Tuesday, March 22, 2016

FOLLOW-UP

In my last post, I mentioned class size; in the sister class last night (5pm), there were 5 (five) students. That's BIG for this time-slot/style/teacher at this studio.

The student I mentioned last week was one of the five.  She arrived, set up her mat, and - I just happened to notice - was quickly massaging her feet, calves and hamstrings. Why? Well, if you read the last post, I promised to mention something about hamstrings 'later'. I guess today will be 'later'.

But, first, her down dogs looked amazing! I could tell she focused on the IS/OS of the arms, setting the shoulder blades strongly on her back, as she moved into her down dog. This set her shoulders up and then, with bent knees, she could warm up the backs of her legs, before we moved into a fuller down dog. What I witnessed was exactly what I hoped would happen -- strong shoulders, melted heart. She commented after class that she still needs time to set everything up - so, in a flow class where instructions happen quickly, she gets a bit frustrated not having 'time'. I reassured her these actions will happen more fluidly and rapidly as her body incorporates them. It's all a practice, right?

To continue on the hamstrings and forward folding: Hamstrings seem to be at the center of my attention these days. I have several students working with tight hamstrings. So, have been paying a lot of attention to webinars and other video clips, as well as my memory bank, to offer me some tips.

What have I learned and/or been reminded of?

  1. Several years ago, I asked Adam Ballenger to work with me on kicking to handstand. He first identified my tight shoulders, then worked with me on hamstring tightness (both needed loosening before kicking up). For the hamstrings, he talked about and asked me to do movement to lengthen those muscles - in particular, the fascia of the hamstrings AND the fascia above and below.  
  2. In recent study, I continue to hear about the fascia and its role in inhibiting flexibility. Doug Keller reminded me that there is a fascial line running from the sole of the feet to the crown of the head, and that line of fascia will affect hamstring flexibility (I remember hearing this from Adam, also). Doug suggested the following:
    • Example: Do your first forward fold of the day and notice the hamstrings in both legs. Now, take a seat and massage the sole of one foot; really get into the thick tissue with your thumbs and massage the entire foot. Now stand back up and do another forward fold. Compare legs. What do you feel? 
Now, fast forward to last week's encounter -- I considered both of these teachers' thoughts, and - after doing the "example" with the student from last week, I asked her to sit back down and massage both legs (the foot, the calf muscle - moving from knee to ankle, and hamstrings - moving from hip to knee. I remember that the energy line of the fascia moves directionally and - in the lower half of the body - the direction is towards the earth, so massaging in that direction is beneficial.

After massaging both legs, student comes back to standing.  My favorite way to get an effective forward fold is as follows:

  1. Massage legs and feet (you will just need to do this on the first fold of each practice)
  2. Stand in mountain pose, energetically hug shins towards each other, now move thighs in, back & apart (shins in, thigh out) 
  3. Engage core and glutes (don't clench, tho)
  4. Place thumbs in hip creases
  5. Create length in torso
  6. Fold over thumbs, maintaining length (#4)
  7. With core still engaged, release hands to floor at about the halfway point into your fold
  8. Continue into your uttanasana (forward fold)
  9. Now, re-extend into ardha uttanasana (half forward fold) and re-engage core, glutes and lumbar curve, as best you can
  10. Fold again
  11. Deeper?
It was for the student last week - significantly. After a couple of these, she was able to fold, bend her knees and place her hands on back of heels, forearms resting on the back of her calf muscles, and belly resting on thighs. This position of hands and forearms created resistance as she moved to lift her hips, which straightened her knees - all while keeping her belly on her thighs.  

What did her forward folds look like last night? Quite different - she was deeper from the first fold of her practice; and - better yet - I sensed an awareness of her knees (which may hyperextend if given the opportunity).  

It's moments like these that ___________fill in the blank______________.

Hope you have a great Tuesday,  

Thursday, March 17, 2016

THERE WAS JUST ONE . . .

