SO MUCH FOR PLANNING

It seems that more-often-than-not I plan a class, only to have something throw it 'out the window'. Such was the case yesterday.

All ready to teach about making space -- a theme I used about one year ago; same story - cleaning out the debris in my garden, making space for new growth in the Spring. True story and happening again this weekend. I do this all the time in my yoga practice -- make space; space for new poses, new elements (clasping - on both sides - for example), new attitudes, new knowledge. So, that was the plan; the apex pose was going to be EPR (pidgeon, using a strap - or hands, if possible).  At least two times through, because the second time around is always easier, always.

Well, first student to arrive immediately began to tell me about her sore shoulder (EPR and a sore shoulder? It can be done, but just wasn't sure that it was the best call for this student.) So, I shifted to a balance sequence; still holding inner spiral as my alignment focus; still making space. Then moving into the space with confidence.

I love a recent personal revelation that, when I scoop my tailbone there is a rising that happens through the torso. I've probably experienced it thousands of times before, but it just became glaringly apparent in the past two weeks. As I sit here writing this, I'm inner spiraling my thighs, then scooping the tailbone -- what happens, well, for lack of a better description - it's kind of like a whip.  Scoop the tailbone, feel the lumbar spine move back ever so slightly, but that movement becomes more evident as I pay attention to the thoracic region of the spine.  Wow -- 6 am and I'm already sounding pretty 'nerdy'.

Back to the point of the blog - preparation for the injury or new-to-yoga student or whoever arrives in class that throws the well-planned theme/apex/focus out the window.  My point? I need to be ready for anything.  Simple; just be prepared and willing to change things up a bit, depending on class make-up.

So, today?

• Yardwork -- making space
• Practice
• Laundry

Have a nice Sunday,

UP EARLY

For what?  Well, I teach an early Saturday private, before my 9 am level 1 class. So, I need to prepare the house and myself for leaving and for teaching both of these classes.

In getting ready for the Level 1 class, I felt a bit un-creative so last night I went back through old class plans (the ones I've created and taught in 2010).  What did I find?  Nothing generic.  Every theme/story had to do with a specific event and - while I could probably tailor one to fit today's 'stuff'; I'm not even feeling creative enough for that right now.  Give me another cup of coffee.  

So, this morning, I'll stick with the 'mudhya' - the middle. It has served me well this week in my teaching. And, I feel more inspired the longer I write in this post -- amazing!

It seems many of us are planning our educational schedule for 2011. I am; maybe you are, too. I'm looking at JF's schedule, the schedules of other teachers that I want to study with, and am planning to do more philosophy study.  I'm also thinking about an emphasis this year.  I need more philosophy -- as in, someone to 'spell it all out' for me. Oh, it's getting clearer, but it's by no means what I believe it ought to be (my philosophy knowledge, that is).  Ask me a technical question - 'why does inner spiral always precede outer spiral' or 'what goes wrong in trichonasana' - and I'm probably going to be able to answer (or muddle my way through). I worry that, someday, I'll be asked a philosophy question and then what?  stutter, stammer, red-face, -- you get the picture.

So, more philosophy in 2011. Not so much fun as a big workshop or Wanderlust or Estes Park; but necessary.  Refinement and discernment -- that's what's happening as I move down the path. I will, however, allow myself one 'fun' event or workshop during the year.

Update on the latest video?  Sundari has watched half of it. Her comments are positive so far. Waiting for the full report, which ought to happen next week.  In the meantime, I'll be video'ing this morning -- don't want to miss any opportunities(!?!?!)

Happenings today?

• 7:30 am Private Session
• 9:00 am Level 1 Class at The Yoga Center
• Do a bit of 'retail therapy'
• Clean up some of the yard - The freeze wilted a lot of stuff -- time to make space for next year  (There's a theme here, I feel it!)

Hope you have a nice Saturday,

NO FORGETFULNESS TODAY!

Not forgetting that it's Friday. And, what is Friday?  NOTES DAY !!!

It's been a good week overall.  Started a bit off-kilter with my arrival back in SLC on Monday afternoon - weeks that start differently than normal leave me wondering each day -- what's next? what day is it? where do I need to be?

