Hello! So it has been a long time and a lot has happened (though not near as much yoga as I'd hoped). The biggest event in my life right now is my wife and I's pregnancy. We are 20 weeks in (halfway) and every day gets more exciting. I don't know if 365 classes are going to happen this year, but I will be going to a lot in between baby shopping, doctor visits, and getting our home ready for a little one. So I thought I would check in and briefly talk about three of my recent favorite yoga experiences.
3)Led Zeppelin Rock Asana
So the Rock Asanas by Amsa are always awesome and this one was no different. The music was cool, but I really love anything that brings a bunch of people together in a positive way. Amanda also was able to attend so that made it doubly special. Kimberly also did a very wonderful job of syncing up asanas with the music. Feeling connected with each other and the music was a truly special feeling.
2)Small class with Sara
So big classes have their own energy, but a small class can be cool too. One of the challenges for any teacher is finding a way to balance how they present instruction to students of varying skill levels and experience. In this class Sara took advantage of the size to really push me and her words and adjustments added up to a challenge that was a little more than I thought I could do, but it turns out I had it in me. Thanks for setting the bar high and believing in me.
1)Dynamic Flow with Kimberly
This class actually was just yesterday. It was another rare time when Amanda and I were both able to go together. I have always been inspired by my wife, but her grace and patience during this pregnancy have made me even more appreciative of how special she is. Amanda had a little yoga miracle and managed her first sustained Head Stand during this class and I had a front row seat. I was so proud and happy for her. Thank you Kimberly for coming up with adjustments and alternate poses for Amanda so she can continue her practice during this time in our life.
So that's what it has been like lately. Less classes than I had planned, but I am feeling a bit more yogic than I have in a while. I will try to expand on that next time and will talk about the 100th class once it happens. Till then...
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Class #67-85 With Several Instructors...
So I am still doing yoga. Despite an injury scare here and there (unsafe conditions at Gold's Gym and my competitive nature getting the best of me occasionally) I am still fairly healthy and still very committed to my practice. I am also still hopeful that I will get to 365 by the end of the year. Ten classes behind is not horrible and summer should give me an opportunity to make up some ground. It has obviously been awhile since my last post so here is one the bigger things that have been going on in my head and/or on my mat. I will try to cover some of the other (relatively) interesting events in my next post.
The Great Teacher Training Debate
So Amsa will soon be hosting a teacher training workshop for students looking to become certified instructors or just anyone wanting to deepen their practice. I really, really wanted to participate in it and the decision to not has been a very difficult struggle. At first I thought it was not a possibility at all due to scheduling conflicts with my job as a teacher. Then some of the semester dates changed and it looked like I could do it with only missing two classes. Then I found out there was a weird mandatory retreat that teachers at my job had to go to. This retreat combined with the significant financial commitment I would have to make meant that it probably was not a good idea. Still though, my mind kept racing like a hamster on a wheel as I pondered different scenarios like "If I sold these collectibles and then claimed to be sick..." or "What if I move my exam date and hope the students don't complain and then get to the retreat late..." or "What if I fake my death and then use the insurance money to fund the teacher training...". Despite the lingering appeal of that last option (it solves both the money and the time commitment issues, what could go wrong?) the finality of the situation has sunk in and I am now left examining the way I reacted. There were a lot of reasons why I wanted to be a part of the training and some of them were healthier than others. Let's take a look:
1)I want to get better. That sounds innocuous enough, but the line between self improvement and self punishment can be pretty thin. A part of me was certainly hoping that the training would be a magical shortcut to all the poses that currently feel just out of reach or I don't feel I am doing well enough for whatever reason. I am sure that if I had been able to do the training there would have been improvement in my asanas certainly, but making a decision based on impatience is probably a bad idea.
2)I want to hang out with friends. I have been fortunate enough to make several friendships at Amsa and there are a lot of people there I wish I could spend more time with. Oddly enough, a lot of the students and teachers are a lot more relaxing to be around than most random people I interact with. So I certainly think that the desire to spend my time with other like minded and supportive people is a healthy impulse. However, I am also slightly worried that after the class some of the other students will not like me as much once they are more advanced. I know that sounds crazy out loud, but I am insecure enough that I can't quite banish the nagging doubt.
