SO, HOW'd IT GO?

"Guest Teaching" for Adam Ballenger, that is. It went well.

There were not as many people in class as when Adam teaches, but - since he announced he would be gone and there would be a 'guest teacher' - that's to be expected. Interesting that many students find exploring a new or different instructor - even for one class - is out of their realm of possibility.

A guest teacher, to me, means - at the very least (most?) - an opportunity to practice my beginner mind. Rather than skip the class, I look for the possibility of viewing my practice from a different angle or perspective. That's part of the yoga.

It brings to mind the year I was in Tucson with JF for a Therapeutics Training. He excused himself from the training after day two, and left - in his stead - Noah Maze, Sianna Sherman, and Martin Kirk. Each very different styles of teachers, but each with great knowledge to share. I remember being disappointed at JF's unexpected departure, but tried to understand. I also remember that it was hard to watch the others step in, try to fill his shoes, teach us -- not because they weren't measuring up, but because my expectation had been that it would be JF teaching, not someone else. I remember listening and comparing what each had to say to what I might be hearing if JF were at the front of class. Then, I decided to soften, to put on my 'beginner mind', to understand and relax. From each of them, I took information -- perhaps even more detailed that I might have otherwise received (no offense, John). This because they were each quite overwhelmed, themselves, by being thrust into this situation. We all survived. I learned. I'm sure they learned they were well capable of 'stepping up to the plate'. It turned out just fine.

But, back to your local yoga class -- I've noted that students new-to-yoga tend to latch onto the first (or one of the first) instructors they experience (I remember I did it). These first instructors make such an impact, introducing yoga to people, that it's hard to think someone else might do just as well. So, many students stay with that instructor and avoid any exposure to others (unless it's a surprise), even to the point of staying away from their yoga class when there is a 'guest teacher'. Oh, well, it's a 'human thing'.

The four students who did show up got to journey into bird of paradise pose. This has never been a favorite of mine, but I love to teach it and to watch students open to places they thought inaccessible. And, for these beautiful students, it just took activating both feet and opening their hearts to experience the pose more fully than previously.

Today?

• Just house stuff
• Perhaps run a few errands

Hope your Sunday is great

A BUSY WEEK . . .

An excuse? A reason? A validation? for not writing in this blog, that is. No just an explanation. Each morning has included computer time, but I have not allotted enough to get to the blog. I apologize to readers and to myself.

Last weekend, Monday and Tuesday, I was in Spokane visiting parents and dealing with some legal maneuvering on their behalf.

I flew back EARLY on Wednesday, in time to change clothes and make it to Gentle Yoga. We're still working with the Laksmi aspects, but - even that fell to the wayside this week. Once home, I crashed - literally. Naptime, big time.

Thursday had it's usual busy-ness - house stuff in the morning, Pilates in the afternoon, then a private, then the Level 1-2 class. Crash, again -- after a trip to CostCo.

Friday, I listened to the weekly classes from Amy Ippoliti. Got a lot of good ideas from this last session (and all of the sessions this February). I do recommend this webinar course -- it was low-impact (meaning not too stressful), it put me in touch with a group of great co-participants, and I learned more of the 'nuts & bolts' of teaching yoga -- like, how to get more people into class, the importance of managing the business side of my teaching (which some of us often neglect, piling it in with the personal or family stuff). There is so much to learning to teach Anusara Yoga, that these things often get neglected. Great stuff with great teaching and the "90 Minute Kula" (as I call them).

I forgot about Friday (Horrors!); so will offer a 'tip' here: (-PAUSE-) O.K., I've just spent 20 minutes reviewing my typed notes (BTW, I always type my notes after scribbling in workshops or trainings -- just easier to read. And, if I do them within 24 hours, but after 12 hours, the memory is interesting in that I actually remember more of what I heard and am able to add it to the typewritten format!) What did I come up with? Lots, but nothing that jumped off the page at me. I did, however, find numerous things that will help with teaching class today (I'm guest teaching for Adam Ballenger) and in the future. The point (and - perhaps - the 'tip'): Reviewing, re-reading, visualizing where I was when I did this or that adjustment -- all are great ways to enhance my study and experience. Because if you are like me, I forget and I will lapse into the same stuff over and over, forgetting about all the GREAT other stuff I learned. Oh, some of it gets in there, but certainly not all.