Here are highlights:

1.  Monday night, Support Group for PSP Patients and Caregivers, where I was asked to give some introduction to yoga and the help it can provide to this group.  For the PSP patients, yoga offers community; a sense of doing something in response to a disease that must leave most feeling helpless. FYI, PSP is a disease in the Parkinson's family in which the brainstem is gradually destroyed. Some symptoms/manifestations of the disease:  balance issues that result in falling without warning; dizziness; flat affect (expression-less); apathetic; eye and eyelid involvement; trouble swallowing (the cause of PSP is unknown and treatment - ?).  For the caregivers, same thing -- a community in which to move, perhaps laugh a bit, and stay healthy; because they have a BIG job.

For me, an opportunity to work with people who are dealing with so much; yet, there was laughter in the room and an appreciation for the breathwork and movement we all did together.  A heartwarming moment - to see so many caregivers in the room; family and friends - good stuff!

2.   If it's Tuesday, it's Wayne's class.  Fun and - because of class make-up and colds in the room (mine and his) - low-key. We worked with inner and outer spiral, finding the place in the middle.  Because of my cold, I took time to rest after the class.

3.  And - Wednesdays?  Gentle Yoga, of course.  More work with the breath.  An almost-moment where Leslie breaks into uncontrolled giggling during VERY serious pranayama (tongue-in-cheek comment). We were somewhat serious, and we were doing bastrika (bellows) breathing.  I had described it as sounding like a bull getting ready to charge. Thinking about that, I happened to open my eyes during the 30 seconds we were doing the breathwork, caught the eye of another student - also on the verge of a 'giggle attack'.  Almost.

4.  Thursday's highlight was Pilates with Cindy -- I often use this class as a descriptive metaphor for new students (or students being introduced to a new pose). Why? Well, the first time Cindy asks me to 'hang out' over thin air, above springs or whatever, I have been known to panic. I can easily see new students thinking "what do you want me to do?" and "how am I supposed to do that?", when asked to do something totally foreign with their bodies in my yoga classes. This Pilates experience has given me much to draw on in this regard --

Another highlight for Thursday -- Yoga Hour!  A fun class with several experienced and one new-to-yoga person.  We stuck with the basics - moving in and out of lunges, down dog, child's pose, Warrior I; and making a brief foray into bakasana, for the more experienced. The new-to-yoga person gave it a try -- good for her!

5.  And, today?  More Gentle Yoga. More 'in the middle'. With this group, I usually have a couple plans in my head. There are several who have knee, back or other issues; so what I teach is many times dictated by the students attending class.

6.  This is more of an awakening than a 'tip' -- when reading the video self-evaluation form (the new one - if you haven't checked it out), there is one question that surprised me.  I know that we are teaching all 5 principles all the time, but I also was under the impression that we teach one (maybe two, if we are capable) primarily during a class. So, the 5 principles are always there; we are emphasizing one in our class -- and it needs to be one that represents the heart quality / theme / story in your teaching.  Here's a question that 'stumped' me -- "did you 'touch on' all five principles in approximately half the poses throughout the class?" Answer (by me on this video): No; couldn't say yes, had to tell the truth.  I probably did it on 20% of the poses.

What reminded me of this?  A note from an Intensive with JF in which I'd written this:

- - - - -

Pidgeon, applying the 5 principles in a celebration theme:

1. open to grace – breathe, enjoy the expansion of your back leg; soften, take a breath and accept yourself.
2. muscle energy (ME) – hug in to acknowledge your effort; embrace your talents, skills.”
3. inner spiral (IS) – expand, open to your own greatness and begin your celebration
4. outer spiral (OS) – draw in again to your power
5. organic energy (OE) – from that power source, offer full celebration 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  Attach theme and heart quality to the alignment principle that reflects the energy desired (i.e. celebration is an expansive theme, so we would place theme emphasis on the principles that are expansive, inner spiral (IS) & organic energy (OE).

- - - - - 

So, it can be done without being rote or mechanical - open to grace, apply muscle energy, inner spiral, outer spiral, extend organically.  It can be done with my language skills, and - if I do it as the example shows, I could apply it to 50% of the poses -- I just need to remember to do it!

The form, I find, is very valuable when planning and thinking about classes.  I also get little reminders while I'm teaching, like "am I serving everyone?", or "am I modulating my voice?" -- these come from the questions I've read on the form.  And, as I completed this, my first, self-evaluation form, it became very clear what I need to work on.

