Saturday, March 31, 2012

ARDHA CHANDRASANA

I have been having tons of fun teaching ardha chandrasana (half moon pose) in my classes this week.  Such an informative pose and - yesterday - as I drove home, I looked into the sky and there it was -- an almost half moon.  Validating my effort, I'd say.

On Thursday, in the Basics class, I began this teaching -- 2 newer students, and one seasoned practitioner (who mentioned she struggled with stacking the hips in half moon pose).  Well, that set the course.  We warmed up, then moved to the wall for the benefit of everyone.  At first, the pose was done with the hips and shoulders supported by the wall, and the bottom hand on a block -- what a feeling, to open into a pose without fear of falling!

Then, we shifted mats so that the short end was at the wall, and did the pose again, stretching their lifted legs into the wall behind themselves.  This requires a bit of trial and error, to figure out just how far from the wall is optimal.  But once everyone figured it out, the poses looked amazing.

And, finally, we moved away from the wall (still had the block, however). Gave the pose a try without support.  Interesting that I could see everyone working, figuring out what was happening as their poses wobbled, and then fixing the problem.  Great awareness.  And, the person who struggled with 'stacking the hips'; well, she figured out that stacking the hips is practically impossible -- the top hip is not able to do it; I should say, rather, the bottom hip won't open to that extent, so the top of the pelvis will stay a bit forward.  Once she figured that out, that trying to stack hips was throwing her out of balance, her poses were amazing.

Switch to Friday morning, Gentle Yoga.  Ardha chandrasana again (what? in a Gentle class? Yes.)  And, they loved it -- none had done the pose before and the use of the wall to lean into and open up against is such a valuable tool; the block helps, as well.  Had them all laughing a bit giddily -- arms extended after coming out of their poses (image: you've just scored a '10')  Best of all, grinning!

Today?  Going to Grand-Dude's t-ball game, then to lunch with the family.  This is one major reason we moved to So. California.  Love it.

Hope you have a great Saturday!



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

WHY I VOLUNTEER

I spend one hour each week teaching a class at the local library here in Fallbrook.  This is a free class -- for students and for me.  No money changes hands.  I am on the library schedule, they provide 10 mats for those students who don't have one, and they provide a beautiful, large space in which I teach the class.

As I began this class yesterday, I explained to students that the class began last September (the first yoga class the library had offered), and - for several weeks - I routinely had 4 students (all of whom are still with me).  This number gradually increased until, yesterday, there were 19 in the room.  This has been the case for the past several months; consistently, an average of 18-22 attend.  I love that - a big class, yet I often will demean it with the caveat that "it's free, so that explains the large number".

However, yesterday I heard many comments from students before, during and after class.  Comments that explained their presence. Comments like:  I explain what they are doing, I give them time to get into and out of poses, I don't create an 'exercise' session out of their yoga class, I don't leave them feeling they can't do the poses I am asking them to move into. One even told me she was a bit 'giddy' at home earlier in the day as she anticipated coming to class because it's fun!

FYI, this group is a mixed bag, to say the least.  Ages range from about 30 to 70 (guessing here). In the room I have students with physical limitations, chronic health issues, beginning students, out-of-shape students, students who may have done yoga 10-15-20 years ago and are returning to the practice.  I even have very experienced students.  You name it, it could be in the room.  My kind of teaching!

I write about the class this morning because I had one particularly poignant comment made to me after class.  It was from a woman struggling with MS.  She uses a cane due to poor balance, weakness and spasticity in her legs.  This comment, added to the others, makes my volunteer effort so meaningful.

During class, I suggested we do a couple partner poses.  For this woman, partner poses strike fear -- she feared that her limitations would wreck the experience of her partner, or that she would embarrass herself.  Surprisingly, for her, the partner was helpful and understanding. She was even more surprised when another student stepped in to offer his help as she struggled to maintain her balance.

So, what was her comment?  "The other students were so helpful, I couldn't believe it; they were so helpful and so nice.  I worried when you said 'partner poses', but my partners were so helpful.  I just can't believe it; they were so nice."