Review, review, review.

Today:

• Private at 7 am (yikes!)
• Teaching for Adam at SugarSpace at 9 am
• House stuff

Have a great Saturday (BTW, it's snowing like crazy here!),

BLOOMING

I took my friend, Susan, to her first yoga class yesterday. We drove to Garden Street Yoga (Coeur d'alene), and took a level 1-2 class taught by Jennifer Harbour.

(Remember about six months ago, I was coerced into a kickboxing class? Same friend, pay back time. But - in my mind - a good pay back.)

As we entered, there was the usual welcoming cacophony of voices in the room (no one meditating or warming up, everyone just visiting - happy to be in the room). Not that I have anything against meditating or warming up before class, it's just that the quiet can be so deafening and so intimidating to a new-to-yoga or new-to-the-group person. For me, a room full of chatter is a good thing.

Jennifer is on the same path as I am -- I don't know her exact timeline, only that she is an Inspired™ instructor who studies with Karen Sprute-Francovich. I have attended several of her classes over the past few years and each time, I see growth. In this class we worked on kidney loop and shoulder loop -- or, in her words, 'humble' and 'worthy'. As she talked at the start of class, the theme resonated with me so much that I found myself on the verge of tears! That doesn't happen often. Before we centered, she concluded with a poem by Mary Oliver, The Lily. Nice touch.

Class went well, also. The theme was carried throughout, her instructions were clear, and I found myself breaking a sweat even though we were moving slowly -- loved it.

Throughout, I found myself thinking about my friend -- how she was receiving (1) the practice and (2) the talk about humble and worthy. I asked afterwards. She clearly enjoyed the class; and it is all so new to her, that the verbiage probably wasn't focused on too much -- just trying to get into trichonasana takes a lot of the mental 'space' we have -- not much leftover for contemplating a theme. That's not a bad thing, it's a 'new-to-yoga' thing.

I was next to Susan (mat-wise), and the temptation was strong to offer 'tips'. However, this wasn't my class to teach, I was a student just like her. So, I remained silent, letting Jennifer do all the instruction. Whew! That's tough.

After class, we had a great bowl of soup at a local coffee shop, and returned to Spokane, where I spent much of the afternoon visiting my parents.

Obviously, I'm not in Salt Lake this weekend. Came to visit family, leaving Howard (husband) at home to take care of dogs, et al, and to shovel the snow that's been falling. (Another pay back from the many times he has been traveling and I've been shoveling over the years.) Good exercise, however.

Today? More visiting, maybe a little shopping, some research to finalize the sale of my parents' home.

Hope you have a great holiday (assuming you're taking today as a holiday)!

AND, IT'S FRIDAY

I've been up for a while, scouring e-mails, reading Facebook, listening to Amy's downloaded sessions from this week's "90 Minutes . . ." series, taking pictures (yes, even that). About time to get on with the day; but then, I remembered the blog -- which has been woefully neglected this week.

First, tho, a photo from this morning's 'moon-set':

It is Friday, so I'll re-cap the week and move on to the "tip of the week":

Monday, as you know, was Valentine's Day and my opportunity to teach at YogaTejas. Still vibrating from that experience.

Tuesday, taught in the a.m., on to Pilates, my private with 1/2 of the 'less-than-flexible' couple. Home to collapse, tired still from Monday's excitement(?).

Wednesday, Gentle Yoga defines this day. We had a smaller group, so I was able to focus on one student's low back pain and another's rib pain (brought on by a bout of whatever respiratory stuff is going on - severe coughing). What did we discover from this class? That ME, especially during transitions, will help to alleviate much of the discomfort being experienced. The other students in class, were subjected to listening to my theory many times over, but know that their turn may come in a future class - everyone gets their time in the sun.

Thursday, the busiest day of the week for me. First, my recently-hired housekeeper comes. That means I have to have the house pretty picked up, so she can do the deeper cleaning. Sometimes that's no easy task. On to another Pilates session (amazing to me how I see a correlation to yoga, especially as you do things for the second time around -- things/ability change and improve). The second private of the week for 1/2 of the 'less-than-flexible' couple; she is making great strides in her practice. She desires perfection; that's a lesson to be learned -- perfection is not the goal, accepting what we can do and working diligently to grow our practice might be the better goal. Then, a class to teach -- fun journey into some arm balances with a great group of fun-loving and open students. Home to crash, again.

