Friday, October 31, 2008

Moving towards Meditation

Last night during practice i caught that what is coming though right now is a sequence that assists in allowing a peep to sit.

The intentional leg work in combined with all the time in tadasana combined with the latest sitting series that i discovered last night in practice feels really good and might just "work".

Most likely I will not have a chance to teach it in full till the next tuning, but tomorrow I can start to present it as such.


Practice with My Teacher

Every so often I get to go to LA and practice with my teacher in his home.  These are some of my favorite sessions.  Everything we talk about is super clear and the practice that erupts is always surprising.

We laughed that I still didn't really know his patterns.  Like I am deliberately not paying that close attention for fear of just mimicking.  I suggested that it was a resistance to listening, a need to stay "original".  He said that he did the same with his teacher cuz he wanted it to come through in his own words.

We talked about how something has to come up and from within to feel and sound true as well as be communicated.

We talked a lot about Jesus.  He is reading a book called, "Poem of the Man God."  It's a 5 volume set of a woman's channeled recollections of Jesus.  In her stories she talks about him going from town to town healing people in droves. 

We talked about that as we get more clear, we start to understand ourselves as "That" looking at "Itself".  

I am feeling like I am coming to God in reverse. As I have shared, at 17 I did not believe any intelligent person could believe in God. In my rejection of my mother, I rejected the divine. Slowly, the resistance is being relaxed.


Erich's three suggestions are:
1. It shouldn't hurt
2. You have options and choices
3. Be as relaxed as you can be as you do what you gotta do



I mostly sat tonight, but with deliberate attention on developing the strength of the spine.

From Sukhasana, Cactus and Swamp Monster forward and back and to the side.  Holding and breathing and slowly investigating.

Still sitting, play with arms extended over head and at slight angles.
Felt like I was strengthening the central channels for the dormant prana to rise

Lots of Toe Torture Play.
Self palpitation of hamstrings, particularly the outer hamstrings.
(Self Thai Massage is common for me in my practice and has led to the play of self healing)

 When we were talking about Jesus and his healings we were connecting to his clarity of how things are.  His ability to see the truth and not buy into the suffering allowed him to change the patterns in people?  He could "bring people back from the dead" cuz there is no such thing as death.  The way he is relayed as doing it in the book is saying, "i want it".

"Self Healing is looking at the thing and recognizing it for what it is"

Seated Wise Guy

Lots of Upavista Konasana

Eventually to counter, I turned onto my belly
Yin Sphinx/cobra

Locust to Bow Play with variations
Backwards Eye of the Needle Bow which was spontaneous and felt super good.
Childs Pose

Virasana and Saddle Play
Twisting from Butterfly Hero Pose
using different places for leverage and opportunity

Sit





Monday, October 27, 2008

Crib Day 3

It was the best crib ever . The most relaxed, graceful and light.  Almost feels like it didn't even happen.  So much to say about the whole event, but this is the best spot for me to talk about Erich's Sunday Class.  I feel like it was the best yoga class I have ever taken.  Ever.

Carrie recorded these quotes:

"You're sorta like a volcano. The entirety of the planet is erupting through you."

"Now, the practice we're going to do is not going to be difficult. Be on the lookout for why it's advanced. You're trusting your deepest impulses."

"In the same way you follow someones verbal instructions for a long time...it's about listening *inwardly*, as intently as if you were following Iyengar's detailed instructions."

"...you will be consciously limp rather than unconsciously limp"

"First follow other people's words...it's advanced when it starts feeling like *yours.*
A real fundamental shift happens where it feels like you're doing YOUR yoga."

"You'll find yourself inventing new poses, like the original yogis did. The poses didn't just arrive in some book."

"I was always dependent on the teacher to tell me the next new subtlety."

"You've learned to listen to THE teacher. You've learned how to learn!"

"Pay attention to the movement you're not responsible for."

"You don't have to make yourself bob."

"Let the ripple of the breath ripple through the shape of you. Then use the breath to enhance the lines in the shape."

"Shift your attention to the breathing. If that's all you did, it would keep you totally busy."

"It's always changing, yet it's always something...which means there's no death."

"The Conscious Embodiment of Comfort, being mindful of the awesome living event."


What we did:
He talked.
We sat.

