Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Lulu Bandha's Yoga Class Sequences

The teachers of Lulu Bandha's are posting our classes here:

http://www.lulubandhas.com/yoga/forum/teaching-yoga/actual-class-sequences

Hope to see!

xo
kira

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Posting Across Town

I have been posting the latest sequences across town at Lulu Bandha's. 

Right now they are connected to videos, some of which are free, some of which can be purchased and some of which are available through subscription.  The classes can be accessed here.



But all the sequences can be read.


I am not totally satisfied with their accessibility right now and am working on making them stand alone, so one does not have to click through videos to find them.


I have gone from obsessing abut the psoas, to the connection of the Manipura and the Anahata to the softening the heads of the femurs to languaging with the internal organs.


The latest inspiration is from the Taoist Yoga practice.  "The gentleness of the kidneys supports the kindness of the liver, supports the honor and respect of the heart, supports the honesty and sincerity of the spleen, supports the Justice of the lungs."


I am not sure what that means, but it draws me in to find out.


xo
k

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Tuning to the Teacher Within Workshop at Smiling Dog Yoga, Day 3

This morning I again slept in.

Woke up around 8am or so, wrote out my dreams.

Steve and Lisa had picked up croissants!
Steve made me a latte and I made some eggs.

I wrote out 3 possible plans for the class.
I was not sure what we were going to do and I felt like writing out ideas would help me connect to the shiniest one.

I spent the rest of the morning at the beach on the pier.
Unscheduled time is such a sweet gift.

We gathered at 2.

1. Nervous System Discussion
I shared the relationship of the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems and how yoga works.

We tied it into Sutra 1.2, Sutra 1.33 and Sutra 1.34.
Great sharing and questions.

2. Practice
In the interest of helping people start to work together more and practice feeling and touching and talking, we worked in pairs.

Impressing the Heart Solo
Impressing the Heart with Partners, 2 different ways

Supine Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose with Partners

Here we were able to connect the nervous system discussion with a way of teaching postures by "Feeling".
"Recal the feeling of the brick behind the heart...recall the feeling of your partner's thumb in your hip..." to access the pose.
J was willing to be the demo model for Warrior 1 and Twisting Triangle.

This seemed to be the main "a ha" moment of the weekend.
That we can access the alignment of a posture through memory of feelings rather than external instructions.
This ties into the practice of remembering what it feels like to be relaxed and choosing it consciously.

Alternate Nostril Hip Rotation with Partners
Savasana

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Tuning to the Teacher Within, Day 2

Day 2 of SLO

I had such a sweet day.
I woke up to home made blueberry muffins.
And Steve made me a latte.

Lisa scheduled me an 11 o'clock massage with Randy.
WOW.

Brett of the Smiling Dog Cafe made me a burrito.

Heaven.

So starting class at 2:00 felt like the easiest thing ever.

We circled to begin.
1. Response to "Effort Effect" Article which was assigned as homework.
Lots of connections and good questions about feeling like we are both at times.
Good point made by P that some respond to the reverse of being told that they will never make it.

2. My response to last night
I suggested that the main question of the group is:
How do I connect more deeply?

Some discussion on this.

3. I introduced the Right and Left Brain Topic of discussion.

I assigned the Jill Taylor video for homework:
http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html

And weaved it towards the job of a yoga teacher.
Talking about all the balance of Left and Right that goes on in teaching and in practice.

Then there were some questions:
- Do I bring up politics in class?

S's sharing of feeling connected to the teaching and wanting to share them, guided us to talking about Recording and Sharing our Teachings.
This stirred up some resistances and fears.
So that was cool.
I am grateful cuz I will present it softer next time.

4. Assigned Teaching to Learn Homework.
Thought about assigning Lineage Homework, but felt like too much.

We talked for about an hour.

So, we began practice around 3.
Focusing on the Elements and moving towards Handstand.

Opening
Sukhasana, Foreword Fold and Side Bending

Transition to Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Schiffmann Style Hokey Pokey
Full Body Shaking

Heart Prana Pounding
Heart Hand Prana Extension

Tadasana with Grounding

LAM
Sun to
Sequence 1
Lunge
Dog
Lunge
Uttanasana
Utkatasana

Tadasana

VAM
Sun to Sequence 2
Lunge
Twisting Lunge
Hammock
Lunge
Dog

Plank
All Fours
Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Childs Pose

Plank
Dog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side

Uttanasana
Utkatasana

Tadasana
Utthita Tadasana
RAM
Sun to Sequence 3
Lunge
Crescent Moon
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 3 Other Side

Vinyasa 1
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Cobra
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat

Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Utkatasana
Tadasana

YAM
Sun to Sequence 4
Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Warrior 2
Lunge
3 Legged Dog

Dog

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Side Plank Both Sides

Dog

Vinyasa 2
Plank
baby Cobra
Locust with Bind
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat

Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Transition to Walls
Half Handstand Play

Half Handstand Play with Partners

Handstand Play
Practice Assisting


Bridge
Rest (internal HAM)
Bridge

Knees to Chest
Easy Spinal Twist Both Side

Savasana

Sit Together.


Then we ate together.  Brett made us a fantastic meal of Acorn Squash Soup, Quinoa Salad and Raw Strawberry Crumble.
Sharing a meal together allowed for more sharing and connection.
3 hours x 3 times is so short.
I am so grateful to Lisa and Brett for allowing us more time together.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Tuning to the Teacher Within, Day 1

Drove up from Ojai to SLO today to teach at my good friend Lisa's place, Smiling Dog Yoga.
This is the workshop flyer.

Tonight we gathered from 6:00 to 8:30.

13 Peeps

We met with a yin yoga practice.
Difficult to come across the right talking points when you are also landing.
I found myself more quiet and less moved to share than usual.
Always fun to notice the new.


Sequence
Butterfly, 5 minutes
Rest


Swan, 5 Minutes
Rest, 2 minutes
Repeat Other Side

Sphinx or Seal, 4 minutes
Rest
Childs Pose

Lunge, 4 minutes
Childs Pose
Repeat Other Side

Reverse Prayer Shoulder Opener, 3 minutes
Rest
Repeat Other Side

Eagle Spinal Twist, 5 minutes
Rest, 3 minutes
Repeat Other Side

Nostril Breath Awareness

Savasana

Gathered in a Circle and Shared.
The Suggestion was to share your name, what and where you are teaching, who you are teaching
Questions, Struggles

The Main Questions Expressions were:
1. How do I teach more than just asana
2. How do I teach what I am also just learning
3. Where is my practice going next? and How do I take it there?
4. How do I feel ready to teach?
5. I want more consistency in my practice
6. How do I allow myself the space to heal?
7. How do I create a space for healing for others?
8. How do I find inner stillness?
9. How do I introduce people interested in fitness to mantra and mediation?
10. How do I teach myself?
11. How do we connect?
12. How do I become intimate and non attached.
13. How do I integrate teaching and practice?

I am not sure I see the main theme yet.
I think it is around touching ourselves, connecting and opening.

So tonight as I head to bed, my question is How do I facilitate the space tomorrow to allow these questions to be

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Help of Ojai Yoga Class, Thursday 11am

This has become one of my most favorite classes.
In many ways it is "cutting edge" for me in the way I teach and share.