Busy week!

I will go back to my teaching this week for the 'tip'. In recent trainings with JF, he repeatedly has reminded us to NOT get too stiff (energized) through the fingertips, to soften a bit. Why? When we energize too vigorously, and then visualize the prana moving in our body - it reaches the fingertips and stops, almost like it hits a concrete wall. As we create prana, we want to have it flow throughout our body, AND we want an 'escape valve' -- for lack of a better word -- a place for the excess prana to leave the body and - hopefully - be shared with others. What better place for this 'valve' than the fingertips. How to do this? I tried asking students to maintain strong muscle energy through the wrists, softening the hands a bit. As a teacher, when I look at students, I now see fingers that have a softness to them - even though they still are straight and extending from the wrist. Make sense? Try it. I've gotten comments that it is an effective instruction, and have consulted mentors about it; I believe it's a 'keeper'.

Today's schedule:

• Gentle Yoga, 10:30 am at The Yoga Center
• Misc. Appointments
• Private at 3:30, assuming others are timely

Hope you have a great weekend!

'GUEST TEACHING' (a better way of saying 'sub')

As I was reminded yesterday by one of my new friends from Amy Ippoliti's '90 Minutes to Change the World'. Better we say we are guest teaching than subbing -- sounds so much better.

So, I know you all are wondering how it went? To teach in a totally new environment, to teach a group who I barely know (1 or 2 were familiar to me, but the other 17-18; new to me), to teach a very well schooled group with one new-to-yoga person in the group, to teach with several injuries in the room, to teach more at one time that I have ever done. A few balls to juggle, and -- it went great!

I arrived early (husband dropped me off), let myself in, adjusted heat, turned on lights, opened blinds. Because I was dropped off, there was no car in the parking lot -- worrisome, because who will attempt to come in if they don't see a car? Fortunately, about 5 minutes into my worry, in walked a very nice, bearded gentleman, who assured me that - now that his car was out there - the people would come. And, he was right. A full house. More than I have taught at one time.

You know how you walk into some yoga classes and everyone is either sitting in meditation or warming up? How the quiet in that room is deafening? Well -- not in Driggs. Everyone came boisterously into the room, set up their mats (in great Anusara® fashion), and began visiting with each other. It was like a party; so fun and so tension-relieving for me.

I followed Amy's advice and walked to each person in the room, extended my hand (I think, to everyone), and introduced myself. I inquired about injuries and practice history. I think I might have missed 1 or 2, who came in right as we began, but -- everyone knew who I was; which - sometimes - I forget to do; I just get too wrapped up in the teaching.

Video'ing this class would have been a good idea, but I made a last-minute decision to just enjoy it; left the camera in the car. I focused attention on foundations and the opening that we enjoy with a strong, supportive foundation (on and off the mat). I used the word "vijaya", in my introduction and asked them to try to remember that word -- to celebrate each pose, no matter how full of an expression they were able to create in the pose (remember, vijaya means incremental celebration).

I could go on and on about what I did and how, but the end result is that I had a great time teaching a wonderful group of welcoming and fun students, who were respectful and attentive. What more could I have asked for?

After class, one student came up to me to tell me that my teaching reminded her of Sundari's (WOW!); then she went on to tell me two things I had impressed on her:

1. When I ask people to move to Uttanasana, I ask them to place 10 fingers on the floor (even if they have to bend their knees to do it). Prior to this class, the student had simply touched 7-8 fingers to the floor. The 10-fingered approach made her feel more grounded, she explained -- exactly!
2. Lately, I've remembered JF's advice about not getting too rigid in the fingers. The last two classes I've taught, I have asked students to extend their arms, reach through their wrists, have their hands energized - but NOT rigid. Experiment with it - extend your arm, make your fingers really tense; now try it with your attention on extending through the wrist. I don't want to see hands flopping all over, so some muscle energy is needed through the fingers; but I think John's intent is that we stay soft through the fingers so that prana doesn't feel like it hits a concrete wall as it approaches our fingertips. Make sense? I'd love feedback. Anyway, the student I mentioned above, pointed out this piece of teaching as one of the things she enjoyed exploring in class.

So helpful when students offer these kinds of thoughts.

