Leeann Carey - The Yapana Way: Restorative Yoga Therapy & The Art Of Being

The Yapana Way

Restorative Yoga Therapy
& the Art of Being

Leeann Carey

"Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they're meant to be."

~ B. K. S. Iyengar

The Yapana Way

Restorative Yoga Therapy & the Art of Being

Leeann Carey

Copyright 2013 Leeann Carey. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, website or broadcast.

LeeannCareyYoga.com

ISBN-13:9780989733908

ISBN-10:0989733904

Photographer: Wendy Saade

Book Design: Wendy Saade

Cover Design: Genesis Moss

Editor: Ralph Cissne

CONTENTS

Chapter 1
Yapana Yoga Therapy

Chapter 2
Meet Your Props

Chapter 3
BEING Poses: The Yapana Way

Chapter 4
UNWINDING: Twists

Chapter 5
DECOMPRESSING: Inversions

Chapter 6
CALMING: Forward Bends

Chapter 7
Other Pose Options

Chapter 8
STILL Poses

Chapter 9
Being and Breathing
The Yapana Way to Mindfulness

Chapter 10
Purposeful Practices

Chapter 11
Princess and the Pea

Chapter 12
Our Practice Never Ends

DEDICATION

I have been truly blessed with the opportunity to share yoga with gifted instructors, and to learn from master teachers, around the world. This book is dedicated to all of the yoga enthusiasts who have entrusted me with their process and the yoga teachers who have given their time, knowledge, and invaluable life lessons.

It is with sincere devotion I also offer a dedication to Kofi Busia (a.k.a. Boy Born on Friday), a devotee of yoga master B. K. S. Iyengar. I met Kofi in a Santa Monica workshop in the early 1990s. There began my interest and intention to share what yoga was trying to teach me. I often hear his voice, on and off the mat, telling me to stand upright, be steady throughout, and see things as they are.

Kofi's sharp communication skills, exceptional mind, and honest perspective about the yoga community and the teaching of yoga earned him a uniquely honored reputation among students and yoga teachers. No teacher has influenced me more in my practice, teaching, and perceptions of life - the ultimate practice of yoga.

For this, and so much more, I offer a special and wholehearted dedication to Kofi Busia, Boy Born on Friday.

With love and eternal gratitude,

Leeann

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I extend special acknowledgement and gratitude to my family: Stephen, Robyn, Timothy, Alex, and Rob. For as long as I can remember, each one has supported me in my passion for yoga. I wish to acknowledge important people with whom I have developed business and personal relationships that have helped to make this book possible: Stephen Anderson, Jeff Homolya, Genesis Moss, Lisa Muehlenbein, Marc Newman, Wendy Saade, and Stacy Shimabukuro, and the book's models: The Carey kids, Yvette Hamara, Leilani Kashida, Jules Mitchell, Patrick Moore, Stacy Shimabukuro and Maria Landa Williams. Huge gratitude and thanks to each of you.

My heartfelt appreciation goes to my editor, Ralph Cissne. His insights and razor sharp attention to detail is without exception. I am grateful for the tireless effort he dedicated to seeing this project through, and for providing an organized and concise platform to be heard while remaining sensitive to my voice.

And to B. K. S. Iyengar, Kofi Busia, Donna Farhi, Judith Lasater, and Richard C. Miller, from whom I have received brilliant teachings on the art and science of yoga therapy. It is with utter gratitude and a humble heart that I stand on the shoulders of these teachers and so many more who have taught me so much.

I also wish to express special thanks to Wanda Marie, my spiritual sister, friend, mentor, and the greatest supporter of all I have ever tried or dreamed of doing.

Thank you, everyone.

I love you.

Yoga has been tested for thousands of years. It is more than an experiment or last resort. It is a proven path to wellness, healing, and longevity. It works.

INTRODUCTION

There are eight limbs (observances and restraints) of yoga that serve as guidelines. This book addresses the third limb, asana (posture or pose). Each of us experiences challenges and triumphs on the mat. Our challenges may present themselves in flexibility, mobility, stability, clarity, or in a host of other ways. I invite you to address the obstacles and opportunities you face on the mat with intelligence and a loving kindness. This book provides the tools and understanding to meet these challenges with a unique practice that teaches we are more than our bodies and more than what we do. This simple yet comprehensive guide will prompt an inquiry about the level of support required to meet yourself where you are, a process that evolves over time. We simply need to be there.

Yapana is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning, "The support and extension of life." Yapana Yoga Therapy is a physical practice that includes yoga props for strategic support to extend the life of poses, which supports and extends the nature of the experience. This style of yoga was developed based on decades of experience working with the physically challenged, professional athletes, yoga teachers and students just like you - those with an inquiring mind who want to deepen their practice and balance their ego.

Let's take a closer look.

This practice meets people where they are. It is designed to encourage self-inquiry, reflection and change, not perfection - the universe has already taken care of that part.

CHAPTER 1

YAPANA YOGA THERAPY

Yapana Yoga Therapy is a hatha yoga practice consisting of a series of simple movements to warm-up the body, followed by DOING (dynamic) and BEING (relaxing) poses held for an extended period of time with the support of yoga props, and ends with a STILL (final relaxation) pose to complete the practice.

This practice meets people where they are. It is designed to encourage self-inquiry, reflection and change, not perfection - the universe has already taken care of that part. It is a gateway to discover how to apply its therapeutic outcome on and off the mat. The objective on the mat is to promote both balance and a positive and enduring effect while supported in both the heat-building and passive phases of the practice.

For purposes of this book, the BEING and STILL segments of the practice are deconstructed and explored. Often times in a classical hatha yoga practice, yoga instructors and students value the stronger segment of the class more and as a result, do not give ample time for the rest and relaxation phases of the practice. Because we live in a fast-paced world, restorative poses are a necessary part of our practice to help restore us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We all require recovery time, some more than others. If this part of our living is being incorporated into our yoga practice, it will take care of the stressors that may lie ahead.