NO PRESSURE; BUT, WRITE !

My blog postings recently have focused most on the recently-begun Wisdom Warriors, a once-weekly, two-hour practice group of 50+ year old women and men.  As most of you know, the group is coordinated by Desiree Rumbaugh and Geri Portnoy, with one or two others filling in if they are out of town.  Why has my focus been so one-pointed?  Well, with Anusara in turmoil right now (there may be light at the end of the tunnel, so I am still waiting), the Warriors is one very light moment of my week and has re-invigorated my practice and my teaching.  That's worth writing about.

So, to proceed . . .

Six weeks in, and we've practiced with Desiree 4 times; Geri once; and - yesterday - Garry Alessio filled in for the traveling Warrior leaders.  Talk about putting one's feet to the fire! I mentioned pressure in my title, since Desiree has come to enjoy these blog posts; but Garry had to practice with and guide 15 Warrior women through 2 hours of yoga! I guess he wins the 'pressure war'.

Why?  Well, everyone attending is a steady yoga practitioner. We all come from different teaching backgrounds and different teachers. Some of us travel from other locales and studios to do this practice. A practice is an opportunity to do our yoga, ask questions, offer some input, ask for heat/air adjustments, perhaps do our own advanced version of the pose being suggested. It is a different 'animal' that the usual yoga class, where everyone is quiet and trying to do exactly what the instructor offers. (One side effect: we are becoming our own community within a community!)

I hope you get the picture by now -- one guy, standing in front of fifteen 50+ year-old accomplished yogis, offering a practice sequence with immediate feedback (and sound effects) from participants. Don't get me wrong, we weren't rowdy, just vocal.

But, best of all and as we've done each week, we had fun. Garry took us through a well-rounded practice, some moves that I'd not done before, and sequences that were challenging.  And, some of us had a few good laughs at ourselves (me, in particular, when I found myself lying in a heap as I tried to exit one of those unfamiliar moves).

In each of these practices (as in classes), I like to reflect on the things I learned.  Here are a couple:

• Parighasana (gate pose) -- place a block under the hip of the extended leg, place the other leg in virasana, lengthen torso and reach for extended foot with corresponding arm. Now take other arm over your head towards foot.  What's different?  The elevation provided by the block makes the journey to the foot much more enjoyable.  
• Ustrasana (camel pose) -- as we prepared, Garry suggested we press our hands into the back of our thighs (and press back with the thighs). This was interesting, something I'd not done before. What happened? I was able to lift heart, lean back more confidently, and - when reaching for the ankles - it was both hands reaching the heels at the same time. For me, that doesn't happen always. We tried it twice - both times, same result.  

Thank you, Garry, for being our guide.  As I said, it was fun, I learned some new stuff, I refined some other stuff, I enjoyed being with everyone.  

Today?  Well, my Thursday class will benefit from yesterday's exploration of new 'stuff'.  

I hope you all have a great Thursday, as well!

WW #5

Wow! yesterday (Wednesday) was the fifth installment of Wisdom Warriors, the practice I've written about each week.  It's become a habit for me to write about it in this blog, so here goes:

Major change this week:  Geri leads the practice, as Desiree is traveling. What to expect? Not sure. I have attended Geri's classes (even a practice), but not as regularly as I'd like. I do know this: It will be challenging with a different flavor.  

Different flavors are good. I wish many yoga students would try different flavors. Why? So much to learn, an opportunity to create a flexibility of the mind. What do I mean by that? Well, if you are a yoga teacher and you fill in for someone's regular class, you may have seen students move to the next pose in a series - as if on automatic pilot. I know that if I study and practice with just one or two instructors, I fall into their rhythm. I know what to expect, I move without really thinking or listening. Change it up a bit, and I have to listen more carefully; I also have to wait to see what the new or different instructor will ask me to do. No anticipating the movement. I also am sure to pick up a few tidbits of information if I listen closely.

That was the case yesterday. Geri is a different teacher. I'd sum it up as she injects a calm, efficient, knowing energy into a room. One that says, 'you can do it, let's try' in a voice that is all of the above (no hype, no perky, no super enthusiastic); then, if you still refuse, she immediately moves into reassuring mode, even offering a compliment on the way you did a previous move. Nice.  