Today:

• 9:15 am, Level 1-2 at The Yoga Center
• Noon, Pilates
• 2:30 pm, private

Have a great Tuesday,

SUBBING

This morning, I have been invited to sub for Bridget at YogaTejas - a great yoga studio in Driggs, Idaho. This, some of you know, is the studio formerly owned by Sundari, and now owned by Cate Stillman and Bridget Lyons, both Certified Anusara Instructors. Because we (husband and I) own a small house in this town, I frequent the studio whenever possible.

Great teaching and great kula in this little town, where there is still just one stoplight, no movie theatre, everything (almost) closes on Sunday. Major winter recreational activities: Skiing. Grand Targhee is just up Ski Hill Road 11 miles and Jackson Hole, about a 45 minute drive.

So, what do I teach to a group (level 1), who I don't really know -- oh, I've seen them in class -- but injuries? skill level? and, will the same students attend Monday as on Saturday? When I'm in class as a student, I don't look around to see who is able to do what. I did attend Saturday's class, taught by Deb Payne. It was a good one, and wouldn't you know that energy thing was around, and she taught many of the poses I thought would be good possibilities for this unknown-to-me group. Oh well, looking for the good here, this causes me to expand a bit. I have a feeling it will be a good idea to just keep it simple.

In preparation, I have a theme, I have a plan -- I'll post tomorrow on how it goes.

Immediately after the class, we'll hit the road for SLC. Not a bad drive, just long (5 hours).

Hope your Valentine's Day is great! Share your love with everyone, even people you haven't met. It's a good thing, today and as many days as possible.

Wish me luck,

TWO YEARS !

It's the two-year 'birthday' of this blog. 574 posts in those two years. All I can say is Wow!

When I contemplated the 'birth of the blog', I do remember that it was close to Valentine's Day. My husband and I were talking about ways to offer information, network, draw people to us in our respective professional endeavors. I saw blogging as a tool he could use. The longer we talked, the more excited I became. End result: I started a blog, he didn't (yet).

What was the purpose of this blog? At that time, I felt there needed to be a communication tool in the 'Inspired' community. I love the periodic newsletters to all instructors and interested students that I had been getting; but other than that, there was little to 'tie us together' as an 'inspired' group. So, I began a blog to share my experiences; to do my part to remedy the situation. FYI, at the time, I sent JF an e-mail, told him what I was doing and the reason. Why? If I am going to attach Anusara® to anything, I believe it's only good sense to tell the founder what I'm doing.

One of the struggles I noticed is that people, at that time, were not quite sure where/what/when they should be doing things to move them along the path to Certification. Not that I know everything, but I've learned a lot over the years. And, as I looked back at the things I'd done, it becomes apparent that a lot of self-effort is needed. What do I mean by that? At that time, there was no central place to ask questions and get answers, other than going directly to the source -- which, for many, is daunting. So, my goal was to offer my experiences for people to read about, perhaps get ideas from and proceed on their journey in their way.

And, what's happened? I think I've done as I hoped. I've had my wrist slapped a couple times when a reader didn't agree with what was written. I've learned a lot. I've become acquainted with the blog writings of others - which are wonderful sources of information, yoga-philosophy-shopping-etc. And, I'm still doing it two years later.

Today, we have more on Facebook to tie us together; more Certified teachers are offering mentoring courses (VALUABLE); and Anusara® has started the Forum - a great resource, in my book - we just need to use it. So, I'll keep writing and reading and moving along the path. On to year #3!

Today:

• Planning for a Valentine's morning class at YogaTejas
• Wind blowing - fiercely; that may affect cross-country skiing plans

Hope your Sunday is a good one,

NOTES DAY

Yes, friends, we are going back to FRIDAYS = NOTES DAY. A chance for me to review my notes from trainings, workshops and share a few pearls, stories, or funny stuff.

I recently read Abby Tucker's blog (1/28 post), in which she talked about the Feb. 2010 Immersion with JF in San Francisco. Specifically, she was writing about 'showing up'. Truth-be-told, I had noticed an emphasis in Abby's Facebook entries encouraging students to arrive a few minutes early for class, be on their mats and ready to begin their class with her on-time. She made it a challenge of sorts, and I could read that she achieved success, commenting how happy she was to see everyone on the mat 5 minutes prior to class start-time.