So, as much as we don't enjoy video'ing and watching ourselves teach; there are learning elements in that process for us.  Duh!  Why would we expect anything else from JF?

Today's schedule:

• Gentle Yoga at 10 am at The Yoga Center
• Continue to nurse this cold, which feels a bit better today

Enjoy your Friday, I plan to enjoy mine . . .

LOSE THE WORD 'PEEPS', PEOPLE

I wrote another blog, then erased it.  Got the 'stuff' out of my system and into the computer.

Then, I wrote another beginning - one that ranted about the use of the word 'peeps' when referring to our students and friends.  Erased that one also. Though, I did agree with everything I wrote.

So, I return to the place in the middle, the mudhya. A safe place to be, in yoga and in life. Not too extreme -- either too bright and happy or too challenging and confrontational. After all, you - the people who read this blog regularly - are not the culprits.

This week's classes and teaching have been about the mudhya (a sanskrit word for middle). Finding that balance point between inner and outer spiral, the place that feels good and resides between effort and surrender, the place between too effervescent and too morose.  The mudhya.

Why be in the middle?  For me, it's just better. When I get too out there, too confrontational or too challenging, I am not a happy/content person. Too much fire. When I am too effervescent (too happy), it's not the real me. I can be happy, but my personality range places 'too happy' in the red zone.  (I'm thinking about the tachometer on my car, right now.) I also can get 'too in the middle' - what does that mean? To me, it means complacent. I do need to be right on the cusp of the middle, so I don't get boring and too conventional or too comfortable.

Yesterday, I had a great Gentle Yoga class -- we did as we always do, moved, laughed, complained, laughed, moved some more. I always feel so great after this class; wait -- that's the goal for students, to feel better. Teachers too, I hope.

Then, it was home to rest, take care of the cold; which appears to be better this morning.

Today?

• Errands in a.m.
• Pilates at 1 pm
• Yoga Hour at 4 pm 

Hope you have a good Thursday,

WAITING . . .

For what? For the video I sent recently to Sundari to be reviewed; to hear what needs to change/happen; or - perhaps - to move past this 'hump' and into the next round. What is the next round? To have my video reviewed and be assigned an 'evaluation mentor' (not sure what their official title is) by the Certification Committee.

The 'evaluation mentor' will review the same video, and offer feedback -- good things & places that need improvement. Hopefully, this will happen just a few times before reaching my goal of being a Certified Anusara® yoga instructor. We'll see.

Class with Wayne yesterday was a good one -- perfect for me (struggling with a cold), and for others in the room (one who was new to him).  I keep noticing how things are changing in my poses -- don't want to give too much credit to weight loss, but something is changing -- maybe it's my attitude. I do know that the things Adam is working on are strongly in my mental forefront as I practice (hips more open; hamstrings; shoulder blades; upper back opening). One example from yesterday -- feet are closer in malasana!

Sheldon began teaching for The Yoga Center last night -- he will offer two classes each week. Unfortunately, I was struggling with the cold - especially as the day ended, causing me to pass on taking the class. So, I'll plan to try it out next week when I've recovered (how's that for positive thinking!). It was great to see that many of the people who attended were students of his from previous teaching 'gigs' -- what a nice compliment for him.

Sheldon joining our teaching crew brings the number of men instructors to 4 (four!) in our group of 13. Don't think that's ever happened before at my studio. Usually, all women instructors; maybe one guy, but no number like 4 before. This is a change that I hope students will appreciate.

Today's Plans:

• Gentle Yoga at 10 am at The Yoga Center
• My own private with Adam
• Whatever happens

Enjoy your Wednesday,

WE JUST DON'T KNOW . . .

One outstanding moment recently was an emotional one.  A piercing question was asked in a yoga training and, after discussion, all in the room were asked to look within ourselves and find two things we desired to 'let go of'.

Before I go any further, let me say that that 'letting go' is one of the cornerstones of yoga therapy. As I work with people, I am seeing the phenomenon John has described repeatedly -- that of the illness / injury / condition becoming a part of one's identity. When we do therapy to correct or help, we are asking some people to give up a part of their identity. Not something everyone is ready to do.

