HAPPY TO BE A MESSENGER OF 'MAGIC'

There is a quote from John Friend, Founder of Anusara® yoga that goes something like this:

"When the body is aligned, magic happens."

I feel that magic all the time. I wonder, at times, how many of the students attending my classes feel it. I believe the students who regularly attend classes get it - the magic (they may not, however, call it 'magic'). Yesterday I got a few exciting 'hits' of feedback from people who have not studied with me for extended periods.  I am so excited and happy, I feel giddy -- so I'm sharing:

First, Gentle Yoga -- more people than usual in the class (again!?!?!?). Included in the group a couple of friends, one new-to-me and one new-to-yoga (with a bad back). After attending Tiffany's class on Monday, I borrowed her theme of spanda, re-aligned it to fit me and my experiences. Throughout the class we moved in and out of poses -- bending and straightening elbows, knees; extending through fingertips then hugging shoulders and shoulder blades onto the back body, pulsing through this class, bumping our heads (or bodies) against our individual threshholds and using pulsation to create growth.  At one point, I overheard the new-to-yoga student say to her friend "this is the mild yoga?". More proof that my definition of 'gentle' includes 'gradually increasing', meaning we work / we take breaks / then we work some more.

So, what happened?  As the new-to-yoga student left, she took a moment to tell me that she had worried about her back before taking my class. However, the alignment instructions she received in the class allowed her to do much more than she ever thought possible. (Magic?) It was work, and she left feeling good -- I asked her, I can be subtle as a rock some days. More magic.

Adam arrived just as Gentle Yoga ended, so no time to fret about handstands -- we started working, stretching lower back, hips, legs. Attempted a kick to the wall - can you say 'hang time'?  I can, now.
More movement through hips and extending up to mid and upper back and neck. Another attempt. More 'hang time'. Then a little help to the wall.  With all the opening he had roadmapped me through, I felt more powerful at the wall (I usually fade after 5 seconds, if helped to the wall). This time, hips, back, neck and shoulders more open, the time at the wall felt good and I was able to stay there for a while and experience it. In my book, Magic!

I ran a quick errand, grabbed something for lunch, then back to the studio to teach a private. The couple I wrote about yesterday returned for their third session for me. As you read this, remember 'third'.

Without giving too much detail, let's just say both are a bit stiff. For  her, we talked a bit about a drooped shoulder on Monday and about the benefits of thighs back, feet parallel, feet energized. For him, we worked with his kyphosis, tight hips, sore knee, benefits of energizing the feet. For both, we've been working on balance. Being new-to-yoga, they've also been getting some introduction to the philosophy and methods of Anusara® yoga.

Let me briefly describe a little of what I saw yesterday:

   1.   Less kyphosis = magic
   2.   More able to sit in sukhasana = magic
   3.   Shoulders level = magic
   4.   Ardha Chandrasana (at the wall) = MAGIC

And the knee? Complaints had been heard about how painful the knee was when driving his car. I suggested a basic alignment principle -- when seated in the driver's seat, manually inner spiral the right leg, then the left. And, do not let the knee move away from the midline while driving. Also, a little seat adjustment might help, so play with that a bit. Result? Knee does not hurt when driving. More magic.

Here's another 'hit' of the magic for me:  this couple is really working at this; they see the benefit and they want more. Be still my heart.

Let me just say that none of this is unique to my teaching.  It is all information that I've learned through the many trainings, workshops and classes I've attended. I can't take credit for developing any of it; but, I can feel good about being a 'messenger of magic' (should we make some t-shirts, anyone?)

Today's Schedule:
   Window Washer at my house -- finally, and let's hope it doesn't rain in the next few days
   Housekeeper at my house -- giving in, can't do it all, need some help in this arena
   Sorting, cleaning out, etc.
   Teaching Yoga Hour at 4 pm at The Yoga Center

Hope you have a magic Thursday,

MORE (when you least expect it)

My week has been busy and a great learning experience for me.  To catch you up from Sunday, we did 'do lunch' at Sundance -- nice drive over on the Alpine Loop. I think we were a bit early for the aspens; maybe one more week and they'll peak, but we are entering a busy time with few weekend days for this activity - it was now or next year!?!?!