What does this have to do with 'showing up'? even if I'm late, I'm still 'showing up', right? Well, there is an underlying attitude or lack of thought/planning when I arrive late -- even though I might think "I'm showing up, what's the big deal?". That attitude could be as simple as not being organized - not allowing enough time to get ready, do the things important to me before class with a bit of extra time built it. Or, that attitude could be as pervasive as 'needing to make an entry' -- what better way to be noticed by the teacher than waltzing in late? And, I know that JF notices EVERYTHING - so a late entrance is a good way to be noticed -- NOT!

Just so you know, I am always on time; sometimes embarrassingly early.

What brought this topic up for Abby -- comments by JF about the studentship he sees as he travels the world about attentiveness (i.e. 'they' don't run out of the room at the hint of a bladder signal). I love the way he talks, weaving a message in a story, and before I know it - bam, something to think about.

I've heard this happen on other occasions. For example, in Tucson, he began to ask Darren Rhodes some questions about their first meeting -- detailed questions, even asking what they had had for dinner on the day they met. Before I knew it, came the message -- we remember what is important to us (and whether someone remembers will tell me what impact I've had). For him, meeting Darren was important; therefore, he remembers the associated events to their meeting.

How does this apply to our teaching? If I am able to remember one tiny detail about a student, I see a facial expression like, "Wow, she remembered that!" And, I have to admit, sometimes it's easier for me to remember a detail than a name!?!?!?!?

So, the point of this blog? Be on time, get to class with time enough to visit the restroom BEFORE the session begins; and if it's important to me, I'll remember.

Rambling thoughts. Abby wrote a great blog post on 'showing up'; if you're interested in more detail, go to www.yogabohemian.blogspot.com.

Today:

• Gentle Yoga at 10:30 am (BTW, not sure why because I didn't say anything, but all these students have been in the room and on their mats on time consistently in recent weeks!)
• A free afternoon

Hope your Friday is great,

NOW I WAIT . . .

I put this same post on Facebook -- interesting that not many people are curious what I'm waiting for. Guess Facebook posts can be a bit obscure at times; some days I just read them, shrug my shoulders and move on. I learned a while ago to not read anything into what someone writes on Facebook -- I'm probably wrong.

So, what am I waiting for? Long story short -- I have submitted the first video to Anusara® with Sundari's support and blessing. Whew!!! Exciting and scary. It will be hard to wait, but I understand that it takes a bit of time, now, for the home office/Certification Committee to assign a formal mentor. That explains the 'waiting'.

I wonder who I'll get? I wonder if they look at me, my experience, my age, my location, etc., and then look at the team of mentors and match us up based on some sort of criteria -- either that we are alike or that we are very different. What happens, happens. I am just happy to have crossed this next hurdle. Vijaya! (sanskrit: Vi=incremental; jaya=celebration)

I notice, once assigned, no one talks much about who their mentors are/were. This, just to tell you, that I probably will follow that unwritten understanding -- no names, but perhaps a 'heads-up' when it happens (assignment of a mentor, that is).

Yesterday (Wednesday) was a BUSY day for me -- teaching, plus errands, plus lunch with Wayne, a private, more errands. If you ever get e-mails from me, or Facebook entries, you notice that I am an early morning riser. Add a busy day on to that, and you have one tired yoga teacher by the end of the day (9 pm for me).

Gentle Yoga went well; several new people in the room - a couple of whom are visiting the area (family / skiers). One, from North Carolina, came to yoga for a bit of 'skiing relief'. It was obvious he is a yoga practitioner, who did a great job of staying in his 'beginner mind'. Needless to say, after 3 days in ski boots, he LOVED the footwork we did. I also must admit that I am using some of the new stuff I've learned by attending Adam's class. Combined with my teaching elements, I have more to offer students - a good thing!

Excitedly, I traveled from class to the FedEx office. Even though Anusara® may not IMMEDIATELY assign a mentor, I want them to have that video ASAP. Fortunately, I had a copy of the class plan ready, and my self-evaluation completed (those things must accompany the video). I also included a short letter explaining the make-up of the class being video'd - all amateurs, no 'shills' in there. Sundari will send her evaluation by separate mail.

Then to lunch with Wayne - who is on crutches after breaking his leg skiing this Winter. Bummer! But, he's back to teaching yoga. Wayne received his Certification about 2 years ago(?). He moved fast through the process, once everything was submitted -- perhaps I'll be so fortunate. (Not holding my breath on that part; remember, what happens happens.) We caught up on life, teaching, injuries, a little gossip-but not much and pretty benign stuff, and I was able to share my excitement about the video submission. Nice!