This class video will be posted here soon:
http://www.lulubandhas.com/yoga/video/yoga-classes/kira-ryder-granny-yoga-grounding-towards-side-plank-2010-03-25

I spoke of Sutra 1.1 and made an effort to hold the space to teach the Sanskrit.  WE also played with Sutra 1.2.  Talk was mostly on how what we are doing is preparation to assist in the miracle of Yoga.

Opening
Supine, knees bent
Attention to the Sacral Chakra
Gentle Belly Breath and Awareness of the Water Element

Windshield Wipers

Tailbone Awareness
Shimmy
Eye of the Needle with Tail Awarness

Transition to Sitting

Sutra 1.1 Discussion

Sukhasana with Side, BAck and Foreward Bending

Transition to Standing
Easy Uttanasana


Schiffmann Hokey Pokey
Full Body Shaking
Heart Prana Pounding
Heart to Hand Extenstion



Tadasana with Chakra Element Play

3 Rounds of Lunge Salutes with 2 Crescent Moons

Childs Pose

Plank to Dog
Childs Pose

Easy SIde PLank Both Sides
Childs Pose

Plank to Side PLank Both Sides
(EVERYONE DID IT!  WOW!!!)
DOg Pose

Rest on Belly, Windhseild WIper

Reverse PRayer SHoulder Opener, 3 minutes
REst
Repeat Other Side

Knees to Chest
Easy Spinal Twist of Choice

Savasana

3 Privates in 2 Days

My privates were so different this week.

Couple 1
We sequenced towards creating the necessary tensions for Extended Side Angle Pose.

60 year old Woman
We focused on strengthening the breathing mechanisms.

45 year old Woman
We foucsed on softening the neck while increasing mindfulness and awareness in micromovements.

Yin Yoga and Meditation, Monday 7pm

Yin Yoga

9 Peeps
3 Drop ins

Talk continued on the "small voice" and the tracking of subtle energies as practice listening.
Shared details of Sutra 2.3.  Suggested practicing repetition of Sanskrit inside.

Swan, 5.5 minutes
Rest, 2 min
Repeat Other Side

Uppavista Konasana or Frog, 5 minutes
Rest, 2 minutes

Sphinx or Seal, 5 minutes
Rest 2 minutes

Reverse Prayer Shoulder Opener, 3 min
Rest, 1 min
Repeat Other Side

Eagle Spinal Twist, 4 min
Rest, 2 min
Repeat Other Side

Attention to Nostril Breath

Sit, 15 minutes
Keep Sitting or Savasana, 5 minutes

Sweet Vinyasa Yoga, Wednesday 8:30am

Sweet Vinyasa: 3.24.10
Video will soon be here:
http://www.lulubandhas.com/yoga/video/sweet-vinyasa/kira-ryder-sweet-vinyasa-sutra-11-and-handstand-2010-03-24

We discuss Sutra 1.1.  We play with similar elements as lately.  Tuning towards the elements and turning them upside down.  Some discussion of Sutra 1.12 as well.

Opening
Sukhasana
with Foreword Fold, Chest Press and Side Bending Circle

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Hokey Pokey
Heart Prana Pounding
Heart Palm Prana Extension

Tadasana
LAM
Sun to
Sequence 1
Lunge
Dog
Lunge
Uttanasana
Utkatasana

Tadasana

VAM
Sun to
Sequence 2
Lunge
Twisting Lunge
Hammock
Low Lunge with Rounded Plank Press
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Vinyasa 1
Easy Side Plank Both Side

Plank
Dog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side

Vinyasa 2
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Cobra
Rest, Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat

Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Utkatasana

Tadasana

Utthita Tadasana
RAM
Sun to Sequence 3
Lunge
Crescent Moon
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 3 Other Side

Repeat Vinyasa 2
Rocket Cat to Childs Pose
SidePlank Version 2 Both Sides

Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
YAM
Sun to Sequence 4
Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Warrior 2
Lunge
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Side Plank Both Sides

Vinyasa 3
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Rest, Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Transition to Wall

Half Handstand Play x 2
Handstand Play

Bridge
Spinal Twist

Savasana

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Yin Yoga and Meditation, Monday 7pm

9 peeps

Talk was on the small voice and the continual meeting and play with fear and doubt.  Energetic focus was on the Earth and Water Elements.  Some talk about the Muladhara and Svadhisthana. 

Swan, 5.5 minutes
Rest and Sit, 2 min
Repeat Other Side
Rest and Sit

Uppavista Konasana or Frog, 5 Minutes
Rest and Sit, 3 minutes

Sphinx or Seal, 5 minutes
Rest Supine, 2 minutes


Reclining Buddha to Reverse Prayer Shoulder Opener, 3 Minutes
Rest Supine, 1 minute
Repeat Other Side

Attention to breath in the nostrils

Eagle Spinal Twist, 4 minutes
Rest, 2 minutes
Repeat Other Side

Alternate Nostril Breathing play with Awareness Only

Knees to Chest

Transitition to Sitting

Sit for 15 minutes
Option to contine sitting or lie down Savasana, 8 minutes

Monday, March 22, 2010

Sweet Vinyasa Yoga, Monday @ 8:30am

Sweet Vinyasa: Towards the Bind

17 Peeps

Yoga is a practice of Self Love.  Making room for more of ourselves.  Somewhat in contrast to the talk, we moved towards binding in Extended Angle Pose.  We use the attention of the breath to open the back body.  This practice does not dwell in lot of technical details.  We chant up the chakras like we have been doing, playing with the element qualities that we have been honing for the last several weeks, but the flow assumes some familiarity with what we usually do.  I do not recommend this as a first time Lulu Video.

Opening

Sukhasana with Forward Folding and Easy Backbending
(Attention to breath in front and back of body)
Side Bending
(Attention to breath in side ribs)

Transition onto All Fours
Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Childs Pose

Half Dog Pose
Rounded Cat

Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
Earth and Water Elements

Ujayyi Pranayama
Fire Element

LAM
Sun to
Sequence 1
Lunge
Hammock
Low Inside Lunge
3 Legged Dog

Dog

Repeat Sequence 1 Other Side

Dog
Vinyasa 1
Rounded Plank
Dog
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Cobra
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
VAM
Sun to Sequence 2
Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Warrior 2
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side

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

Uttanasana
Malasana
Mouse Pose
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
RAM
Sun to Sequence 3
Lunge
Side Angle Blueprint
Triangle
Open and Rounded Triangle
Side Triangle
Side Angle Pose
Low Deep Inner Lunge
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Vinyasa 3

Rounded Plank to Updog
Down Dog

Repeat Sequence 3 Other Side

Vinyasa 3

Uttanasana
Malasana
Mouse Pose
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
YAM
Sun to Sequence 4
Lunge
Side Angle Blueprint
Triangle
Open Triangle
Wrapped Triangle
Wrapped Side Angle
Bound Side Angle

(DEMO)

