TAUGHT A PRIVATE

For some good reason, I have had a number of people call recently looking for private yoga sessions. For the most part, these are students looking for a refresher, or a preview of a yoga practice. They would rather start public classes with a bit of yoga knowledge (or a reminder) -- not a bad idea, in some cases. Or, these students have some physical issue that needs individual attention and advice, as in 'what do I do with this when I get into a class?'.

Two couples come to mind as I write this.

Couple #1 is athletic and has recently spent time with fellow athletes in their sport of choice. Many of these fellow athletes are practicing yoga and couple #1 can see increased flexibility in their friends. They want some of that. One partner is already pretty flexible; both are strong. Their sport requires strong arms and the other partner is very developed through the shoulders, to the point of shoulders pulling to the front plane of the body.

I worked a bit on the shoulders in their first class, trying not to obsess about shoulders back (realizing that tight muscles might not let the shoulders move back right away). In session two, both looked good. And, as I examined the tight-shouldered half of this couple, he looked different. A bit of quizzing revealed that he had been doing some 'homework' -- working to move the shoulders into a safer, more aligned position. Wow! Rarely do I see people who listen, absorb and incorporate an instruction after their FIRST session. Nice feeling.

Couple #2 is a bit older, stiffer, and plagued by some shoulder and wrist issues. More of a challenge to work with the wrist, describing some modifications that will help her enjoy her yoga without worrying about the wrist. He has a sore shoulder, you could see it each time he took the arm overhead by the grimace on his face. "It's a good hurt", they said. No hurt is a "good hurt" in my book.

So, we spent time exploring ways that each can enjoy their practice without 'hurting' - even in a good way. Fists in some cases for her; 'unfurling the arm', rather than taking a straight arm overhead for him.

FYI, 'unfurling' in my yoga lingo, means bending the arm that you will take overhead (hand of that arm close to the ear, elbow tight to the body). Then, with a 'dramatic fluorish', the student opens the heart and unfurls (or, unbends the elbow and extends the arm straight as they take it up (as in trichonasana), or take it at an angle (as in parsvokonasana). Clear as mud, right?

No matter, both left happy with the modifications I suggested and both felt better.

What is remarkable about these two couples is that each arrived with a goal and each is leaving with methods to accomplish the goals, very mindful and dedicated, especially as they keep working.

For me, it is extremely rewarding to see people go from grimacing (or slouching) to feeling better and standing tall.

Enjoy your day,