I teach a class called 'Alignment Basics' each Monday and Wednesday at 5pm in Temecula. Three things to know about this class --

1.     5pm in Temecula is a challenge for people coming from work, due to traffic (I-15 is usually very crowded, beginning at 3-4pm);

2.      The name is a bit deceiving, since I do not believe it is a 'basic' class. That being said, including the word 'basic' in a class name will lead some people to believe it is not advanced enough for them (!?!?!?!); and

3.      I may not be the teacher to attract a crowd to a class like this.

So, I am working on several things:

1.     The time will not change,  we'll give it a couple more months to see if growth, in any form, happens.

2.     The name will change. I've suggested "Aligned Yoga", and also - within the description - eliminate the reference about 'new to yoga'.

3.     We will work on 'me'. I have asked students to tell me what they expect, what they like and what they would change.  Fortunately, I have students willing and able to share their expectations, and they have offered some good suggestions.

As with many of my classes, growth happens slowly. Last night's class had one student. As is my habit when doing a 'private', I asked that one person what she would like to work on. Her response:  down dog. Well, I was a bit surprised -- down dog? from a dedicated and proficient student? Yes -- she had heard in another class that her heart ought to 'melt' in down dog. She was a bit confused by that instruction, so asked me to look at her down dog and offer my thoughts.

Be still my heart!  This opened a couple doors for me.  Yes, we could work on down dog. We also could address her elbow hyperextension, as a 'side dish'.

As I looked at her down dog, it looked great; from hands to hips was a direct line, with a bit of deviation to that line, as she straightened her legs (hamstrings, you know).

So, what did we do?  Here's a laundry list - if you have questions or thoughts, contact me:
  1. To address the hyperextension, in table position, I asked her to place her hands strongly on the mat, bend her elbows laterally, and - pressing hands into floor - begin to straighten the elbows. The muscle activation that this creates helps to mitigate the hyperextension.
  2. Moving to vajrasana (seated on heels), we practiced inner rotation of the forearm and outer rotation of the biceps, which brings awareness to the scapulae. It's easier to do one arm at a time, then both arms. For some, it also is easier to attain if we inner spiral/rotate the forearm, then work from the scapula and shoulder to create outer spiral/rotation of the biceps. (It's a very subtle action.)
  3. Now we put the two together in table position - first we worked to prevent hyperextension and added the IS/OS of the arms.
  4. With those actions in place, it's time to move to down dog. (Let me just say that this student is so dedicated and steady in her practice that maintaining the actions - which could be problematic for some - was not an issue for her.)
  5. Now add a little "Desiree" and her 'funky' down dog. If you've ever attended one of Des' workshops, you know what I'm talking about - down dog, looking forward - knees bent - hips and shoulders lifted - shoulder blades engaged - back a bit swayed (sorry if I am missing anything). What you end up with is a down dog that looks NOTHING like the end result.
  6. From here we maintain the shoulder action, stretch hips back and up (which extends the sway to a more straight position), and begin to straighten the legs.
  7. #'s 5&6, coupled with #'s 1&2, moved this student to a down dog with heart 'melted' AND strong shoulders AND no hyperextension. Another 'be still my heart'!
  8. Keeping all this, enjoy.
I guess in modern parlance, we might call this a "heart-melted down dog" hack.  

By the time we were done doing all this, plus one or two of her 'new' down dogs, her arms were shaking and she wondered why. Why? Because she is using a lot of muscles that have previously been 'on vacation' -- the muscles helping to keep her elbows out of hyperextension PLUS the muscles up and into the shoulders and shoulder blades. New territory for this student.  

Then we moved on to uttanasana (my choice, not hers), since there is so much potential. That's a rewarding topic for another day

Would love to hear feedback and/or questions.  

Have a great Thursday,

Sunday, March 13, 2016

A FEW QUICK THOUGHTS ...