- Easy Sukhasana Side Bend Sequence
- Janu Sirsasana Pattern with gentle easy twisting
- Heavy handed Dog Pattern
- Cobra Vinyasa Pattern
- Freeform to Donna Delory
(i played with bridge and viparitta karni.  wheel and leg lifts in wheel.  abdominals and upward facing eastern stretch.  fish variation with knees bent and toes tucked under.  lunge pattern: uttanasna, crescent moon with foot bound, standing splits, uttanasana.  and other side.  tadasana).
- Savasana
- Sit

I cried.   I always cry in Erich's class on the last day of the Crib.  It's total medicine.  I had wanted to go to Laura's class, but Eric wanted to go to Erich and I realized it was what I needed too.  I consider him my teacher but sometimes I wonder if I have heard a word he says

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Crib Day 2

Last Night, Schiffmann Spoke.  I love him.  He got right to it.  We filmed it and it's now online for peeps that signed up for Crib LIVE.  Most likely we will break it out and make it available somehow.

I taught my second class today up at Med Mount.  The universe teased me into submission this morning.  It was one goofy thing after another until I finally started laughing and again remembered that I am not in charge.  The theme for me this year.

I taught a class that I did not want or expect to teach but I had no choice.  I would be too much effort to resist.  Med Mount is a super easy place to teach.  The vibe is so awesome.  The space holds you still.  The peeps that showed up were the sweetest most open loving group.  And I had enough "anchor tenants" to feel safe.  So there was very little to do but pay attention and follow instructions.

Talking points were on the morning's events, the effort of effortlessness, relaxation takes practice...things like that...again, it was not what i wanted to teach, but it was what i taught.

Sit.
(I said NOTHING.  omg, i'm learning)

Wide Baddha Konasana
Feet opening and Sen Channel Squeezing
Yin Baddha Konasana
Chest Press Baddha Konasana

Sukhasana with Easy Side Bend (both Sides)

Transition All Fours
Plank
Dog

Easy Side Plank Sequence
(similar to yesterday, but with more childs pose and 1/4 dog as prep for hammock)

Same Lunge work as yesterday to establish tension points and alignment ideas as well as introduce hammock
Sphinx Pose Vinyasa in between

Uttanasana
Roll up to standing

Shoulder Awareness
Swamp Monster/Cactus
to Interlaced hands behind back forward fold

Wise Guy Sequence

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama

YAM

Sequence 1
Sun to Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Lunge
low soft lunge

Vinaysa 2
Dog
Plank
Low Cobra (no hands)
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasna
Roll up to standing
Tadasana
RAM

Repeat Sequence 1
Vinyasa 2
Roll from Dog to Cobra
Rocket Cat
Windshield Wiper
Plank
Dog

Uttanasna
Roll up to Standing
Tadasana

VAM

Sequence 2
Sun to Lunge
Hammock
Horse 1
Horse 2
Squirt Prep
Malasana
Crescent Moon
Hamstring Play
Lunge

repeat vinyasa 2

Uttanasna
Roll up to Standing
Tadasana
LAM

Repeat Sequence 2
but, move into Full Squirt

Vinaysa 3
Roll into Updog from Down Dog

Childs Pose

Vajrasana Meditation

Transition onto Backs
Knees to chest

Windshield Wiper
Bridge Pose x 2

freeform to 3rd bridge or wheel or something else

Roll up to sitting
Seated Frward Fld

Sit 
Chant back up the Chakras
Lam, Vam, Ram, Yam, Ham, Om, Om


Savasana

Friday, October 24, 2008

Crib Day 1

So many lessons this year. Good ones. Might post those on Blog of a Yogi, but appropriate to list my first class here. Teaching first thing is the best way for me to renter after the last 4 days of preparation. The class draws me in and allows me to arrive. Simultaneously, everyone else is also arriving. SO there is usually a soft awkwardness. Like a first kiss. Not bad, but not totally connected.

I usually start in Lulu's which holds me and supports me. Because of the number of sign ups for my class I needed to start in a bigger venue. I put myself in the art center. Not a great venue. Public space and not sacred. So it was good practice to feel into that.

The peeps in class could not have been sweeter and it is so easy to fall in love. And several of my "hommies" were there for support. My "talking points" were off. Scattered. I did not have the "personal story" to tie it together...I was not totally connected. The class was more a way for me to connect and assist in all of our dropping into the Crib. i do not feel badly about the experience, I am open to what it is about.


