After class, both Mothers of the teens came to me with questions (one of whom had made the "it's slower" comment).
First was, 'I teach school and my feet hurt more frequently these days. Thoughts?' After looking at her stance more closely, I was able to offer some ideas; including my 'life lesson' (as I call it) of standing with feet parallel.
Second Mom asked 'My inner right hip hurts and, especially recently, won't open as much as the left in sukasana (ease pose). Thoughts?' Create space, do not try to force it. Put something under the leg as you sit so that the inner hip flexors can relax.
That's all the time I had with a big Immersion group clamoring at the door to come in; perhaps I'll see them in another class.
Monday, February 20, 2012
SLOWER EQUALS WHAT?
I taught a morning class yesterday for a friend - a basic/intermediate class. And, I had six students in the room, 5 of whom had done little yoga.
How do I know this? Well, first -- I asked. Then, 2 were teens (about 13 years); I doubt they've done much yoga (or much in-depth yoga). Their Mothers were in attendance, as well -- one saying she was new; the other had a bit more experience. The 5th person, well let's just say the mat tells your truth. Not being critical here, but the 1/2" thick black foam is kind of a give away.
The teens and their mothers all asked if I was going to teach something 'different' from their last class. I honestly didn't know who had taught their last class, but I could truthfully say 'yes, it will be different, because I am not that teacher.'
Settled in the room, I introduced myself (which I often forget to do), checked in on injuries, and we began.
The first down dog gives everyone's experience (or training) away. Rounded backs, lifted heels and heads, crooked and lifted palms -- like that. Still not being critical, just setting the scenario for you.
One of my first jobs was the 'down dog primer' -- checking hands for placement and foundational integrity, asking people to keep their knees bent until their hips are lifted, then - keeping the back as it feels with knees bent - begin to extend the thighs towards the wall behind, straightening the knees and allowing the heels to descend.
That done, we continued to move. Everyone held their own, the teens listened and did 99% of what I asked - as did their Mothers. The other 2 followed instructions impeccably. Based on what I observed to be the experience level of the 5 (of 6) students, we moved carefully. About 3/4 of the way through the class, I asked: "Well, tell me, is this different from your other class(es)?"
Response: "It's slower."
Bite my tongue (so hard not to offer "well slower is sometimes better"). Continue teaching. Resist the temptation to speed it up. Keep teaching what the majority of the group needs. But, I can't honestly say I liked the answer. I much prefer hearing "this is great" or "I love hearing why we do stuff" -- things like that; not "it's slower".
Took them to the floor, a few twists, then supta tadasana (to experience back of thighs touching the floor), then a brief meditation as they lay relaxed, then savasana.
Slower. Damm!
But, in my heart I know it was right for everyone, even the sixth person (who is dealing with a sore right hip). As a friend pointed out to me yesterday, my training and my study equal a well-schooled yoga teacher who will challenge students and keep them safe.
Thank you to Adam Ballenger, Desiree Rumbaugh, Sundari Lucey, Martin & Jordan Kirk, Christina Sell, and to John Friend for teaching me to teach. Best of all, for offering me the knowledge to recognize that sometimes slower is better.
Today? Library is closed for the President's holiday; planning for my workshop on Saturday; spend some time with the Grand-Dudes.
Hope you have a great Monday,
How do I know this? Well, first -- I asked. Then, 2 were teens (about 13 years); I doubt they've done much yoga (or much in-depth yoga). Their Mothers were in attendance, as well -- one saying she was new; the other had a bit more experience. The 5th person, well let's just say the mat tells your truth. Not being critical here, but the 1/2" thick black foam is kind of a give away.
The teens and their mothers all asked if I was going to teach something 'different' from their last class. I honestly didn't know who had taught their last class, but I could truthfully say 'yes, it will be different, because I am not that teacher.'
Settled in the room, I introduced myself (which I often forget to do), checked in on injuries, and we began.
