Vinyasa Basics: Support from the earth; open in the heart! 12.14.10

Vinyasa Basics is more of a challenge to teach when I can't do all the poses quite yet in this stage of recovery from surgery. Its a good opportunity to practice honing my verbal teaching skills and tap in to the energetic as well as physical alignment cues.

It was a little chilly in the room today; perhaps I should have moved the vinyasa a bit quicker but I literally couldn't move that fast . I learned from this, and think next time I'd do it a little differently with a quicker pace.

It was fun to play with teaching pada gustasana at the wall.

All that said, I loved to be back teaching vinyasa and am really looking forward to coming back full time in January.

Sutra 1.12, 2.24, courage, showing up

Heart opener with two bricks, feet at the wall.
shoulder openers over bricks
supine rest

supine tadasana at wall
apenasana
pada gustasana with strap at wall
rest
other side

sukasana side bending

cat
cow
balasana
puppy dog

plank
downdog
uttanasana
malasana

uttithatadasana
tadasana
yam

lunge
hammock
low cresent
other side

sphinx/seal
other side

utkasana
tadasana

lunge
hammock
warrior II dance
trikonasana
extended side angle
vinysasa
other side

tadasana

tree

tadasana

uttanasana
malasana

windshield wiper

bridge x2

gratitude meditation

twisted root

supported savasana

sit
OM
Namaste!

The mantra of maitri. 12.11.10

We played with different practices to calm the mind and cultivate the energy of the heart.


Seated on bricks
A
O
M
Om x3

pada gustasana with twist

cat
cow
childs
puppy dog

easy side plank

balasana

plank
downdog
uttanasana
malasana
uttitha tadasana
tadasana
YAM

granny lunge salutes
granny lunge salutes with hamstring stretch

balasana

pigeon
rest
bridge
other side

gratitude meditation

twisted root
rest
other side

supported savasana

sit
OM
Namaste

Yoga Blue: Love is Patient, Love is Kind. 12.4.10

I've been in yin and granny yoga classes this week as I am in recovery from surgery. I have been inspired and delighted by a slower, more introspective practice, and based our practice this evening with this flavor. Also was influenced by this morning's electronic 'word of the day' which quoted "love is patient, love is kind' from Corinthians. Its always been one of my favorite quotes, but today it feels brand new and especially juicy.

Sukasana
wide circles with breath
spine rocking
forward fold yin style
rest
shimmy (a la Lisa West)
rest
other side
OM

cat
cow
balasana
puppy dog

toe stretch
foot tapping release

plank
downdog
uttanasana
malasana
cowboy negociation
uttanasana
tadasana
shimmy

tadasana

pitcher's arm
tadasana
other side

shoulder shruggs

tadasana
YAM

granny lunge salutes using blocks and blankets
hamstring stretch with cat/cow
other side with YAM in low cresent

balasana

pigeon yin style
rest
shimmy
other side

bridgex2

twisted root/easy spine twist

supported savasana

sit
OM
Namaste!