3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Vinyasa 3

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Repeat Vinyasa 3


Childs Pose

Half Lord of the Fishes Pose
Cow Face Pose

Repeat Other Side

Transition to Supine
Bridge Pose

Country Shoulder Stand
Country Plow
Country Karni Pidasana
Roll out

Uttana Padasana (Fish Variation)
Supine

Easy Spinal Twist
Knees to Chest

Savasana

Stiff White Guys Yoga, Sunday 10am

17 Peeps
4 Drop Ins

Opening
Supine, with knees bent
Windshield Wiper
Tailbone Awareness
Shimmy
Eye of the Needle Play

Hamstring Stretching with Strap against Wall with Strap
Supine Extended Mountain Pose

Transition to Sitting
Sukhasana with Sidebending
Uttanasana
Roll up to Tadasana

3 Rounds of Lunges towards Crescent Moon
Childs Pose

Plank to Dog to Childs -- 2 Rounds

Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Childs Pose

Towards Vashitasana Sequence
Plank
Dog
Side Plank
Plank
Childs Pose
Repeat Other Side

Rest Supine on Belly
Passive Shoulder Stretch Both Sides

Bridge Pose x 2

Knees to Chest
Easy Spinal Twist

Stiff White Guys Yoga, Saturday @ 10:45am

15 or so Peeps.

We start supine to open the pelvis and sacrum region.
We move through a sequence of lunges to open the leg channels and practice grounding.
We take this towards Tree Pose.
We talk a little about Sutra 1.2 and Sutra 1.33.

Need: 2 Bricks and access to a wall if you are new to balancing on one leg.

Opening
Supine
Impressing the Heart with Shoulder Work and Arm Extension
Windshield Wipers
Tailbone Awareness
Shimmy
Easy Eye of the Needle

Supta Utthita Tadasana

Transition to Sitting
Sukhasana with Side Bending

Transition to Standing
Easy Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana

3 Rounds of Lunge Salutes towards Crescent Moon

Using a Brick to Establish Standing Leg
Uttanasana at Wall

Little Tree Both Sides

Uttanasana

Tree Pose Both Sides

Uttanasana
Malasana

Transition to Supine

Bridge Pose x 2

Knees to Chest
Easy Spinal Twist

Savasana

Sit



We are building our new video portal.
The Sequence can be found here as well:

http://www.lulubandhas.com/yoga/video/stiff-white-guy/kira-ryder-stiff-white-guys-watering-trees-2010-03-20



The video will be posted soon.

Soft Vinyasa Yoga, Saturday 9am

I have recorded the sequence here:
http://www.lulubandhas.com/yoga/video/soft-vinyasa/kira-ryder-soft-vinyasa-softening-our-opinions-2010-03-20

But since it will be unpublished for another week, it is also here:
16 Peeps or So
4 Drop Ins

Beautiful Spring Day.

Initial sharing around tonight's dinner at Farmer and the Cook.  Rave reviews about Olivia's cooking.  A little teasing about whose opinions matter the most.  This set the tone for the class and the dharma talk ended up being around the practice of softening our opinions.  Sutra 1.2 and 1.33.  The sequence relies on the feeling of the earth, water, fire and air elements towards handstand.

Opening
Sukhasana with Fore ward Fold and Sidebending
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Schiffmann Style Hokey Pokey
Full Body Shaking
Heart Prana Pounding
Heart Hand Prana Extension

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama

LAM
Sun to
Sequence 1
Lunge
Dog
Lunge
Uttanasana
Utkatasana
Tadasana

VAM
Sun to
Sequence 2
Lunge
Twisting Lunge
Hammock Pose
Lunge

Vinyasa 1
Dog
Easy Side Plank Both Sides

Plank
Dog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side
Uttanasana
Utkatasana
Tadasana

Utthita Tadasana
RAM
Sun to
Sequence 3
Lunge
Crescent Moon
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 3 Other Side

Vinyasa 2
Plank
Baby Cobra to Locust to Cobra

Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Step Forward Uttanasana
Utkatasana
Tadasana

YAM
Sun to Sequence 4
Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Warrior 2
Lunge
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Vinyasa 2

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Side Plank Both Sides

Vinyasa 3
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust with Fingers Interlaced
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Step Forward Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Transition to Wall

Half Handstand Play, 2 Rounds
Half Handstand with Partners

Handstand Play

Legs up Wall
Eye of the Needle Stretch

Bridge Pose
Easy Spinal Twist

Savasana

Sit


The video will be posted in about a week.

xo
k

Moving These Sequences

I am starting to record these sequences on Lulu Bandha's.

The day of the class, I will be entering the sequence and then posting the video of the class once it is processed.

So, for example, today's Sweet Vinyasa class is here:
http://www.lulubandhas.com/yoga/video/sweet-vinyasa/kira-ryder-sweet-vinyasa-towards-bind-self-love-2010-03-22

If you click on the "Sequence" Tab, below the video, you will be able to see the sequence.

The video will be posted about a week later.

It seems like a good idea for me to log the link here.

If you create an account on Lulu Bandha's, you can ask questions there.

Stay close.

xo
k

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Stiff White Guys Yoga, Sunday 10am

11 Peeps
Daylight Savings
And it is the most exquisite Spring Day


Title: Allowing the Sacral Waters to Flow
Teaser: We attend to the region of the lower belly and sacrum

Sequence: We spend more than 2/3 of the class supine, only standing up for Tadasana and a round of simple lunge salutes.  Easy and gentle and deliberate focus.

Opening
Imrpressing the Heart with Shoulder Opening
Tailbone Awareness
Windsheild Wiper
Tailbone Awareness

Eye of the Needle with Tailbone Attention

Breath in Belly
Attention to Nostrils

Supine Hand to Big Toe Pose with Strap and at Wall

Supine Extended Tadasana

Transition to Sitting

Easy Sukhasana with Side Bending

Transition to Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana with Awareness of Earth and Water Elements
Stoking the Fire with the Ujayyi

3 Rounds Easy Lunge Salutes leading towards Crescent Moon
Childs POse

All Fours
Childs Pose

Plank
Dog
Childs

All Fours
Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Childs

Plank
Dog
Plank
Rest on Belly
Windsheild
Roll onto Backs

Bridge Pose x 2
Knees to Chest

Easy Spinal Twist Both Sides

Savasana

Sit

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Stiff White Guys Yoga, Saturday @ 10:45am

18 peeps
Title: Opening into the Ocean
Teaser: Emphasizing the water element, we ground through the feet and hands.

Sequence Short: We begin supine with a focus on the Sacral Chakra and Breath, opening the hips and legs.  We move through a sequence of Lunge Salutes towards Downward Facing Dog.


Opening
Supine, Knees Bent
Windsheild Wiper
Breath in Belly
Tailbone Awareness
Shimmy

Pause, notice breath in nostrils.

Eye of the Needle Play

Apanasana with Extended Foot on Wall, Knee to Chest
Both Sides

Repeat Apanasana with Brick under Sacrum to stretch Psoas

Rest, Attention to breath in nostrils.  Play with inner and outer channels.

Supta Utthita Tadasana

Transition to Sitting.

Discuss a bit.