I fully intend to write more on this blog. And, since I can't come up with a topic to write a lot about, I'll be satisfied with just a few thoughts:

Having taught yoga for 13 years, I am finally 'coming into my own'. What does that mean? Well, I feel wanted. Not just because one or two studios would like me to teach for them, but because students are also seeking out my classes.  For this, I offer my gratitude to my teachers.

The things I was taught along my path are now bearing fruit. Students come to class - not to be entertained or to exercise, but (I believe) to learn more about yoga.

Why do I think that?  Well, my classes are focused on teaching the intricacies of the practice, which is NOT everyone's 'cup of tea'. The student who comes to my class will receive the nuances of our poses. We may not 'get to the pose' right away, but my goal is to 'get to the pose' in the best way possible -- without pain and in good alignment.  So far, so good.

The Teacher Training I have been guiding is also going well. My community of Fallbrook is small, but has a mighty desire to practice yoga. The studio is busy. There are five brave souls holding court with me two times each week. We talk anatomy, philosophy, teaching methods, adjustments/modifications, etc. And, we sprinkle in a liberal dose of workshop experiences, including arm balances, sound, Ayurveda, etc.  I am impressed that each comes with a strong desire to learn and to teach, and each has their unique voice to add to our sessions. I am feeling very happy to be in their company.

Guiding a teacher training has enriched my learning, as well.  I've read several great books:

  • I am just now about mid-way through Chakras and their Archetypes - not necessarily a YOGA book, but a good correlation between the way we are (due to genetics, upbringing, etc.) and the Chakras. 
  • The Mirror of Yoga by Richard Freeman, is also a good one. I am not a philosophy geek (anatomy speaks loudly to me), and this book was easy for me to read and provided good reminders and some 'ah-ha' moments.
  • Functional Anatomy of Yoga by David Kiel is the anatomy book I chose for the teacher training. I asked each student to purchase a copy and we are working our way through it week by week. (I did read the book before making this decision.) What I like about the book is that it tells us - in an easy-to-read style - about the basic anatomy, with a section on how our poses affect this anatomy.
  • Warrior Self by Ted Cox. I purchased copies of this book for the teacher training students while attending the Kindred Spirits Reunion a few weeks ago. It basically is a translation of the Bhagavad Gita into metaphor. Great book - we are reading it chapter-by-chapter alongside a translation of the Gita by Stephen Mitchell.
  • Next on my reading list are hunger, hope & healing by Sarajoy Marsh (who I also met at the Kindred Spirits Reunion); and Age Without Limits by Janet Rae Humphrey (this will be a great resource for students who practice yoga but are dealing with injury, chronic condition, or aging issues).  
I mentioned the Kindred Spirits Reunion a couple times in my book list.  It was a really enjoyable weekend retreat in Austin, TX, organized by Betsy Downing and Desiree Rumbaugh. I arrived on Friday, not really sure what I was getting into (I'd not attended last year's event.).  I found my room and settled in a bit (long travel day from San Diego), then walked over to the yoga/event center for a Restorative Class (I re-discovered my hips there - thank you, Phil Davis). We joined after class for dinner - wonderful food, by the way. Up the next morning for a guided meditation, breakfast, short break, then we gathered for a forward folds class (taught by a group of 5, including Barbara Kuhl, Martha McQuaid, Jackie Romero, Patrice Barrocas and myself). Lunch followed, and after lunch we gathered to hear about the great efforts of current and former Anusara teachers, including books, teaching, history, etc. (in all, I think 5 people spoke -- VERY IMPRESSIVE AND ENERGIZING). Sunday morning, we gathered again for a meditation guided by Carmel Calcagno, then breakfast, a short break, re-gather for a class with Christina Sell, Jason Lobo and Elle Potter. Then home. If this event happens next year, I'll be there.

Well, a few thoughts hav blossomed to a long essay.  I'll close now, saving some for the next post.  

Hope you all have a great day!