SWITCHIN' IT UP

I've written every other blog entry during the daylight hours; it's time to try out an evening entry. Just like we move our mat around in our classrooms, switching it up once in a while is a good thing -- keeps things interesting and different.

The Saturday a.m. private cancelled for today, so that left the 9 am class to teach. A small group; several regulars plus one new student. The new person was very body aware and fit in very well; and the regulars - as always - were happy to welcome someone new and accepted gracefully the need to slow down just a bit.

I had re-read a couple of Zhenja LaRosa's blog entries early this morning. How inspiring! She also reminded me of the important role of expansion in our yoga poses. I've been emphasizing the idea of lengthening through the torso, rather than using the arms/shoulders to create length. I have realized over the past months the importance of that length for the health and wellbeing of my neck. Zhenja writes about a similar experience, and the way she breaks it all down is amazing. Her blog is yoganerd.blogspot.com.

So, having this in my hip pocket, I taught a class emphasizing side body length. Heart quality: expansion. As we expand in our yoga poses and experience, we can translate that expansion to other parts of our lives, more fully experiencing and connecting to the world and people around us.

The new student got to experience parvritta trikonasana (not exactly a 'beginner' pose). We used the wall, pressing the back heel against it for support in this pose and using a block the first time through. Then, as they felt appropriate, they could use the block or not on the second round. The expansion we had cultivated throughout the class in the torso, supported by strong legs (and the wall), made for some nice openings.

After class, my husband and I took our annual drive up to the Park City Arts Festival. Fun to see lots of great, creative and traditional artwork in one space. Lunch, a trip to the grocery store, and Lululemon(!!!) followed. Then home.

We are looking forward to next week when our son will bring his family to Utah and then to Driggs for a short vacation. Will be fun to have them visit us for a change (aka the theme of this blog entry).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,