I'm thinking here of the instructor that says 'you can do it! just step back, jump, and fly!'  When you read the previous sentence, make sure you add a lot of emphasis to the bolded words, raise your voice a few decibels, and get VERY enthusiastic.  To a student like me, I respond 'right'. I know myself. I know I won't fly (yet). I want it broken down, explained, offered to me so that I can visualize where I am 'flying' to and how I am going to get my body there, as well as my mind. 

As I've been writing, I've been trying to come up with a good simple descriptive for the two teachers (Geri and Desiree).  Contrary compliments is one that comes to mind. They are not alike. And neither is trying to teach like the other. They have their own voice. Each has a unique wisdom. It is a great balance.

We, the Wisdom Warriors, are very lucky students!

Oh, and one more note about WW:  Geri began our class with a quote from one of FDR's speeches (and, which has been modified by Brene Brown to a book title): 'the only thing we have to fear is fear itself' and applied it to our efforts as 50+ year olds doing things many would never dream of. I immediately related to her comments that, at this age, we move into a knowing and a confidence that allows us to do the challenging without fear of failure.  So, I am listening, I am inspired; I am also listening to a voice in my head reciting the verse of a song "If I Were Brave", by the 4 Bitchin' Babes.  If you get a chance check it out. You'll understand.

Today?  Watch out 4pm class; I come prepared with a few new tricks, thanks to Geri.  

PRACTICING AND TEACHING

Since last week's post, I've been practicing a 'few' jumps (perhaps not as many as Des would like).  Just hard to get out of the habit of stepping and harder to jump, fall short, and feel good about it.  And, much of my practice is done for my own 'feeling good'.

I did teach several of the things we practiced at last Thursday's class.  Fortunately (or unfortunately), there were just two in class -- but two dedicated and striving students.  Good subjects for the topics I hoped to teach.  I included the chair stuff, urdhva dhanurasana, pincha mayurasana, along with some general alignment enhancements (don't lock knees, weight all 4 corners of feet, like that).  Smiling students left the room.  I overhead them walking down the hall, "boy, that was like a private lesson". I think it was a private; semi-private, at least!  I loved it.

In fact, I saw one in the Sunday class I taught.  The report from this very accomplished student:  Pincha is her 'nemesis' pose; it has always eluded her.  Well, after working on it Thursday, she was asked to do it again in a class Saturday.  Kicked up the first time. She gave me credit and I don't want to take credit for that (well, yes, I do); I'm sure the practice - doing it again and again - had a lot to do with her success.  Now, that's good stuff.

Speaking of the Sunday class, I filled in for a teacher who went to visit her Mother.  Weekends are fun, because we can count having more students than our weekday classes draw (especially when your weekday classes begin at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 4:30pm -- not exactly the crowd-pleasing times). Mother's Day was questionable, tho. I wished I had realized the day/holiday connection 2 weeks before and I might have asked to offer a 'special'. No matter, I still had 7 students.

After the class, the usual thank you's, the comment from my Thursday student (see para 3), and a comment from a student who thanked me for the 'wealth of anatomical information'.  I must admit that I do not ascribe to the concept of 'don't answer the question that hasn't been asked'. Oh, I don't let everything out, but I probably am more verbose that many instructors especially when the workings of the body are involved.  Why tell people to stand with feet parallel without telling them why?  Why tell people not to let their knee travel in front of their ankle without telling them why? These two examples of really significant postural alignment will help to save their knees and hips. Why skip telling students this stuff?

Maybe it's because some students just want to come to class and 'lose themselves' in the music and movement.  That's fine; but, if they come to my classes -- they'll get movement with a purpose and no music. Tough love.

Teaching 2 classes today. Hope you have a great Tuesday!

"JUMP BACK" she instructed . . .

"Jump back" she instructed and my mind went in to frantic mode -- jumping, my nemesis. In fact, anything that has me lifting feet from floor, propelling them in a direction away from my hands, is not (and never has been) in my repertoire.  Most times I will ignore these instructions to jump - stepping instead. Something about this instruction seemed to say 'do it' and, in a room of thirty 50+ year olds (all giving it the good old college try; many succeeding beautifully), what can one do but try to comply.

So . . .

Uttanasana, hands on floor, hamstrings are tight - so step back a few inches from hands, energize arms-shoulders-shoulder blades, melt heart, bring weight forward over hands, take a breath, now JUMP BACK, land in chaturanga dandasana (imagine a push-up just before you reach the ground and hit your 'pause' button). Good instructions, but for someone like me (who has never been a good or willing jumper), challenging. I asked the questions "how about those of us who have never jumped, avoided it - to be perfectly honest?".  Well, a demo.

