THE LITTLE THINGS

I've been working with a woman for 3 sessions now; she's a bit older, suffered a major injury, and now is trying to move back into her life. Our goal -- strengthen her legs and other bodily functions; my goal -- have her move to and from the floor with more ease and confidence. There, I've said it -- there are two sets of objectives in our teaching: ours and mine. How about for you?

Before I met with her yesterday, I planned my Gentle Yoga class. Thanks to Eric S., I've been telling students in that class about the aspects of Laksmi and trying to apply these aspects to our yoga (and life). I was gone on Wednesday, so had a couple to catch up on. Worked with Vira and Vijaya Laksmi.

Vijaya means something like a 'slice of victory' (break it down to jaya=celebrate and vi=increment). We celebrate all the victories of life, big and small. I notice that in my practice; that I am able to incrementally enjoy a pose(?). For example, padangusthasana -- certainly a dvesha pose for me (meaning I avoid it). But, when asked to do the pose, I love the feeling of being able to bring in the leg-to-be-extended, hold the foot, and then hug that leg to midline as I inner spiral both legs and prepare for the as-yet-elusive full extension. I even remember the first time I felt that hug; such celebration (or vijaya) I felt inside. Kind of like, 'wow, I didn't know I could hold that leg in like that, my inner thigh muscles are really getting strong'. That's what I mean by 'vijaya'. I'll be happy when I can fully extend the leg, but - right now - the little victory keeps me happy and doing the pose, a pose I very much disliked.

Back to the topic at hand. Our first session, knowing what I did at that time, was a 'get to know you session'. I went prepared with a list of 8 movements that I planned for her; we moved briefly through each and, when we finished, I asked her to do 2-3 each day and mix them up.

The second session, similar movements - but, I had noticed that her breath needed work. Work? Yes, and many of you can relate because you have students who breathe shallowly and/or irregularly. So, my client and I worked on the breath -- I tried having her place her hand on her belly to feel her breath, that didn't seem to do the trick. She suggested hand on heart and that worked better. We did a few more leg movements, etc., got down and up from the floor. I left.

Session 3, yesterday: I am seeing greater awareness of the breath. Her idea worked, it seems to connect her with her breath. Vijaya! And, for the 3rd time, she moved down to and back up from the floor -- she doesn't like it, but she is doing it -- so important to know you can do it. And, something I read recently is that when older people find themselves on the floor, either by falling, slipping, or sliding out of a chair for example, the first thing to go haywire is their breath and then panic/fear can set in, compounding the negative impact of the situation.

She is happy about the breath, feels a sense of accomplishment just knowing that she's breathing with more awareness. I am happy that, grumbling all the way, she is moving to and from the floor.

Then, it was on to Gentle Yoga. Among the group were 4 new students, 3 of whom had physical stuff (bad knees, old ankle injury). One little victory here: they all are aware of the impact these have on their ability to move.

Today:

• Class or practice with Adam B.
• Weekend time with husband

Enjoy your Saturday and weekend,

WTSIR,TTA; or could it be WTTIR, TSA?

Serious problem with the keyboard -- NOT! Just didn't want to take up all my 'title' space and energy typing out: 'when the student is ready, the teacher appears'.

I was reminded of this phrase yesterday (a phrase I love) when I looked back at blog posts (MariaCristina's, in particular). She referenced the phrase, then re-phrased it to: WHEN THE TEACHER IS READY, THE STUDENTS APPEAR.

Been thinking about that a lot since reading it. I had credited increased attendance in my Gentle Yoga classes to their being 'ready'. Instead -- is it possible I'm 'ready' to competently teach them? Yup, I think that's an accurate statement/question.

So, thank you - Maria - for bringing that to my attention.

Another wake-up? Attitude affects attendance (another 3 A's). Brought to the forefront of my thought process in regards to the 4 pm class I teach on Thursdays. Thursdays have evolved into a LONG day for me. I reach 4 pm with a bit of a 'tired chip' on my shoulder. That, coupled with the fact that it requires more effort on my part to make this time slot grow I've dropped the ball on this one. Need to re-frame and re-energize for this time slot.