And, the house begins to take shape. Big furniture cleaned around and under, and moved back into place. Pictures hung back in their 'homes'. Reassembling a little more each day.  I'm also cleaning out as I go -- going to have a 'good stuff' sale Sunday morning (dislike the energy of the wording 'garage sale').

Inbetween, I run down to the studio to teach a class or to catch up on studio paperwork. Classes have been good this week.  I taught a private on Monday - a nice couple who have a fun, slightly sarcastic sense of humor (my kind of people). If I dish it out, I better expect it back; and vice versa. During the banter that happens between students and teacher, it becomes apparent what kind of interaction may be best -- for this couple, my age (actually, she's younger & he's a couple years older) and coming from a conservative upper middle class (or upper) social strata, I will gradually introduce the many philosophical concepts I've learned. I find that if I push it all at some students right away, I risk pushing them away. The introduction is more gradual for these students; I stick to basic alignment and movement.  I love, tho, that he is still calling his mat his 'sanctuary' and, I think, he's truly thinking of it that way.

Monday evening I made the trek to Park City (it's actually only 20 miles of open freeway and a little town driving from my house) for Tiffany Wood's class at The Shop.  For those of you in the area, I highly recommend experiencing a few of her classes.  She is able to teach a very technically sound class AND incorporate the languaging, heart quality, theme, etc., all through it. As I'm practicing, I find myself thinking "I've got to remember that"; then, I get lost in the moment and movement and forget. Enough of it sticks, tho, that I feel inspired the whole rest of the week to at least throw a few attempts at languaging at the class -- and, each time, it gets a bit easier.  Those of you who teach (or practice) Anusara® yoga will understand.  For others -- languaging involves the use of descriptive wording to weave a theme throughout the class to motivate, inspire, empower students.

Yesterday (Tuesday) I subbed Wayne's class. The group is growing and people are figuring out that he teaches at The Yoga Center; hence, the two new-to-the-studio students in the group.  All but one, very experienced yogis. The one new-new student is very physically adept, making it hard to tell that he had never done yoga before.

Then it was home to do some more assembly and household bookkeeping, before returning to the studio for Yoga Hour (4 pm). 9 - count'em NINE - in the room for that class. I left feeling great. So much fun to teach a larger group (at 4 pm, no less). Interesting phenomenon -- at 3:58pm, I sat in the office thinking 'well, maybe no one will show this afternoon', then the door began opening and closing, opening and closing.  We started about 4:05, and a couple more straggled in -- interesting!

Today?
   Gentle Yoga at 10 am at The Yoga Center
   My own private with Adam - working on those handstands, pincha, hamstrings, quads, upper back,  
       you name it!
   I teach a private at 2:30pm
   More sorting, cleaning, re-assembling at home

Hope your Wednesday is busy and productive,

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT

What?  When I least expect it, a large group shows for Saturday morning!

I began the morning in a somewhat relaxed manner -- computer time, coffee time, then reviewing the day's activities with Howard when I remembered -- I have private this morning, EARLY!!!  Fortunately, it was 6:45 am and the private was scheduled for 7:30. So, pull away from computer, coffee, conversation and quickly get ready. Down to the studio with a little time to spare.

The student arrived on time and we got to work. Before I knew it, it was 8:40 and time to be getting ready for the 9 am class. Good thing? During my computer time earlier in the morning, I had written an outline of what I hoped to teach. So, I had that. As we said our good-byes - private student and I, students began to arrive for the 9 am. And, they kept coming! Among the class, 3 new-to-me students (and somewhat new to yoga), 2 of whom had physical issues to deal with.

What do students, new-to-me and having physical issues, mean? The well-planned class goes out the window. Instead I stuck with the basics; looking at the big picture - how people move, how they handle their issues, their mental state. No big, over-the-top poses. Good, basic work.

Of course, in my morning's rush, I had left the camera at home. Darn! Oh well, maybe next time.

