canada Line in operation.

• What was your most memorable class and teacher?
  The most memorable class was the day I finally realized the importance of breathing during practice. Breath deeply, smoothly, maintain the pattern is the key.
  
  Most memorable teachers: Thank you Danny and Andrea for pushing me to the edge, every time I crossed my mental boundary was in your class; thank you Lisa and Tanya for helping me all the time to fine tune my practice.

• What else do you do? Any other comments you would like to add?
  Focus. Understanding the posture, not just doing it, but to understanding it. Keep breathing. Come often. I see you guys more than my friends and family. You are my family.
  
  Namaste!

The student of the month is Wayne Bethancourt who is this year's boys youth champion. He is 13 years old and attends Bikram's Yoga with his little brother Ernie and his dad Steven Lofton.

• What is your home studio?
  West End on Alberni.

• When did you start practicing Bikram Yoga? How often do you attend class?
  January 2007, I didn't go everyday until June 2007

• What benefits have you noticed in yourself that you believe are a result of your practicing yoga?
  
  
  • more flexible
  • more concentrated

• What would you tell someone who is feeling hesitant about trying Bikram's Yoga?
  If they play sports than yoga will help.