Wednesday, November 30, 2011

A GOOD DAY

Yesterday, very nice.

Left the house early to drive in to Carlsbad - teaching at 10:30am; a Basics class.  I do believe I am finally developing a following -- same people each week, and they talk about coming back on Thursday. Doesn't take much to get me excited, does it?

From that class, I hit the roads to make a teaching staff lunch in Temecula hosted by the studio owner, Andrea.  Great Indian food, not far from the studio -- make mental note of this.

The 2pm Gentle/Therapeutic was attended by just 2; but I'm not displeased with that.  In this type of class, too many and the purpose is lost.  Both students were in decent shape, one - however - had had both hips replaced; the other struggling with back pain 24/7, which she's had explored by physicians to no avail.

In this class we do keep it Gentle -- in fact, we started in savasana, moved to pelvic tilts, 'hip hikers' (Sundari's creation), and - finally - to standing.  Talked a bit about posture. Did some moves. No pain or discomfort from either - score!  I had taught the hip student once before; the back student was an unknown to me.  After class, she commented that the back never felt compromised and that, now, she was standing with more curve in her lumbar spine.  Yes!

Then, a Prenatal Class.  Just one, but a new-to-yoga student who appeared really nervous.  So nervous that I wanted to put my arm around her and say "it's all right".  I resisted; we did some moves; she finally smiled, commented occasionally. We'll see if she comes back.

Dinner with Howard at a winery in the Temecula Valley capped the day. Beautiful restaurant, great food, good company -- need I say more?

Today?  Breakfast Club in Fallbrook - working on getting myself known in this community. Then teaching a class in Temecula - 11:30 Gentle Yoga.  Then?

Hope you have a good Wednesday!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

THE SHIELDS WE PUT UP . . .

Today is my birthday.  62 years old.

I remembered that 2 years ago (birthday #60), I actually did a countdown to that magic number. It was a bit traumatic -- kind of like crossing the line from middle-age to old (in my mind, anyway).  By doing the countdown, I was able to ease into it.  And, yes -- I know -- 60 is not 'old'; but, it is older.

I also had set a goal for myself at age 58. Jokingly with another now-Certified instructor, we coined the phrase "CBS - Certified By Sixty".  We also thought about having t-shirts made up with this phrase on them (SO glad that didn't happen).  Today -- well, he's 58 and Certified; I'm 62 and working on it (Good for him and good for me!).

The other day a friend asked me to post my birthday on Facebook so people could send me their well wishes.  I didn't and won't do it.  In fact, a year ago, I deliberately removed that feature from my page.  Why?  It's a shield.

You can tell that birthdays, now - for me - are a challenge.

Last night, the Grand-Dudes and their parents hosted us for a birthday celebration -- dinner, CAKE, fun family time.  Today?  Teaching, as usual, then dinner somewhere with Howard (he's made reservations). A nice, quiet evening.

BTW, yesterday's Library class was another 'goodie'.  We worked on Virabhadrasana I (thanks to Noah's YogaGlo 60-minute class).  Another 15 students.  Would have been 16, but I lost one during the introduction -- I can only surmise that, when I began to explain the origin (story) of the pose name, she decided that this class was not for her.  Too bad -- we did some good work after that intro, and I do believe that it's important to recognize the history of yoga; we don't have to believe all the 'stories', but it is of value to know where a pose's name comes from.  In eight years of teaching, that's my first 'walk-out'; guess I ought to feel good about that, but I do hope she will return. We'll see.

Hope you have a great Tuesday!




Monday, November 28, 2011

'splain it to me', please!?!?!?

Just a folksy way to start this post -- "splain it" -- who used to say that?  Movie or TV show person, I think.  Just 'googled' it -- it was Ricky Ricardo saying "splain it to me, Lucy" aka Lucille Ball.

So what do I need "splain"-ing?

Saturday, I tweaked something in my lower ribcage, left back.  I made it thru my lunch with the Grand-dudes; the Jesus Christ Superstar production -- with a twinge or two; then came immediately home to the heating pad.  Ibuprofen would not touch it (the discomfort).  I slept o.k., woke feeling better on Sunday; only to have the pain return the longer I was awake and moving.  Note: if it sat still, no discomfort; if I moved symmetrically, no discomfort; any twisting, severe sensation.

Went to bed last night feeling not much better than the night before; hoping that this wouldn't sideline my efforts to get in shape for JF in Denver in a few weeks.

Up this morning, same discomfort.  Decided that a practice was in order, no matter what.  Found one on YogaGlo by Noah -- a level 1, 60 minutes.  Pushed and prodded myself out to the studio, onto my mat.  As is many times the case, when I am engaged and practicing, painful sensations subside. It happened again, with a couple exceptions - twists being one.

I did the whole practice, not going quite as deep into twists as he (Noah) might have liked, but I did give my lengthening full power (remember, symmetrical).  This practice culminated in Warrior I, which does involve a twisting action from the hips to shoulders (no problem).  Then a couple cool down poses, savasana.