Another errand, then to my private -- this, the older woman striving to strengthen her legs. We worked gently -- she did some movement in a chair, then moved to the floor for me, some more gentle movement and breathwork, then it was back to the chair. I am happy that each time the hesitancy about moving to the floor and back up gets less and less. I remember the first time, "I'm NOT getting on the floor; I can't get back up!"; yesterday, no comment - she just did it - made her way to the floor and back up with only me standing behind her, no assistance.

Then, a couple more errands, home for dinner - too late to join in Srividyalaya; so will listen to the downloaded material this morning.

Today?

• Housework / laundry / Srividyalaya in a.m. (Wouldn't DBRK be happy to know he's worked in between birdcage cleaning and folding towels?)
• 1 pm, Pilates
• 4 pm, Level 1-2 at The Yoga Center

Hope your Thursday is a good one,

CONTINUING . . .

This age thing has really been bothering me over the past few days. What made it worse, was reading that a fellow instructor's opinion is that young people - people his age - don't want to attend class with someone my age. Wow! That was not totally a surprise, but it does cause one to wonder how many people make their yoga teacher selection based on age, beauty, looks; not on knowledge. I am not saying a young, beautiful, slim yoga teacher can't also possess a lot of knowledge; by the same token, not all older yoga instructors will possess the knowledge to practice and teach yoga wisely.

But, how many times will students make that decision without even giving someone older (or younger) a chance to demonstrate what knowledge they possess? And, by doing so, what are these students missing out on? Interesting.

Even more dismal than the comment I'd heard last week about 'liking slower classes'. Enough (again).

On top of this minor dilemma, I am in the middle of 'working a deal' on my parents' home. One of the problems with selling a house right now is that it really is a buyer's market -- lots of inventory, prices low, interest rates low (but going up) -- so, a buyer makes an offer, asks for a significant price reduction, then keeps asking for more concessions. I know I love a good deal, but when is enough, enough? When do I look at the gift I'm receiving (as a buyer) and say 'wow, I'm going to have a good - albeit dated - house in a great neighborhood, with great potential; and, I'm saving enough on the purchase that I can make needed upgrades." When do I say that? or, do I just keep going back to the trough and rooting around for more. After last night's trip back to the trough, I told the realtor what to offer the buyer, and to attach the statement -- 'don't ask for more; this is the seller's limit', in other words -- the trough is empty.

I have always said, 'if you don't ask, you won't get'. However, once you receive what is asked for, how about showing some appreciation rather than asking for more?

Enough.

Why haven't I written in my blog for a few days -- because what I've written so far is, in my book, a 'downer' -- not what I'd like to read in a blog post.

Here's a bit of good news -- I've been relaying the 15 aspects of Laksmi to my Gentle Yoga student (actually 16, but the 16th is basically a summary of the previous 15 -- thank you, again, Eric S. and DBRK (Douglas Brooks)). I haven't done much of this -- carried a class through several weeks of a continuing theme. I believe they are enjoying it! And, I am having fun doing it. And, I am seeing - as I relate each aspect (sometimes it's 2 aspects per class) - that I have elements of each aspect within me, and I can safely look at my students and say the same to them -- that they each have the aspects of Laksmi in their make-up; they just haven't heard it or thought about it much before (or ever).

Monday was a quiet day. I did go in and take Adam's 'Yoga for Seniors' class yesterday morning. Felt I needed it, plus the info I'm taking away is wonderful! Why did I need it?Walking the dogs Sunday morning, I stepped on an uneven spot in the pavement and found myself on the pavement. Damage wasn't too awful, torn knee of sweatpants - skin broken and bleeding slightly; the ego damage, another story. Back at home, this was a good excuse to toss the VERY old sweatpants, take some Ibuprofen and relax in front of the Super Bowl. A bit stiff, yet I find it interesting that I fell mainly on my right knee, and the resultant sore muscles are happening in the back of that leg. Perhaps I tensed those muscles as I plummeted to the pavement, who knows. No sore neck or anything else. Today? Feeling better.