At the end of our 'outstanding moment', many were in tears - others were relieved to have said their 'two things' - some were just glad to get out of the room, because for many these are not things said easily or without dis-ease.

I appreciated everyone's sharing and I learned the very valuable lesson that -- as I look at a room of well-dressed, outgoing and seemingly healthy people in a yoga class -- I have NO idea what has gone on in their life before this yoga session.

This knowledge has changed my perspective so much -- no longer do I look at someone and think "she's wearing Lululemon and she looks great -- she must have a great life". How do I know that? Oh, I see the label on the clothing, but the part about her life? I have NO idea what great or not-so-great things have transpired in that person's life, what brought them to yoga, what keeps them in yoga. I'll pick up bits and pieces of information as we become acquainted; but, I may never have a deep knowing of the happenings that have impacted another's life.  Scary and interesting, isn't it?

That doesn't mean I am now in the business of trying to figure out everyone's story. It just is an awakening realization for me. A realization that does affect how I interact with people. I find I don't 'rush to judgment'; I wait. I listen, and I wait -- because, bit by bit stories (at least, parts of them) do emerge.

Last night, I was honored to be invited to teach an introductory session to a group of people (7 of them), and their caregivers (25 of them - family and friends). People who are struggling with a devastating disease, PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy). First impression -- what a great group. All laughing, chatting, enjoying friends (old & new) and family. Except for canes and a couple wheelchairs, you might have wondered 'what's the big deal'.

We got to my part - yoga. A challenge, at best, for me to walk into a room of the unknown (oh, I knew one person - a long-time student and friend, and a victim of this disease). However, I didn't know how the others would present, what their limitations might be and/or how they would look at and receive me.

Because of the balance limitations this disease creates, we all stayed in chairs. We sat tall, with legs and feet squarely planted - as if in tadasana. The breath was noticed and appreciated. We moved the spine, forward & back - side to side - twisting.  We rested. We focused on the breath. I talked. We raised arms, did a few shoulder stretches, then tried a seated forward fold. Best of all, we laughed (sometimes at me). We rested. Then, we did a couple of pranayama exercises. Finished by acknowledging each other with hands at heart and saying Namaste'.

Why tell you this -- because, take away the canes & wheelchairs, I might never imagine some of these people had an issue more than a sprained ankle (a reason for the cane). They all appeared healthy and - best of all - happy.

At the end, comments came in indicating their desire to move. Just breathing deeply and stretching as we did made them feel better, more energized. Wow!  More magic.

The fact that I don't know is still scary and interesting, but - now - I have this tool called 'yoga' to help me and these friends named John, Sundari, Adam, Christina, MarieChristina, etc., etc., etc., to guide me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Today's schedule?

• Class with Wayne
• Paperwork
• Take care of my cold 

Enjoy your Tuesday,

HOMEWARD BOUND

After a nice weekend in Driggs, we are homeward bound this morning.

Sunday afternoon we made a short journey over to Jackson to visit the National Museum of Wildlife Art.  This was the location for Sundari's teacher training in October 2009, so I was well acquainted with it but Howard had never been inside.  Pleased to see many memories, plus new pieces to enjoy; and, he was impressed.  

Then, a quick lunch with new friends (traveling in the area, friends of a friend - if that makes sense), and back over the pass for more R&R in front of a warm fire.

Tonight, I meet a new group of people - 7-8 who are struggling with a degenerative disease known as PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy), which basically destroys the brainstem (nasty disease) - part of the Parkinson's group. They will attend their support group meeting with caregivers and I've been invited to introduce a bit of yoga to them.  Unexplained falling is one of the first symptoms of this disease, so my plan is to do a lot of breath and seated work.  Will take a couple ideas with me, since I'm not sure what I will walk into.

It's taken a while for that proclamation from my first therapeutics training to take hold ("people will be knocking on your door", 2006, can't remember who said it).  They are knocking now, and I'm so glad for the time I've been given to study more and work with people more. Oh, I was eager before; but, I think that eagerness could have been my undoing. As in, I wouldn't have been patient enough to look at the whole person before diving in to 'fix' them. I leave therapeutic trainings with tons of knowledge that I am dying to share. Better that I've been given time to absorb, learn more, repeat.

Today:

• Driving home
• Support Group Introduction to Yoga

Enjoy your day,