Vinyasa Basics 3.30.10

Thanks to Mary I played the harmonium in class today. It was super fun. I especially think its nice coming out of savasana and OM'ing to seal the practice.

Did a lot of shoulder work too , which is a departure from the deep hip stretches I've been teaching in the last few months.

OM
sukasana
spine rocking with forward fold
table top
paschimotadasaa
other side

cat
cow
balasana
puppy dog

plank
downdog

easy side plank
barrell roll
other side

lunge salute with twist
sphinx/seal
lunge salute with twist
cobra
locust
locust variation

uttitatadasana
tadasana

lunge
cresent dance
twisted lunge
hammock
eagle arms with Warrior II
Warrior I

vinyasa

other side

balasana

virasana

even cowgirls get the blues

compassion pose

side saddle stretch
side saddle twist

bridge
baddha konasana

easy spine twist

savasaana
sutra 1.1 Atha Yoga Anushasanam

OM
sit
Namaste

Prototypes Treatment Center 3.29.10

Just before our session, one of the women decided she no longer wanted to be in the Prototypes program, and opted to leave treatment. Movement like this upsets the apple cart. Most of the other women were adversely affected..disappointed, scared, angry. A lot of tears, a lot of anger, a lot of distress. I suspect this is highly triggering to women on a subconscious level...the loss of hope, of loosing one of their own. For some of these women, a return to the streets is tantamount to a death sentence. It causes most everybody, myself included, to take a good look at the insidious tug of addiction and an honest look at their own relationship to it.

Leading yoga under these conditions was a challenge. A few of the women were totally defiant and sat in chairs and refused to participate. I didn't make a federal case about it in class, but afterwards told them that was unacceptable behavior and next time they will be kicked out of group. I'm learning how to deal with powerplays and boundary issues.

The majority, however, chose to participate. When there is a lot of tension in the house, I've learned to keep them in their bodies and out of their heads as much as possible. I used a more commanding tone than normal, kept them focused on their own mat, cued deep breathing often, and kept it flowing. This seemed to be effective today.

Check in

Sukasana
easy forward bending
other side

sukasana
easy side bending
table top
paschimotadasana
other side

squat
cowboy negotiation
uttanasana with opposite bending knees

tadasana
uttitha tadasana

shoulder shrugs

shoulder rotation with swamp monster and hallelujah

1/4 sun 5 x
1/2 sun

easy lunge salutes

lunge salutes with sphinx/seal
other side with cobra, locust


tadasana
catcher's arms

flow to floor
bow play
bow

bridge x2

sacrum rest

guided meditation

savasana (brief)

sit
Namaste! (They stayed still and quiet for Namaste!!)

1:1 sign out

Yoga For Recovery 3.27.10

There is a lot of focus at the moment at Lulu's on the sacrum and the svadhisthana chakra. Tonight I started teaching to this new information I am learning. After class I dug out two of my favorite sacred anatomy books, Anatomy of the Spirit (Myss) and Eastern Body Western Mind (Judith) and found very interesting information related to the second chakra and addiciton. I love yoga homework!

Legs up the Wall on bolster

Wall eye of the needle
Wall wide leg stretch
Wall eye of the needle
Wall baddha konasana

supine uttitha tadasana

Wall lunges
Wall twisted lunges

Tadasana

lunge salutes with cobra, locust, locust variation

tadasana
lunge
twisted lunge
hammock
eagle arms
warrior II dance

vinyasa
other side

balasana

pigeon
ardha matseyendra
bridge

other side

sacrum rest
heart meditation

twisted root

savasana

sit
Serenity Prayer

Namaste!

Stiff White Guys 3.27.10

Subbed this class for Kira. I woke up excited to teach SWG and dressed in bright pink!

Taught a L1 vinyasa, with a theme of flowing with joy. Played music softly in the background which is not really 'SWG' but on the otherhand, why not?

A practice like this, and teaching a practice like this would have been impossible 4 years ago. I am forever grateful for Lulu's which has taught me so much as well as given me the space to share what I've learned. I am ticked pink!

Sukasana
breath awareness
OM

eye of the needle

cat
cow
childs with side stretch
puppy dog

plank
downdog

tadasana

simple lunge salutes

lunge salute with sphinx/seal
uttanasana
cowboy negociation

uttitha tadasana
tadasana

lunge salute other side

tadasana
angeli mudra

lunge
side angle blueprint
trikonasana
extended side angle

vinyasa
tadasana
other side

balasana

side saddle stretch
side saddle twist

bridge
baddha konasana
bridge
sacrum rest
heart meditation

savasana
sit
Namaste

Vinyasa Basics 3.25.10

I broke my pattern of breaking the pattern 2nd set standing. I riffed off of the first set. I'm not sure how effective this particular sequence is but I like the play of the second set being a little different than the first. The idea of 'waking up', and feeling alive came pouring out of my mouth today. Perhaps a spillover from meditation from the early class.

I love being back in the studio after being out of town and missing a few classes. Absolutely love it.

Sukasana
anahata centering
angeli mudra
OM

windshield wiper

eye of the needle

cat
cow
balasana with side stretch
puppy dog

plank
downdog

uttanasana
uttitatadasana
tadasana

YAM
lunge salutes with sphinx/seal
lunge salutes with YAM, cobra/locust/bow

tadasana
lunge
side angle prep
triangle
extended side angle
twisted lunge

vinyasa
other side
balasana

tadasana
lunge
side angle prep
warrior II dance
eagle arms
warrior II
peaceful warrior

vinyasa

other side

exiting pigeon
ardha matseyendrasana
bridge

other side

sacrum rest with gratitude meditation

savasana

sit
OM
Namaste!

11th Step Meditation 3.25.10

Full body stretch before meditation this morning. There is a lot of wisdom and authenticity in this group and I love this practice.

Sukasana
3 landing breaths
angeli mudra
3rd step prayer

Sukasana side stretch
other side

cat
cow
balasana with side stretch
puppy dog

all fours twist

malasana
uttanasana

downdog

sphinx/cobra

supine windshield wiper

sit

read

share

sit
OM

Namaste

1:1

By far my most difficult case yet. My boyfriend. I didn't force this on him..its only been four years together with promises he'll start soon. So we started.. In Nashville, TN, on the floor of the hotel gym.

I heard it all in our session.."I"m fat, I"m out of shape, I want my hips to open today, this is a waste of time, this hurts, I'll never be able to do it"..an incessant ranting for about 20 minutes. Then the yoga started to sink in and he quieted down. After it was all over, he said, 'I feel great. Let's do this everyday.' It was mostly the post yoga bliss talking I think.

After our workout I ordered us a nice salad for lunch. The lettuce came fried (no kidding) and covered with bacon and maytag blue cheese crumbles. Oh well, it was a nice try for a healthy post yoga meal. Don't you love the south?

windshield wiper

easy sukasana side bending

wall eye of the needle
wall inner thigh stretch
other side eye of the needle
wall baddha konasana

wall shoulder opener with easy lunge
wall dog
wall shoulder opener with easy lunge other side
wall uttanasana

tandem supported dog pose