After, I put a couple loads of laundry in the washer, made the bed, put clothes away -- then I noticed. What?  Very little discomfort in those ribs.  Oh, I feel them when I twist, but the overall feeling is so much better.

Hence, the 'splain it to me', someone.  I am convinced that movement with muscle engagement is key to helping injuries; but, I've been trying to move with engagement for the past 2 days and still having pain. Maybe it was the sequence.  Maybe it was movement for an hour, where before I'd been sitting until absolutely necessary to get up and do something. No matter, I'll take it -- give me more of this magic.

Hope you have a great Monday!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

I DON'T GO BACKWARDS . . .

Yes, friends, that is what I heard as I taught yesterday.  Just as I was to begin a demo offered me by Betsey Downing (see description later).

I was a bit taken back by that comment since this is a student I have seen many times in passing at the studio. I continued with the demo, but after class another student echoed the same sentiment -- that she doesn't go backwards, either.

Wow!

Well, they did yesterday. Ustrasana, to be exact. We began in a COLD studio (62 degrees outside, no more than 55 inside) -- small space heaters running full blast.  Got them warming up (literally), opened shoulders, quads, hamstrings. Worked on inner and outer spiral (since I was subbing, this was not a group very familiar with Anusara 'lingo').

When it came time to 'go backwards' in the demo (which was a partner pose), they all did it.  O.K., O.K. -- here's the demo:

2 partners stand face to face, Partner #1 with arms raised as tho they were lying on their bellies getting ready to move into cobra - elbows a bit to front plane of body.  Partner #2 places her/his hands under upper arm, close to elbow. Partner #1 presses elbows down into Partner #2's hands, as the hands resist. Nobody's hands/arms are moving, but Partner #1 is able to lift their heart, bend ('go') backwards.  Standing backbend - voila!  Into the unknown and un-tread territory, as I was finding out.

So, we did a few more poses, then came Ustrasana.  Each person went back; of seven in the room, just one had a tweaking in lower back -- fixed with more emphatic spiraling and lengthening (or, lifting of the heart).  I think it went well and I believe they liked it also.  Anything that goes o.k. and doesn't hurt is usually a keeper.  Comments were overheard as they left the studio -- "I liked that going backward.  I've never done that before."  Be still my heart.


Class over, it was off to pick up the 2 older grand-dudes and take them to lunch.  Their favorite restaurant, Ruby's, has a 50's feel with trains running on overhead tracks. Drawback:  it's located in a huge outlet mall, and it's the Saturday after Thanksgiving which equals a parking challenge. Not just finding a space, but also parking their car which is a HUGE Suburban (easier to not change out car seats).  But, we found one;  had a nice lunch, then back to car and off to a park for 15 minutes of 'playtime'.

Took the boys home, changed my clothes and Howard was waiting to take me to "Jesus Christ Superstar".  An amazing production that will go to Broadway in March.

Today?  Nursing a sore left ribcage (something - I don't know what - that happened while encouraging 7 people to 'go backwards').  Knelt down to offer a thought and there it was -- pain.  Still present this morning.

Hope your Sunday is a good one!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN (CONTINUE?)

We (Howard and I) had a very nice Thanksgiving - as I'm sure many of you did. All the right things -- good company of family, wonderful food, laughter, sharing of gratitude. It even included six children, 'Grand-Dudes and Grand-Neices/Nephew', ages 1-6, at the table who are at an age to contribute to the merriment.  It was a good day.

I mention laughter because Howard said to me yesterday:  "When did Derek (son/stepson) become so funny; or, has he always been funny and we just didn't notice?"

FYI, Derek is 37 years old.  We noticed the funny streak emerging a few years ago when he made a comment so off the wall that it made us both laugh harder than we had in a LONG time.  And, over the years since, at dinners, family get-togethers, etc., more and more this funny streak emerges.  Wonder why? or, has he always been this way and we just didn't notice?

Was he funny in a different way until recently? or, were we just too busy being 'serious about our parenting' -- allowing little time for laughter.

One thing you need to know about Derek, he has always been able to strike up a conversation with ANYONE.  Doesn't matter age, status, limitations, gender -- anyone.  I have always admired that about him, wondered where that skill comes from -- me? his Father? the Universe?  As a blended family of 3, Howard, Derek and I traveled and moved a lot.  Derek was routinely on planes, traveling from wherever back to visit his Father -- maybe that had something to do with his comfort level with people. We were always throwing him into situations that challenged him and he consistently stepped up.

No matter the source -- it is good to laugh and even better to see our son happy, relaxed, comfortable in his ability to walk in the world.  Waxing a bit sentimental this morning.

As you've figured out, our Thanksgiving was, indeed, a good one.  Yesterday, also good -- a full day at home; marred only by the presence of police officers on our street investigating a neighbor's possible criminal activity.  Does make things interesting, however.

