Each week, I've posted about my experience in the Wisdom Warrior practice (for 50+ year olds). It's become a habit of sorts, and an inspiration to write during a time of flux in the Anusara world.
Yesterday was no different. The only difference, I'd add, is that Geri led the practice for us (Desiree is in Kripalu, I think, teaching other lucky people).
One of the remarkable things about Geri is her level of 'calm'. I've never seen her flustered, never out of sorts, never in that near-panic state some of us experience regularly. Yesterday was no different -- calm, controlled, deliberate in speech, and - also - having some fun with us. Good stuff!
And, the 'rolling' part -- well, that describes my yoga experience during the 2 hour practice yesterday. Seems I did more rolling than usual -- as in rolling out of poses, rolling into my partner's support in handstand (???), rolling onto my head even (which, I might add, remained a bit tender for a while). What's good about 'rolling'? Well, it's NOT falling. You're close to the ground (if not on the ground), so it's not too painful (unless you roll onto your head); and, if you plan your 'roll' right, you'll end up in the supportive arms of your yoga partner (which is embarrassing, but not painful).
As my Mother used to say when I was learning to ski -- if you don't fall (or roll) once in a while, you're being too cautious; you're not 'going for it'. OK, OK, Mom. Got it, got the point.
The rest of my day yesterday? I taught an Intermediate/Advanced class in the morning (maybe that's the reason for my 'rolling' -- my equilibrium was thrown off by this change in teaching style). As I prepared in the days leading up to this experience, I kept hearing from others 'just kick their ___'s', and they'll be happy. I decided, instead, to use some of the sequencing tips I've picked up lately from Christina Sell, and lead the group towards a pose. Result? At the end of class, they were smiling. I even heard "I'll be sore tomorrow". Need I say more?
And the rest of the day? I treated myself to a healthy salad after the practice, then contentedly drove home in almost-rushhour traffic (which looks like rushhour traffic in most other towns).
Today? Teaching Gentle/Therapeutic Yoga at 12:30 at Yoga For Life, then Basics, 4pm at Living Yoga.
Hope you have a great Thursday!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
AHHH, TO BE A ROCKIN' 60+ YEAR OLD
As I tapped and sang along to the playlist that Desiree Rumbaugh had for us yesterday (Wisdom Warriors), there was a brief, niggling thought that I was 'too old', 'too worldly', 'too cultured', to be singing along to Lady Gaga (and whoever else what on that list). Fortunately, I quickly put that out of my head -- one of the benefits of being 62 -- and went back to tapping and singing (loudly, I might add).
I must admit, this is one time each week that I let myself loose, let myself have some silly fun, let myself not be the adult in the room. (I can do 'silly' with my grand-dudes, but this is a different 'silly', if you get my drift.)
So, there we are, in down dog singing "we are young" to some song (sorry, Desiree, I am really bad at remembering names/authors of songs -- just good at singing along with them). I'm holding my own, feeling strong, doing the poses, and barely noticing that I might be tired (guess I wasn't tired). In the 2-hour practice yesterday, we did a full spectrum of poses -- arm balances, shoulder openers, back opening, hip opening -- she threw the kitchen sink at us, I think. A little taste of everything in one 2-hour period. We twisted, we went upside down, we helped each other, we wrapped our arms between and around our legs, we folded, we balanced, whew!
And, when it was over? Well, I still wasn't tired. Amazing. I'm amazed. I notice that my arms are getting stronger, that my shoulder isn't hurting like it was in the first few weeks, and that the one week where right foot, hip AND shoulder all hurt is a distant memory (thank goodness). I go upside down more easily and parvritta trichonasana? well, I nailed that one again (granted, it was better on one side than the other, but isn't that often the case?).
The best part? That I was able to share this experience with a good friend. A friend who once was just a social acquaintance (18 years ago), but stumbled on me via this blog and our yoga, a while back. We've been fast blog and Facebook friends since. And, when she knew she was coming to San Diego from Michigan, she made plans to include the Wisdom Warrior's practice in her itinerary. She was on the mat next to me yesterday, having fun (I believe), and doing the work. Even better? It was her birthday! Hope you have a great year, Lesley. Look forward to seeing you again, somewhere, sometime soon. Thanks for spending part of your birthday day with me and the wise ones!
My plans for today? Teaching Gentle Yoga at 12:30 at Yoga For Life; then to Living Yoga to teach Basics.