Sit.
Cross Legged Forward Fold
Side Bend
(Switch Legs, other side)

Easy Side Plank Variation
All Fours
Plank
Dog
Easy Side Plank
All Fours
Cat/Dog
Childs
All Fours

Repeat Sequence Other Side

Plank
Dog

Leg Line Attention with Lunges
Sequence 1
Dog
Lunge
(repeat other side)

Vinyasa 1
Plank
Sphinx
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Sequence 2
Dog
Lunge (more details)
Hammock Pose
Lunge

Repeat Vinyasa 1

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Shoulder Awareness
Swamp Monster and Cactus
Wise Guy Sequence

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama

YAM

Standing Sequence 1
Sun to Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Low Lunge
Crescent Moon
Pyramid Play
Lunge

Vinaysa 2
Dog
Roll to Cobra
Toe Torture
(Demo)
Roll to Cobra from Dog Again
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll to Standing
Tadasana

RAM

repeat standing seqeunce 1
repeat vinyasa 2

other side

Uttanasana
Roll to Standing
Tadasana

VAM

Standing Sequence 2
Sun to Lunge
Hammock
Horse 1
Horse 2
Squirt Prep
Malasana
Deep Low Lunge
Hamstring External Rotation Play
Lunge

Vinyasa 3
Dog
Roll into Updog
Roll back into Down Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Tadasana

LAM

Repeat Standing Sequence 2
But with moving all the way to squirt and front splits.
repeat Vinyasa 3

Childs Pose
Vajrasana Meditation

Transition to Supine
Windshield Wiper

Bridge x 2
Bridge with Leg Lift

Viparitta Karni
Plow
Karni Pidasana
Roll out Supine

Roll up to sitting
Baddha Konasana

Sit and Chant back up Chakras

Sit

Savasana

Monday, October 20, 2008

Sweet Vinyasa, Monday 8:30am

15 Peeps

Similar pattern as lately. Tuning towards the alignment points and then relaxing in them. Particular emphasis in the lines of the legs this morning. Creating tension points and moving away from them. Opening of Hips and Legs. Horse and Front Splits.

Sit.

Sukhasana.
Sacrum Play.
Forward Fold
Side Bend.
Switch Legs and Repeat Other Side.

Transition All Fours
Plank
Dog
Play in Dog

Lunge Sequence 1
Leg Lift to Lunge
Tuned Alignment Points
Dog

Repeat Lunge Sequence 1 other Side

Vinyasa 1
Dog
Plank
Sphinx
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Lunge Sequence 2
Leg Lift to Lunge
Additional Alignment Points
Dog

Repeat Vinyasa 1

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Shoulder Rotation Awareness
Wise Guy Sequence

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama
YAM

Leg Sequence
Sun to
Lunge
Hammock Pose
Horse
Squirt
Malasana
Deep Low Lunge
Externally Rotated Hamstring
Lunge

Vinyasa 2
Dog
Plank
Low Cobra (without hands)
Rest
Locust with hand Interlaced behind back
Rest
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing
Tadasana

HAM

Repeat Leg Sequence Other Side
But Take Squirt Deeper, emphasizing work in legs.

Repeat Vinyasa 2
Rest Child's Pose

Vajrasana Meditation

Transition onto Backs
Knees to Chest

Hamstring Stretch Play (aka Supine Splits)

Bridge Pose 1
Bridge Pose with Leg Lifting
Bridge Pose to easy inverted candlestick

Easy plow
Roll out to easy Fish

Roll up to Sitting
Slumpy Swami
Paschimottanasna

Sit

Savasana

Sunday, October 19, 2008

SWG, Sunday 10:00am

16 Peeps

Funny Day.  Only a handful of regulars and the rest were the "every-so-ofteners"  and new drop ins.  So tempting on these days to wonder why that might be.  And usually when you wonder "why" you end of feeling doubtful, self conscious worried.  So not worth it.  Just roll with what is.

Opening
Supported Heart Opener over Bolster, emphasis on breath.

Transition to Sukhasana
Sacrum Play
Forward Fold
Side Bend
(Switch Legs, Reeat Other Side)

Malasana
Uttanasana

Roll up to standing

Shoulder Awareness
Wise Guy Stretch
Tadasana

Opening Connective Tissue on the Block Exercise 

(Never done this before.  Think it went well and everyone seemed to find it beneficial).