Transition to Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Heart Prana Pounding
Heart Palm Prana Extension

Tadasana
3 Rounds of Easy Lunge Salutes with 2 Crescent Moons


Childs Pose

Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Childs Pose

Plank
Dog
Childs

Plank
Dog
Supine on Belly
Windsheild Wipers

Roll onto Backs
Knees to CHest

Bridge Pose
Knees to Chest
Easy Spinal Twist both Sides

Savasana

Soft Vinyasa Yoga, Saturday 9am

I forgot to turn the microphone on until 20 minutes in.

Title: She's Just a Little Touched
Teaser: We talk about touching the enlightened energies, or letting them touch us...while moving towards Handstand.

Sequence Short: We become intimate with the elements of earth and water through the feet and legs and hands and arms.


Opening
Baddha Konasana with Feet Massage and Sen Channel Pressing
Easy Revolving Head to Knee Pose Both Sides

Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

heart Prana POunding
Heart Hand Prana Extension
Tadasana

LAM
Sun to
Sequence 1
Lunge
Dog
Lunge

Uttansana
Complete Sun to Standing

Tadasana
VAM
Sun to Sequence 2
Lunge
Twisting Lunge
Hammock
Lunge
Dog

Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Plank
Dog

Repeat Sequence 2

Complete Sun to Standing

Tadasana
Utthita Tadasana
RAM
Sun to Sequence 3
Lunge
Crescent Moon
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat  Sequence 3 Other Side

Vinaysa 1
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Cobra
Rest, Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasna
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
YAM
Sun to Sequence 4
Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Warrior 2
Lunge
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Vinyasa 1

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Side Plank
Dog
Side plank Other Side
Dog

Vinyasa 2
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Rest
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
roll up to Standing

Transition to WALL

Half Handstand Play Solo
And with Partners

handstand Play

Legs Up wall
Eye of the Needle

Easy Spinal Twist

Savasana

Sit

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Help of Ojai Yoga Class, Thursday 11am

One of my most favorite classes to show up to.
This is my forst time teaching since we lengthened the class to 90 minutes.
About 15 peeps.

Today we focused on the subtle movement of the breath in the nostrils.  This knocked everyone's socks off.  It was so potent and powerful for everyone.  I was therefore encouraged to talk more frankly about the chakras and the nadis.  The water element is great for this group cuz as we age, we are drying up.

Opening
Supine with Feet Facing Wall
Knees bent.

Attention to breath in belly.
Introduction of water element and awareness of Sacrum and Sacral Chakra.

Windshield Wipers
Tailbone Awareness
Shimmy

Eye of the Needle in Stages with Tailbone Movement

Apanasana with One Leg Against Wall
Both Sides

Repeat with Brick under Sacrum for Psoas Stretch
Both Sides
Remove Brick and Rest

Attention to breath in Nostrils.
Movement of Awareness in Inner and Outer Channels

Supta Utthita Tadasana with Feet on Wall

Transition to Sitting
Discuss the nostril breathing.
Mini nadi and chakra talk

Transition to Standing
Easy Forward Fold

Heart Prana Pounding

Palm Prana Extension

Tadasana
Earth and Water Connection

Warrior 2 Dance Both Sides
Wide Leg Forward Fold

Warrior 2 Dance to Warrior 2 and Hold
Repeat Other Side
Wide Leg Forward Fold

Tadasana

Transition to All Fours
Play with Earth and Water on Hands
Childs Pose

Easy Side Plank Both Side
Childs Pose

Plank
Down Dog
Childs Pose

Transition to Belly
Baby Cobra to Locust
Rest

Baby Cobra to Locust to Cobra
Rest

Roll onto Backs
Knees to Chest
2 Rounds Abdominals

Supine Resting Pose
Alternate Nostril Breathing Awareness

Savasana

Yin Yoga and Meditation, Wed 7pm

5 Peeps


Talked again about Injury sharing about my shoulder.

Pigeon, 5 min
Childs Pose
Pigeon, 5 min
Childs Pose

Sphinx, 5 min
Childs Pose

Reverse Prayer Shoulder Opener, 3 minutes
Rest
Repeat Other Side


Spinal Twist, 5 minute
Rest, 2 minutes
Spinal Twist Other Side
Rest and play with alternate nostril breathing

Roll up to Sit.

25 minute sit.
Best ever.
Everyone was so in it.
No one layed down for savasana
My sacrum felt like a hot plate.

Sweet Vinyasa Yoga, Wednesday @ 8:30am

Title: Watering the Downward Facing Tree
Teaser: We play with the earth and water elements to get grounded in handstands.

Sequence Summary: We open the leg and side body channels seated.  Using Tadasana, we connect with earth and water elements, playing with the chakra bijas through a lunge sequence and moving towards Adho Mukha Svanasana.


About 15 Peeps
Opened with a talk about injuries.  Shared about my shoulder.  This lead into a dharma talk about this practice being one of learning how to touch ourselves, become intimate and see it all.

Baddha Konasana Foot Massage and Leg Channel Pressing
Revolving Head to Knee Pose
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Heart prana Pounding
Heart Palm Extension play

Tadasana
Grounding and Connecting to the Earth and Water Elements

LAM
Sun to
Sequence 1
Lunge
Dog
Lunge Other Side
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
VAM
Sun to
Sequence 2
Lunge
Twisting Lunge
Hammock
Lunge
Dog

Plank
All Fours
Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Childs pose
Plank
Dog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side

Uttanasana
Utakasana
Tadasana

Uthitta Tadasana
RAM
Sun to
Sequence 3
Lunge
Crescent Moon
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 3 Other Side

Vinyasa 1
Plank
Baby Cobra to Locust to Cobra
Rest, Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
YAM
Sun to Sequence 4
Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Warrior 2
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Vinyasa 1

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Plank
Side Plank
Dog
Side Plank Other Side
Dog

Vinyasa 2
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Rest, Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Transition to a Wall

Half Handstand Play
Half Handstand with Partners

Handstand

Legs up Wall
Eye of the Needle @ Wall
Easy Spinal Twist
Savasana

Sit

Monday, March 8, 2010

Sweet Vinyasa Yoga, Monday 8:30

Title: Earth in the Hands, Water in the Neck

Teaser: We connect to the Earth in the Legs and Water in the Sacrum with Standing Postures.  Then we turn it upside down for Adho Mukha Vrksasana, or Downward Facing Tree Pose.

Sequence Short: We tune the chakras and their elements with a lunge sequence in preparation for handstand play.

17 Peeps

A new day for me.  I am on a mini sabbatical from my regular life.  I am house sitting for a friend and caring for his pets as an opportunity to be away from the computer for the evening and morning hours.  This is providing a new solitude and this morning I woke up experiencing a new deep sadness which is not as accessible when there is so much to do.  This made the class quiet.  Especially since I had been sitting in the studio for almost an hour before anyone arrived.