Must be a 'true confession' Friday.

What 'tip' for the day? I've just purchased a great set of books, written by Ray Long, M.D., it's a 3-book set - each book dedicated to a class of poses. Lots of great anatomy information. I learned about Dr. Long from Sundari through books titled "The Key Muscles of Yoga" and "The Key Poses of Yoga" (which I've also purchased). Lots of opportunities for reading!

And, today:

• Private at 9 am
• Gentle Yoga at 10:30 am
• Errands (to include picking up new car!)

Hope your Friday is a good one,

GOING TO WRITE QUICKLY

We have been spending the past few days visiting with and helping take care of our 'Grand-Dudes', aka grandsons. Where does this come from? Well, I know BJ calls her Grandchildren, 'GrandDrops'; my 2-year-old called me 'dude' one morning as I changed him out of his pajamas. He was being funny, I remembered -- there you have it, the story of 'dude origination'. Since then, they have been my 'Grand-Dudes'; I suppose if I had a granddaughter, I would have to call her a 'Grand-Dudette' !!!!

And, why do you care? Well, it has been since Thursday that I've written in this blog -- maybe one or more of you is in serious withdrawal from my writing, or not. In any case, one of the longer periods I've gone without writing.

I went back to review what I wrote about way last week. I see that it was about filming the previous day's Gentle Yoga Class. Since that one was lacking in some areas, I decided to give it another go on Friday. Plenty of people in the room, more than enough to satisfy the filming requirements. And, I figured, it would be easier second time around. Also, the second aspect of Laksmi, Saubhagya Laksmi (could also be defined as the Laksmi of Discernment). Wisdom. In this class, due to the injuries and conditions present, wisdom about what our bodies will do or not do is valuable stuff. And stuff students must listen to, look at, and discern the value of.

For example, many students arrive in this class complaining of back pain. The fear of the pain, for some, is almost paralyzing. During the movement I request of them, it takes their own wisdom to determine whether and how far they are going to take a movement. I never ask for more than I think is possible; I also realize that, for some, we will start with small steps. Might not do that full, well-aligned, twist the first day; however, can we align, and - perhaps - move the legs off to one side, then the other, and explore a bit. Some have not moved for a while, so this fear may just be a fear of the unknown or the forgotten.

Enough on that.

Our weekend was nice. I spent it with 2 coaches from the Handel Group in Laguna Beach (no less), and 17 others. We talked life changes (mostly career), parental traits, and our own 'hauntings' (memories that have lived with us, perhaps all our lifetime) and how they relate back to our path in life. Interesting.

Monday was spent with 'Grand-Dudes'. 4-year-old, Jack, loves books and is in pre-school. As we talked in the morning, I mentioned the book "Dictionary", and it's uses. When his mother awoke, he was after her for the dictionary, which she couldn't find. Well, you can see where this day led -- a trip to B&N (Barnes & Noble), Children's Section, purchasing a children's dictionary. He is his father's son. Derek was always interested in facts, not stories, so books like this dictionary which tell a story about a word would have appealed to him. I knew that we would not leave without one or two more books (actually 5). Mission accomplished, we returned home to book reading, dinner, bed.

Today? Yet TBD. More grand-dude time, guaranteed.

Hope your Tuesday is great!

AND, IT'S A KEEPER!

What's a keeper? The flier mentioned in yesterday's post. Everyone liked the version sent to them (with a very minor 'tweak'). Whew! Now, the question -- who is in charge of printing / distributing / etc.? Will ask this a.m.

Wednesday's Gentle Yoga class was a blast -- more than enough people in the room to film and all in good spirits, willing to even place themselves front and center in the video (not always the case). The presence of the video camera adds another dimension to classes - that of some self-consciousness. That is, most classes - this group? Well, the camera became almost a non-entity. Everyone did their stuff, no one held back on the groans or sighs (this is a very verbal group), they even added a bit of creative expression to the poses I asked them to do, we all had fun.