Hope you all have a great Thursday, and don't be afraid to sing along once in a while (loudly). It's great fun!
I must admit, this is one time each week that I let myself loose, let myself have some silly fun, let myself not be the adult in the room. (I can do 'silly' with my grand-dudes, but this is a different 'silly', if you get my drift.)
So, there we are, in down dog singing "we are young" to some song (sorry, Desiree, I am really bad at remembering names/authors of songs -- just good at singing along with them). I'm holding my own, feeling strong, doing the poses, and barely noticing that I might be tired (guess I wasn't tired). In the 2-hour practice yesterday, we did a full spectrum of poses -- arm balances, shoulder openers, back opening, hip opening -- she threw the kitchen sink at us, I think. A little taste of everything in one 2-hour period. We twisted, we went upside down, we helped each other, we wrapped our arms between and around our legs, we folded, we balanced, whew!
And, when it was over? Well, I still wasn't tired. Amazing. I'm amazed. I notice that my arms are getting stronger, that my shoulder isn't hurting like it was in the first few weeks, and that the one week where right foot, hip AND shoulder all hurt is a distant memory (thank goodness). I go upside down more easily and parvritta trichonasana? well, I nailed that one again (granted, it was better on one side than the other, but isn't that often the case?).
The best part? That I was able to share this experience with a good friend. A friend who once was just a social acquaintance (18 years ago), but stumbled on me via this blog and our yoga, a while back. We've been fast blog and Facebook friends since. And, when she knew she was coming to San Diego from Michigan, she made plans to include the Wisdom Warrior's practice in her itinerary. She was on the mat next to me yesterday, having fun (I believe), and doing the work. Even better? It was her birthday! Hope you have a great year, Lesley. Look forward to seeing you again, somewhere, sometime soon. Thanks for spending part of your birthday day with me and the wise ones!
My plans for today? Teaching Gentle Yoga at 12:30 at Yoga For Life; then to Living Yoga to teach Basics.
Hope you all have a great Thursday, and don't be afraid to sing along once in a while (loudly). It's great fun!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
PROGRESS & SUPERHEROES
In my practice, progress is not measured by what outstanding pose I can master (though, I would accept that). Rather, I measure progress in small pieces and parts - like, how straight can I get my leg(s) in a particular pose; or, 'wow, is that my inner thigh muscle firing?'; or, is my right shoulder blade moving as strongly as the left, etc., etc. That's how I measure progress.
Seems silly as I write it, but I feel good about those 'pieces and parts', and that's what is important to me about this practice.
Yesterday, in our Wisdom Warriors (WW) practice, another sign of 'progress' -- Leslie-style progress, that is.
Step back 8-9 weeks to the first WW practice. I have to admit my practice, at that time, had significantly diminished from what it was when I moved away from Salt Lake. I could list many reasons (excuses) for that, but - keeping it simple - will just say I wasn't paying much attention to MY practice.
Enter Desiree Rumbaugh, Geri Portnoy & an idea for a practice. (2 lady Superheroes riding in to my rescue.)
Week 1, Desiree asked us to come to hands and knees, separate our hands wider on our mats (partially off the mat, in fact, staying up on fingertips). Once set, we were to begin lowering our chest to the floor, keeping shoulder blades strongly engaged and hips in the air. With chest and chin on floor, everyone took a few breaths and then came out of the 'pose' - whatever it's called. Everyone, except me -- generally weak and struggling with a sore shoulder. I lowered a bit, but not all the way.
Week 8/9, Desiree calls for this 'pose', again. Be still my heart -- I place my hands, engage my shoulder blades, begin to lower. With chest and then chin on floor, I took a few breaths before coming out. AND, I repeated the move 2-3 times, I'm sure. AND, it felt good.
Ahhh, the power of practice; the power of friends; the power of Superheroes arriving at just the right time, just when you need them.
The rest of the practice, you ask? Backbends, backbends and more backbends. All shapes and forms, even some upside down ones. Urdhva is still escaping me, but after the above example, I am sure it is not far away.
Today? Therapeutic/Gentle Yoga at 12:30 at Yoga for Life; then 4pm Basics at Living Yoga (think backbends).
Hope you have a great Thursday!
Seems silly as I write it, but I feel good about those 'pieces and parts', and that's what is important to me about this practice.
Yesterday, in our Wisdom Warriors (WW) practice, another sign of 'progress' -- Leslie-style progress, that is.