3)I want to eventually teach. Yoga is a huge part of my life. My profession has been teacher for close to ten years. It seems natural that the two would eventually combine. This blog and conversations with other yogis have convinced me though that teaching needs to come after I have my internal stuff much more together. I strongly believe that every good teacher is passionate about their material and acts as a model for the principles they describe. There is more to Rhetoric than writing papers and there is a heck of a lot more to yoga than the poses.
Hopefully there will be another opportunity in the future for me to participate in teacher training. Until then, there are plenty of opportunities for me to learn and grow and some lessons that only time can teach.
See you soon!
The Great Teacher Training Debate
So Amsa will soon be hosting a teacher training workshop for students looking to become certified instructors or just anyone wanting to deepen their practice. I really, really wanted to participate in it and the decision to not has been a very difficult struggle. At first I thought it was not a possibility at all due to scheduling conflicts with my job as a teacher. Then some of the semester dates changed and it looked like I could do it with only missing two classes. Then I found out there was a weird mandatory retreat that teachers at my job had to go to. This retreat combined with the significant financial commitment I would have to make meant that it probably was not a good idea. Still though, my mind kept racing like a hamster on a wheel as I pondered different scenarios like "If I sold these collectibles and then claimed to be sick..." or "What if I move my exam date and hope the students don't complain and then get to the retreat late..." or "What if I fake my death and then use the insurance money to fund the teacher training...". Despite the lingering appeal of that last option (it solves both the money and the time commitment issues, what could go wrong?) the finality of the situation has sunk in and I am now left examining the way I reacted. There were a lot of reasons why I wanted to be a part of the training and some of them were healthier than others. Let's take a look:
1)I want to get better. That sounds innocuous enough, but the line between self improvement and self punishment can be pretty thin. A part of me was certainly hoping that the training would be a magical shortcut to all the poses that currently feel just out of reach or I don't feel I am doing well enough for whatever reason. I am sure that if I had been able to do the training there would have been improvement in my asanas certainly, but making a decision based on impatience is probably a bad idea.
2)I want to hang out with friends. I have been fortunate enough to make several friendships at Amsa and there are a lot of people there I wish I could spend more time with. Oddly enough, a lot of the students and teachers are a lot more relaxing to be around than most random people I interact with. So I certainly think that the desire to spend my time with other like minded and supportive people is a healthy impulse. However, I am also slightly worried that after the class some of the other students will not like me as much once they are more advanced. I know that sounds crazy out loud, but I am insecure enough that I can't quite banish the nagging doubt.
3)I want to eventually teach. Yoga is a huge part of my life. My profession has been teacher for close to ten years. It seems natural that the two would eventually combine. This blog and conversations with other yogis have convinced me though that teaching needs to come after I have my internal stuff much more together. I strongly believe that every good teacher is passionate about their material and acts as a model for the principles they describe. There is more to Rhetoric than writing papers and there is a heck of a lot more to yoga than the poses.
Hopefully there will be another opportunity in the future for me to participate in teacher training. Until then, there are plenty of opportunities for me to learn and grow and some lessons that only time can teach.
See you soon!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Class #64-66 Yogalicious in Spartanburg with Monica and Marie
I recently went home to Spartanburg to visit my family during Spring Break. Recently, when I am back in my home town, I go check out the local yoga studio called Yogalicious. While it is not the little slice of Nirvana that is Amsa, it is fairly friendly and has its own quirky charms. Spartanburg is putting a lot of effort into revitalizing its downtown and so several older buildings have been re-purposed into different contemporary businesses. Yogalicious is part of this effort and is located inside an old building that I think used to be some sort of factory. It is bright and cheery inside the studio itself, but if you enter from one side of the building, it is like walking through a burnt out husk in some sort of post apocalyptic future. If anyone has seen the movie "9" I think Yogalicious is the kind of sanctuary the little rag people would use to do yoga in and recharge in-between dodging the war machine animals.
Anyways, I went to three very different classes and conveniently enough, learned three good lessons
. The first one was a yoga basics class that I was able to persuade my mom to join me in. I have previously taken classes with my brother and my wife and it is always a really special experience to share yoga with someone you care about. My mom taught me a really important lesson in this class. I often get frustrated when I can not do some of the poses, especially if it seems like everyone else is nailing it. My mom could not do around half of the poses since she was a true beginner and a little out of shape from her hectic life. At the end of the class though, she gave me a hug and told me how excited and happy she was to have done so much in her first class. I may have been stretching my body farther than her, but her heart was definitely opened wider than mine.