What am I learning by attending this class? How to use my 'beginner' mind; not to be anything BUT the student. (Tho, I am VERY flattered that he introduced me as an instructor of the same style as him.) I've known for a long time about the limitations some attending a class like this will display, and it's good for me to watch how another instructor handles them. For example, loud groans in the room when we lifted the knee from kneeling lunge to full runners' lunge. He acknowledged the groans ("lots of groans on that"), and moved on. I'll miss next week's class, but I also see a progression from last week to this, especially as he introduces the UPA's, without actually calling them anything - just making them part of the movement.

I shared my concerns from paragraph 1 with Adam (no names, tho). His comment: 'When you subbed for me, what I heard is that, contrary to being an easy class, yours was challenging because you asked student hold poses for longer.' Score!!!

Speaking of today:

• 9:15am, teaching Level 1-2 at The Yoga Center
• Noon, Pilates
• 2:30pm, private

Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

ASKING FOR DIRECTION

Part of Amy Ippoliti's offering in the "90 Minutes to Change the World" program is targeted question and answer sessions (laser questions, as she called them). By that, I guess she will specifically address questions you ask that are pertinent to your situation.

So I asked the dreaded question: "how do I handle my age (61) when trying to grow my classes?" This is at the forefront of my thought process this morning. Why? I have addressed the question with my colleagues and mentors, only to be told "don't worry, you have tons of knowledge and are a good teacher".

Fact is, I am a good teacher and I am a good student. I am strong, I am committed, I am empathetic, I am smart, I'm even fun (in my mind). I have not been able, however, to keep a committed crew coming to the Level 1-2 classes that I teach. That is not the case with the other, Gentle Yoga, classes I teach; those are well attended.

Now, why do I think it could be my age? Earlier in the week, I mentioned this dilemma to a fellow instructor (younger) who has NEVER attended a class of mine. Her response? "Well, you know, I love to attend a slower class; I get lots out of them." Thank you, VERY much.

So, enough whining. It's Friday and I love Fridays, one reason being I can share a 'tip'. Here goes:

I have long struggled with just how to teach a new student pidgeon prep. I can literally spend minutes working with one student (all this while the rest of the class moans and groans away in their pidgeons). When taking Adam's class this past Monday, he has a great way to introduce the pose -- if you are curious, let me know and I'll e-mail you. So, that has had me thinking about and teaching pidgeon all this week. And, in my notes from the last Immersion (Park City, 2010) with JF, he pointed out these common misalignments for the pose:

• Hip of front leg drops to floor
• Lack of muscle energy in front leg
• Hips not squared
• Toes of back leg not flex'd under (why? using an active foot will aid in inner spiraling that back leg more effectively)
• Beginning students will be happier with front foot closer to groin, top of 'barbie' foot pressing into the mat, ankle and foot moving in same direction as shin.

That reminds me -- I've been using a fun comparative in classes: For example, in pidgeon - set up the pose using appropriate muscle energy, breathe for a moment, then let the ME energy go from the legs. To me, and - I think - to students, it feels as though the bottom dropped out of the pose. Good demo of the power of our foundation and why it needs to stay energized as we extend up and out of it.

Today?

• Teaching Gentle Yoga, 10:30 am at The Yoga Center
• Errands

Have a great Friday!

LOTS OF INFORMATION

My two continuing education projects -- How to grow and enhance my yoga teaching from a wise business standpoint, plus the history of Yoga -- lots of information to absorb, but do-able. The good thing is that in each of these educational activities very different types of information are being transmitted. One - the teaching - is very practical information; stuff I can use immediately in my day-to-day activities. The other - more in the philosophy vein - needs more contemplation. I think I'll be o.k. doing them concurrently.

My issue right now; how to stop what I am listening to as I re-play Tuesday's Webinar and then re-start it, perhaps back up a bit to something I want to re-hear. Now THAT'S a challenge. Oh well, I was about 16 minutes into it; so, I'll re-listen and type this blog post -- how's that for multi-tasking!?!?!

My private went well -- interesting how just watching someone breathe with more awareness, or do a pelvic tilt can fill me with a sense of accomplishment. It did, tho. And - better yet, she is feeling the benefit of these weekly visits.

On to Gentle Yoga, another true confession -- I used a lot of what I learned in Adam's Monday class for my students yesterday. Groans in the room (stuff they weren't used to), but I loved teaching it. Good for me to change it up a bit.