In the afternoon, I attended Jen Hecht's workshop on backbends - my new favorite poses! Well, maybe not yet, but each time I push up I like urdhva dhanurasana more.  The ud's are pretty dependable now - as in, 95% of the time I can push up. Now, on to refinement. The workshop's focus was making these poses more accessible.  Matt Newman was working with Jen, and they both emphasized the work the shoulders and shoulderblades must do in these poses, with some quad/leg and lower back preparation thrown in. The major backbends -- urdhva dhanurasana and eka pada rajakapotasana.

Fun stuff, and I pushed up again. Plus, I had a good sense of the shoulders, shoulder blades, heart lifting, etc., in epr.  Didn't make it to my foot, yet, but it felt good.

Home - do a bit of re-establishment of our household. Not so fun, but necessary.

Today:
    More household stuff this morning
    Taking an 'aspen break' mid-day, plus lunch at Sundance (our anniversary celebration)
    Instructor meeting later today

Hope your Sunday is a great one,

CORRECTED (OR, ENHANCED?)

I suppose, in this case, I should use the word corrected. I was mistaken in my year count for the anniversary -- it's been 29 years, not 27. I asked Howard how long, he did a bit of finger counting, and we came up with 29; guess what next year is? The big 30. Wow!

And, the painters are done! Except for a little inspection work, put a couple doorknobs back on, remove some tarps, get their $$$, and touch-up anything that looks amiss. I'm thinking we should paint our front door now -- it reveals the house, after all. While it's a good color, it could be better -- also the fact that the paint has stuck over the years and peeled away on the edges, means it could be 'enhanced'.

All right -- correct or enhance? Which one to use and why.

    Definitions:
    Correct - put right (an error or fault); adjust to function accurately; tell someone they are mistaken
    Enhance - intensify, increase, or further improve the quality of . . . .

I have, since day one of my teacher trainings, tried to stay away from the word 'correct'. I've never taken the time to look up the definitions, however. Now I know why using the word enhance, especially when teaching, is more empowering - just look at the definitions.

When I 'correct' I am moving from a place that says what is being done is 'wrong'; when I 'enhance' I move from the place which says 'you are doing great, now add this and watch your pose grow'.

Many of my students are new to the practice (or returning after years away). They, at times, worry whether they are doing things 'right'. That stress can drive them away; that worry that they'll never get it, they'll never be able to do what I ask. It is so easy, with one verbal misstep, to reinforce that worry and that insecurity. Wow!

Thank you, Webster's (actually, it was my computer's built-in dictionary). But, you get the point.

Today's Plan:
   9 am       Level 1 at The Yoga Center (I'm teaching)
   1 pm       Workshop with Jen (would love to do it, got to weigh all that needs to happen at home)

Have a great Saturday,

FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY . . .

Want to shake up your world?  Paint the interior of your house after living in it for years, steadily accumulating 'stuff', not really paying attention to details; just living. Wow!

Not only did I find LOTS of dust and accumulated pet hair in the hidden spots, but I realize (even more than before) what collectors my husband and I have become -- over the top!

The painters arrived on Monday -- the house was already torn up from when they re-surfaced our ceiling 2 weeks earlier (we were out of town for that experience). We/they are painting the entrance, family room, kitchen, hall, master bedroom and bath. All pictures off the wall; all hooks that are not going to be used again removed, all furniture moved to the center of the rooms involved, all 'nick nacks' and small furniture shoved into the two (of 3) remaining rooms -- the living room and dining room (which are not being painted at this time).  We (husband, 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 birds & I) moved to the lower level, coming up only to visit the kitchen or leave the house.

I hope they will be done today. Then, slowly we will re-occupy the spaces after a thorough cleaning over, under, around each piece - which will also have been wiped of dirt and dust.

Throughout this, we've moved through the house, creating new access trails to needed destinations, becoming more mentally flexible in the process, I think. I look forward to the new look (a slight color, after living with white for 17+ years).  One of best parts?  No cooking for me -- just too much to deal with in the chaos.

Today is our 27th anniversary (I believe).  I know we've passed 25; just not exactly sure by how many years. It's a long story, one I won't bore you with right now. Fortunately, we both have lived it and understand it -- sometimes we might even forget the anniversary, were it not for the timely cards from my Mother-In-Law.