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama
1/4 Salutes

Lunge Salute 1
Lunge on one side, geeking out alignment ideas
Uttanasana
Half Arch
Lunge on other side, geeking out on alignment ideas
Uttanasna
Tadasansa

Repeat Lunge Salute 1 and add more details

Tadasana

Lunge Salute 2
Sun to 
Lunge
Crescent Moon
Hamstring Play
Downward Facing Dog

Lunge other Side
Crescent Moon
Hamstring Stretch
Lunge
Uttanasna
Tadasana

Lunge Salute 3
Sun to
Crescent Moon
Downward Facing Dog
Plank
All Fours

Easy Side Plank Pose Both Sides with Cat/Dog in between
Child's Pose

Transition to Plank
Dog
Crescent Moon on the other side
Uttanasnaa
Tadasana

Sun to Dog
to Belly

Rest
Windshield Wiper

Sphinx 
Low Cobra x 2
Locust x 2

Flip onto backs
Knees to Chest
Eye of the Needle Sequence
Easy Spinal Twist

Savasana







SWG Saturday 10:45am

6 Peeps

I did not record the sequence when I got home, so this is a best guess.

Opened with Supported Heart Opener on Bolster to get breath understanding.

Moved to using lunge sequence to geek out on leg lines so that as we made our way to baby backbends, there was some integrity.

Unwound with Hip Openers.

Savasana

Soft Vinyasa, Saturday 9am

16 Peeps or so.

I did not record the sequence yesterday after teaching, so there is no way I can do it now.  I am pretty sure we continued to play with creating the tension points and then relaxing in them.  

Using lunges to dial in leg points of focus

Hammock/Horse/Side Splits/Squat/Low Lunge Sequence

We used the ideas to make our way to:
Supine Splits
Bridge with Leg Lifts

The sequencing and the cuing felt really good today.
I am teaching totally differently just before the crib, so that is always fun.
Cuz I am tested to move with what is new and fresh and possibly a little raw or serve up stale bread...


Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Sweet Vinyasa 8:30am Wednesday

15 peeps

Riffing off the latest sequence of geeking out on alignment points to create tension and then relax.  "Diligent Tenderness". Talk on the interplay of tension and ease.  Emphasis on legs, inner hips. 

Sit

Wide Yin Baddha Konanasa
Chest Press Baddha Konasana

Transition All Fours

Plank
Dog

Easy Side Plank Sequence

Dog

Leg Line Understanding 1
Simple Lunge with details about inner thigh line, extension and relaxing within the effort (diligent tenderness)
(Both Sides)

Vinaysa 1
Dog
Plank
Sphinx
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Leg Line Understanding 2
Simple Lunge with more details
(Both Sides)

Repeat Vinyasa 1

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Shoulder Rotation Awareness
Wise Guy Sequence

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama

YAM

Standing Sequence
Sun to 
Lunge
Hammock
Horse
Squirt Pose Prep
Malasana
Low Deep Lunge
Hamstring Play
Lunge

Vinyasa 2
Dog
Roll to Cobra
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll to Standing
Tadasana

RAM

Repeat on other Side
Move to full frontal Splits from Squirt 

Repeat Vinyasa 2

Dhanurasana x 2
Rocket Cat
Child's Pose
Rest

Vajrasana Meditation

Revolving Head to Knee Pose
Upavishta Konasana

Sit

Savasana


Monday, October 13, 2008

Sweet Vinyasa 8:30am Monday

11 Peeps

Riffed off the sequence from Tuning Workshop yesterday.  Emphasis on Alignment and Movement through Legs.

Yin Baddha Konasana
Chest Press Butterfly
Malasana
Wide Leg Uttanasana

Roll up to Standing

Tibetan Breath Exercise for Warmth
Arm Chi
Heart Prana
Heart Hand Prana Extension

Tadasana
Ujayyi Breathing
YAM

Sequence 1
Sun to 
Lunge with alignment Detail
Dog
Lunge Other Side
Uttanasna
Tadasana

RAM
Sequence 2
SUn ti Lunge wth more aligment detail
Dog
Lunge Other Side
Uttanasana
Tadasana

VAM
Seqeunce 3
Sun to 
Crescent Moon
Hamstring Stretch with Breath in back of Body Focus
Lunge
Dog

Vinaysa 1
Dog
Roll into Cobra
Land, windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Repeat Sequence 3 Other Side
Uttanasana
Tadasana

VAM

Sequence 4
Sun to 
Lunge
Hammock
Horse
Squirt pose
Deep Low Lunge
Hamstring Play
Lunge

Dog

Vinyasa 2
Dog
Roll into Updog
Roll into Down Dog

Repeat Sequence 4 on other Side
(Front Splits after Squirt and Squat before Low Lunge)