The challenge for me is to communicate from my teaching to the camera why certain things were being done certain ways. For example, why some people began class seated in chairs, others on the floor. Well, there are a number of hip/knee replacements in the room; another with a debilitating disease; for the new-to-yoga, sitting in the chair is just an easier way to listen to me for a few minutes; and then everyone aligns as they sit on the chair or the floor. Yes, align -- no comfortable, slouchy chair sitting; everyone is asked to sit with knees over ankles, feet parallel, rooting down through pelvis and from hips to armpits creating length. Shoulders rise, and move towards the back of the room -- all the same as for those in sukhasana; except for the legs. For this group, while some might move easily into seated on the floor; there are enough others who would need help in setting themselves up safely and comfortably, that it becomes a 'time' thing. We get to the floor, just not in the beginning.

There was one new student in the group. As I began, my commitment to the group was to speak about the goddess energies, beginning with Laksmi, and her 16 aspects. This first segment I relayed the story of Laksmi's appearance from the depths of the ocean - how she came to be. I'm talking away, and look at the new student's face - blank / no expression. I am sure she is wondering 'what?', 'didn't I come for yoga?', 'is this class story hour?', 'Goddesses and Gods and Demons?' -- or some other thought along those lines. As class proceeded, her facial expression stayed the same, a bit 'blank' -- no smiles, no grimaces -- I guess stoic might be a good word for it. This is worrisome for me, not to know -- I can't feel what's going on inside.

We had a good class, with some poses I usually don't throw at this group, and - at the end - the new student stopped me. Her comment "I loved it; one question, tho - why do we activate the feet and spread the pinkie toe?" I answered her question and she commented she'd be back. Good stuff. Another sigh of relief on my part.

Well, enough about the class. Got to get some elements in before the video will work. I didn't speak enough about the 5 principles - supposed to touch on those in 50% of the poses. I did, tho, move back to the theme, so I am pleased by that -- and, I told them 'why'; maybe not as much as some might like it, but I did it. This class keeps me busy, just making sure everyone is doing o.k., not getting discouraged, not hurting, not falling -- juggling a few more elements will take practice. But, all in all, I feel encouraged and ready to do more. A good thing.

And, I am so grateful the group is filled with Laksmi spirits -- all beautiful, helpful, caring. This will be a fun story theme to continue on for a few weeks.

p.s. As I re-thought the post, I noticed I didn't speak to the 'why' and how it relates to this (or any) group. In the churning of the ocean, many gifts appeared -- some good, some not-so-good; similarly with our yoga practice. We move, we feel, we notice our strengths and our weaknesses. We may want to give up (just as the Gods & Demons may have wanted to do, as they churned away), but something keeps us going. For this group, in particular, it may be the desire to be pain-free, or to get back in shape, or to strengthen the bond with a loved one, or to be with other people as their old group of friends shrinks and they face the remaining years of life. In any yoga class, everyone has their reasons. This is where, I believe, the 'kula' (community) is so important - if the kula is strong, the desire to return and return and return to a group of like-minded, loving individuals and friends keeps us in our yoga. Then, magically, it's a part of us, even if we move away or separate from this 'kula', the yoga is still there, in us. Kula - a topic for another post.

Today?

• Morning meeting
• 1 pm, Pilates with Cindy
• 2:30 pm, Private
• 4:00 pm, level 1-2 - I'm teaching at The Yoga Center
• 5:40 pm, Level 1-2 - Tiffany's teaching, I'm attending at The Yoga Center

Hope your Thursday is terrific,

VALUE IN PROCRASTINATION?

Is there? value in procrastination? Maybe.