My teaching reflected the happenings at home -- each class beginning with a short progress update. This is the rewarding part of a long-standing class population; they move through your life changes with you. Here's a short rundown of the week:

1.  Monday was my private with Adam (which I wrote about earlier). Since then, I've found opportunities to use several of the moves he recommended in my teaching, and I've been doing them as well.

2.  Tuesday was Wayne's birthday and another great class, taught by Wayne, of course. Then, Yoga Hour, where a request was made for some movement of back muscles and shoulders. We ventured through pincha, each choosing our threshhold point. Then - for the first time ever - I taught urdhva dhanurasana. Why was it the first time? While it can be done, it is hard to teach a pose if you can't demo it - or at least give students an idea of where they are going. My new found access to the pose adds confidence in teaching it. So, why not?  Each student went, once again, to their threshold; some pushing up for the first time.  I'd call that moving the back and shoulders.

3.  Wednesday - Gentle Yoga day. A small, but always fun group. Several of the regular students are off on gambits around the world, so we did a little more adventuresome practice, as well. Took frequent breaks, tho.

4.  Thursday - After a shakey start to the day (painters, window covering cleaner, more disshevelment at home), I made it to the studio once again to teach Yoga Hour.  This class was attended by a young woman with what appears to be scoliosis -- though her parents maintain the doctors say "nothing is wrong. She should just do yoga". I agree, but I also can see there is something amiss. Not sure if this is a form of denial or just a language issue -- parents do not speak English very well. So I do what I can, and hope that she does keep 'doing yoga'.

5.  Today -- Gentle Yoga, again. Plans? Not sure. I learned long ago that plans for this class can be quickly dismantled by the composition of students who attend.

6.  Not necessarily a tip, but I did get a vote of confidence this week. I had written JF about the work I am doing with a private client; one who has several significant issues to be dealt with. (BTW - he asked me to send him a synopsis of this work.) He wrote that I should continue on the same path, what I have been doing is good --- hooray!

Working with private clients is very rewarding and reinforcing of my knowledge base. I find, as I work with individuals more, I become more confident -- especially when I receive feedback that the suggestions I offer are effective!

Today:
   More painting - please, be done today
   Gentle Yoga - 10 am at The Yoga Center
   Errands, sorting, etc.

Have a great Friday,

LEARNING HAPPENING EVERYWHERE

I love the posts, pictures and video clips from the Yoga Journal Grand Gathering. Makes me wish I was there. I had hoped to go; instead, I'll attend Sundari's Therapeutic Training in October -- all these things cost money and involve travel logistics. Those factors, plus the fact that Sundari will relocate to Maui for the Winter, made up my mind about what to do / where to go.

Perhaps next year -- tho, 800 people is still daunting (the number anticipated to attend the Grand Gathering).

The breakout sessions (smaller groups) at the Gathering offer a great opportunity to study with different teachers; teachers I might not have studied with before, or those I'd like to experience more of.  For example, I have only done one day of a weekend workshop with Sianna Sherman -- would love to expand that. And, Christina Sell -- I've studied with her through workshops and online mentoring, and she truly offers us roadmaps for planning our teaching; so more of her would be great.

However, an opportunity to be in the 'wilds' of Wyoming with Sundari and 20 others studying therapeutics for 5 days is a wonderful growth opportunity, as well.

And, in the meantime, there is always learning happening.  Yesterday, Adam came to the studio and we worked privately on my handstands.  Lots of hamstring strengthening and stretching, hip stuff, several attempts at kicking up.  The best parts?  1) Towards the end of the session, I was definitely feeling myself move higher, and 2) I felt empowered. I worried that I may feel 'less than' during this session, since the emotion I most often feel lately when trying some of these poses is embarrassment - embarrassed that I'm not able to do the poses yet, after all these years. I even find myself avoiding the poses when in a group; just so people won't see how much I can't do. Adam did a wonderful job of moving me from that not-helpful emotion to one of "if I do the work, it will happen". And, the fact that the kick was higher and felt better towards the end of our hour, that helped, too.

