READY, SET, VIDEO!

Yes, my second video will be created tomorrow. Am I nervous? Am I worried? Am I whatever? Not really. And, not sure why.

I have video'd a lot -- this is a tip for those of you fearing the video process. It really does get easier the more you do, so video a LOT; even if you do nothing with those videos but erase them. Watch some, tho; this takes practice, as well -- hard to look at ourselves without looking at outfit, posture, mannerisms. It takes a while to just be comfortable watching with an objective eye.

Video'ing for Certification in Anusara® yoga teaching is a BIG deal. It's the final bridge to a long, long stream of work and study. My Certification reviewer has reviewed my plan for the class -- theme, heart quality, apex, alignment focus -- has given me the 'go'. So, I'll 'go'. Tomorrow.

Ashley, who regularly teaches at 5pm on Mondays, has graciously turned over her classroom to me for this video opportunity. Not really an 'invitation' class, but a well-schooled group of people who love Ashley, yet are willing to allow me into the room for this chance to teach them, all the while the video camera will be running.

My plan to supplement my preparation -- write out a list of words (thesaurus comes in VERY handy at these times), so I don't repeat the same instructions/feelings over and over ad nauseum. I also will go back to my reviewer's notes from the one video she has seen and read them again -- I know what she wanted me to improve; I may pick up other 'pearls', previously un-noticed by me. I will do one more run-thru of the entire class -- practicing it myself, guiding myself through the sequence. Still not entirely comfortable with this -- talking to myself (out loud, no less), as I practice, alone. Perhaps it's o.k. to ask a question of myself as I do this? Really role play the experience. This may be the one time it is all right to answer when I'm talking to myself.

I hope to do all this early in the day, today. Then, I will try NOT to think about it too much; at least, until tomorrow afternoon.

Mental note to self: take the camera and all needed paraphernalia.

Wish me luck!

THE SPECTRUM OF GENTLE/THERAPEUTIC YOGA

First, let me say, it was a great day for me yesterday -- both of my classes were well attended and my teaching felt confident and energetic.

This is in contrast to Monday, when my practice had a bit of a 'struggle-edge' to it (huh?). I am hopeful this corresponds to the fact that I am recovering from the surprise cold I've been dealing with -- two weeks ago, a mild sore throat; then, sore throat followed by the cough; then, into hiding (the cold); until my plane landed in Spokane for my visit with my parents -- then all 'heck' broke lose -- sneezing, nose running, stuffy for 3 days -- so pleasant!

On the mend, I went to class Monday, but felt 'weary' -- no oomph in my get-along, if you know what I mean. I did feel better at the end of the class I participated in, but I was not pleased with my energy level.

Now, to the topic referenced in the title.

My Tuesday afternoon class is attended by students struggling with 'stuff', and is titled "Therapeutic/Gentle Yoga". Whoever shows, gets a practice that I modify to whatever they are dealing with and - hopefully - gives them some insight to finding stability, more movement, less discomfort, etc. I believe I have a knack for working with this population; and I am very aware and thankful of the information passed to me from my teachers (too many to mention here), and also to the Principles of Alignment that I believe work magic.

Yesterday was no different - 3 students in the room (not a problem if this class is small; in fact, it is probably a good thing). The spectrum of physical abilities and knowledge was what I marvel at this morning. K, with a bit of back pain (and who has been in before with regards to his hamstrings - remember '5 Minutes'?); H, suffering from generalized fibromyalgia (meaning it affects the whole body); and D, with a problematic shoulder. While each had a valid reason for being in the class, each also possesses a different level of yoga expertise. This, in itself, could be daunting.

I dove in; laughing at my jokes (very important), trying to offer variations that would challenge, but not over-challenge, observing the outcome - asking for feedback (because otherwise, people tend to be very quiet during yoga class, and - in this setting - feedback is critical; I need to know if they are feeling what I am conveying and also what the result of that is - does it feel good, or hurt, or feel manageable, like that). So, the class becomes a conversation and - hopefully - no one is too shy to share -- which, in this group, was not a problem.

Three people, two of whom had met in passing at other classes, thrown together in my class to work on different issues; all with different levels of yoga expertise. Interesting! And. Fun. Loved. It.

Have a great Wednesday!

FULL STRETCH !!!

Readers who have attended one of John Friend's workshops or trainings know this phrase well. "Full stretch!" is heard several times during a class, especially the morning sessions when standing poses are the emphasis.

Funny how I find those phrases working their way into my vocabulary, as well. Think about it, tho. What better way to get my students to max out their stretching potential than a well-modulated "full stretch!".

Sometimes, tho -- and this will depend on the students' interpretation or my lack of modulation -- it falls flat. I say it. I look into the room. What do I see? Floppy fingers, bent elbows, hands in front plane of body, side body 'short' -- not the things a 'full stretch' is made of. Now, you wonder, where is she headed with all this?