(broke pattern to allow for a vinyasa here)
Vinaysa 2

Pigeon pose with alignment geek out
3 Legged Dog

Vinyasa 3

Repeat Pigeon Other Side
3 Legged Dog

Vinaysa 3

Childs Pose
Roll up vajrasana

LAM
Hanumanasana play with blocks and blankets
(optional vinyasa or childs pose in between sides)

Childs pose
Vajrasana Meditaiton

Lord of the Fishes Spinal Twist
Forward Fold

Savasana



Tuning Workshop

4 Peeps

Emphasis on creating tension points within the alignment to create specific areas in which to breathe.  Used Bija Chanting to help breath awareness.  Was super fun.  Sometimes when the class is small, you can end up expending a lot of energy to carry it.  Today was not like that.  The experimentation and specifics were able to get really dialled in and the bija meditation at the end was super.

Sit.

Yin Baddha Konasana (5 Mintues)
Supported Heart Opener ob 2 Bricks (5 minutes)

Sukhasana
Sacrum Play
Easy Side Bend
(Switch legs and Repeat Other Side)

Transition to All Fours
Plank
Dog

Lunge Stage 1
Keeping Knee Lifted Emphasis on Alignment through Back Leg and Heart
(Both Sides)

Lunge Stage 2
Keeping Knee Lifted Emphasis on Alignment in Front leg and through Back Leg and Heart
(Both Sides)

Vinyasa 1
Dog
Roll to Cobra
Land, windshield wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Shoulder Rotation Awareness
Swamp Monster/Cactus
Wise Guy Sequence

Tadasana
YAM

Sequence 1
Sun to
Crescent Moon
Pyramid Variation
Lunge

Vinaysa 1

Repeat Sequence 1 Other Side

Tadasana

RAM
Sequence 2
Sun to 
Crescent Moon with Arms clasped behind back
Hamstring Stretch with Breath in Back
Lunge

Vinaysa 2
Dog
Roll into Updog
Roll into Downdog

Repeat Sequence 2 other Side

Uttanasana
Roll up to Tadasana

VAM
Sequence 3
Sun to
Lunge
Hammock
Horse
Squirt Pose
Low Deep Lunge
Hamstring Play
Lunge

Vinaysa 3

Repeat Sequence Other Side
(Add Side Splits after Squirt and Squat before Low Deep Lunge)

(changed pattern here cuz Vinyasa seemed necessary)

Vinaysa 3

Child's Pose

Thigh Torture Pose @ Wall
(both Sides)

Camel Play at Wall

Pigeon with Geeked out Alignment
(optional vinyasa or childs pose)

LAM
Hanumanasana Play with blocks and blankets
(optional vinyasa or childs pose)

Childs Pose
Vajrasana Meditation sitting up on 2 blocks.
Chanted back up the chakras
LAM - VAM - RAM- YAM - HAM - OM - OM
Sat.

Transition to Legs up the wall with hips on a bolster.
Savasana





Sunday, October 12, 2008

SWG Sunday 10:00am

22 Peeps
4 New

Sit
(This is not a "nice" way to start with the Stiffies.  Most of them have difficulty sitting comfortably.  But, there is something that is guiding me to start to encourage it)

Sacrum Play
Forward Fold, attention on breath in back of body
Side Bend
(Switch Legs and Repeat Other Side)

Transition to a Standing Forward Fold
Roll up to Standing

Spring Training Shoulder Rotation
Swamp Monster/Cactus
Wise Guy Sequence

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama
1/4 Salutations

2 Rounds Easy Lunge Salutes with Hamstring Stretching

Tadasana

Warrior 3 Sequence

Sun to Belly
Rest, Windshield Wiper
Sphinx x 2
Rocket Cat
Childs
Plank
Dog
Plank

Lower to Belly

Low Cobra x 2
Rocket Cat
Childs

Roll up and Transition onto Backs
Knees to Chest
Eye of the Needle Play
Easy Spinal Twist 
Savasana


SWG Saturday 10:45am

10 Peeps
1 New

Supine
Low Back Awareness

Apanasana
Hamstring Stretches with Strap

Transition to All Fours
Cat/Cow 2 Rounds
Child's Pose

Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll to Tadasana

Transition to Wall

Shoulder Opener @ Wall
Splat Pose
Right Angle Pose
Uttanasana
Roll to Tadasana

Wall Lunge
Right Angle 
Warrior 3 @ Wall
Right Angle
Uttanasana
Roll to Tadasana
(Repeat Other Side)