The rest of this week, I'll continue to work with the things he showed me and we're meeting up next week for more of the same.

Hence the title of the pose - learning happening everywhere. Even though I'm not at the Grand Gathering, I still learn and grow. Good stuff.

Today's Events:
   Taking Wayne's class this morning (9:30 at The Yoga Center)
   Painter at the house - what a mess!  (Not to criticize my housekeeping skills; but 17 years of dust behind and under the heavy furniture is pretty bad -- it will be clean now!)
   Teaching at 4 pm - Yoga Hour at The Yoga Center

p.s.  Notice the addition to my 'favorites' list -- a new blog written by Bernadette Birney in partnership with Douglas Brooks.

Enjoy your Tuesday,

WINDY SUNDAY

The wind is already blowing here.  In Salt Lake, that is usually sign that a weather change will be coming soon -- either a thunder storm, a cold front; something different from the heat and sunshine we've enjoyed the the past few days. Variety.

Yesterday the breeze had begun during the Yogaaid Challenge at Liberty Park.  Unfortunately, I doubt many of the actively participating people (the people doing the 108 sun salutations) noticed the wind by #20, or #45, or #75, or - maybe - anytime. They may have been wishing for shade in any form.  Do you get the message that it was a hot day (my car temp. gauge registered 94 at 4 pm)? The participants were in the full sun for the entire practice. Wow, they earned my respect!

I got sunburned just standing in the shade, briefly moving into the sunlight for moments here and there, and then while on stage for the 8 minutes I taught.

Speaking of teaching. Of the 15 (I think) instructors teaching, I was #14. I taught 6 salutations. It was fun, but a last-minute alteration in plans gave me a bit of a nervous jolt. 12 instructors taught Surya Namaskar A series; organizers of the event asked D'ana (who taught before me) and I to change it up a bit and teach the B series.  Well, as an Anusara-Inspired™ instructor, I am woefully out of practice teaching the series in any formal way. So, I stressed for a good deal of the event; asking for tips from fellow teachers, then finally deciding I'd pay attention to what D'ana taught and try to replicate it.

How'd I do?  Well, not sure -- luckily there was one woman in the front row that was a click ahead of me, so she kept me straight as to which leg we were on (phew!). And, then I finally looked at all those hot people, many of whom were at their limit of physical exertion, and decided to pull out of the rhythm I often fall into --- kick up the voice decibel a bit; offer a few off-the-wall comments; acknowledge the people (i.e. there was one guy there in an orange baseball cap -- he never stopped smiling; he was like the teacher cheerleader for me!). I find mental distraction has saved me a number of times when I was at my limit. And, I survived it also, that's all I can say for sure.

Earlier, my day went like this: taught at 9 am -- fun group, among them two new-to-me students, one of whom was taking her second yoga class. Their first? Somewhere else, where a 'beginner' class - to them - felt more like a 'workout' class. I didn't ask which location; don't want to know. Just thankful these students were smart enough to give another class a try. Too often, people go away after that first mis-step; saying "I tried yoga, didn't like it' or 'It was too hard'. Sad.

After 4 hours at the Challenge, it was back to the studio to teach my Saturday private. This student gets stronger each week, and I'm loving that she does her homework (little things I ask her to do during the week, like focus on lifting her heart and get shoulder blades working). Last week, she asked what I noticed different about her since we began working together. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I gave the best or most motivating answer. This week, I noticed her arms, which previously in urdhva hastasan had stretched more to the front plane of the body; her arms now reach almost in line with her neck and ears! We even journeyed towards bakasana. Wow! Now, that's big change. There's no way I won't be able to comment on that!

Lesson learned? I always notice; I just need to make sure I communicate what I notice to students. They may not realize the radical shifts that are happening. Just like my cheerleader yesterday, I have to be my students' cheerleader, as well.

Today:
   Debating on a drive to Park City; the Practice with David, perhaps?  Sounds pretty enticing.
   If that happens, then it will be lunch in Park City, as well.
   Back at home, more painters coming in tomorrow so need to get house ready

Enjoy your Sunday,