A demo by my good friend Debra (last name left out to protect the innocent).  Same instructions, beautiful jump-back, but - because she allowed herself to go to the floor rather than hit her 'pause' button, she got up and did it again.  Not just twice, three times -- until there was a definite 'pause' before going to the floor. Beautiful. Impressive. Envy-producing.  (BTW, the repeated attempts were Debra's idea, not forced on her by anyone -- just being clear here -- what a trooper!)

Back to my mat for a few more tries.  Jump back to chaturanga dandasana (the paused push-up), go to down dog, NOW JUMP FORWARD. I'm about filled to the brim with 'jumping', when lo-and-behold, my jump forward was at least 4 inches closer to my hands than EVER. Progress.

The previous 4 paragraphs have been dedicated to our 'Wisdom Warriors' practice yesterday (Wednesday). Like each of the last 3 weeks, it was fun. It was comfortable. It felt safe to do (or not do) the poses (most were offered with options - EXCEPT that 'jumping' part).  We worked on arm strength and shoulder opening in preparation for backbending. Geri brought out the chairs (oh no, the chairs!).  I never knew you could do so much with chairs. Just a simple folding chair; one like you can buy at any retail store. So much good stuff.

So much good stuff, that I think I just came up with my plan for today's Basics class. Fun.

Wednesdays are fast becoming one of the best days of my week. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Desiree, Geri, and all my new and inspiring friends!

Now, on to Thursday.

AT THE LIBRARY . . .

As many of you know, each Monday from 3-4pm, I teach a class at the Fallbrook Library.  This is my gift to my new community. I volunteer my time, students come into class at no charge.

To say this is a 'traditional' yoga class would be stretching it a bit. Many have never done yoga, or have done a different style, or perhaps are returning to the practice. Ages range from 12 to 60+. Average attendance lately is 20. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that about 15 of those are 'regulars', the rest are newcomers (who may become regulars).

Yesterday's class was no different than what I've described. We worked on the 'little' things -- feet parallel, thighs back, arms reaching for the fullest stretch possible. Then, a couple challenges -- first vasisthasana (side plank). Out of the room, the comment heard was "I'm too heavy for this". What did I do?  A short demo and talk about involving the rest of the body in the pose, not just the poor wrist and arm holding it up. "Keep hips high"; "pull yourself up out of the lower arm, using the reach of the upper arm", "use your leg strength".  Second time around was better, I think (tho the man who made the comment was not convinced; his pose looked better, tho).

Then malasana (squat), some with heels on a blanket.  Here's a good example of the freedom I'm feeling while teaching -- rather than look out at a room of people half-squatting, and leave it at that - moving on to another, more accessible, pose.  We all stood up, and I asked them -- "I notice many of you bent your knees, made it halfway down, then stopped.  Why?"  One person expressed concern about the knees, the rest had simply never done it before (or, it's been a long time).  Mystery resolved, we made some adjustments and tried it again with more success.  (I must tell you, it is so much more freeing to teach like this -- more like a conversation, than a monologue.)

Now, as long as I've got everyone in malasana, why not go for bakasana?  (This is something I have tried very little of with this group -- arm balances!)  Several in the room had brief moments of elevation, many at least tried, some just stood and watched.  I didn't push anyone to try the pose who wasn't comfortable doing it.  I even offered them the option of standing on a block, then moving into the pose -- which, for some makes it more accessible.  Fortunately, no one did any massive face plants, and we moved on.

A one-hour class restricts how far we can go; how much we can do.  There just isn't time to do the full spectrum.  We finished out class with some back lying poses and savasana.  My closing line -- "When I step out of my comfort zone, I remember my power; in the past, I used to short-change myself in this regard, saying 'I can't do this or that', and not giving it a try.  Everyone tried and even if we didn't succeed today, we tried. That bodes well for the next time."  Audible groan from the room (see, I said it wasn't your usual class).

Hope you have a great Tuesday.

THE SIDE EFFECTS . . .

There are apparent side effects to practicing weekly with Desiree Rumbaugh.  These are coming out as I teach.