The first down dog gives everyone's experience (or training) away. Rounded backs, lifted heels and heads, crooked and lifted palms -- like that. Still not being critical, just setting the scenario for you.
One of my first jobs was the 'down dog primer' -- checking hands for placement and foundational integrity, asking people to keep their knees bent until their hips are lifted, then - keeping the back as it feels with knees bent - begin to extend the thighs towards the wall behind, straightening the knees and allowing the heels to descend.
That done, we continued to move. Everyone held their own, the teens listened and did 99% of what I asked - as did their Mothers. The other 2 followed instructions impeccably. Based on what I observed to be the experience level of the 5 (of 6) students, we moved carefully. About 3/4 of the way through the class, I asked: "Well, tell me, is this different from your other class(es)?"
Response: "It's slower."
Bite my tongue (so hard not to offer "well slower is sometimes better"). Continue teaching. Resist the temptation to speed it up. Keep teaching what the majority of the group needs. But, I can't honestly say I liked the answer. I much prefer hearing "this is great" or "I love hearing why we do stuff" -- things like that; not "it's slower".
Took them to the floor, a few twists, then supta tadasana (to experience back of thighs touching the floor), then a brief meditation as they lay relaxed, then savasana.
Slower. Damm!
But, in my heart I know it was right for everyone, even the sixth person (who is dealing with a sore right hip). As a friend pointed out to me yesterday, my training and my study equal a well-schooled yoga teacher who will challenge students and keep them safe.
Thank you to Adam Ballenger, Desiree Rumbaugh, Sundari Lucey, Martin & Jordan Kirk, Christina Sell, and to John Friend for teaching me to teach. Best of all, for offering me the knowledge to recognize that sometimes slower is better.
Today? Library is closed for the President's holiday; planning for my workshop on Saturday; spend some time with the Grand-Dudes.
Hope you have a great Monday,
Sunday, February 19, 2012
HUGGING MY MIDLINE
It's been a number of day since my last post. I did write one, but it remains in the 'draft' file. Why? It was laced with frustration, a bit of anger and disappointment. In what? Some of the reactions I've seen as we move through the upheaval of Anusara yoga.
My stance: that I will continue to teach, that I will retain my license, that I will wait. I used to make hasty decisions, but no more. Sometimes those work, sometimes not. This time, I have a sense that I need to wait. That said -- enough.
So, what have I been doing (besides logging on to Facebook a minimum of 3 times every day?)? I've been teaching and had a routine colonoscopy (All is good, and - if anyone wants to know what physicians and nurses discuss during those procedures - just ask. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the meds wore off quickly and I was awake for much of the procedure. Ugg!) I've also done some yardwork, taken a long walk with my husband (first one in a while, why? don't know, it was a good thing), planned classes, practiced, and done homework for an upcoming hip workshop I'll present on the 25th.
Simple stuff. I feel calm and energized; not sure why, I should be agitated and angry. After all, my assessor quit! (oh, I said enough, didn't I?)
I am still here and I am still teaching Anusara-Inspired(TM) Yoga.
Hope you're doing well and hope you have a great Sunday!
My stance: that I will continue to teach, that I will retain my license, that I will wait. I used to make hasty decisions, but no more. Sometimes those work, sometimes not. This time, I have a sense that I need to wait. That said -- enough.
So, what have I been doing (besides logging on to Facebook a minimum of 3 times every day?)? I've been teaching and had a routine colonoscopy (All is good, and - if anyone wants to know what physicians and nurses discuss during those procedures - just ask. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the meds wore off quickly and I was awake for much of the procedure. Ugg!) I've also done some yardwork, taken a long walk with my husband (first one in a while, why? don't know, it was a good thing), planned classes, practiced, and done homework for an upcoming hip workshop I'll present on the 25th.
Simple stuff. I feel calm and energized; not sure why, I should be agitated and angry. After all, my assessor quit! (oh, I said enough, didn't I?)
