Yoga Snack. Enjoy! 7.30.10

As I used to say In polite social circles from debutant days, I 'had words' with my boyfriend this morning. And on top of that I'm coming down with a cold. Through the practice of yoga I am learning to let uncomfortable and upsetting events like this take more appropriate space in my life. I could have let it wreck my whole morning and gruffed my way through class, but I didn't.

Instead, I took action in my part in the argument, bought some natural cold medicine, and went in to Lulu's with plenty of time to open the windows and doors and let in the beautiful Ojai summer day. I was delighted to see each and everyone who showed up. As we sat in the beginning of class to center ourselves, I tapped into my own truth. I feel lucky to live in Ojai and teach yoga at Lulus. I am enjoying my life.

Just like practicing asana, I have to go through some tight spots to get clear about what actions to take to restore ease.

Sukasana
breath awareness
chin mudra
OM

janushirsasana with twist and side bend
rest
other side

tabletop
paschimotadasana

uttanasana with twist

uttithatadasana
tadasana

easy lunge salutes

lunge
twisted lunge
low lunge
hamstring stretch
cresent

downdog

other side

sphinx
baby cobra
locust
cobra

windshield wiper

balasana

lunge
warrior I dance
standing separate leg forehead to knee
warrior III

other side

pigeon both sides

legs up the wall

savasana

sit
OM
Namaste

Restorative Yoga. Advance Napping. 7.29.10

Thank you to Ashley Lowe for asking me to sub! And thank you for inspiring this sequence. I love all the room, space, and stillness in restorative, practiing and teaching.

Heart opener over brick and bolster
shoulder openers over brick and bolster
rest

windshield wiper
sukasana side bending
rest with chin mudra

supported childs pose

cat/cow release

supine butterfly

side lying rest pose

easy spine twist with blanket support

legs up the wall
supported baddha konasana
savasana with sole support at the wall

sit

Namaste!

Vinyasa Basics: Cultivating Silence. 7.29.10

I am being drawn to a more intimate practice. Ravi Ravindra offers a translation of sutra 1.2 as "Yoga is the cultivation of silence". 12 step programs speak of 'the perpetual quietness of the heart'. The quiet practice appeals to me these days.

Today's class was intimate; a perfect opportunity to practice teaching exactly what I'm trying to know for myself.

Heart opener over bolster and brick

shoulder stretch over bolster and brick

supine rest

windshield wiper

eye of the needle with twist

tailbone awareness

sukasana with side bending

cat
cow
balasana
puppy dog

uttanasana
uttithatadasana
tadasana

meridian massage

lunge
hamstring stretch
low lunge
other side

baby cobra
locust
cobra

balasana

tadasana

lunge
side angle prep
trikonasana
extended side angle
twisted lunge

vinyasa

other side

roll to supine
starfish
YAM
windshield wiper

supported savasana

sit
OM
Namaste!

11th Step Meditation: Hole or Whole? 7.29.10

We are rereading Buddhism and 12 Step Recovery (Zen Center San Francisco). Starting at the beginning today. Sat with a seasoned group this morning. Felt all I had to do was hold the space.

I find this practice is a potent tool for clarity.

Freeform yoga practice 25 min

Sit 20 min

Read 15 min

Share 15 min

sit
Serenity Prayer
OM

Namaste!

Vinyasa Basics: Loosening the Grip. 7.27.10

Ravi Ravindra offered the translation of sutra 1.2 as 'yoga is the cultivation of silence'. I've been offering a quieter practice lately and am feeling much more comfortable with spaces of silence during classes.

Sukasana
breath awareness
ajna awareness
chin mudra
OM

eye of the needle with twist

cat
cow
balasana
puppy dog

plank
downdog

tadasana
OM

lunge
twisted lunge
low lunge

vinyasa
other side

balasana

tadasana
lunge
warrior I dance
eagle
warrior III

vinyasa

other side

balasana

sit
jnana mudra
'Divine wisdom gladdens me and shows me my path"
silent OM

ardha matseyendrasana

supported savasana

sit
OM
namaste

Prototypes Women's Center. Feeling our Prana. 7.26.10

Supine
3 breaths

shoulder openers

sukasana side bending

tadasana
crazy eights

heart tapping with subtle energy play

1/4 sun salutations

kneeling lunge salutes

bridge x 2

twisted root
rest
twisted root
rest

breathing exercise with noticing the bottom of the exhale

savasana

sit
Namaste!

1:1 sign schedules

Prototypes Women's Center. Energy flows where Attention Goes.7.26.10

Technically this wasn't a yoga class, but yogic techniques seep its way into the all the therapy groups I lead. Today's session was inspired by the nostril breath awareness I've been studying with Kira as well as Ravi Ravindra's discussion of 'attention' from his sutra study course. It was not typical of 'counseling track', and I was a little nervous to teach such esoteric exercises. But on the other hand, I feel it could possibly help many on the road to recovery, and who am I to hold information back?

There was a mixed reaction to the session, but most of the classes I teach at Prototypes are, especially when presenting new material.

Relaxing breath exercise

Recall waking moments exercise with discussion.

Rating 5 areas of your life (1-10)
What are you paying attention to?

Nostril breathing exercise
experiential discussion

Journaling exercise (my day so far)

closing check in. One word to describe an area that deserves more attention in your life.

1:1 sign schedules