Prototypes Treatment Center 10.18.09

Many of the girls today were scheduled for drug court during our yoga hour. However, there was a shooting (!) at Juvenile court, so all the Ventura courts were  shut down. For a variety of reasons, tension at prototypes was pronounced today.

Yoga class was packed today. In fact, there were not enough mats to go around and there was hardly any space. Last class the use of a whiteboard for discussion followed by a short asana practice worked well, and this format was particularly useful today. I had a hit in my morning practice to teach the three levels of relaxation, and continue our discussion of the link of body, mind, and spirit. It was appropriate for the mood today.

I asked a lot of open ended questions. These women are very smart and it was so cool to hear answers come from them, not ME blabbing (although there was a bit of that too).

I've started teaching here in bluejeans. A further reminder to myself that yoga and teaching is much more than asana, outfits, props, or fancy studios.

Supine 3 breath

Eye of the Needle play

Sukasana

Easy side bending

seated side stretch

other side

forward fold

seated twisting

Bridge x2

Savasana

sit

Namaste (but didn't use the word Namaste)

ps-In the group therapy session I assist, called Healing through Music (It is SO cool!), the counselor asked that I lead a 20 minute relaxation to classical music because she sensed the girls needed more chill time today. The word 'RELAX' in big bold letters stayed on the whiteboard after yoga class and through the afternoon. It was still there when I left at 6PM!