Why do I think so this morning. Well, over the weekend I spent at least two hours on my computer searching for a flier I created for the Bliss Brothers weekend workshop, coming to The Yoga Center in May 2011 (May 6-8, to be exact). I took myself to the point of frustration, finally shutting the computer with a firm 'slam', and giving up on Sunday -- thinking, 'I'll re-do it tomorrow' -- meaning Monday.

Well, it's Wednesday morning and I still hadn't re-done it, as of 4:30 a.m. I'd thought about it, but re-creating a flier on this Mac (which I love, don't get me wrong) is a challenge -- it's not what I'm used to, it's change, it's growth.

Lo and behold, in my morning e-mail was a message from Peter, about to embark on the Bliss Brothers' tour and needing the flier, so he can update their website before departing. Pressure is on. Not only am I embarrassed that I've procrastinated, I HAVE TO GET IT DONE so everyone else can get on with their part of this workshop presentation.

So, 4:30 am, coffee in hand, I began. Gather pics, gather old data from old e-mails, put it together as well as I can remember the old one was. Wouldn't be so bad if I could remember how to move photos, re-size and crop photos, get a lot of info onto one 8x11 sheet of paper. That's where procrastination came into play -- the power of pressure. I've always been one to work best under pressure, and it proved itself again. Pictures moved, I began to write. Condensing words to fit into a concise workshop flier came easily -- BOP (Benefit of Procrastination) or POP (Power of Pressure)?

Or, maybe it was that I have done it once, so doing it again is much easier -- just like some of the yoga poses we do or we ask our students to do. Many are just much easier the second time around. We (or they) have been there, our (or their) bodies know what to expect, we (or they) have heard instructions; things just move and settle into place without the initial 'I can't do that' reaction.

So, flier is done. E-mailed to Peter, Primo, Sheldon & Lyndsey. Let's hope they are o.k. with it. Not sure I want to do it a third time.

Today?

• Private early this morning (9 am)
• Gentle Yoga at 10:30 am (I'm teaching and filming - if you are a regular attendee and reading this, please come to class.)
• Laundry, housework, a few errands

Hope your Wednesday goes well,

2011 STUDIES

This post was begun on Monday; finished on Tuesday morning - - -

I believe I mentioned this earlier, in another post -- that January is the month I look at what's being offered, I reflect on what I've heard is coming up, and I begin to make some plans for the year. In the way of continuing education, we can only do so much while maintaining our commitment to our students and our personal lives, so it does take some planning. I used to just look for the 'fun' workshops or trainings. Now, knowing more about my teaching and my skills or lack-thereof, I look for what I believe I need to become a better, more well-rounded instructor.

On Facebook this month there have been many, many photos from Douglas Brooks' 2011 Pilgrimage to India. Familiar faces in front of temples, dressed in saris and whatever you call the men's clothing, buying jewelry, sitting on camels, henna 'tattoos', some photos even show the reality of India - its beauty and its other side.

All these photos remind me that in about two weeks, I'll begin study with Douglas -- my first formal, dedicated philosophy study. I've done the Immersions, which are dedicated primarily to philosophy -- but, broken up with asana. This will be pure philosophy. Nervous about that. Grasping the philosophy - which seems to come so easily to many - does not come easily to me. I read, re-read, then read again. Then, 3-6 months later, I may go back and read something again -- it may make more sense this time around, but no guarantees.

I've also signed up for Amy Ippoliti's on-line course on growing and cultivating classes. That, I need as well.

What else? Not sure. The Bliss Brothers will be in SLC the weekend of May 6-8 presenting a fun workshop. That about takes care of the first six months of 2011.

JF will be in Lake Tahoe this Summer for a gathering of Anusara-Inspired™ instructors. I am sure this would be valuable; tho somewhat of a logistical challenge. Logistics also factors in -- how easy is it to get to a venue (plane/train/auto)? how available is housing? what are transportation issues to and from housing to venue? will I need to rent a car? All these things are included in my decision-making process. If it is something I really need to do, I'll get there - by hook or crook (well, not crook - maybe a better phrase: where there's a will, there's a way). And, wouldn't it be nice to be Certified by then, and I could then change my goal to whatever Certified gathering is planned for 2011, if there is one.