Wow!  To be able to teach a class where everyone feels accepted and comfortable is a BIG deal. One not to be demeaned in any way by me.  I am grateful, and I know that they are there for a reason -- perhaps it's not just me, but I do contribute to their experience.  I'll take credit for that.

Today?  Teaching Therapeutic/Gentle Yoga and Prenatal Yoga in Temecula this afternoon.

Hope you have a great Tuesday!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

NERVOUS; ME ?!?!?!?

I taught yesterday, the Saturday 10am Basics-Int. class at Living Yoga in Temecula.  Unlike many studios, the weekend morning classes (with a Sunday a.m. exception) are rotated among instructors.  Rather than have one instructor assigned to each class, we are asked to sign up each month to teach the next month's classes.  Interesting, and different from scheduling at many studios.

I am one of the less-senior instructors at the studio (meaning less time teaching there; not younger), therefore I get the opportunity to teach a weekend class less often -- it's a seniority thing.  But, I was able to sign up to teach yesterday morning's class.

And, why was I nervous?  I suppose it's because I rarely teach a large group like this promised to be, and the majority of my classes are Gentle or Therapeutic.  Knowing that I would be standing in front of a group of students who are in class for the movement, not for help with inhibiting physical issues, was the source of this nervousness.  It's been a while, and I wondered over and over what would I teach them?  Fortunately, all class plans for the past 2 years are saved on this computer and I was able to go back through them and come up with an idea or two.

I decided to use a theme of 'balance' -- my nervousness reflected a lack of balance in my teaching. Additionally, the system of teacher/class assignment at this studio offers students another type of balance.  That of balance in experiencing different teaching styles -- rather than always attend the 'powerful' or 'fun' or 'inspiring' or 'flowing' (etc., etc, etc.), they are being asked to experience all of us. To experience the balance of different styles.  (FYI, I labeled mine 'nit-picky'.)

Where did we go from there?  Well, we 'balanced' our inner and outer spiral, created length, and moved towards a modified version of Hanumanasana. Modified how?  Placing mats at the wall, setting up with back foot against the molding and carefully extending the front foot into the room.  With blocks to support the hamstrings of the front leg, several had a 'ta-da' moment -- lifting their arms in celebration while in the pose.

That was fun, but the best part for me was listening to the balance and harmony in their voices as we chanted at the beginning of class. So good.

I'm hopeful they enjoyed the class; at the very least, they now know what/where their psoas muscle is (how many times do you mention psoas without explaining what/where it is?)  I'm learning many students hear it over and over, but rarely get the opportunity to ask -- I guess my presence offered them the chance to ask. FYI, I never assume that a room of students knows the meaning of all the words I use -- my lesson came from a 80+ year old student who once asked me where her 'abs' were.

So, today?  Planning to go in to spend time with the Grand-Dudes, assuming everyone is healthy.

Hope you have a nice Sunday,

Friday, March 23, 2012

BEEN A LONG COUPLE WEEKS

My last post, March 16, seems long ago; tho just 7 days.  This has been a winter of illness for me.  Not horrible illness, just one cold after another, and - this past 2 weeks - the flu.  (No, I didn't get a flu shot this year.) Hopefully, it is gone and I can get on without further 'stuff' for a while.

I looked at the blog and thought 'why not go back to the format I used a while back?'  What was that, you ask?  To offer a 'tip' on Fridays.  Not only is it helpful for me to write about and, as a result, remember; but it also takes some of the pressure off of finding a topic to write about.  So, here goes:

This comes from my friend and teacher, Sundari.

On the topic of 'down dog' -- when teaching that pose, I have recently been asking students to do the following:  rather than 'pop' right into it, to take their time - begin with bent knees, establish the foundation of the arms, move the heart towards the knees (but, don't lose the shoulders), experience how the back feels -- long and strong, as one stretches hips towards the sky.  All this happening BEFORE the legs straighten.