The first, very outstanding one is the re-invigorated access to teachings that I had forgotten.  You know -- like those poses you forget about, or the poses you don't enjoy doing and, therefore, teach less often.  I'm loving being reminded each week that there is much more, so much that it is easy to get stuck teaching the familiar and comfortable. I am coming out of that rut (just ask the students).  Knowledge.

My strength is coming back.  Oh, I can't do all the poses yet, but I am regaining much of the strength that I had lost over the past year.  This has been partly my lack of initiative; but, also, due to frequent bouts with colds, flu, etc.  The practice -- the act of committing to this weekly get-together -- is increasing my strength, slowly but surely.  And, when I am on my mat alone, I am more likely to do the more challenging stuff.  Accountability.  

There's another "Leslie" appearing in the 'Seat of the Teacher'.  Huh?  Yesterday, as I taught, I heard myself using phrases, exclamations, encouragements previously not part of my vocabulary.  I might sum it up as more lively, more involved, more fun(?).  I hope so.  Enjoyment.  

I'm sure there are more 'side effects' yet to be revealed, but this last one -- enjoyment -- is a real boon to my teaching.  I am able to relax, I notice I'm more engaged with the students, I am having fun.  

Just an update.  Hope you have a great Friday!

WISDOM WARRIORS, Practice #3

"Head behind leg, check! Shoulder in sole of foot, check! Handstand to Warrior III & back to handstand, check! (Well, not really - but, I gave them all the good old college try.) Wisdom Warriors Rock!"


I posted the above on Facebook last night when I returned home from the third Wisdom Warriors practice.  We did all of the above things (plus more); many in the room were much more accomplished than me, but - as I said - I did try.


Much of the practice reminded me of the days in Salt Lake, going to class or practice with Adam Ballenger (who, by the way, traveled the Anusara ladder via Desiree).  Perhaps that's why I kept thinking of him -- my teaching is often reflective of those I have studied with.  I even heard myself let out a groan (or a hoot) that very much reminded me of the sound effects Adam would employ in classes.  Ahhh, reflection.  


Surprise, I looked down at my mat at one point, and saw sweat drops littering it!  Haven't seen that kind of work for a while (or, perhaps it was the heat/humidity in the room).  No matter, I loved it.  


Best of all, I saw many of the same faces and a few new ones.  A friend from Temecula made the journey. And, Orange County was represented, as well (for those of you unfamiliar with our geography, these are significant drives -- over an hour, I'm thinking).  And, if you are curious, the traffic 'gods' were with me again.  I even left 10 minutes early, thinking that 3 weeks in a row cannot happen; better be prepared for a little 'stoppage' on the freeway.  But, it didn't happen; smooth sailing, all the way.  


I read a Facebook post early this morning -- something like "it's not about the poses".  I agree, it's not.  And, many times I can't do the poses.  That doesn't mean I don't try.  I do.  My theory - if I begin to take the body towards the shape, eventually I'll get there.  I've seen it happen in myself -- try, try, try, 'bang' - I'm in the pose. So, I keep trying. And, I keep laughing; it makes everything more palatable. 


I'm teaching Basics today in Temecula (Living Yoga), at 4pm.  I have a wealth of new material (taken from Wisdom Warriors); so, watch out!


I LOVE WEDNESDAYS AND ALL MY NEW WARRIOR FRIENDS, and I hope you have a great Thursday,

THEIR 'FIRSTS' ARE MANY TIMES MY 'FIRSTS'

One of those curiosity-invoking titles; causing you to read more, or not.  I'll explain - -

Yesterday, my Therapeutic/Gentle class turned into a private for one student.  (I do intend for the class to remain small, just not this small every time.)  No matter, I and the student involved were happy to work together for 75 minutes on just the stuff she wanted/needed.

I'm not sure why, but we warmed up a bit, then stayed on the floor to work the quads -- you know, on the belly, bend one knee, reach back with corresponding hand and hold the foot. Then, gently draw that foot closer to the backside.

A bit of history -- this student has practiced yoga over the years. And, recently found herself in crowded gym yoga classes with little personal attention and lots of people.  Nothing against gym classes, but they are not for everyone.  She became increasingly discouraged ("I can't do that") until, finally, her husband wandered into one of my classes, then told her about me, and - now - for the rest of this post.

Her main goal is to reclaim her physical power and to get back into shape.  Her flexibility is great, she just hasn't used it for a while.