I'm sure my planning is not over; I am hopeful more west coast events will be planned for JF. So, I'll keep my eye on his schedule. Would also LOVE to do something with Darren Rhodes (perhaps with Christina?). Need to explore that. After all, I still have late Summer and Fall/Winter to work on.

Now, today?

• 9:15 am Teaching Level 1-2 at The Yoga Center
• Noon, Pilates
• 2:30 pm, Teaching private

Hope you have a nice Tuesday,

POSTING LATE

I rarely write in the blog this late in the day. This is usually an early morning activity, but early mornings have been taken up with other reading this week; so, this will have to do.

It's also a Friday -- I almost forgot. My blogging skills are seriously lagging these days!

This could be called a roller coaster week for me --- ups and downs; peaks and valleys; mountains and canyons.

Tuesday's Level 1-2 class, that I am subbing for Wayne, went well. It is not a large class - Wayne had just begun to grow his student population when the broken-leg-skiing-accident happened. So, I hope I can carry on and increase it by a few before he returns. We are both pretty technical in our teaching (not a lot of flowery language from either of our mouths), so students will not have too much change to deal with upon his return.

Other activities for Tuesday - Pilates, semi-private, errands - happened uneventfully.

Wednesday is Gentle Yoga day (this week, preceded by a new private client). We are gradually and gently increasing population of this class -- 11 in the room. With props - chairs, blankets, blocks, straps - it gets crowded; add the people and their mats and it's downright busy! There is room for more, tho. We'll just have to neaten up the prop piles to make more space.

That will have to happen, anyway (the neatening-up part). Sundari and I decided that this should be the class I video for the Certification Committee. More on that later.

Thursday, always a hectic day, was no different. Housework in the morning, an hour-long phone conversation with Sundari (I NEVER talk on the phone for that long), rush over to Pilates, teach a semi-private, teach level 1-2, home.

Today, Friday, Gentle Yoga again -- 10 in the room. What's going on? Used to be 2, maybe 3 or 4; never did I dream there would be 10 on a Friday. Not complaining; just commenting. A bit of grocery shopping, then home to 'build' a stew for dinner, work on the computer a bit. Going to run to the airport in a couple hours.

So, now about the video. Sundari and I talked at length about the video during our conversation Thursday (wonder how much that will cost us -- Maui to Utah). We discussed staging a class -- inviting friends and fellow instructors. I am not good with that; feel it might look 'staged' -- maybe everyone would be too perfect in their Anusara understanding or - if they tried to 'fake' something, it would look fake (what better word - fake for fake). So, next week, I will begin video'ing all the Gentle Yoga classes I teach.

So what will be challenging? Letting the viewing audience know why I am doing certain things. I thought I could just write a note and attach it to the DVD -- telling people that, as they watch the video, this happens for this reason. Her (Sundari's) opinion - I should be using my words as I teach to tell the viewing audience what they are seeing. For example, why am I behind one student in almost all the standing poses. According to Sundari, I need to communicate that during the video. Today, I practiced that a bit -- trying to verbalize, as I taught, not just instructions but also why it's being done the way it's being done. Not easy, and it could very well embarrass a student, if I'm not careful. I see lots of practice videos in the next few weeks.

Other activities on the horizon: I begin Douglas Brooks' internet work next month -- everyone's buzzing about it. Not quite sure what to 'buzz' about, since I've never studied with him. I have listened to his CD's, tho. I've also signed up to do something with Amy Ippoliti. She's posted info on her Facebook site, with more promised -- an internet series to help build classes, strengthen loyalty -- basically grow things. Need it.

January is the month I look ahead to see what/where I will be studying and with who. Looking for something with JF; not ready to go to Tokyo, so I'm hoping something will pop up here in the Western USA. Wanderlust, maybe? We'll see.

Hope you had a great week.