I am still here and I am still teaching Anusara-Inspired(TM) Yoga.
Hope you're doing well and hope you have a great Sunday!
Monday, February 13, 2012
THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING !?!?!?
What? On the cusp of attaining Certification in Anusara Yoga, a rumor-filled, yet factual in some respects, scandal.
If you want details, it's all available on the internet -- Yoga Journal has printed a small piece; Bay Shakti (www.bayshakti.com) has more; Facebook has lots of info. Enough to drive one nuts or, at the very least, to frustration.
I wish it would go away, but it won't. That won't happen until there are significant changes in the organization of Anusara Yoga and amends made for past transgressions. I, for one, will wait and watch.
The selfish part of me wishes it had not happened. The even more selfish part of me wishes my Certification assessor had not resigned (what now?). But it did. She did.
Enough.
We often hear our teachers say that the stories we read (in particular the Bhagavad Gita), are comprised of each of us as the characters -- if we look closely and reflect on our lives, we will see ourselves in the characters. If you are familiar with the story, bear with me:
Arjuna (a warrior) is called to fight in a great battle; Krishna (his chariot driver) advises him as they prepare. Arjuna's dilemma: that the two armies to fight are comprised of his family members -- brothers, cousins, etc. -- lined up on both sides of the battlefield. Arjuna would rather not fight than kill or injure any of his family members. Krishna's message to him -- it is your duty in life to participate in this battle; Arjuna agrees after significant discussion. End of story.
I am the warrior (suddenly faced with a battle of whether to continue or not); I am also the chariot driver (advising myself of the dutiful action to take); and I am the two armies (part of this yoga family, on both sides of the field -- some choosing to leave, some choosing to stay).
It's not fun being all the characters, but now I understand. I'll stay. The method of Anusara Yoga has given me so much, has helped my students so much, that I cannot walk away.
With love to all and to myself,
If you want details, it's all available on the internet -- Yoga Journal has printed a small piece; Bay Shakti (www.bayshakti.com) has more; Facebook has lots of info. Enough to drive one nuts or, at the very least, to frustration.
I wish it would go away, but it won't. That won't happen until there are significant changes in the organization of Anusara Yoga and amends made for past transgressions. I, for one, will wait and watch.
The selfish part of me wishes it had not happened. The even more selfish part of me wishes my Certification assessor had not resigned (what now?). But it did. She did.
Enough.
We often hear our teachers say that the stories we read (in particular the Bhagavad Gita), are comprised of each of us as the characters -- if we look closely and reflect on our lives, we will see ourselves in the characters. If you are familiar with the story, bear with me:
Arjuna (a warrior) is called to fight in a great battle; Krishna (his chariot driver) advises him as they prepare. Arjuna's dilemma: that the two armies to fight are comprised of his family members -- brothers, cousins, etc. -- lined up on both sides of the battlefield. Arjuna would rather not fight than kill or injure any of his family members. Krishna's message to him -- it is your duty in life to participate in this battle; Arjuna agrees after significant discussion. End of story.
I am the warrior (suddenly faced with a battle of whether to continue or not); I am also the chariot driver (advising myself of the dutiful action to take); and I am the two armies (part of this yoga family, on both sides of the field -- some choosing to leave, some choosing to stay).
It's not fun being all the characters, but now I understand. I'll stay. The method of Anusara Yoga has given me so much, has helped my students so much, that I cannot walk away.
With love to all and to myself,
Friday, February 10, 2012
VIDEO'ING (or, how to teach a private)
I made plans to video my class yesterday (4pm, Temecula). For the past 4-6 weeks, there have consistently been six in the room -- the required number for a video. I computed that, if those six arrived and I invited a few more, I'd have plenty of students to meet the requirement.
My plan included arriving early (I'd made plans to use the large room, which makes video'ing possible), getting camera set-up and ready, and review my plans for the class at least one more time. Then, I thought, I'd have a few extra minutes to move a bit; to get warmed up.