Tadasansa
Sun to Dog
Lower to Belly

Windshield Wiper
Sphinx  2
Childs Pose
Plank
Dog

Lower to belly

Locust in Stages
Rest, windshield Wiper
Childs Pose

Roll up and transition to Sitting

Forward Fold Play with Strap and Tailbone Awareness
Back Strengthening Forward Fold

Revolved Head to Knee Pose Stage 1, Both Sides
Revolved Head to Knee Pose, Stage 3

Soft Forward Fold
Windshield Wiper

Knees to Chest
Savasana

Sit

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Soft Vinyasa, Saturday 9am

12 Peeps

Chilly in the studio this morning.  So that led us to "warm" the bodies as the meditation instead of sitting.  There was a request to stretch the quadriceps.

Malasana
Wide Leg Uttanasana
Back and forth a few rounds

Tibetan 3 Inhale HA Breath
Arm Prana Waking
Heart Prana Waking
Heart Arm Extension Play
Hands at Heart

Tadasana
Ujayyi Breathing
YAM
1 Round Lunge Salute with Crescent Moon and  Rolling to Cobra Vinaysa

RAM
2nd Round Lunge Salute with Crescent Moon and Hamstring Stretch; Rolling to Cobra Vinaysa
(we paid a lot of attention to the anatomy of tailbone down without squeezing the but).

VAM
3rd Round Lunge Salute:
Lunge
Hammock Pose
Horse Pose
Squirt Pose
Low Deep Lunge
Externally Rotated Hamstring Stretch
Lunge

Updog Vinyasa

Repeat Sequence on other Side

Updog Vinaysa

Uttanasana
Roll up to Tadasana


Thigh Torture Pose @ Wall
Camel Work @ Wall

Hanumanasana Play
(Optional Vinyasa)

Seated Forward Fold

Savasana




Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Sweet Vinyasa 8:30am Wednesday

15 peeps
3 Drop Ins


Emphasis on Breathing into back and front of body to change the awareness.  Play with subtle energies and relaxing into arm balances.

Sit

Sukhasana
Sacrum Play
Forward Fold
Side Bend
(Switch Legs and Repeat Other Side)

Transition onto All Fours
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Uddiyana Bandha Play
Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama

Heart Hand Connection
YAM

Sequence 1
Sun to 
Twisting Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Pyramid Variation
Lunge

Vinaysa 1
Dog
Rounded Plank
Cobra
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Dog

Repeat Sequence 1 Other Side

Repeat Vinyasa 1 x 2

Bakasana Sequence
Uttanasana
Malasana
Bakasana
Malasana
Mouse Pose
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
HAM

Sequence 2
Sun to
Twisting Lunge
Side Angle Prep Pose
Triangle
Side Triangle
Side Angle Pose
Deep Low Hip Opener
Pyramid
Lunge

Vinaysa 2
Dog
Roll to Updog
Roll to Down Dog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side
Vinyasa 2

Repeat Bakasana Sequence

Roll up to Standing
Tadasana

Om x 2

Sun to Squat
Roll onto Backs
Knees to Chest

Windshield Wiper
Bridge Pose
Wheel Pose
Knees to Chest
Happy Baby

Roll up to Favorite Forward Fold

Savasana





Monday, October 6, 2008

No Sequence Recorded July 9, 2008.

I must not have recorded the class on July 9, 2008.
Most likely we were working the belly awareness in towards the sacrum to initiate movements.

xo
k

1:1 Monday

I had the best 1:1 session ever.
It it starting to become clear that just because you have said something to someone, there is no guarantee that they heard it.

In fact, it seems that only once they ask the questions, can the answer be given.  Like the question reveals the fertile soil.

And if i am in the head space of "i said that already," or "we already covered that" there can be no transmission.  The key as a teacher is to stay open present and spontaneous. When we get caught up in the notion of "progress", we are under the illusion of movement and we will lose patience.

So today L said that she was feeling disconnected in her body, not integrated.  So we focused on honing this.

We started with some gentle openings of the shoulders and legs.

Then we worked on coordinating the movement and breath with simple 1/4 Saluted.  Allowing the intention to come first, then the breath and then the movement.  Speeding the movement up to be accurate with the breath.

We moved onto a few rounds of rhythmic lunge salutes.  After each "segment" we paused and she talked about how she felt.  One of my suggestions to her is that she start to write down her practice and experience to start to become more mindful about integrating it into her life.

Then we got really geeky with triangle pose.  She said her legs felt connected to her body.