The second class I went to was Ashtanga style, fast paced with the heat cranked up. I didn't really learn something new during that class, but I found out something right afterwards that made me re-evaluate some of my foolish earlier decisions. In the yoga basics class I took with my mom, almost everyone was either a little older or out of shape or both. I consider myself to be out of shape also by the way. The instructor gave us fairly basic poses which makes sense given the class composition and the title of the class. However, one person on the mat next to me would consistently do more advanced variations with the instructor's encouragement. I was a little miffed since it was not like these variations were being offered to the class as a whole. Additionally, my cursory evaluation of the student had them pegged as a relative beginner due to appearance and the way they did one of the early poses (I think it was half moon). I really had to struggle to not attempt the more advanced variations even though clearly they were not being offered to me. On one pose, I even did the variation I am used to and was adjusted back into a simpler form. So I found out later that the "student" was actually another instructor at the studio. Even if they had not been though, there are so many things wrong with my attitude and decision making process here. I let circumstances outside my mat mess up what I was doing. I could have hurt myself. I disrespected the instructor by not following her instructions. I also judged someone I don't know based on a quick couple glances and their one momentary wobble in one pose. Judging is a bad practice in general and it was sloppy judgement at that. Lastly, the whole experience impacted my focus not just at the time, but during a subsequent class as well. I don't know if it makes it better or worse, but I know in my head not to do stuff like this. Just got to breath and take advantage of the opportunity the next practice offers.
My third class was a fun one and I didn't act like a petulant toddler, so that's a plus... It was a hour long yoga for lunch kinda standard class with a few neat twists. We had out mats set up as crosses and did a lot of transitions from lunges to straddles thanks to the additional padded space. The instructor, Marie, was very hands on and gave us all a lot of adjustments and opportunities to repeat poses until we made some improvement and could replicate it. We did some asanas a little different than I am used to with an overall emphasis on opening up and never rounding. I don't think I would want it to be the style I always had to do, but as a change of pace and a learning experience it was great. So I learned (or technically had reinforced I suppose) that new experiences can be fun and the more open you are, the more you can learn and enjoy.
So that was my little trip into the land of the licious. I will be back soon with more Amsa and maybe I can even get back to one class at a time...
Anyways, I went to three very different classes and conveniently enough, learned three good lessons
. The first one was a yoga basics class that I was able to persuade my mom to join me in. I have previously taken classes with my brother and my wife and it is always a really special experience to share yoga with someone you care about. My mom taught me a really important lesson in this class. I often get frustrated when I can not do some of the poses, especially if it seems like everyone else is nailing it. My mom could not do around half of the poses since she was a true beginner and a little out of shape from her hectic life. At the end of the class though, she gave me a hug and told me how excited and happy she was to have done so much in her first class. I may have been stretching my body farther than her, but her heart was definitely opened wider than mine.
The second class I went to was Ashtanga style, fast paced with the heat cranked up. I didn't really learn something new during that class, but I found out something right afterwards that made me re-evaluate some of my foolish earlier decisions. In the yoga basics class I took with my mom, almost everyone was either a little older or out of shape or both. I consider myself to be out of shape also by the way. The instructor gave us fairly basic poses which makes sense given the class composition and the title of the class. However, one person on the mat next to me would consistently do more advanced variations with the instructor's encouragement. I was a little miffed since it was not like these variations were being offered to the class as a whole. Additionally, my cursory evaluation of the student had them pegged as a relative beginner due to appearance and the way they did one of the early poses (I think it was half moon). I really had to struggle to not attempt the more advanced variations even though clearly they were not being offered to me. On one pose, I even did the variation I am used to and was adjusted back into a simpler form. So I found out later that the "student" was actually another instructor at the studio. Even if they had not been though, there are so many things wrong with my attitude and decision making process here. I let circumstances outside my mat mess up what I was doing. I could have hurt myself. I disrespected the instructor by not following her instructions. I also judged someone I don't know based on a quick couple glances and their one momentary wobble in one pose. Judging is a bad practice in general and it was sloppy judgement at that. Lastly, the whole experience impacted my focus not just at the time, but during a subsequent class as well. I don't know if it makes it better or worse, but I know in my head not to do stuff like this. Just got to breath and take advantage of the opportunity the next practice offers.