Opening
Sukhasana with Foreword Folds and Side Bending
Transition to Uttanasnaa
Roll up to Standing

Arm Prana Awakening
Heart Prana Pounding
 Heart Palm Prana Awareness

Tadasana
Ujayyi Pranayama
LAM
Sun to 
Sequence 1
Lunge
Dog
Lunge
Uttanasana
Complete Sun to Standing

Tadasana
VAM
Sun to
Sequence 2
Lunge
Twisting Lunge
Hammock
Lunge
Dog

Vinyasa 1
Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Plank
Dog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side
Uttanasana
Complete Sun to Standing

Tadasana
Utthita Tadasana
RAM
Sun to
Sequence 3
Lunge
Crescent Moon
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 3 Other Side

Vinyasa 2
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Cobra
Rest, Windshields
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
YAM
Sun to
Sequence 4
Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Warrior 2
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Vinyasa 2

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Side Plank Both Sides

Vinyasa 3
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Rest, Windshield Wipers
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Complete Sun to Standing


Transition to Wall
Half Handstand Play
Half Handstand Play with Partners

Handstand Play with emphasis on Earth and Water inverted

Legs up Wall
Eye of Needle Stretch

Easy Spinal Twist
Savasana
Sit

Stiff White Guys Yoga, Sunday 10am

Title: Feeling the Support of the Earth
Teaser: Playing with the elements of the chakras upright and upside down

Sequence Short:  Opening Hips, Sacrum and Shoulders towards and easy and relaxed downward facing dog.


18 or so Peeps

We open with easy attention to the hips and low back. 
We come to sitting and side bend a few times.

We come to standing and tune towards the earth and water elements in Tadasana.
With awareness on grounding, we move through a simple lunge sequence. 
We open the shoulders with bricks and play with partners to get a sense of ease. 
We connect all this towards downward facing dog. 
We finish with Bridge Pose and Easy Spinal Twisting

Savasana

Sit

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Stiff White Guys Yoga, Saturday 10:45am

Title: The slightest Sift makes a Big Difference
Teaser: We use the wall to open towards Half Moon Pose

Sequence Short: We stretch the hamstrings, open the shoulders and practice balance towards Ardha Chandrasana.

10 Peeps


Opening
Supine with Feet @ Wall
Hamstring Stretching
Supine Extended Mountain Pose

Transition to Sitting
Easy Side Stretching

Transition to Standing
Uttanasana
Roll up

Sequence 1
Shoulder Opening @ Wall
Splat
Right Angle Pose
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
Connect with Earth and Water Elements and Ujayii Pranayama

Repeat Sequence 1 with more awareness and attention to breath
Add Leg Lift in Right Angle Pose

Triangle Sequence
Triangle at Wall Each Side
Wide Leg Forward Fold
Tadasana

Repeat Triangle Sequence

Half Moon @ Wall Both Sides
Forward Fold Roll up

Repeat Half Moon with Partners assisting in foot lift

Bridge Pose x 2
Easy Spinal Twist
Savasana

Soft Vinyasa Yoga, Saturday 9am

Title: Offering Support instead of Advice
Teaser: Playing with the elements of the Chakras, we turn upside down in handstand.

17 Peeps

I just got back from being up North with friends.  I am sick.  But the mood quickly became irreverent when I made a joke about men and sex and checking the pressure in the tires.  Somehow that mood stayed and class was a little silly.  We did a basic lunge flow with the chakras.  Then played with partners to prepare for handstand.

Sequence short: Lunge Salutes with chakra chanting.  Shoulder Work with Partners and Brick.  Half Handstand and Handstand.

Opening
Easy Revolving Head to Knee Pose
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Hokey Pokey a la Schiffmann
Full Body Shaking
Heart Prana Pounding
Tadasana

LAM
Sun to 
Sequence 1
Lunge
Dog
Lunge
Uttanasana
Complete Sun to Standing

Tadasana
VAM
Sun to 
Sequence 2
Lunge
Twisting Lunge
Hammock
Dog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side

Uttanasana
Complete Sun to Standing

Tadasana
Utthita Tadasana
RAM
Sun to
Sequence 3
Lunge
Crescent Moon
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Crescent Moon on the Other Side

Vinyasa 1
Plank
3 Rounds Dips
baby Cobra to Locust to Cobra
Rest
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat

All Fours
Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Childs Pose
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
YAM
Sun to 
Sequence 4
Lunge
Hammock
Warrior 2 Dance
Warrior 2
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Side Plank Both Sides

Vinyasa 2
Plank
Baby Cobra to Locust
Rest
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Childs

Plank
Dog
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Partner Work with Even Cow girls get the Blues

Half Handstand

Partners with Half Handstand

Choice of Handstand or continue with Partners

Rest

Eye of the Needle
Easy Spinal Twist

Savasana



Monday, March 1, 2010

Yin Yoga and Meditation, Monday 7pm

12 Peeps

3 New

We laughed a lot tonight.  The theme of Suffering.  The purpose of practice.  The point of sitting.


Swan, 5 minutes
Sitting
Swan, 5 minutes
Sitting

Wide Leg Forward Fold or Frog, 5 minutes
Rest

Lunge, 5 minutes
Childs pose
Lunge, 5 minutes
Childs pose

Locust, 1 minute
Rest
Locust, 1 minute
Rest

Sphinx or Seal, 5 minutes
Rest

Roll onto Back
Knees to Chest

Spinal Twist, 5 minutes
Rest
Spinal Twist, 5 minutes
Rest

Roll up to Sit

15 minutes
Optional Savasana, 5 minutes

Sweet Vinyasa Yoga, Monday @ 8:30am

Title: Rise from the Mud
Teaser: We play with the elements of the chakras towards Urdhva Dhanurasana.

Seq: We use Tadasana to practice grounding and opening to the earth.  We use a lunge sequence to open the thighs and shoulders for wheel pose.

28 peeps

3 Drop ins

28 is pretty crowded for Lulu's.  So many friends showed up.  Uschi was there.  Aaron was there.  And many others.  We played with Swamp Monster and Hallelujah Arms towards Urdhva Dhanurasana (UD).  The talking points played with the Kapha Earth and Water elements of Spring creating the Swamp Monster and giving rise to the Lotus of Heart.  Shared some of what I am learning in Ravi's course on the Gospels. 

Opening
Sukhasana
Forward Fold and Side bending

Easy Side Plank
Childs Pose
Plank
Dog

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Schiffmann Hokey Pokey
Full Body Ecstatic Shaking
Heart Prana Pounding
Heart Hand Prana Extension

Tadasana
LAM
Sequence 1
Sun to 
Lunge
Dog
Lunge Other Side
Uttanasana

Malasana
Uttanasana
Complete Sun to Standing

Tadasana
VAM
Sun to 
Sequence 2
Sun to Lunge
Twisting Lunge
Hammock
Lunge
Dog

Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side

Uttanasana
Malasana
Mouse Pose
Malasana
Uttanasana
Complete Sun to Standing

Swamp Monster and Hallelujah Arms
with Shoulder Stretching
and play towards understanding UD Arms

Tadasana with UD Arms
RAM
Sun to
Sequence 3
Lunge
Crescent Moon with UD Arms
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 3 Other Side

Vinyasa 1
Plank
Baby Cobra
Locust
Cobra
Rest Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Childs Pose
Plank
Dog


Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
YAM
Sun to
Sequence 4
Lunge
Swamp Warrior to Hallelujah Warrior
Lunge
3 Legged Dog
Dog

Repeat Sequence 4 other Side

Rounded Plank
Dog


Vinyasa 2
Rounded Plank to Cobra
Rest
Rocket Cat
Childs Pose
Vajrasana

Demos with Peter and Karen

Repeat Vinyasa 2 on Own

Repeat Sequence 4 

Vinyasa 3
Rounded Plank to Updog

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Repeat Vinyasa 3

Childs Pose

Transition onto Backs

Windshield Wiper
Bridge Pose
Rest

Wheel Stage 2

Wheel Stage 3
(everyone's wheels looked amazing!)

