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Author: Luci Yamamoto

Blogging, Life21 Comments

Moving On

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021 Luci Yamamoto

Before I started law school, I knew a lawyer who decided to move to the East Coast. Scott was a senior associate at a firm in California. Moving would require another bar exam, a new job, upheaval for his family. … Continue reading Moving On

Teachers & Students, Trends, Yoga23 Comments

Ending yoga classes with “namaste”

January 21, 2019 Luci Yamamoto

When did I first hear someone say “namaste”? No surprise, it was uttered at the end of my first yoga class two decades ago. I had no interest in yoga until then. I had to be persuaded to try it. … Continue reading Ending yoga classes with “namaste”

Teachers & Students, Yoga8 Comments

Give me one reason

August 14, 2018August 17, 2018 Luci Yamamoto

During a Vancouver workshop with John Schumacher last year, I was surprised to hear his instructions on exiting Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand). “Lie down,” he said, “keep your shoulders on the blankets, head on the floor.” What? My typical shoulderstand … Continue reading Give me one reason

Teachers & Students, Yoga8 Comments

Look closely, see deeply

July 10, 2018July 10, 2018 Luci Yamamoto

In San Francisco last summer, Lois Steinberg analyzed Virabhadrasana II for a long time. Most students attending the five-day workshop were teachers or experienced students. But Warrior II was nevertheless a worthy challenge. Using an adept student as a demo model, … Continue reading Look closely, see deeply

Books, Life6 Comments

Seeing versus seeking

May 14, 2018May 15, 2018 Luci Yamamoto

Writing a memoir is much trickier than it seems. It can come across as indulgent, fake, or just plain boring. If the theme is obviously philosophical or spiritual, there’s even greater risk of grating on the reader. So I kept … Continue reading Seeing versus seeking

Trends, Yoga27 Comments

Yoga is not a photo-op

December 5, 2017December 5, 2017 Luci Yamamoto

A few weeks ago, a friend forwarded me a photo of yoga students seated in Sukhasana, eyes closed. “Got this in an email. I see you!” he wrote. I immediately recognized the setting: September 2016. Firooza Razvi workshop. Iyengar Yoga … Continue reading Yoga is not a photo-op

Life, Practice2 Comments

Being adaptable

November 7, 2017November 7, 2017 Luci Yamamoto

When I first met her, my yoga student “Dana” was into endurance sports. Each summer she’d take a break from yoga to train for a triathlon. She loved the outdoors and spent her weekends in Vancouver’s surrounding mountains, hiking, kayaking, … Continue reading Being adaptable

Iyengar Yoga, Teachers & Students, Yoga8 Comments

A critical teacher

September 25, 2017September 25, 2017 Luci Yamamoto

Why are your feet apart? You’re only halfway. Bend your knees more! Lift your chest! Lift! I received these corrections (and more) from Chris Saudek during her recent workshop in Victoria. I wasn’t surprised. I’d met this master Iyengar yoga … Continue reading A critical teacher

Health, Iyengar Yoga, Practice, Yoga5 Comments

Fear of falling

September 5, 2017September 5, 2017 Luci Yamamoto

In Berkeley in the late 1990s, I learned to balance in Salamba Sirsasana (Supported Headstand) step by step. At first I didn’t even try to balance, but just kicked up to a wall, one leg at a time. Once up, … Continue reading Fear of falling

Life2 Comments

The kombucha incident

August 3, 2017August 3, 2017 Luci Yamamoto

I was curious about a newish “tea bar” on Main Street in Vancouver. Owned by a young couple, the indie shop sells high-grade, primarily Chinese, green teas. On one hand, it sounded a bit precious. On the other hand, green … Continue reading The kombucha incident

Books, Iyengar Yoga, Life, Teachers & Students, Yoga6 Comments

The Inner Game of Yoga

July 4, 2017December 10, 2018 Luci Yamamoto

I don’t play golf, but I recently read W Timothy Gallwey‘s The Inner Game of Golf (1981). A few years ago, I read his classic The Inner Game of Tennis (1974), a favorite among top coaches including Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll. … Continue reading The Inner Game of Yoga

Iyengar Yoga, Teachers & Students, Yoga8 Comments

No offense!

May 30, 2017September 5, 2017 Luci Yamamoto

Once, I offended a yoga student by adjusting her leg with my foot. I was teaching Supta Padangusthasana 1: While adjusting her raised leg, I noticed her supine leg flopping outward. Since I was standing, I used my foot to … Continue reading No offense!

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