Step back 8-9 weeks to the first WW practice. I have to admit my practice, at that time, had significantly diminished from what it was when I moved away from Salt Lake. I could list many reasons (excuses) for that, but - keeping it simple - will just say I wasn't paying much attention to MY practice.
Enter Desiree Rumbaugh, Geri Portnoy & an idea for a practice. (2 lady Superheroes riding in to my rescue.)
Week 1, Desiree asked us to come to hands and knees, separate our hands wider on our mats (partially off the mat, in fact, staying up on fingertips). Once set, we were to begin lowering our chest to the floor, keeping shoulder blades strongly engaged and hips in the air. With chest and chin on floor, everyone took a few breaths and then came out of the 'pose' - whatever it's called. Everyone, except me -- generally weak and struggling with a sore shoulder. I lowered a bit, but not all the way.
Week 8/9, Desiree calls for this 'pose', again. Be still my heart -- I place my hands, engage my shoulder blades, begin to lower. With chest and then chin on floor, I took a few breaths before coming out. AND, I repeated the move 2-3 times, I'm sure. AND, it felt good.
Ahhh, the power of practice; the power of friends; the power of Superheroes arriving at just the right time, just when you need them.
The rest of the practice, you ask? Backbends, backbends and more backbends. All shapes and forms, even some upside down ones. Urdhva is still escaping me, but after the above example, I am sure it is not far away.
Today? Therapeutic/Gentle Yoga at 12:30 at Yoga for Life; then 4pm Basics at Living Yoga (think backbends).
Hope you have a great Thursday!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
THERAPEUTIC YOGA CLASSES
Each week, I teach 2 classes called "Therapeutic / Gentle Yoga". I was driving up to Temecula last week to the most recently added class, and thinking "I need to define this class. Like, what do I hope to accomplish? What do students want/need to receive from the class."
I have spent the following 7 days worrying about this -- a goal for my Therapeutic classes, a definition of the class purpose/mission.
After yesterday's class, I've adjusted my thinking a bit. This class is only definable to a point -- that being, that it is a class for students who are injured, hurting for some reason, out of shape, need a rest. Simple.
How did I arrive at this conclusion so quickly, after worrying about it for 6 days? Yesterday's class composition offered me the answer. It went like this:
Regular attendee: Myofascial tightening, pain throughout body
Regular attendee: MS
Regular attendee: Old knee injuries/surgery
Regular attendee: Plantar Fasciitis & heel spur
Regular attendee: Struggling with sore knees, a bit out of shape
Not-so-regular attendee (at least to this class): Sore right hip
How do you / can you define what each of these people need, and then work towards it? And, does any of this fit into any 'general' definable mold?
Last week, I commented in class that each student comes in with an expectation, a hoped-for goal for this yoga experience. Likewise, when I work with people, I set some individual goals for each of them. For example, in last week's class, an older student arrived who is struggling to regain and retain her active lifestyle after a rough winter of illness. What would my goal be for her? Since it was her first class with me, I set a 'draft' goal of strengthening her back and back-of-the-neck muscles, so that her rounded shoulders and forward-thrusting neck become a part of her history. That may change as I get to know her.
I find I do this with each of these students -- after working with them for a while in the class setting, I have goals for them which may stretch them a bit; take them a bit beyond their comfort zone. This has been the way I've been doing it; thinking about it, just made me realize my worry about a plan/goal/definition for this class was un-needed. I show up, they show up, and - together - we move forward.
Each student needs/wants something different from the class; however, the overriding goal for each, I've discovered (and known), is that they want to leave feeling better than when they arrived, and - perhaps - with some ideas of things to work on that may help their 'stuff'.
I believe I've commented before that these classes grow slowly (like 3 students for a year, then a jump, then plateau, then - hopefully - another jump). A recent 'jump' makes me believe that students are getting something of what they need from these classes.
Today? Excited for Wisdom Warriors with Desiree at 1pm!
Hope you have a great Wednesday!
I have spent the following 7 days worrying about this -- a goal for my Therapeutic classes, a definition of the class purpose/mission.
After yesterday's class, I've adjusted my thinking a bit. This class is only definable to a point -- that being, that it is a class for students who are injured, hurting for some reason, out of shape, need a rest. Simple.