Today?  Teaching in Carlsbad at 9am; then taking 'Grand-Dudes' to lunch, then Howard and I will go to see "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the LaJolla Playhouse.  Full day, doing the things I love.

Hope your Saturday is a good one.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

LIBRARY CLASS, ETC.

I just re-read yesterday's post; I almost accomplished all of what I hoped to -- all except watching the video. Something is holding me back; perhaps I already know that it's not one to submit.  If not, then what? Have to find a 90-minute class to teach with at least 6 people in attendance; not the easiest task in communities that have shifted to 75 minute class duration.  Something will happen.

The library class was, once again, well attended. Each week I add in a bit more Anusara lingo and influence. This week, it was lining up the mats. With 15 people attending, it is important to be able to see down the rows quickly for any needed alignment enhancements. In previous classes, I have surreptitiously slid mats forward or back to create alignment; yesterday, I explained my rationale and asked students to line up into 3 rows, leaving space for a 4th row in case any late comers arrived (which they did -- HOO-RAY!).

After class, I received a nice compliment from one long-term student. Her take on my teaching? That I keep things casual and easy to accept (I'm paraphrasing here), noting that I don't add in a lot of 'pomp & circumstance', which can make people uncomfortable; that people new to the practice are easily turned away if we 'lay on' the yoga philosophy too heavily.

My first impression of Fallbrook is that the population, as a whole, is friendly yet kept-to-itself, down-to-earth.  And, I'm still getting a feel for the 'personality' each day I live here.  Why tell you this? One of the stories I remember from John Friend is how he began teaching in Texas. He observed his audience and taught from that observation.  I see him do it to this day -- if we are in Los Angeles, you can count on a STRONG practice; if in a more laid-back community, he will ask for our best but in a less demanding format. As a result of observing him and the effectiveness of that teaching style, I look at my audience (my class), in how they live and function day-to-day (as much as I can), and teaching from that place.  For me, humor is a great connector.  And, in this Library class, we do laugh -- or, perhaps, they are just being kind. No matter, I'm having a good time and they're working (isn't this the way it's supposed to be?).  More humor (???).

From Fallbrook, I headed to I-15 and north to Temecula.  It's 10 miles once you get to the I-15. At 4pm, it's kind of a 'toss of the dice' as to what you'll experience.  Once at I-15, you could be looking at a parking lot. Fortunately, that didn't happen last night, and I made it in plenty of time for Ashley's class.

One of the things I've picked up from Sarah (video assessor), is being able to participate in a class and see all the pieces and parts as the teacher (in this case, Ashley) juggles them for our pleasure.  Ashley has the verbiage down and I love to listen to how she instructs - using her own lingo and voice to move us from pose to pose. Her enthusiasm and love of it all comes through loud and clear.  Love it.

Also love that Howard called just as I was leaving the studio, offered to pick up dinner. No cooking - double nice!

Today?  Teaching in Carlsbad at 10:30am, then back to Temecula for a 2pm Gentle/Therapeutic class and 4:30pm Prenatal.

Hope you have a great Tuesday!




Monday, November 21, 2011

NICE WEEKEND

We left mid-day Friday for Kansas City to attend our daughter's wedding reception -- 2nd marriage for both, they eloped 2 weeks ago.  Arrived at midnight Friday, up Saturday for a somewhat leisurely breakfast, then hit the road for 'the ranch'.  Yes, she married a cattle rancher who lives outside of KC -- about a 90-minute drive from the airport hotel.

We arrived, got a tour of the ranch, some discussion of their plans for the future (building a house on recently acquired property), and a short 4-wheel ride with our oldest grandson, Jake.  Then, they had chores, so we went into their small town for a bite of lunch.  Met them at 4pm to set up tables, decorate, etc., for the reception at the 4H community hall.

It was fun - a chance to meet their friends; both from KC and from Burlington. Food was good too -- BBQ.  Country music, cowboy boots -- relaxed and fun.

Drove back to the hotel, then up early Sunday morning to catch the first of 2 flights back to San Diego.

Congratulations to Gailyn, Bobby, Jake, Nick, Sydney and Ally -- a beautifully 'combined' family.

Friday's activities also included a bit of time in front of the video camera, filming a class in the morning.  I am not so excited about this one as the previous, so need to watch it.  It was a great group of students, however.  Just not sure that I hit all the 'markers'.

My theme: staying calm/balanced during the holidays.  Alignment emphasis:  Inner/outer spiral.  Apex pose: ardha hanumanasana (or full hanumanasana, if accomplishable).  It was fun and comments were that getting to the pose was much less effort-filled than in previous attempts; so that tells me the sequence worked.  Need to watch it, tho; 'proof's in the pudding', they say (whatever that means!?!?!)

Today:  Watching video, teaching at the Library, perhaps I'll take in Ashley's class. Unpacking and house stuff.

Hope your day - this Monday before Thanksgiving - is a good one.