Rest
Eye of the Needle
Eagle Spinal Twist

Repeat Other Side

Rest Savasana

Sit

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Ravi Ravindra and Priscilla Murray: The Call to Awakening in the Gospels of John, Thomas and Philip

Ravi Ravindra is my Sutra Teacher.  He is at Krotona for 3 weeks presenting with his wife? Priscilla Murray on the Gospels.

The course happens from 10 to 12 Tuesday thru Friday at the Krotona School from Tuesday, Feb 23 thru March 12.  I wish I could go every day, but even a little taste is such a blessing.

This is my first time with Priscilla, and I really like her.  She holds the question and the invitation of the teachings and invites us in.  Much like Ravi, but without any of his occasional cynicsim.

This is the course description:

This course will explore the call to awakening in the gospels of John, Thomas, and Philip, one canonical and two non-canonical. They are less concerned with our sinful nature and more with awakening to our essential divine nature. Series $95/week $35/single session $10
Recommended Texts: Course participants should have copies of the gospels of John, Thomas and Philip, and a copy of The Yoga of the Christ (more recently published under the title The Gospel of John in the Light of Indian Mysticism) by Ravi Ravindra.

Ravi Ravindra, PhD, is Professor Emeritus at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, where he was Professor and Chair of Comparative Religion and Adjunct Professor of Physics. Known for his ability to communicate with and inspire students, he is recipient of several awards and research grants and author of more than 100 papers in physics, philosophy, and religion. The latest of his many books is The Wisdom of Patañjali's Yoga Sutras.

Priscilla Murray, PhD, holds degrees in philosophy, education, and mathematics. A retired educator, Dr. Murray was the Associate Editor of the eight-volume series of books, The Inner Journey: Views from the Major Spiritual Traditions, published by the Morning Light Press.

These are notes from DAY 1.

Priscilla Opened:
Gospel means "good news".
In the interest of helping us get in the mood, P asked us to consider the quality of waiting for good news and receiving good news.

"Christ brought a teaching that was radical"
"And his teachings required a radical change in the lives he affected."

Consider the impact that Christ had on the world.

"Can this be good news for us?...Can we hear something we did not already know?"

It is through an open quality of relationship that something can be offered.  Like with scriptures and poetry, the results can be new each time.

Priscilla created some historical context of the Gospels, defining canonical and non-canonical gospels.

Canon of the Church
those scriptures and materials that have been accepted, received the stamp of approval.

Non-canonical Material
all other materials not accepted or considered orthodox

Priscella presented that as the Church became more organized, the teachings became more orthodox and rigid.  The method of teaching "from above" meant that the ways were unquestionable.

Gnostic Gospels
Gnosis - from the same root that makes Knowledge
- a particular kind of Knowledge
- wisdom, insight, intuition, mystical, esoteric
- not obvious knowledge
- not captured in a technical manual
- a relationship coming to be, a teaching
- to help us towards an inner knowledge
- invites and allows us a new perspective
- we are all a part of this new look

"Christ revealed himself to the people as they were able to see him."
"Human beings are a variety of levels of understanding."
"All our ways of knowing can be very limited"
"He came not to make us Christians, he came to make us Christ" (Phillp)


If we are 7 billion on the planet and 98% are just surviving, we need some Good News.

"Balance of Life and Organization of Group is always in tension"
We have the "wonderful possibility of giving up our knowledge"

The Discovery of the Gospels:
1945 in a clay pot in the desert of Egypt by a Shepard or Farmer

They were not translated into English until the 70s.

"Every translation is an interpretation."
Thomas: "Whoever finds these interpretations of these sayings will not experience death."
Invitation to find a deeper relationship with these words, the Self, and God.

Ravi reminded us that context is not random and to consider the needs of the planet around 1945.
At the end of WWII, there was a major emotional shit.   Up until that point, it had been fine to conquer another's culture.  After that it became "a bankrupt idea".

1960s saw the movement of Turning East.

Thomas
"Like the red-letter edition"
Everything starts out with "Jesus said"
Thoughts have not been organized.
Not really in logical order.
Instead, little gems to treasure.
"For people already turning towards hearing from Christi"

Literal vs understanding
"Any translation will not be the translation"

Phillip
More reflections, comments and teachings in line of Christ, about him, to a select group

Ravi and Priscella spoke of the page numbers and how we will find the verses

"very little mention of what Christ DID, always what Christ SAID"

these works regard Christ as a teacher, less as a Savior
A teacher requires something of the students.  One has to be a disciple

Saviour requires a different attitude.

[a member of the group mentioned Christ as a healer]

"Go beyond the ordinary mind"

Break
--------
Ravi opened Second Half

Christ remarked, "I stood in the midst of the world and I appeared to them in flesh; I found all of them drunken; I found none among them thirsty. And my soul was pained for the children of men, for they are blind in their hearts, and they do not see that they came empty into the world seeking also to leave the world empty. But now they are drunken. When they shake off their wine, then they will repent" (Gospel of Thomas II, 2; 28).

Ravi spoke of the sadness we feel for the ignorant.
"Jesus wept for the sins of Jerusalem"
Humanity is a source of sorrow.

Ravi spoke of our need for approval.
"Teachers bring freedom from this anxiety"

Peter: "Christ needs to keep dying on the cross as long as we keep sleeping."

Buddha: "We live as if asleep"

"Teachers come to connect us to a quality of life to which we are not usually connected."...as oppose to the conflict, sorrow and meaninglessness.

"How long oh Lord, will though forget me?...Give me light to my eyes or i will sleep with death." Psalm 13, versus 2 and 4

Is it Enough to be Thirsty?

"A lot of work from the day of deciding to the day of enlightenment."

There is a time pressure when a real teacher appears.
"Search while the light is among you."
"99% of the people are not interested."

"Who is admonishing me to change?"

Ravi spoke to our ignorance of believing we are the center of the universe.
he referenced the statistic that thousands of galaxies will appear and disappear this morning and 120 million people will die this year.
"We can be slaves to all this or servants to all this, the rest is just politics."

"The miracle of transformation lies in seeing."
"Can i see this without blaming someone else?"
"Suffer the fact of the way I am."

There is a constant exchange

Who am I? is the seed Question.

The highest state is radically different in Indian and Biblical Traditions:

In Indian traditions, the emphasis in generally on the ONENESS of everything.
In Biblical traditions, the emphasis is generally on the Uniqueness of everything, even in the presence of Divinity.

"Moses talked to God as a man to a man."