Then we opened up the connective tissue of the feet using a block to work the bottoms and sides.  This was miraculous and this was when i noticed that today's session was totally different for me.  The feet was the first thing we did almost a year ago now.  So, i assumed that we had already covered it.  But allowing it to come up again and being fresh about it was radical.

Balance Play
her new Awareness in the feet revealed a new understanding in the calves.  So we did lifts up onto balls of the feet to strengthen calfs and stretches at wall using a block.

Transition to the Floor for  Seated Forward Fold Play with a Strap.

Transition onto Backs
Windshield Wiper
Bridge x 2
Easy Spinal Twist

Savasana



Sweet Vinyasa 8:30am Monday

18 Peeps
One New Drop In

Similar Theme as the last week.  Breath Awareness.  Swamp Monster and Cactus towards Warrior 1 Play. Bakasana Play.  Today we did Sirsasana 1 instead of 2.  Theme: Start to show up as your full self.


Sit
(I am struggling with how much to say.  Most of the time it feels like nothing needs to be said, but sometimes I compel myself to be of assistance)

Sukhasana
Sacrum Play
Forward Fold
Side Bend
(Switch Legs and Repeat Other Side)

Transition All Fours
Weight Understanding in Hands
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Shoulder Rotation
Swamp/Cactus Action
Wise Guy Sequence

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama
YAM

Sequence 1
Sun to 
Lunge
Swamp Warrior to Cactus Warrior
Pyramid Variation
Lunge

Vinaysa 1
Dog
Rounded Plank
Cobra
Windsheild Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Repeat Standing Sequence 1 on Other Side from Dog

Repeat Vinaysa 1

Uttanasana
Malasana
Bakasana
Malasana
Mouse Pose
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana

HAM
Sequence 2
Sun to
Lunge
Swamp Warrior to Cactus Warrior
Parsvottanasana
Warrior 3 Variation
Standing Splits
Twisting Lunge

Vinyasa 2
Dog
Roll to Updog
Roll to Downdog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side from Dog

Vinyasa 2

Uttanasana
Malasana
Bakasana
Malasana
mouse Pose
Malasana
Uttanasana

Roll up to Standing
Tadasana

Inverted Sirsasana 1
Interlaced Shoulder Stretch
Uttanasna
Dog

Sirsasana 1 Prep

Then Open Class
Sirsasana or something else

Childs Pose
Vajrasana Meditation
OM x 2

Half Lord of the Fishes
Cow Face
(Switch Legs and Repeat Other Side)

Forward Fold

Savasana



Sunday, October 5, 2008

SWG Sunday 10:00am

18 Peeps
1 Drop In

Emphasis breath and focusing it to open specific areas of the torso.  Play with stacking the bones for plank in prep for bakasana.  Back strengthening with baby backbends.
  
Supine over a bolster with emphasis on Breath in heart, diaphragm and lower belly.

Transition to Sukhasana
Sacrum Play
Forward Fold
Side Bend
(Switch Legs and Repeat Other Side)

Transition to All Fours
Plank
Dog

Easy Side Plank Sequence

Dog
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Eagle Arms and Shoulder Opening
Shoulder Rotation Awareness
Hands Interlaced Behind the Back Stretch

Tadasana
Ujayyi Breathing
1/4 Salutations

2 Rounds Lunge Salutes 
with Hamstring Stretching

Squats introduced within the lunge salute
Bakasana Play
Supine Bakasana
Upright Bakasana

Uttanasnaa
Tadasnaa

Sun to 
Plank
Lower to Belly

Sphinx 
Low Cobra x 2
Rocket Cat to Childs Pose

Rolling from Childs to Cobra 2x

Transition onto Backs
Eye of the Needle Play
Windshield Wiper Twist

Savasana

 

Saturday, October 4, 2008

SWG Saturday 10:45am

10 Peeps

Rainy Day.  The 9am Class was so lively and fun that sometimes I "blow my wad" and am a little spent by this class.  Tends to be quieter and more low key.  Emphasis on side waist, breath, shoulders, low back.