How did I arrive at this conclusion so quickly, after worrying about it for 6 days? Yesterday's class composition offered me the answer. It went like this:
Regular attendee: Myofascial tightening, pain throughout body
Regular attendee: MS
Regular attendee: Old knee injuries/surgery
Regular attendee: Plantar Fasciitis & heel spur
Regular attendee: Struggling with sore knees, a bit out of shape
Not-so-regular attendee (at least to this class): Sore right hip
How do you / can you define what each of these people need, and then work towards it? And, does any of this fit into any 'general' definable mold?
Last week, I commented in class that each student comes in with an expectation, a hoped-for goal for this yoga experience. Likewise, when I work with people, I set some individual goals for each of them. For example, in last week's class, an older student arrived who is struggling to regain and retain her active lifestyle after a rough winter of illness. What would my goal be for her? Since it was her first class with me, I set a 'draft' goal of strengthening her back and back-of-the-neck muscles, so that her rounded shoulders and forward-thrusting neck become a part of her history. That may change as I get to know her.
I find I do this with each of these students -- after working with them for a while in the class setting, I have goals for them which may stretch them a bit; take them a bit beyond their comfort zone. This has been the way I've been doing it; thinking about it, just made me realize my worry about a plan/goal/definition for this class was un-needed. I show up, they show up, and - together - we move forward.
Each student needs/wants something different from the class; however, the overriding goal for each, I've discovered (and known), is that they want to leave feeling better than when they arrived, and - perhaps - with some ideas of things to work on that may help their 'stuff'.
I believe I've commented before that these classes grow slowly (like 3 students for a year, then a jump, then plateau, then - hopefully - another jump). A recent 'jump' makes me believe that students are getting something of what they need from these classes.
Today? Excited for Wisdom Warriors with Desiree at 1pm!
Hope you have a great Wednesday!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
LONG WEEKENDS
Many people do vacation(s) and big trips in the Summer; us, we do long weekends. This past week was one of them. I flew up on Friday to Jackson, WY. We still own a small house in Driggs, ID, which was my destination (about 30 miles from Jackson). BTW, this has little to do with yoga, just FYI.
Howard met me (he'd been up there for 7 days already), we poked around Jackson, then had a nice and early dinner before driving over the pass to the west side of the Tetons and our second home. Mind you, this isn't a big house -- more of a cabin-house, meaning it has the amenities of a full-scale home but not as much space.
We use it, friends use it, and neighbors (who also fall into the 'friend' category) use it. What do we do up there? Well, flyfish - of course (catch & release). Maintenance - a house does not keep itself, even tho we have a great person who keeps track of the place. Yoga - Cate Stillman and Bridget Lyons own a studio in Driggs (YogaTejas) -- which, by the way, is for sale -- nice little town, loyal yoga community, great outdoor activities -- just a plug. Walk, hike, bike - this weekend, we walked. Relax - yes, some hours are spent just sitting and looking out at the Tetons or the fields surrounding the property. I highly recommend these activities (Well, maybe not the maintenance part, but everything comes with a 'price'.)
This weekend, I did everything but the yoga and fishing. I decided to spend as much of my time at the house as possible -- doing the maintenance stuff. It was good and valuable work, and I feel much better about taking the time for it. Some weekends, you just have to bite the bullet and do the 'not-so-much-fun' stuff. Plus, we have several sets of guests at the house over the next couple of months -- need to have it look decent.
The flight to Jackson was almost a nightmare (flight delay), but the return was a 'breeze'. If you have a chance, fly in or out of Jackson some time. A totally different experience than other airports. Everyone, and I mean everyone (including TSA agents), is courteous, friendly, helpful. After encountering many (in and out of airports) who are totally lacking in what I call the 'meet and greet' skills, this was a welcome and refreshing reminder of what travel can be like. The flights were on time returning, the shuttle to my car was there when I needed it, and the drive up I-5 slow, but steady. Home in time to feed dogs, who had spent the weekend with a great housesitter. Perfect ending.
Today? Teaching Therapeutic/Gentle and Prenatal at Living Yoga (2 & 4:30pm). Looking forward to it after a weekend away and re-charging.
Hope you have a great Tuesday!
Howard met me (he'd been up there for 7 days already), we poked around Jackson, then had a nice and early dinner before driving over the pass to the west side of the Tetons and our second home. Mind you, this isn't a big house -- more of a cabin-house, meaning it has the amenities of a full-scale home but not as much space.