UNO - uniqueness, oneness, from the same Latin Rot

"What is said, cannot be said."
"Reality is not expressible"
"The words are not the same, but the words are required.  The Real cannot be expressed."

"WORDS become the tradition, notion of sounds, meanings, and certain words become symbols and the rest is just noise."

We must return to the experience of the sages, not the WORDS.
Language is a Frame of Reference.

"We cannot understand until we are transformed to UNDERSTAND."

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Yogathon Meditation Class

This afternoon I taught at the Yogathon at Yoga Jones in Ventura, benefitting KidsArt.

The class was billed as a gentle yoga for meditaiton class.

I started out with a talk, thinking we had 90 minutes, then Marcia let me know we only had an hour.  So things got simple quick.  I was really glad Marcia was in the room.  It really helps to have people you know.  Melissa was there.  Lori was there.  And a few other peeps.  Grounding points.

Since we were benefiting a kids art effort, I allowed the talking points to be inspired by Betty Edward's "Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain."  I spoke on learning how to LOOK.  I referenced Carol Dweck's Mindset and the Effort Effect and Gladwell and the 10,000 hours of practice.

This is the first time I have opened with a talk and not just started in and allowed the talking points to be revealed.  So this was new and fun.  It felt right to engage the new group who I have never met and connect.


Supine
Windshield Wiper
Tailbone
Shimmy

Eye of the Needle with Tailbone Action

Roll up to Sitting

Easy Casual Side Bending

Side Bending "for real" x 2

Sphinx
Baby Cobra to Locust to Cobra x 2

Childs Pose

Set up for Sit

15 minute Sit

Close.

Stiff White Guys Yoga, Saturday 10:45am

12 Peeps

Opening
Impressing the Heart with Shoulder Opening
Tailbone Awareness
Shimmy

Supine with Heals touching wall
Knee to Chest each Side

Place brick under sacrum to enhance the thigh stretch
Knee to Chest with Brick, opposite leg extended touching wall
Hamstring Stretch Same Side with Strap

Repeat Other Side

Release Brick

Supine Extended Tadasana

Transition to Sitting

Easy Casual Side Bending

Transition to Standing

Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

3 ROunds Lunges with Tadasana Play moving towards Crescent Moon

Even Cowgirls get the Blues with Block Play
Downward Facing Dog Play

Headstand Prep with 3 Blocks at Wall

Ollie, Babs and Barbie all got up.

Bridge Pose with 2 Blocks and a Blanket
Viparitta Karani
Rest in Open hearted Butterfly

Savasana

Sit

Soft Vinyasa Yoga, Saturday 9am

8 peeps
1 Drop in

We took advantage of the intimacy.
Wanda complained about her heals not getting to the floor in squat.

So, we answered that call.
The dharma talk was influenced by last night's workshop with Lisa and this week's time with Ravi Ravindra and Priscella Murray.  Way too many talking points.  Had fun sharing the latest teachings but not really organized well.  In short, to be on the spiritual path is to become intimate with suffering, so what compels us? 



Opening
Calf Torture Pose
Arch Torture and Toe Torture
with Dog Pose in between

Sequence 1
Low Lunge with knee WAY over ankle to get into the heal
Hamstring Stretch with top foot stretch and play with tailbone for anatomical understanding

Dog

Repeat Sequence 1 Other side

Step forward Uttanasana
Malasana
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Hokey Pokey
Full Body Shaking
Heart Prana Pounding
Palm Prana Awareness

Tadasana
LAM
Sun to
Sequence 2
Lunge
Hammock
Lunge
Dog


Repeat Sequence 2 Other Side

Vinyasa 1
Plank
3 Baby Dips
Baby Cobra to Locust to Cobra
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
All Fours

Easy Side Plank Both Sides
Childs Pose

Plank
Dog

Step Forward Uttanasana
Malasana
Uttanasana

Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
VAM
Sun to
Sequence 3
Lunge
Twisting Lunge
Hammock
Lunge
Dog

Repeat Sequence 3 Other Side

Repeat Vinyasa 1

PLank
Dog

Step Forward Uttanasana
Malasana to Mouse Pose
Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing

Tadasana
Uthitta Tadasana
RAM
Sun to
Sequence 4
Lunge
Crescent Moon
3 Leg Hamstring Stretch
Dog

Repeat Sequence 4 Other Side

Vinyasa 2
Plank
3 Rounds Chaturanga
Baby Cobra to Locust to Bow Pose
Windshield Wiper
Rocket Cat
Plank
Dog

Step Forward Uttanasana
Roll up to Standing


(i was totally pushing it here, we had maybe 15 minutes left. i guess i just thought that i could transcend time and space at this moment.)

Tadasana
YAM
Sun to
Sequence 5
Lunge
Crescent Moon
Dog

Repeat Sequence 5 Other Side

Repeat Vinyasa 2
(but skip childs pose)
Rest and Roll onto Back

Knees to Chest

Eye of the Needle to Eagle Twist
Repeat Other Side

Happy Baby

Savasana

Sit

Ravi and Prisella, Day 4

Ravi and Priscella
Day 4

I missed Days 2 and 3 cuz of Teaching Sked.
I was sad to not be there, but the teaching does not seem to be linear, so easy to drop in today and the space they offer feels timeless, so easy to drop back in.

Today the topic was to focus on the theme of being a disciple.  In summary, we covered the quotes that revealed that Christ and Buddha were SEEN as the having discovered the TRUTH, not cuz of what they said.  Also, we dove into the necessity of LOVE for learning to occur, with Christ and Krishna.  This moved towards a discussion of the female disciples and Mary Magdalene.

The Primary quote we continued to reference today From Thomas:
"He who is near me, is near the fire, he who is far from me, is far from the kingdom."

P asked the question so, "Who are the Disciples?"

What are the levels of participation?
Crowd
Disciples
Divine

These exist in the external world as well as us.
How do we recognize these levels in us?

Disciple
the latin root, means to learn, a follower

from Thomas
"I shall give you what no eyes have seen, no ear has heard, no hand has touched, no mind has understood."

Disciple vs Apostle
a disciple is learning and receiving
an apostle is sending forth

You can not be an apostle before a disciple.
Except Paul? He was an exception?

Not all disciples became apostles.

in John, Thomas, Philip
we have stories of the Disciples
We must come to these teaching again and again
in Thomas, the sayings are for the disciples
in Philip: more a community of disciples speaking to each other

Buddha and Christ, teaching to those who are already in the attitude of disciple
Not teaching to convert people

(as Ashley says, Jesus didn't have a Facebook page)

Seen not Heard

Ravi spoke of the Buddha and how he was SEEN as having found the Truth, not heard
he quoted
"they see him coming"
"look at G, he has found the truth"

"The illusion that the TRUTH is conveyed by words" Ravi

and in reference to Christ

John Gospel;
Andrew, was the first disciple,
"Look. The Messiah has come."

Love
"No teaching can take place except in a certain attitude of learning." Ravi
in a state of eros - Love

"Only those who love me, can know me" - Krishna
"I reveal myself to those I Love" - Christ

People do not Follow Jesus cuz it seems like a good idea.