Yesterday, I began a new class -- a volunteer teaching opportunity at the Fallbrook Library. A brand new one-hour class of students new to me, in a strange place. Of the nine students in the room, only 4 had yoga experience (and just one of those had practiced over a period of time; everyone else had limited prior experience). This would be the type of environment to be prepared for the floppy finger'd, bent elbow'd, side body 'short' example of 'full stretch'.

But NO -- it didn't happen. Everyone in that room, from the 12-year-old to the 60-year-old (guessing at exact years), stretched FULLY -- applying great muscular energy in response to my request (command?) of 'full stretch!'. My theme? Courage; Why? it takes courage to try something new (there's that risk of failure or feeling out of place).

Once set up with a firm foundation and heart's lifted, the 'full stretch!' was just these student's next step on our courage journey.

Nine students for a brand-new class and a 'full stretch!' -- be still my heart!

From this class, I jetted (drove, actually) up to Temecula for a 5pm class (this is the class I will teach in the next couple weeks for my second video). I was torn between this class and attending the Beach Party Anusara® Birthday Celebration with John Friend and the local Anusara Kula. Instead, I felt making my presence known was important for this group of students -- after all, I need six people in the room when filming. Choices. Gotta love/hate 'em. There will be other opportunities for 'beach celebrations'.

Today? Teaching in Carlsbad (10:30 am Intro class at Carlsbad Wellness); then in Temecula (2 pm Therapeutic/Gentle Class at Living Yoga). I'll be 'full stretching' right along with them!

Have a great Tuesday,

DID I MENTION EXPANSION?

I think I did. And, it just goes to show you that if you think about it enough, it just may come round to let you experience it -- expansion, that is.

And, what you ask, am I expanding into? Teaching a demographic (right word?) of students new to me -- the student who is pregnant, has just delivered her baby, or - maybe - wants to be in one of those categories.

I have avoided this demographic for the 8+ years I have taught yoga. Why? Not sure - I guess, to be honest, it makes me a bit nervous. Perhaps because I feel responsible for the student standing in front of me, AND for her unborn child growing sight-unseen to me.

And, what has avoiding this demographic done for my skills in teaching them? Not much. I now must spend the next few weeks studying appropriate poses, how to adapt to different levels of pregnancy or post-pregnancy, and - as importantly - make everyone feel as though what they have done in class is a good and heart-felt experience.

So, after contracting back into avoidance for 8+ years, it's time for a bit of expansion; seems to be a theme here, doesn't there? I will assume the prenatal class in mid-September; if I don't procrastinate, I should have time to become book-ready to teach the class and will have practiced my teaching some.

In the interim, I also will begin a new class next week in my own neighborhood of Fallbrook -- a class for whoever shows at the Fallbrook Library. I'm anxious to do this, to teach in my own neck of the woods and to offer Anusara® yoga to the community. It will, however, be interesting to see who shows for a 3pm class (60 minutes) class. I may end up with a class of adults, teens and pre-teens, or both. Add onto that, their yoga experience and any physical limitations (thinking of the adults, here), I could be looking at a most excellent teaching adventure.

Preparation time! Enjoy your Saturday!

CHANGING 'GEARS'

I planned a 'mini-workshop' (called it an Expansion Class) for yesterday afternoon.

Granted, Sunday afternoons are a hard sell -- everyone enjoying the final weekend (at least, here) before school registrations begin; or, just staying inside, avoiding the heat. But, I decided to go for it, anyway -- these are things I must do to get out of my 'comfort' zone from time to time.

My topic? 'Re-Muster Your Power'. Why? The word 'power' keeps popping into my field of awareness lately. Like, in every book I pick up, many of the quotes I'm reading, and the discussions I've been involved in. Not 'power' like strength or vigor, but 'power' as in ability, capacity, potential, confidence -- like that.

Why 'Re-Muster'? Mainly because I was tired of using the word remember; but look up the word 'muster' and you'll find a definition of 'to assemble'. Which, I think is what we have to do; we have to 'assemble' all of our skills in order to re-claim some. And, the 'Re-' part? well, many of us had all those skills assembled at one time in our lives (maybe during childhood), and we've camouflaged, concealed, hidden, or simply forgot, them as we grew to adulthood. Now we are busy taking care of children, working, doing the things we think we 'should' do; 'power' got set aside as we moved into this stage of our lives.

The Universe threw me a challenge. Earlier in the week, I started with a sore throat, that expanded to a feeling like a rock in my lungs, which escalated to a cough that was in full bloom by Sunday. Fun to try to talk, throat tickling, coughing like a person who has smoked one too many cigarettes (BTW, I've never smoked).