We use it, friends use it, and neighbors (who also fall into the 'friend' category) use it. What do we do up there? Well, flyfish - of course (catch & release). Maintenance - a house does not keep itself, even tho we have a great person who keeps track of the place. Yoga - Cate Stillman and Bridget Lyons own a studio in Driggs (YogaTejas) -- which, by the way, is for sale -- nice little town, loyal yoga community, great outdoor activities -- just a plug. Walk, hike, bike - this weekend, we walked. Relax - yes, some hours are spent just sitting and looking out at the Tetons or the fields surrounding the property. I highly recommend these activities (Well, maybe not the maintenance part, but everything comes with a 'price'.)
This weekend, I did everything but the yoga and fishing. I decided to spend as much of my time at the house as possible -- doing the maintenance stuff. It was good and valuable work, and I feel much better about taking the time for it. Some weekends, you just have to bite the bullet and do the 'not-so-much-fun' stuff. Plus, we have several sets of guests at the house over the next couple of months -- need to have it look decent.
The flight to Jackson was almost a nightmare (flight delay), but the return was a 'breeze'. If you have a chance, fly in or out of Jackson some time. A totally different experience than other airports. Everyone, and I mean everyone (including TSA agents), is courteous, friendly, helpful. After encountering many (in and out of airports) who are totally lacking in what I call the 'meet and greet' skills, this was a welcome and refreshing reminder of what travel can be like. The flights were on time returning, the shuttle to my car was there when I needed it, and the drive up I-5 slow, but steady. Home in time to feed dogs, who had spent the weekend with a great housesitter. Perfect ending.
Today? Teaching Therapeutic/Gentle and Prenatal at Living Yoga (2 & 4:30pm). Looking forward to it after a weekend away and re-charging.
Hope you have a great Tuesday!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
ROLE MODELS
"The over-50 crowd gets quite wild and funny when they are free from having to serve as role models. Independence of another sort!" - Ramosh Rao
This was part of a caption from under our new pic taken at the start of practice yesterday.
- - - - -
Quite a turnout for the Wisdom Warriors' 4th of July practice -- 30 in the room, according to Ramesh (did he count the camera person?). I worried that - because of the holiday - turnout might be sparse; but no, it was the opposite and did we celebrate.
The music was rockin', everyone was a bit more 'jazzed' than usual (meaning a bit more chatty), lots of laughter (which is usually the case), and some good/great/wonderful yoga. You know, that bendy, twisty, pretzel kind - the kind some people equate with yoga. It's also the kind I find most challenging; if you know my history (golf, running, weights) - you can guess why. Little flexibility, but lots of desire.
From a vague beginning "let's just do a well-rounded practice" (per Desiree), the tempo quickly shifted to twists, hamstring openers, with some quad stretches thrown in (just to make them feel included). A personal first for me - a stable parvritta trichonasana (revolved triangle) WITH lower hand on OUTSIDE of front foot (must be all that rib knitting, tailbone scooping stuff).
The best? That pose where you take one foot out front, extend the other behind; kind of like the splits, but not the 'cheerleader' splits -- these you need to square your hips as you move the legs away from one another. I purposely wrote the beginning of this paragraph in this way to demonstrate the manner in which the pose was 'called' to us -- "take your right leg out in front of you, as you slide your left leg back". But, we fooled her; we all knew what she was talking about -- that "H" pose. You can't fool a room full of 50+-year-olds that easily, you know.
After 2 hours of this type of twisting, opening, movement, I still felt strong; in fact, all through the practice I felt strong. To me, that is a sign that this practice, this pushing myself beyond my comfort zone is working. And, it's fun work.
Following the fun, we had a party! Went to a fellow Warriors' beautiful home overlooking the beach and ocean, enjoyed great food and new friends. Great finale to this 4th of July.
Today? Therapeutic Yoga at Yoga for Life, 12:30pm; then Basics at Living Yoga, 4pm (can you say that "H" word anyone?)
Today? Therapeutic Yoga at Yoga for Life, 12:30pm; then Basics at Living Yoga, 4pm (can you say that "H" word anyone?)
Have a great July 5, everyone!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
24 PEOPLE
In keeping with the last post title, I made it easy on myself -- 24 people is the number in my Library class yesterday. Be still my heart!
This is, by far, the largest class I teach. As I've said before, it's free and I am sure that accounts for the attendance numbers. However, there are enough of those 24 who are 'regulars' to make me believe I'm doing something right. Personally, I don't think I'd return again and again if I didn't think it was worth my time, even if it was free.