Ravi relayed a story of being in Varanasi to hear Krishnamurti
There was a cook who was also very excited to hear Krishnamurti speak
When Ravi exclaimed surprise at the cooks excitement because Krishnamurti will be speaking in English which the cook did not understand, the cook replied,
"What has language got to do with it"

The Teaching is a MUTUALITY

even those who became disciples were scandalized by what he was saying.

"there are many more things i had wished to tell you , but they will scandalize you.'

"You did not choose me, i chose you."

"He who is near the fire"
To be near a teacher is not a bowl of cherries
There is constant demand
"Far from me, far from the kingdom"

Ravi brought up Judas and the question of how Jesus allowed him to be with him for so many years.
The notion that he did not know is ludicrous because of Jesus's sensitivity.  So what is going on there?

Again, the mutuality:
"Relationship is not only that he knows Christ/God, but that HE IS KNOWN.
"As i should know, i will be known."

Female Disciples
There was a break and Priscella took over to discuss the Female Disciples
The idea that they were all men, comes from the list of canonical gospels
and the Da Vinci painting
and of course there were more than 12

There were women who followed Christ, were with him and receiving his teaching

Again, Priscilla, offers the invitation to become a disciple

in the Gospel of Phillip
"3 who always walked with the lord"
Mary M, his mother Mary and her sister
His mother, sister and companion

There was a little fuss in the room around Mary M being the same as Mary of Bethany.
This fuss almost never happens when we are having a discussion about Buddha or Krishna or Patanjali.
This grip on the stories was interesting to witness.

What is the womanly quality of a disciple?
mother, sister, companion

the historical data is fragmented
"to imagine that we can be definite is silly."

@ the Cross, when Jesus was crucified
those 3 women were believed to be there

Mary Mother
What is the vehicle that can give birth to this level of being? In the World? in Us?

Invitation/Demand/ for our spiritual birth
Quality of purity

Ravi offered the relationship of Annie Besant and Krishnamurti as a parallel

Priscella offered for us to connect to the Agony associated with a son's crucifixion
Michaelangelo's Pieta


We have ordinary biological relationships, and relationships on another 'higher' level.

"Whoever does not hate his mother and father cannot become a disciple of me..."

"My kingdom is not of this world"

How do we keep these 2 Levels in dynamic Balance

Ravi told the Samaritan Woman story and how his view of her as a devoted disciple vs his friends, Armstrong's, (a cheerful slut) almost broke up their friendship.

This story is an example of Christ's vision of one's essence
(similar to Ramana story of his followers being upset when he allowed prostitutes and others to enter)

And about Mary
Martha and Mary of Bethany
"clearly followers of Christ"

Story of Mary washing Christ's feet in expensive perfume and then wiling them with her Hair
Judas remarked, "why this waste?"
Jesus said, "let this be".  He accepted what she is honoring.  Himself as a symbol.
The suggestion that "this money could be used to feed the poor"
And JC's response, "The poor will be with you forever."

about MM and JC, "clearly a close relationship."
Christ would often kiss her.
This offended the other disciples
"Why do you love her more than us?"

G of Phillip: reconciling what appears as opposites.
Balancing of the masculine and feminine energies

in the Christina Mystical traditions, it is often argued that between Mary and Martha, Mary had the better part.
Mary - in devotion and at Christ's feet
Martha - service while cleaning, cooking, etc.

yet Meister Eckhart has an entire essay arguing that Martha had the better part,
"Is it possible to engage in action while in a state of contemplation?"

G of Phillip: Christ loved Mary more and used to kiss her often

G of Mary: discovered pre 1900 and fragmented

Section where Peter is saying to Mary:
"Sister, we know he loved you more....tell us the words of the Savior...that we do not know..."
M says, "what is hidden from you, i will proclaim to you" and she sets up to report the vision...but its lost.

Peter becomes angry and doubts her, "did he speak with a woman and not with us?"
M replies, "do you think i thought this up myself and i am lying?"

And jealousy and bickering begin.

Ravi brought up the sadness that these being feel when we do not understand.
He referred to the "wounded doe" look of Krishnamurti.
Thomas, "Jesus said, 'Let him who seeks, continue seeking until he finds...when he finds...he will become troubled."

It is WOMEN who witness Christ's Birth, Incarceration and Resurrection.

I asked the question about Mary as his primary disciple and the one who drew most of the teachings out and if Ravi could discuss it in the context of the Indian Shiva and Shakti.
He pointed out that the relationship is upside down between West and East.
In East, the masculine is the quiet, still, passive and all movement happens in Shakti.
In West, the masculine is the active and the feminine is the passive.


BREAK for TEA.


Ravi opened and pointed out that these teachings are also in the canonical gospels if one knows how to read between the lines.
John: "this sort of talk is hard to bear, how can anyone accept this?"
JC, "the spirit alone gives life, the flesh is useless, no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father."

TRANSFORMATION
"We all have a feeling that transformation is a good thing as long as we don't have to change." Ravi
Abhinivesha: attachment to the status quo

are we really WILLING?

maria: transformation is not simply a rearranging

FIRE
connection of the FIRE quote and the RIG VEDA
"OM AGNI" the first verse
the first priest - the one who works for others
Agni - the symbol for transformation, the lord of sacrifice

no sacred occasion in Hinduism without fire
Agni - root of the word ignition, ignite

in regards to different interpretations:
"good idea to not be so sure"

The fire
self knowledge, reflection
but danger of being burned, singed
demand that is created when coming near a real teacher

JC spoke to 1000s, but very few willing to follow
and almost none of the disciples stayed around
disheartened and dispersed
the three Marys were at the Cross

note that Easter time is the most sacred event
Ravi suggested that no matter where is his, he can feel an injection into the world stage

Luke, chap 12 v8 - 5
"to him, much is give, much is demanded..more will be asked..."

We must not be fooled that JC came for Peace on the Planet
"i have come for dissension"

Kabir
"A teacher is like a potter, supporting the pupil from the inside and beating him from the outside"

Ravi noted the relationship between Krishnamurti and Mary Z

Suffering
"i have a baptism to undergo...not of water, but of fire and truth."
sometimes translated as "spirit and Truth"

Fire, Spirit and Truth
logos - the word

Batam (in greek) - immersion in Suffering

in the entire Biblical tradition , particularly Christian and Judaism, there is much suffering
"for the discerning, there is suffering everywhere."
Patnajali, "suffering is built into change"
1st Noble Truth in Buddhism, "Life is Suffering"
Book of Jobe

but, can suffering be useful?

If we can intentionally sacrifice and undertake suffering, it can be good?
Basis of Christian doctrine?
Vicarious atonement

it is the meaning of being chosen, selected

Rabbi Hileb, "God offered this choice to every nation and the Jews were the ones foolish enough to accept it"

Anointed, chosen

Paul, peter and Steve
Each one of then crucified or stoned to death
Why would they follow HIM?

"Many are called, few are chosen"

Prepare them to willingly accept suffering
if its possible let this cup pass me by

Question of loving the Whole World
the Sun shines for everybody
divine presence available for every body

John says, Lord, I love YOU
"if you love me, you will obey my commandments, then i will love you as the father loves me and i will dwell in you as the father dwells in me."