Strong Vinyasa 2.28.10

There are times when teaching is a lot of fun and this morning was one of them!

I played with the new floor twist (with a twist!) as a set up for second set in the standing series with twisted ardha chandrasana. Also I am really liking viparita karani. I have shyed away from shoulderstand poses because I've been worried about neck issues and am learning to teach them safely now. New territory.

Unguard the heart!

sukasana
breath awareness
spine awareness
anahata
OM

windshield wiper

eye of the needle with half happy baby

plank
downdog stretch

easy side plank
cat
cow
barrel
other side

tadasana
uttitatadasana
YAM

lunge salutes with tiger pose

tadasana
lunge
warrior II
w/eagle wrap
side angle
peaceful warrior

vinyasa with revolved dog

other side

from floor half frog with cobra
twist
locust
other side
locust/bow

balasana
malasana
crow

downdog
tadasana

lunge
warrior II
w/eagle wrap
side angle
peaceful warrior
half moon
standing splits
twisted half moon

vinyasa
other side

exit to pigeon
supine tree
bridge
other side
bridge/wheel

viparita karani
plow play

savasana

sit
OM
Namaste!

Yoga for Recovery 2.27.10

I've been travelling a lot and it was nice to be back at Lulu's. I didn't have time to 'plan' a class so I pulled some things that I love to practice.

On the road I learned a new way of getting into a supine twist but I couldn't remember exactly how it went so I only got there half way. The good news is that I didn't freak out about it, in fact I was fine with how it manifested itself. I think it helps that I was talking about sutra 1.13 (Abhyasa is the effort of remaining present) because I noticed it was OK to just get into the twist sequence half way. I went home and figured it out, and in doing so actually found something new that would be even juicer to teach than the sequence that I learned on the road.

I have a renewed interest in taking my studies of the sutras deeper. I am fascinated how rich they are.

sukasana
breath awareness
spine awareness
anahata meditation
OM

windshield wiper
eye of the needle

cat
cow
balasana
quarter dog
plank
downdog

easy side plank
cat/cow
other side

downdog
tadasana
YAM

lunge salutes with sphinx/seal

tadasana
angeli mudra
lunge
side angle
trikonasana
extended side angle
twisted lunge

vinyasa with 1/2 half twist

other side
balasana

baddha konasana
boat play

bridge
sacrum rest
bridge
supine baddha konasana

easy spine twist

supported savasana

sit
OM
Namaste

11th step Meditation 2.25.10

Had fun with a flow sequence to open the whole body. Seasoned practitioners in the house.

Sukasana
spine rolls
forward fold
kapabalti breathing with arms overhead
twist

windshield wiper
bridge

other side
paschimotadasana

downdog
cobra
downdog

balasana

sit

read

share

sit

Namaste!

Vinyasa Basics 2.16.10

Since the Jam II session, I've been playing with trying something new every class. Today I offered leg extension with strap in a different way...struggled a bit with language and dynamics so it wasn't so smooth, but I think with practice it will be a cool sequence for a stretch.

Offered a standing shoulder stretch because my shoulders were tight from the practice this weekend.

I also really liked what Alana shared in this weekend's Jam about offering 'little savasanas' throughout the class so became concious of this space to feel.

Had a bunch of folks from out of town visiting class today. It reminded me how happy I am to live in Ojai and be a part of Lulu's.

supine
3 breaths
spine curls
leg extention with strap
supine rest

other side

sukasana
spine rolls
forward fold
table top
paschimotadasana
other side

tadasana
OM
lunge salutes with sphinx/seal
lunge salute with cobra/locust/bow

tadasana

cow faced arm stretch with strap

lunge
warrior I
twisted lunge
hammock

vinyasa

other side

balasana

tadasana
YAM
sequence #2
lunge
warrior I
twisted lunge
hammock
eagle arms
eagle
warrior III
uttanasana

lunge
vinyasa

other side

lower supine

windshield wiper
bridge
baddha konasana
bridge

twisted root

savasana

sit
OM
Namaste!

Stong Vinyasa 2.14.10 Valentine's Day

I woke up this morning singing Loka Samosta Sukino Bhavantu so I went with it and led this chant for the opening of class. It felt like a love song with a yogic slant...it felt like Valentine's Day...it felt so good I didn't even flinch in spite of my being off key.

My love affair with teaching yoga is growing.

Sit
Loka Samosta Sukino Bhavantu

seated twist
table top
paschimotadasana
other side

cat/cow

toe stand

tadasana with reverse prayer

lunge salutes with tiger pose and cobra/updog
cat/cow/barrel
other side

tadasana with reverse prayer
lunge
revolved dog
plank
warrior I
warrior II
peaceful warrior
side angle
twisted ardha chandrasana

uttansana

downdog
body prayer vinyasa

Camel

tadasana with reverse prayer
YAM

other side

downdog
body prayer vinyasa

Camel

tadasana
angeli mudra

repeat standing series with bound twisted ardha chandrasana (!)

balasana

pigeon play
vinyasa
pigeon other side
supine tree

bridge/wheel

baddha konasana

twisted root

supported savasana

sit
OM
Namaste!

Yoga for Recovery 2.13.10

Several new students brand new to yoga showed up with the regular crowd. I was a little nervous; there was a lot going on. We steered clear of vinyasa, which opened up a lot of space. We did less poses and more breathing and meditating. One woman danced a slow groove to the music during all the standing poses which was pretty cool.

Heart opener over bolster
breath awareness
OM
windshield wiper

supine rest

cat
cow
barrel
balasana
puppy dog

downdog

easy side plank

tadasana
side bending
forward fold
other side
wide leg forward fold

tadasana
1/4 sun
1/2 sun

lunge salutes with sphinx/seal


tadasana
OM

lunge
side angle
trikonasana
lunge

other side

windshield wiper

bridge
baddha konasana
bridge
sacrum rest with heart meditation

easy spine twist

supported savasana with guided relaxation

sit

Namaste.

Vinyasa Basics 2.11.10

All women this morning and the sequence had a flow/feminine feeling to it. But there was a also a pronounced element of strength and feminine power. I think it was emitted from mojo of the group who showed up.

sukasana
breath awareness
OM

windshield wiper

eye of the needle

easy side plank
cat/cow/barrel
other side

downdog

tadasana

side stretching with forward fold

lunge salutes with sphinx/seal

tadasana
OM
lunge
warrior I
Eagle
Warrior III
standing spilts

vinyasa

balasana
other side

windshield

bridge
baddha konasana
bridge

sacrum rest with gratitude meditation

twisted root

supported savasana

sit
OM
Namaste