BTW, thank you for the name suggestion - nice.

Today (Thursday's are busy ones for me):

• 1 pm, Pilates
• 2 pm, Webinar with Amy
• 2:30 pm, Private
• 4 pm, Level 1-2 at The Yoga Center (me teaching)
• Would love to do Tiffany's class, not sure if other things today will allow that.

O.K. - back to the Webinar tape. Have a nice Thursday!

90 MINUTES . . .

Two of my continuing education endeavors begin this week - '90 Minutes to Change the World' and 'Srividyalaya'.

In fact, Amy Ippoliti's '90 Minutes to Change the World' began yesterday. This course is meant to restore 'glory' to the yoga teacher in the trenches -- meaning the yoga teacher that faithfully teaches each week; the teacher that builds yoga skills in students so that these students are confident and able to attend workshops and trainings with the 'rock stars' of yoga (those hard-working and traveling yoga instructors who arrive, push our limits a bit, then move on to the next 'gig'). This is NOT a revolt against those 'rock stars', just a re-recognition of the importance of the stay-at-home yoga instructor -- intended to give us information and tips to grow and cultivate our skills and classes.

It's a 'webinar' - something I haven't done before. Tried to log in unsuccessfully; not necessarily my fault, tho -- everyone was being challenged by the technology. Because I had limited time, I gave up and moved on to other activities, so will download and view it this afternoon.

I am, however, getting feedback through Facebook -- sounds like people are happy and excited about the potential of this course to affect their teaching careers. Good stuff!

One of the commitments Amy has made during this teaching endeavor of hers, is to attend a public class 5 days a week during the month of February. It sounds as if she has asked participants in the webinar to join her - to attend more classes during each week of this educational effort. More good stuff! Why? I don't see a lot of yoga teachers in classes. Oh, the new-to-teaching teachers are there, taking notes and listening carefully. The more experienced instructors? Not sure where some of those are (speaking of SLC, here). Perhaps they do a home practice faithfully, or ___?___.

Personally, I admit I have used the excuse "I have too much to do to attend class today; besides, I taught 2 classes. That should be good." (More true confessions on blogspot.com.) I've also used the reason that I'm just too tired; fact is, if I went to class, I probably would feel better - not so tired. Just a counter argument to that reason.

So, I will continue to attend classes - kick it up a notch, try to ignore the excuses that build in my head. There's a ton to learn from attending someone else's teaching; I know that, and the support I show that instructor -- that's equally important.

Today?

• 9 am, Private
• 10:30 am, Gentle Yoga at The Yoga Center (me teaching)
• Srividyalaya begins tonight! "History of Hatha Yoga", here I come.

Have a great Wednesday,

NEW IDEAS, NEW APPRECIATION

Yesterday went much as planned -- I did a bit of housework, then - after time on the computer - I got myself ready and zipped over to Adam's class at Steiner Aquatics. This is a class, probably best defined as 'Gentle', but looking for a name.

Just try to re-name a class from 'Gentle'. I've been trying forever and cannot come up with a better, more effective word. A word that says this is not going to be your 'kick butt' yoga class, will take into consideration limitations, will be 'gentle' yet work to increase strength and flexibility -- all the things we do in Level 1 classes, modified a bit. If anyone out there has an idea, I'd love to hear it. 'Gentle' keeps some people away, thinking they don't want to be identified with a 'gentle' class -- well, now that I've typed that, perhaps those people don't belong in the class anyway!?!?!? That thought just occurred to me. Egos.

Back to the class at Steiner. Got some great ideas for teaching. Also got a good reminder of what it means to really put on that 'beginner' mind. How tempting it was to break into a full-on version of parsvakonasana, or throw in a little vinyasa switching sides. But, the instructor (Adam) didn't ask for that, he asked for modified versions and switching sides by moving back to table. I even put some padding under my knee -- unheard of; and accepted the block he offered me (I hadn't grabbed one on my way in and his was the only spare). All this, a sign of respect for other students in the room and teacher.

It was a great learning experience for me as an instructor and as a student.

Today?

• 9:15 am - Level 1-2 at The Yoga Center
• Noon, Pilates
• 2:00 pm, Amy Ippoliti's course begins (will have to download and watch it later, due to 2:30 commitment)
• 2:30 pm, Private

Hope your Tuesday is terrific!