So (the ever-present 'so'), all went according to plan, except the student part. Just one person came to class. I must admit that I was a bit relieved -- to video with the stress of the past few days and months, video'ing seemed a bit silly. I do want to get it done, tho; I'd like to accomplish Certification, sooner than later.
Now, with one student in the room, this does NOT a video make. Shift gears, adjust attitude (mine), teach the one. She was a new-to-the-studio student; had done yoga a few times many years ago. And, many years ago had suffered a horseback riding accident that damaged her back and left hip. Perfect private material. We began; she quickly tired, so I slowed things down a bit and - rather than a 'regular' class - got therapeutic on her. Not sure that's what she was looking for, but that's what she got.
We worked with feet, legs, got to hips and back. As I talked and she moved, she kept saying things like 'this is just what I need', 'I wondered why my back was hurting in that area', 'my neck has been hurting lately, as well', and 'my feet cramp - will this help?'. I watched her move -- beautiful body awareness. But a body that has definitely been injured - short on the right side, torqued to the right through the torso, left shoulder well above the right and moving towards the front plane of the body.
After one hour, to her relief - I'm sure, I asked her to lie down, do a twist keeping the core muscles activated, then move through apanasana, and into savasana.
As we left the room, I thought "no video, but this - this private - needed to happen". Things work in interesting ways.
Leaves me wondering, however, WILL I EVER GET THAT VIDEO DONE?
Hope you have a great Friday,
My plan included arriving early (I'd made plans to use the large room, which makes video'ing possible), getting camera set-up and ready, and review my plans for the class at least one more time. Then, I thought, I'd have a few extra minutes to move a bit; to get warmed up.
So (the ever-present 'so'), all went according to plan, except the student part. Just one person came to class. I must admit that I was a bit relieved -- to video with the stress of the past few days and months, video'ing seemed a bit silly. I do want to get it done, tho; I'd like to accomplish Certification, sooner than later.
Now, with one student in the room, this does NOT a video make. Shift gears, adjust attitude (mine), teach the one. She was a new-to-the-studio student; had done yoga a few times many years ago. And, many years ago had suffered a horseback riding accident that damaged her back and left hip. Perfect private material. We began; she quickly tired, so I slowed things down a bit and - rather than a 'regular' class - got therapeutic on her. Not sure that's what she was looking for, but that's what she got.
We worked with feet, legs, got to hips and back. As I talked and she moved, she kept saying things like 'this is just what I need', 'I wondered why my back was hurting in that area', 'my neck has been hurting lately, as well', and 'my feet cramp - will this help?'. I watched her move -- beautiful body awareness. But a body that has definitely been injured - short on the right side, torqued to the right through the torso, left shoulder well above the right and moving towards the front plane of the body.
After one hour, to her relief - I'm sure, I asked her to lie down, do a twist keeping the core muscles activated, then move through apanasana, and into savasana.
As we left the room, I thought "no video, but this - this private - needed to happen". Things work in interesting ways.
Leaves me wondering, however, WILL I EVER GET THAT VIDEO DONE?
Hope you have a great Friday,
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
WILD WEEKEND
In many ways, this was one wild weekend.
First, the workshop with Sundari and Peter was great -- so nice to be with friends, practicing and learning. This kula (the 'bad ass' Jackson Hole group) is a great one. So gracious, so welcoming, so much fun to be with. And, the teachings we received from Sundari and Peter were unforgettable -- just ask me about "DD=T" (my one and only note from the weekend).
I returned yesterday morning (up at 2:30 am PST to drive to Idaho Falls, climb on an early flight, spend a few hours in SLC, then a full flight to Orange County. Arrived on time (maybe a little early), in the car and homeward bound. My goal was to arrive in time to teach the 3pm Library Class -- no problem; I had time to visit my house, check on pets, and change clothes, before driving in to teach.
