Jules website

Found Jules has a website up here.
Jules Paxton Yoga Teacher
Not too much information there but at least he has a web presence.

Back pain... aargh!

Too much stress?
Too much yoga?
Too much running?

Don't know why but my back is seriously messed up right now. Lower back spasms from what seem like random movements... makes me extremely careful about what I do and how I move.
Hate tacking pain killers for this....

Jules is in London so don't know what I'm going to do....

Alexander Technique and yoga

These two disciplines are an amazing combination. Am studying more and more the not-doing of Alexander Technique... hard to grasp at first. Subtle. I do think that Jules' technique that he teaches makes it easier.

Also diving into some of the philosophy behind Anusara yoga. Deep stuff.

Current favorite sites:
Hypnotherapy London

Back with Jules

After a break during the summer got back for some private sessions with Jules. Seems like I've made some progress - and when he taught me his Conscious Movement alignment thing that he does I really GOT IT this time!
Seems easier to understand and quicker than Alexander technique - I think the physical alignement preparation with the movement with the intention really works.

Lengthen on...
Phil

Alexander technique & meditation

Getting into morning meditation... using Alexander technique to release my neck at the start of meditation. Find I can spend the whole hour just letting my neck and spine release (wow! this stuff can get obsessive!)

I heard someone say that your mind is only really obsessed with Alexander technique and posture for 3 years! Then it becomes more natural!

Phil

Alexander technique

Have gone back to taking some Alexander technique lessons... Very subtle. But can really feel it now. The not-doing. The desire to release without doing anything... So simple, so subtle...
How much unnatural tension the body holds... especially living in New York.

Lengthen, lengthen, lengthen... again!
Phil

Another session - inner strength... who knew?

Had another session with Jules Paxton. Feel I'm getting stronger and steadier - but not in a direct physical way. More as if everything is integrated and like a well designed structure all the elements support each other and create tremendous strength. An inner stability, confidence, rock-solidness. Jules says this is the Conscious Movement practice I'm doing that is bringing mind,body and spirit into alignment with, what he calls Innate Intelligence. Doing it regularly (I do practice what he teaches me pretty consistently) is making a vast difference to how I feel.
Seems strange how something so subtle creates such inner strength.
I'm a bit awed at myself.
Phil

Anusara Yoga anyone?

Was in San Francisco and took Anusara class at Yogakula - (I think the studio, Yogakula, only does Anusara?).
Brilliant. Truly.
Really intuitive alignment instructions (why does Iyengar make it so complicated?) and deep inspiration - really evoking (invoking?) the "light within".

I FELT brigher and lighter afterwards. Must check out Anusara classes in NY.
Beam on
Phil

Jivamukti - first visit

Made it down to Jivamukti eventually. Cool place. Class a bit too busy. Liked the chanting. A bit overly spiritual/teachy/preachy. But good vinyasa class.
Phil

Jules & Contact Yoga

Just found out that Jules was one of the people who actually developed Contact Yoga. Main teacher was a Kripalu guy called "Tesh" (I think). And then I think Jules added in some of the partner stuff that he was doing in his work with clients.

Partner work with Jules is very cool. He "flies" you on his feet - and you effortlessly go into fantastic backbends etc.... and get amazing spinal releases.

I was a bit freaked at first because I'm 220 pounds and that's a lot to have balancing on your feet. I remember him saying "Don't worry - I've had over 300 pounds up there with no problem."

(he was a competitive body builder when he was young I think)

I think Acroyoga is another type of yoga that does the "flying" thing.
Cheers
Phil

Jules Paxton & Contact Yoga

Just found that Jules was involved in this amazing book "Contact Yoga: The Yoga of Relationship" - you can see it here: http://www.contactyoga.com/html/thebook.html

Quite the who's who of yoga - with everyone from Ana Forrest to Shiva Rae to Angela Farmer and Patricia Walden. Really great photos. Don't know who Tara Guber is - but this is beautiful.

Check it out.
Phil

How come we've never heard much about Jules?

I'm amazed that the "yoga world" (do I mean Yoga Journal?) hasn't heard more about Jules Paxton. He's been around a while and is, I think, a really brilliant teacher - more in tune and able to "read" his students that anyone I've met (and I've studied with a few).

I've taken several sessions with him in Manhattan and was deeply impressed. However I think he only does private sessions so this might explain why a broader audience hasn't heard of him.

He teaches this thing called "Conscious Movement" - a sort of alignment/Alexander technique thing. You get to very quickly align and feel very centred, connected, powerful. Very effective - and SO much faster than Alexander technique.

Anyway I started this blog to see if anyone else out there has worked with Jules and wants to chat with me... and because I think he's one of the very best out there.

See ya.
Phil