Meditation: Prayer: a closer look. 6.10.10

Baddha konasana
spine rocking
forward fold with silent prayer

Baddha konasana mini meditation

janushirsasana with twist and side bend
other side

Sphinx/seal
reverse windshield wiper

cow/cat
barrel roll

low lunge salutes from all fours

downdog

supine windshield wipers

sit

reading from 'Buddhism and the 12 step model of Recovery' Zen Center, SF

share

sukasana
3 OMs

Namaste!

Vinyasa Basics. Friendly Hips, Happy Heart. 6.8.10

Played with deep hip openers and maitri from sutra 1.33. Used twists to open the body in preparation.

Heart opener over bolster
breath awareness lengthening the breath
windshield wiper

supine rest with YAM

sukasana twist
table top
paschimotadasana
other side

uttanasana

lunges with half arch

sphinx/seal

cresent pose
downdog with heel lifts and lengthening
other side with wide leg cobra

tadasana
uttithatadasana
side bending
uttanasana variation
other side -side bending

forward fold

lunge
side angle
trikonasana
extended side angle
lunge
twisted ardha chandrasana

vinyasa

balasana

other side standing sequence

balasana
ardha matseyendra
cow face with shoulder rest
box with open heart/reverse prayer

vinyasa

other side seat hip opener sequence

bridge
baddha konasana
bridge
sacrum rest/heart landing

supported savasana

sit

Namaste!

Prototypes Women's Center: Softening into Maitri. 6.7.10

For the past few weeks the general tone of the house has been mellow, and today's class was the most close to a regular studio class that I've ever taught. It felt right to take them into a bit a philosphy so we took the dive into sutra 1.33 with maitri.

I remember being right on the edge with a bit of doubt and fear..should I go here? I"m glad I did...everybody did the poses, nobody fidigeted, and no eyes rolled. I think it resonated deeply because with all that comes up in treatment there can be a lot of self loathing.

I think sutra 1.33 can be one of the gems to teach in this setting..with a very gentle approach. If it looks or smells anything like dogma it won't go over.

savasana
breath awareness/emphasis on the exhale

sukasana side bending with forward fold
table top
other side

uttanasana

tadasana

lunge salutes with cobra

tadasana
warrior I
coat hanger arms with forword fold
warrior III

uttanasana

other side

uttanasana
malasana variation

twisted root
savasana
twisted root

savasana

sit
Namaste

1:1

Yoga Blue 6.5.10

It IS all about who shows up!

Summertime evenings are about as beautiful time as ever to practice. Everything felt pretty tonight. That's what it looks like when viewing the world throught gratutide. THANK YOU.

Trying to make the conneciton between prana, prayer, gratitide, and grace..

Didn't have time to do the standing series I'd planned so made it up in the moment; stepping forward into tree is something I practice and it made its way to class tonight.

Heart opener over bolster
breath awareness
YAM
windshield wiper

supine rest

supine janushirsasana with strap with bridge between sets

cat
cow
balasana
puppy dog

tadasana

lunge salute
sphinx/seal
lunge salute with YAM
cobra
locust
bow

tadasana
lunge
warrior I dance
peaceful warrior
tree

other side

eye of the needle
twisted root
supine rest

other side

savasana/supported savasana

Maitri

sit
namaste!

Vinysas Basics 6.3.10

Played with Prayer as prana.

Heart opener over bolster
OM
windshield wiper

supine rest

eye of the needle

cat
cow
balasana
puppy dog

easy side plank

plank
downdog

tadasana
YAM

lunge salute
sphinx/seal
lunge salute with YAM
cobra
locust
bow

tadasana
YAM

lunge
side angle with open heart
trikonasana
warrior II dance

vinyasa

balasana

tadasana
angeli mudra
other side

balasana

bridge
baddha konasana
bridge
sacrum rest with gratitude meditation

twisted root

supported savasana

sit
OM
Namaste!

11th Step Meditation 6.3.10

Practice this morning with the usual suspects.

The reading was about prayer. It was fascinating that, according to the reading, the true context of prayer in a Buddhist context is to change our mind into the mind of compassion (which empathizes with the suffering of others) and wisdom (which allows us to respond in ways which are of real help).

In this context I feel my work at Prototypes is one big PRAYER.

Freeform

sit

read

share

sit

Namaste!

Vinyasa Basics 6.1.10

Hips and feet requested today. Not quite as flowy today. Got deep into hips right away...and did some poses I don't often teach. Cued to lengthen the exhale in intense poses.

Intense poses are uncomfortable to watch. Good place for me to practice Karuma.

Lotus foot rub
baddha konasana with forward fold

janushirsasana with twist
ardha matseyendrasana
cow face with shoulder rest

paschimotadasana

other side

paschimotadasana
table top

malasana with cowboy negociation
toe torture pose

uttanasana
tadasana
uttithatadasana with OM

lunge salutes with hamstring stretch
wide leg cobra

tadasana with side stretch
uttanasana variation
lunge
side angle blueprint
triangle
extended triangle
extended side angle
twisted lunge

vinyasa

other side

balasana

thigh torture pose at the wall
balasana
other side

starfish rest

bridge x2

easy eye of the needle

easy spine twist

supported savasana (one woman took legs up the wall...nice ending too!)

sit
OM
Namaste!