Why do this?  Watch your students the first time you ask them to move to down dog (without any discussion of the above).  What happens first?  They lift knees away from the floor and immediately the legs straighten -- at the expense of what? The back.  Legs straighten, back rounds (at least, in most cases).

Bring them back to their knees. Demo what happens when the legs go straight first by rounding your back  (I can do this naturally, some of you might have to fake it.) Then show them what it looks like when you keep the knees bent as you set up the hands to the hips.  Now, move your students back into the pose, with a strong command to keep knees bent. Sometimes it helps to actually tell students to bend the knees 3 inches, or so, and keep them that way.

I use suggestions like:  "From hands to heart pull energy; stabilize your arms by sending energy back to the hands and also stretch to the hips. Keeping knees bent, lengthen from hands to hips. Remember how your back feels now. Begin to stretch thighs towards the wall behind you.  If (or when) you feel your back lose the alignment it had when knees were bent, you have more work to do. Re-bend the knees, lengthen from shoulders to hips, and try it again."

I was reminded of this action when I saw a pic of a HUGE class, all in down dog.  And, most with rounded backs and straight legs. Ouch!

Hope you have a great Friday.  Any questions, please ask.

Friday, March 16, 2012

PRE-K vs. COLLEGE (or, something like that)

When I began practicing Anusara Yoga, the spirals, loops, shins in/thighs out -- all of the 'lingo' truly intimidated and confused me.  I came out of the healthcare arena; I was used to the lingo of American medicine.  Now, teach me about loops and spirals?!?!?!?  I was one very confused yoga student.

I read the Anusara book, trying to get a grasp; no luck.  Then my teacher recommended a book by Doug Kellar, "Hatha Yoga in the Anusara Style".  FYI, Doug was a close friend (business partner?) of JF's early on, they had a falling out, Doug went away.  The book was still out there, still available for purchase. I bought one. Read it cover to cover, every word.  I still have it, I still use it.

Mr. Kellar has a writing style that, for me, is clear and understandable. No more did I wonder about loops and spirals and their effect on our yoga poses.

Spring forward 13 years, to a workshop with Sundari.  I spotted among her books one about Pranayama (breathwork) by Doug Kellar. My curiosity was piqued. That evening, I went on-line, found that the book was still available.  Also found two others I couldn't live without -- Yoga as Therapeutics, Parts 1 & 2.

All this history to tell you that there is a world of learning to be had outside of the Anusara Teaching manual.  I believe that book is a good intro, but to be the best yoga teacher I can be means I've got to step outside the box a bit and look around.  Now, some might say "oh, no, you don't need that -- just do what JF said in his therapeutic training".  But here's the clicker:  Never in JF's manuals, or therapy trainings, or anywhere, has the fact that everyone will have a different angle to their upper femur, been mentioned. Never. That's significant. That tells me that there are many more things I need to know that are not covered in the manual. That's not a bad thing, just that the door is open - now, step thru and explore a bit.

My title for this blog post came from a recent Facebook thread in which people debated whether they had enough knowledge or if there was more.  What I learn in classes, therapy trainings, teacher trainings -- all along the way -- is good; but it is not enough.  I have to look around, study with other people, read other peoples' books, hear others' opinions.  Wow, do I still have a lot to learn. This is one of the unexpected benefits of this recent upheaval within Anusara; a hiatus in which to look around, check out other 'stuff', like that.

Today -- Friday -- teaching a new Gentle Yoga group.  Last week, we worked on IS/OS of the arms (do you believe it?), for them it was the gateway to straighter elbows in their poses.  Wonder what today holds?

Enjoy your Friday,

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

THE TRIGGER FINGER EPISODE

2 years ago, I decided it was time to practice 'jump-switch'.  If you are unfamiliar with yoga, imagine being in a runners' lunge, right leg forward, hands on the floor.  With one swift and smooth move, you weight your hands, lift legs from the ground, and land with left leg forward, right leg back -- another lunge.

Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?  I thought so, and I have never been able to 'get' it.  Hence, this story:  I was warming up to teach a class of climbing athletes, decided to try a 'jump-switch' when no one was watching (I have issues of feeling 'less than', at times). What happened?  First attempt - I lifted off, felt GREAT pain in the distal (closest to fingernail) joint of my right ring finger, came down in a lump, praying it wasn't broken (it wasn't).

I taught the class, still feeling that finger. For many months, the pain and discomfort persisted tho lessening each day.  My therapy: to caress it and gently pull on the joint to create space, also some Ibuprofen.  But, as the pain dissipated, I noticed discomfort in the joint closer to my palm (you know, the one that rings have trouble getting over some times), I'll call it the middle joint.  I continued creating space in the joints of that finger, but something new was happening.

Every so often, when I bent that finger significantly, the middle joint would lock in that bent position.  Now, I don't know about you, but when something 'locks' up in my body, I WANT IT UNLOCKED, THE SOONER THE BETTER.  I kept creating space, slept with my hand firmly under my pillow so that it wouldn't bend in the night.  My fear:  that, if it remained stuck for any period of time, it might not UNSTICK.  After months of fear, angst, worry, I made an appointment to have the finger looked at by a orthopedic physician specializing in the hand.

Yesterday was the day.  My choice of physician was assisted by Google, but I chose a physician within one of the larger physician conglomerates in San Diego.  I had little to go on but his picture, and he looked young.  A one-hour drive from home, I left early, arrived early, and was nervous (I am usually never nervous in these situations).  I think the prospect of a deformed hand, maybe even surgery, was at work here.

Physician's quick diagnosis:  Trigger Finger. (or, stenosing tenosynovitis) Cause - inflammation and irritation (could have come from the initial injury; tho it usually results from medical conditions - which I don't have - or trauma to the base of the finger or palm), and each time the finger 'sticks' it only creates more inflammation/irritation, setting me up for continued issues.

What did he do?  Well, he gave me a shot, in my palm about 2 inches below the affected joint.  Finger went numb for a while.  Since then, it has locked once more mildly, and I am hopeful this does the trick.

Oh, and about the physician:  A young Woody Harrelson, short hair, boots and all.  Younger than my son, I'm sure (that means early 30's).  The cuteness factor took care of any credibility issues I might have with age.  That, plus when he entered the room, he introduced himself -- how many physicians do that?  Nice.

So, there you have it.  Any questions about Trigger Finger, just ask -- I have a 3-page handout from the physician.

Hope you have a great Wednesday; off today to get my hair cut and colored -- that's nice, too.

Monday, March 5, 2012

THE WAY IT IS

Relating back to the poem I posted last Thursday, it is all pretty much the same.

Same drama with regards to Anusara Yoga -- not knowing, just being patient as things filter out. Offering a comment here and there on Facebook.  Trying to stick with Howard's advice:  "don't write anything on Facebook that you don't want in print on the front page of your local newspaper".  Good advice.

Those of us who are/were in the Certification process have joined together in a group called the "Honey Badgers" on Facebook (honey badgers are relentless creatures, especially when backed into a corner).  Why?  Well, we need to do something to keep our minds occupied and off the crisis.  The group's intent is to offer connection, communication, and support to one another, with the caveat -- no discussion of the Anusara issues.  We are simply about working towards our goal of becoming the best yoga teachers we can be -- much like a honey badger would do.

People wonder about why I just don't teach, forget about it (the goal).  When that happens, I remember this line of the poem:  "People wonder about what you are pursuing.".

Some days I wonder too.  And, I am still teaching, still studying.  I have not, however lost sight of my goal, my thread.

At this stage, I am happy to be in my sixties.  Through all this - watching the angst and petty-ness of some comments, the mean-ness of others, and - of course - the well thought through comments - I remain calm.

Not letting go, but not getting carried away, either.

Today?  Teaching at the Library.  Request for shoulder and neck work; better get back to the books.

Enjoy your Monday and your week,

Thursday, March 1, 2012

LOVE THIS . . .

From Karen Sprute-Francovich:



The Way It Is

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change.  But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

~ William Stafford ~