Last Post

This is my last post.  Life is becoming very busy for me now.  I seem to
be entering a new phase with new part time jobs as well as trying to
maintain my yoga and zumba practices.  This has been a huge learning
experience and I am thankful for my small band of regular readers.
Take care and keep trying new things.  That is truly the Fountain of Youth.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana - Supported Bridge Pose

This is a back bend that you learn in stages.  First thing to try is

simply lie on your back, bend knees so feet are flat on the floor.

Gently lift your hips up and hold.  Repeat this enough times until

until you are feeling strong.  Start placing foam blocks under your

hips to rest on.  It might be 1, 2, or 3  blocks.  When you can get 

to 4 foam blocks, try using a wood block eventually getting it under

you in an upright position.  Then you can start working on extending

your leg.  Do not rush.  this can be a very challenging pose.  Below

is another one of Geeta's great teaching videos.

Beaumont - Hamel

About 40km south of Arras, France is the World War I Memorial Centre of
Beaumont - Hamel.  Here is where the Dominion of Newfoundland Regiment
suffered huge loses on July 1, 1916 during the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

Paschimottanasana - Seated Forward Bend

Another YouTube video of Geeta Iyengar teaching at a 2002 conference

in Italy.  Not as good as the other two I've put on the blog but you'll get 

the idea.  If you cannot reach your toes, use a belt.  Do not compromise

your back by hunching it to force reaching your toes.  

Juno Beach, Courseulles-sur-Mer

June 6, 1944, the Allied forces made the push to successfully land in five
locations on the coast of Normandy, France. The 3rd  Canadian Infantry
Division landed at Juno Beach.  Below are some pictures on the Juno Beach
Centre.

Lest We Forget

Ypres (Ieper) Belgium is home to the Menin Gate, the most visited Great War Memorial on the Western Front.  Every night, regardless of weather or date,  the "Last Post" ceremony of remembrance is performed.  Here wreaths are laid to honour those who died in the field. Ypres (Ieper) is also home to the small but powerful In Flanders Fields Museum.  

St. Julien and Passchendaele

The St.Julien Memorial, 7km outside of Ypres (Ieper),was
erected in memory of the Canadian soldiers who fought and
died during the first gas attacks of World War I.

 

Passchendaele, often referred to as the Third Battle of Ypres, has gone down
in history as one of the bitterest struggles of World War I.  The low solid
monument sits atop of the hill overlooking the now peaceful Belgian
countryside.