Well, there was no way out -- I had to do it; so I prepared, gathered my materials, made my way to the studio, placed my seat with Hanuman at my side. Then I waited for the crowd to arrive for this expansion class, scheduled to being at 1pm. At 12:58pm, in walked one student; at 1pm - on the dot - in walked the second.

Sometimes, things are perfect; this was perfect. Both students were struggling with issues - physical and emotional. The last thing either needed was a 'kick-butt' 2-hour yoga class; and the last thing I could teach effectively, considering my cough, was such a class. Instead, we talked, we shared thoughts about 'power' in our lives, we did move - but it wasn't the backbend class I'd planned -- instead we opened all parts, then spent time in a restorative pose, pranayama, and meditation.

Expansion Classes will become part of my repertoire -- interesting that, during the Wanderlust experience, one of the philosophy scholars noted that almost every expansion (growth) we've experienced has come out of a period of contraction (tightness, dwindling, small). If we look back at our individual history's, that becomes evident. Maybe that will be my next topic!?!??!

Have a great Monday!

EXPLAINING TANTRA

This week, I've been attending classes taught by others who attended the Anusara-Inspired™ Gathering with me in Wanderlust. Why? First reason, because I want to; ulterior motive? to see how they communicate the teachings they came away with.

Kudos to them -- they are keeping it simple; trying not to bombard their students with each detail they learned in the 3 intense days, simply opening a door here and there and allowing a glimpse inside.

One of the expanding moments for me was a forthright discussion of the word 'tantra'. Our (Anusara®'s) philosophy is based on tantra. Knowing that, put yourself in my shoes when I explain to students the 3 differentiating factors of Anusara® yoga from other styles:

1. Teaching of alignment principles (our UPA's)
2. Strong kula (community of the heart)
3. A tantric philosophy supporting the practice (WHAT? TANTRA? -- at least, that's what I worry my students are thinking when I say the word "TANTRA")

What happened at Wanderlust was good for me - a forthright and clear discussion of Tantra, it's roots, etc. Not that I hadn't heard it before; I had, many times. This time, tho, I came away with a clearer way to explain to students that "no, Tantra doesn't mean we practice our yoga with an emphasis on sex". In fact, the word 'tantra' means 'the system' -- a means of doing something. So, we can know that it is not a religion and the word tantra can be an adjective for anything we believe in -- i.e. Tantric Christianity or Tantric Islam; meaning that I am able to practice those two religions - if I choose to - with fullness present in every moment. Using Tantra, I am able to bridge the two aspects so present in my life -- one, money and possessions; the other, spirituality and goodness.

A most clear and primary message: "do not 'google' Tantra on your computer". Why? You will get every website that does give people the message it's all about sex. You have to go back, way back, into the texts and have someone like these scholars define what was really said; not what some people want them to say -- like a blank check to do anything we want; that's not what it's about. It's about living my life, enjoying my life, looking for the good in my life, a 'tantric' way of living.

I did just google 'Tantra' -- Wikipedia does a pretty good job of defining (at least the first 2 paragraphs, which is all I've read this morning):

An important characteristic of this movement was that it is a radically positive, world-embracing vision of the whole of reality as an expression of a joyous Divine Consciousness (for example, as the divine play of Shakti and Shiva.^[1]). Tantric spiritual practices and rituals aim to bring about an inner realization of this truth, bringing freedom from ignorance and rebirth in the process.

As I am not a philosophy scholar, if anything here doesn't make sense -- don't call me on it. I am still learning.

Have a great Thursday!

SHARING THE 'PEARLS'

I used to hold my 'pearls' close. Not sharing. I was 'selfish' (ouch). That was then, this is now; that time is history.

Today, I share my 'pearls'; as yoga teachers, we are here not only to teach our students, but to also teach our peers (and to be taught by them), to even teach our teachers on occasion. (A recent issue of YogaJournal addressed this - when it chronicled the relationships of several well-known yoga instructors.)

We keep our knowledge 'close to the vest' when we feel insecure and threatened. Maybe it's age, maybe it's a change of attitude, whatever it is -- it is now much easier for me to share.

Now, that doesn't mean that I'm going to spend $100, $200, or more for a training, then turn around and give all of my hard-earned notes to someone who didn't spend the money or time to participate in the same training. But, I will share 'pearls', dropping them along the way, sharing appropriate pearls with my peers. There are also some trainings I've participated in that are 'closed', meaning - especially in webinar situations - that the teacher leading the webinar has asked we not share the downloaded webinar contents with others who have not signed up. Of course, as I practice what I've learned (and, if people pay attention), the 'pearls' may become apparent. But, that's different.

Anyway, I've come a long way -- I enjoy sharing the teachings I feel are appropriate to be shared. No more do I hoard and keep my knowledge secret. It just feels better.

Have a great Tuesday!