So, I am looking out at the 'sea of faces' (7 of whom are new to me), and wondering 'what to teach'. FYI, this class is tough to plan for since composition shifts each week. But, my goal is to move them along strength-wise and pose-knowledge wise -- no matter what their experience level. I've been working triangle in classes this week, so that is where we went; with a dose of down dog refinement thrown in.
When teaching a pose like triangle, my first goal is to let students know what the 'right' stance is and - in this case - the desired distance between feet is good to know. Even if ankles as wide as wrists (with arms extended) is too wide for them, at least they know; it's a goal they can work towards, rather than staying in a modified, short stance. Then, I'd like students to realize it's hand (fingertips) to the floor outside the front calf; rather than hand on a block or shin (which is fine, but sometimes we get stuck in the modifications).
Moving up the pose, once foundation is set, I'd like to see the hip of the front leg in line with that leg, rather than jutting out to the side. As well, side body(s) long. Then, the nemesis -- the top arm.
What about the top arm? In my thinking the top arm is the icing on the cake, the final step in extending into the pose. But, for many, the arm going up happens as soon as they begin to bend over. So, in my classes, I ask students to wait, with the hand of the top arm resting on the hip. What are we waiting for -- for the heart to open, the shoulders to stack, the pose to form from feet to pelvis and up into torso. Once set, that's when the top arm goes up -- at least, in my classes, hopefully.
Yesterday, we did a bit of partner work to experience the 'see-saw' principle happening in the top arm. In many cases, we equate 'heart opening' with throwing the top arm back, putting that shoulder at risk. If students are able to experience the 'see-saw' of the top arm, by pressing into something with the hand and feeling the shoulder move back -- Wow! The class paired up, each did one side of triangle - one partner in the pose, the other providing a stable hand to which the partner doing the pose could press their top arm. Many got it, some didn't. The energy in the room was palpable. Overall, I think the results were o.k.
We moved on. Bakasana (crow pose), some floor work, and our hour was up. 60 minutes is just not long enough!
Today? Teaching Gentle at 2pm and Prenatal at 4:30, both at Living Yoga.
Hope you have a great Tuesday before the 4th!
This is, by far, the largest class I teach. As I've said before, it's free and I am sure that accounts for the attendance numbers. However, there are enough of those 24 who are 'regulars' to make me believe I'm doing something right. Personally, I don't think I'd return again and again if I didn't think it was worth my time, even if it was free.
So, I am looking out at the 'sea of faces' (7 of whom are new to me), and wondering 'what to teach'. FYI, this class is tough to plan for since composition shifts each week. But, my goal is to move them along strength-wise and pose-knowledge wise -- no matter what their experience level. I've been working triangle in classes this week, so that is where we went; with a dose of down dog refinement thrown in.
When teaching a pose like triangle, my first goal is to let students know what the 'right' stance is and - in this case - the desired distance between feet is good to know. Even if ankles as wide as wrists (with arms extended) is too wide for them, at least they know; it's a goal they can work towards, rather than staying in a modified, short stance. Then, I'd like students to realize it's hand (fingertips) to the floor outside the front calf; rather than hand on a block or shin (which is fine, but sometimes we get stuck in the modifications).
Moving up the pose, once foundation is set, I'd like to see the hip of the front leg in line with that leg, rather than jutting out to the side. As well, side body(s) long. Then, the nemesis -- the top arm.
What about the top arm? In my thinking the top arm is the icing on the cake, the final step in extending into the pose. But, for many, the arm going up happens as soon as they begin to bend over. So, in my classes, I ask students to wait, with the hand of the top arm resting on the hip. What are we waiting for -- for the heart to open, the shoulders to stack, the pose to form from feet to pelvis and up into torso. Once set, that's when the top arm goes up -- at least, in my classes, hopefully.
Yesterday, we did a bit of partner work to experience the 'see-saw' principle happening in the top arm. In many cases, we equate 'heart opening' with throwing the top arm back, putting that shoulder at risk. If students are able to experience the 'see-saw' of the top arm, by pressing into something with the hand and feeling the shoulder move back -- Wow! The class paired up, each did one side of triangle - one partner in the pose, the other providing a stable hand to which the partner doing the pose could press their top arm. Many got it, some didn't. The energy in the room was palpable. Overall, I think the results were o.k.
We moved on. Bakasana (crow pose), some floor work, and our hour was up. 60 minutes is just not long enough!
Today? Teaching Gentle at 2pm and Prenatal at 4:30, both at Living Yoga.
Hope you have a great Tuesday before the 4th!
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