Opening
Supine over a bolster.  Attention to Breath in 3 major regions.  
Transition to Sukhasana

Sacrum Play
Forward Fold
(Switch Legs and Repeat Other Side)

Transition onto All Fours
Plank
Dog

Easy Side Plank Sequence with Side Waist Emphasis

Childs Pose
All Fours
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Spring Training Arm Circles
Forward and Back Rotation
Interlaced hands behind back Stretch
Roll up to Tadasana

Wise Guy Sequence
Interlaced Hands behind the Back Stretch
Roll up to Tadasana

Tadasana
Ujayyi Breath
2 Rounds Lunge Salutes

Tadasana
Sun to Dog
Plank
Lower to Earth
Windshield Wiper

Sphinx Pose
Low Cobra x 2 

Childs Pose

Roll from Childs to Cobra 2x

Rest 
Transition onto Backs
Knees to Chest

Eye of the Needle Stretch
Savasana






Soft Vinyasa, Saturday 9am

22 Peeps
3 New Drop Ins

Lively bunch today.  I forgot to start the mic until after meditation, but most likely fine since it was so much local chatter.  Similar work as this week.  Swamp Monster and Cactus with Bakasana and Sirsasana 2 Play.  Emphasis on Breath in back of Body and Length in Front of Body.

Sit.

Sukhasana
Sacrum Play
Forward Fold
Side Bend
(Switch Legs and Repeat)

Transition All Fours
Plank
Dog

Easy Side Plank Sequence

Vinaysa 1
Dog
Rounded Plank
Roll into Cobra
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Shoulder Awareness
Swamp Monster and Cactus Action
Wise Guy Sequence

Tadasana
Ujayyi
YAM

Sun to:
Sequence 1
Lunge
Swamp Monster Warrior
Cactus Warrior
Pyramid Variation
Lunge

Vinaysa 1

Repeat Sequence 1 Other Side from Dog

Vinaysa 1

Uttanasana
Malasana
Bakasana
Malasana
Mouse Pose
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
HAM

Sun to 
Sequence 2
Lunge
Swamp Warrior
Cactus Warrior
Parsvottanasna
Warrior 3
Standing Splits
Twisting Lunge

Vinaysa 2
Dog
Roll into Updog
Roll into Downdog

Repeat Standing Sequence 2 Other Side from Dog

Vinaysa 2

Uttanasana
Malasana
Bakasana
Malasana
Mouse Pose
Malasana
Uttanasnaa

Roll up to Standing
Tadasana

Standing Sirsasana 2
Interlaced Hands behind the back shoulder stretch
Malasana

Roll back Happy Baby
Supine Bakasana
Supine Sirsasana to Bakasana Play
Roll up and Play with Sirsasana/Bakasana Sequence

Rest Childs Pose
Vajrasana Meditation
OM x 2

Transition onto Backs
Bridge Pose as Counter

Freeform

Savasana

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Sweet Vinyasa 8:30am Wednesday

11 Peeps

The group was sleepy and quiet.  I ended up pushing it a little.  That was a mistake cuz I feel exhausted now, so I assume it was because of the over efforting.  Breathing into Back of Body.  Same Swamp Monster/Cactus Play towards Bakasana and Sirsasana 2.

Sit.

Sukhasana
Sacrum Play
Forward Fold
Side Bend
(Switch Legs and Repeat Other Side)

Transition All Fours

Plank
Dog

Easy Side Plank Sequence

Low Lunge Hamstring Sequence
(Same as usual, slinky and exploratory with emphasis on breathing into back of body in rounded hamstring stretch)

Vinaysa 1
Dog
Roll into Rounded Plank
Roll into Cobra
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Shoulder Rotation
Swamp Monster/Cactus Play
Wise Guy Sequence

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama
YAM
Sun to 

Standing Sequence 1 
Lunge
Swamp Warrior 1
Cactus Warrior
Pyramid Varation
Lunge

Vinaysa 1

Repeat Standing Sequence 1 Other Side

Bakasana Play
Uttanasana
Malasana
Bakasana
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Tadasana

HAM
Sun to 
Standing Sequence 2
Lunge
Swamp Warrior
Cactus Warrior
Parsvottanasana
Warrior 3
Standing Splits
Lunge
(while pigeon is SO nice here, i skipped it so we would have time to check in with sirsasana play)

Vinyasa 2
Dog
Roll into Up Dog
Roll into Down Dog

Repeat Standing Sequence on the Other Side

Bakasana Play

Tadasana

Standing Sirsasana Play
Interlaced Finger Shoulder Stretch
Malasana

Transition to Backs, happy Baby

Supine Bakasana
Supine Sirsasana to Bakasana Play
Roll up and Play on top of head

(Varied levels of success today...again, i was holding the space to help it along and it knocked me out).

Childs Pose
Transition onto Backs

Windshield Wiper
Bridge x 2 (optional wheel)
Low Back Release

Favorite Spinal Twist
Knees to chest
Savasana