So, working on the floor, she could bend the knee and not worry about stability issues.  Reaching the foot became the issue (remember "I can't do that"). So, we lengthened thru the torso, we inner and outer spiraled, we reached once, twice, three times until finally the foot was captured.  With knee safely in line with the straight leg, she began to experience what it feels like to, once again, hold her foot; first, one side, then the other.  We even began to draw the foot closer to her hip, using the magic of inner and outer spiral, and a gentle pull on the foot.  "I can't do that" changed to "amazing".

Now to standing.  "I've never been able to do this and it is embarrassing in a yoga class" is what I think I heard her say.  We used the wall for stability (one hand on the wall). I asked her to activate toes, draw one knee in towards her chest and grab the front of her shin.  Side one, didn't quite make it.  Side two, a couple tries and she had hold of her ankle.  Once there, she took the ankle behind her, kept knees close together and, while pressing down thru the standing leg, she then stood tall and extended the bent knee towards the floor. Back to side one; still no luck there. But, I think that now she has the feeling in her body, it won't be long. A second time on side two - holding the ankle, going through all of what I wrote earlier.

"I have NEVER been able to do that.  That was a first."

She worried I would think her silly for saying that.  My response -- 'you are speaking to the person who revels in the feeling of knee on shoulder, inner thigh hugging in' -- also a 'first', but it never gets old, that feeling.  And, the feeling of helping someone experience their 'first' -- priceless.

Off to practice with Desiree and Geri; 1-3pm, YogaDelMar.  What a life, but someone has to do it!

Have a great Wednesday!

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF LIBRARY YOGA!

I began the yoga class at the Library in September 2011.  It is a volunteer effort; no charge to the students and no money to me, but that's what 'volunteer' is about -- an opportunity to give back, without expectation of monetary reward.

3-4 students attended the first class, people who regularly practice yoga.  From there, it stayed about the same 3, 4, 5 people in the room every Monday for about 2 months. Eventually, the word got out, and the class began to grow.  Yesterday (Monday), there were 21 people in class.  That's been about the average for the past 4 months.  Most are 'regulars', meaning they have made Monday yoga part of their current life's schedule.

I call it yogahour (stealing the name from another instructor), but a better name might be 'melting pot' yoga -- it brings together all manner of people -- new to yoga, experienced in yoga, different nationalities, different ages, some significant injuries/conditions, and varying ages (yesterday's class included two 12-year-olds, a few 65+ year olds and many inbetween).

About 10 minutes into class, a woman unknown to me entered the room.  I was struck by how, when I offered her a pink mat, she refused it - opting for green, instead.  Someday, I'll ask her why.  As we continued, I could see she was experienced.

The class went on uneventfully.  One of the pitfalls, I thought as I taught, was the risk of paying too much attention to the young people in the room.  It's fun to teach focused 12-year-olds , but to pay too much attention to them is to rob the others of their experience. So, my challenge was to move in and through the room, verbally offering tips, hints and advice to everyone.

This is a one-hour class. We laugh a lot, and the structure is pretty much related to who or what condition arrives in class. That gives me the freedom to ask at the start of class if anyone has a request; something I don't normally do.  Two requests -- down dog and revolved knee-down lunge twist; interesting.  We began by warming up, threw in a couple down dogs, the revolved lunge, then moved to some standing poses, and finally Garudasana (eagle) pose.  Lots of wall space in the room, so I had students stand with their backs about 12 inches from the wall.  That way, when they sat down into the pose (eagle), they could press their seat into the wall and use it (or not) to help with their balance.  It was fun and I loved the groans as I asked everyone to repeat the pose, both sides (it's always better the second time around, don't you know?).

Class ends. The late-arriving student introduced herself with the question "you teach Anusara yoga, don't you?"  Why, yes, I replied.  That led to a longer conversation.  Seems she's been practicing yoga for much longer than me, even knew John Friend from the ashram days (pre-Anusara).  And, she has continued to practice Anusara, studying with many people I know.  For me, it was interesting to hear a non-teacher, long-time practicing Anusara student's perspective on the current Anusara situation.  Basically, her stance:  'let it go; it happens everywhere; don't destroy the system'.  I'm sure there's more, but for me that was good to hear. Supports my current thought process.

Today?  Teaching at Living Yoga, 2pm (therapeutic/gentle), and again at 4:30pm (prenatal).

Hope you have a great Tuesday!