Get this: 25 in the room! Among those, six new students -- some just came to observe, but the kula (the class participants) soon had them on mats, doing the practice. We worked with the feet -- I'm going to work from the ground up for a few weeks. Been doing a lot of reading and study in anticipation of a hip-opening workshop I'm conducting in late Feb. Do you know how our feet affect everything else? I am continually amazed as I read and learn.
Then, reviewing Facebook, troubling comments about JF, and another resignation. I've kind of figured out what happened -- an article alleging questionable religious beliefs, home-wrecker behavior, and fraud. Here are my immediate thoughts (until proven otherwise):
- Questionable religious beliefs - Or, more specifically, Wiccan practices. In almost every workshop or training I have attended with John, this belief and practice has been mentioned by him as he reviews his background. I don't know much about it; didn't care to -- that's not what I was there for. Yoga, in particular Anusara Yoga, was why I attended. (Let me emphasize this -- many of the people commenting attended these same workshops; I hope they don't plead ignorance.)
- Home-wrecker behavior - not much to say about this, except that it is a two-way street.
- Fraud - this relates to business practices with regards to employees of Anusara. I have heard the implications, seen a letter stating all is good and legal. I'll hold any opinion until I hear or see more.
Enough.
Off to the vet this a.m. with little Driggs, who is trying to chew her leg off (an exaggeration, but . . .). Maybe he can get her to stop.
Then, teaching in Temecula -- 2pm, Gentle/Therapeutic; 4:30pm, Prenatal.
Looking forward to a great day and week,
Friday, February 3, 2012
OFF TO IDAHO. . .
Yes, me -- off to Idaho (and Wyoming) for a weekend of yoga with good friends, Sundari and Peter Goodman, at Akasha Yoga. (Howard will remain in Fallbrook, holding down the fort).
This trip has given me good material for my teaching this week. The prospect of driving in snow (especially over the significant mountain pass between Driggs and Jackson), has always been fodder for themes. Basically playing off John's theme of effort & surrender / braking & letting off (like that).
And, the classes this week were challenging to teach -- Tuesday's Gentle presented with one sore knee, one fresh hip replacement, two really bad knees, and one ready to give yoga a try. Wow! Each with different challenges, each with different mobility levels, each with a different level of acceptance of the practice. I'm brushing up on my knee / hip / everything therapeutics over the weekend.
Prenatal was similar, in that each was her own bag of 'stuff' -- very flexible, very disciplined, sore hip (3 students / 3 'stuff'). Back to that therapy book.
I leave this morning and return Monday morning. Flying out of Orange County -- always a challenge to predict traffic, so need to get on the road sooner than later.
While there, I'll be able to enjoy our cabin, a wood fire, and - perhaps - get some photos of animals for Grand-Dude Brady (his request).
I hope to have a great weekend; hope yours is similar!
This trip has given me good material for my teaching this week. The prospect of driving in snow (especially over the significant mountain pass between Driggs and Jackson), has always been fodder for themes. Basically playing off John's theme of effort & surrender / braking & letting off (like that).
And, the classes this week were challenging to teach -- Tuesday's Gentle presented with one sore knee, one fresh hip replacement, two really bad knees, and one ready to give yoga a try. Wow! Each with different challenges, each with different mobility levels, each with a different level of acceptance of the practice. I'm brushing up on my knee / hip / everything therapeutics over the weekend.
Prenatal was similar, in that each was her own bag of 'stuff' -- very flexible, very disciplined, sore hip (3 students / 3 'stuff'). Back to that therapy book.
I leave this morning and return Monday morning. Flying out of Orange County -- always a challenge to predict traffic, so need to get on the road sooner than later.
While there, I'll be able to enjoy our cabin, a wood fire, and - perhaps - get some photos of animals for Grand-Dude Brady (his request).
I hope to have a great weekend; hope yours is similar!
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