Feature Posture

Dandayamana-Janushirasana

What does Dandayamana-Janushirasana mean?
In Sanskrit, it means Standing Head to Knee..

You may be familiar with this posture number 4! "LOCK THE KNEE!" This posture tightens your abdominal and thigh muscles, improves flexibility of the sciatic nerves.

In addition, it works the muscles of the back, the biceps and the triceps. When you touch the forehead to your knee, you create a front-side compression; squeezing and flushing out the internal abdominal organs such as the gall bladder, pancreas and spleen, as well as the uterus and ovaries.

*The most important component of this posture is to move step- by-step, building the correct and complete form. Standing Head to Knee is a diagnostic tool that reveals your level of focus and determination. Find your inner bulldog and feed your Bengal tiger!

• When did you attend Teacher Training?
  I attended training in Los Angeles Fall 2006.

• What are your hobbies and do you have any related education?
  I enjoy yoga the most and then swimming. I love traveling and seeing the sights and sounds of every city. I am currently studying to be a realtor. All the rest of my time I spend at the Cambie location. The key to my practice is the effort I put into each class, You really need to go in there and give it your all to get maximum benefits or you just hanging out in a hot sweaty room. It's so challenging to achieve the mind and body connection. Bikram's has much more to offer than physical health, it gives you peace and mind with yourself and even happiness. I have much gratitude to all my teachers whom have spent the time yelling, screaming and correcting me. .

• What is your favorite posture and why? Least favorite posture?
  Most favorite: Standing Head to Knee.. It has taken me 2 years to actually touch my forehead to knee and I'm not even there yet. I never understood what it meant when the teacher said make up your mind until I actually touched my forehead to knee. You can't think anything! No thoughts, do not let your mind drift, you have to concentrate and be determined! Once you think anything, it's all over. It's my favorite because I think this posture in particular strengthens your mind, builds your concentration, determination and patience. .
  
  Least favorite: Rabbit. I find this posture absolutely so awkward and so uncomfortable; so that probably means I need it the most. I am still currently working on it .

• What was your most memorable class and teacher?
  My most memorable class is by far the very last class of teacher training in LA taught by Bikram. He taught a 2 hour 15 min class and was giving us his 'Tough Love'. I killed myself.. I've never shook so hard in my postures trying to hold it as Bikram preached his dialogue, entertained us with his jokes and told us his stories. At the end of the class, he said, "You are in the best physical health you'll will ever be in your whole entire life (after doing 2 classes a day for 9 weeks), it is up to you to maintain it. GOOD LUCK! There is no excuse for you to not do this every day for the rest of your life!" It was phenomenal, it felt like a had just climbed a mountain after a 9 week journey.. It was great! I laughed hysterically into tears... .

• When did you attend Teacher Training?
  I attended Teacher training in September 2006.

• What are your hobbies?
  My hobbies are playing basketball and running.

• What is your favorite posture and why? Least favorite posture?
  Most favorite: My favorite posture is Standing head to knee because of body and mind connection.
  
  Least favorite: None, I love them all.

• What was your most memorable class and teacher?
  My most memorable class with Bikram who was practicing yoga with me during teacher training.

• What is the key to your practice?
  The Key to my practice is "focus".

• What is your home studio?
  Cambie and Kits..

• When did you start practicing Bikram Yoga? How often do you attend class?
  I started practicing six yrs ago, and I attend class 4-5 times/week.

• What benefits have you noticed in yourself that you believe are a result of your practicing yoga?
  I was dragged to my first Bikrams class six years ago by my dear friend Michele and have never looked back! For me, it combines health and fitness with the opportunity to quiet my mind. Not to mention the fabulous friends I have made along the way! I have been lucky enough to have some success with a few postures; my favorites are standing head to knee and toe stand. I have practiced in a few other studios around Canada and the US and must say that the quality of teaching found at these studios is top drawer! I am very grateful to have become a student at the Cambie and Kits studios. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!!!

Leave unnecessary items in a locker or in the change room. If you absolutely need to bring in a pager or cell phone, turn the ringer to vibrate or to silent mode.