My third class was a fun one and I didn't act like a petulant toddler, so that's a plus... It was a hour long yoga for lunch kinda standard class with a few neat twists. We had out mats set up as crosses and did a lot of transitions from lunges to straddles thanks to the additional padded space. The instructor, Marie, was very hands on and gave us all a lot of adjustments and opportunities to repeat poses until we made some improvement and could replicate it. We did some asanas a little different than I am used to with an overall emphasis on opening up and never rounding. I don't think I would want it to be the style I always had to do, but as a change of pace and a learning experience it was great. So I learned (or technically had reinforced I suppose) that new experiences can be fun and the more open you are, the more you can learn and enjoy.
So that was my little trip into the land of the licious. I will be back soon with more Amsa and maybe I can even get back to one class at a time...
Monday, March 14, 2011
Class #51-63 With Kimberly, Sara, Anne, Shannon and Eeyore?!
So in case you were wondering, I didn't die or quit yoga. The long delay has been due to two (that's fun to say, try it, due to two, due to two...)factors. Life has been overwhelmingly busy lately and I have been trying to find a way to express some yoga related internal struggles without sounding like either a spoiled brat or Hobbes (the Leviathan author, not the stuffed tiger). Basically, I have some self image problems and a lot of trust issues. Yoga is actually helping with both of those, but the process can sometimes be a painful one. As briefly as possible, I am not a big fan of myself and often feel compelled to compete to "make up" for how inadequate I feel. Of course that does not really fix anything. So even in yoga I find myself really wanting to do flashy poses and beat myself up when I am not making as much progress as I would like. The inconsistency of my body and what poses are available day in and day out is also a source or much frustration. Some days I am able to laugh at myself in a healthy way, mentally shrug at my misplaced priorities and then get refocus. Too many times I find myself glancing around the room and comparing or "competing" with my fellow students. Aside from the obvious physical health risks of pushing too hard to get into a pose I am not ready for, there is a lot of mental damage being done by tying my self worth with what I can do on my mat.
Thankfully, Amsa is a place to grow not only physically, but mentally and even spiritually. I am not going to go into the whole yoga as religion or religion substitute debate right now (though I have thought a lot about it) but I will say that I feel introspection and a careful examination of the choices we make in our daily lives is a logical progression as a person deepens their practice. So basically, I am saying that I have been making some pretty poor yoga related choices, but I am aware of these choices and I am also aware that simply being depressed or angry about those choices is not productive. I have been receiving a lot of good counsel recently and I think some of it is slowly sinking into my head. There is so much more to learn incorporate at Amsa than the asanas. Hopefully I can listen and absorb the wisdom available to me. My inner voice sounds a lot like the eternally pessimistic Eeyore right now, but it is pretty loud in there and who knows what I may find if I can still my thoughts. My wife Amanda recently told me that I am full of Pooh (I can only assume she meant the lovable happy bear. I thought asking for clarification might not be a good idea). Here's hoping that a grand adventure is just around the corner...
Thankfully, Amsa is a place to grow not only physically, but mentally and even spiritually. I am not going to go into the whole yoga as religion or religion substitute debate right now (though I have thought a lot about it) but I will say that I feel introspection and a careful examination of the choices we make in our daily lives is a logical progression as a person deepens their practice. So basically, I am saying that I have been making some pretty poor yoga related choices, but I am aware of these choices and I am also aware that simply being depressed or angry about those choices is not productive. I have been receiving a lot of good counsel recently and I think some of it is slowly sinking into my head. There is so much more to learn incorporate at Amsa than the asanas. Hopefully I can listen and absorb the wisdom available to me. My inner voice sounds a lot like the eternally pessimistic Eeyore right now, but it is pretty loud in there and who knows what I may find if I can still my thoughts. My wife Amanda recently told me that I am full of Pooh (I can only assume she meant the lovable happy bear. I thought asking for clarification might not be a good idea). Here's hoping that a grand adventure is just around the corner...
Friday, February 25, 2011
Class # 50 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
Well it took a little longer than I would have hoped, but 50 yoga classes is still pretty cool. No anger or melancholy this time, just thankfulness for all the friends I have supporting me and the great instructors I have helping me get better every class. You guys all rock! Since it is a bit of a milestone I am going to do the top five lessons I have learned so far so I (and others too I suppose) can look back later and have a snapshot of where I was at after class # 50.
1) It all comes back to the breath. The asanas are great and I really enjoy how they make me feel, but without the flow of the breath it is just not the same. I have had one class where I had halfway decent breath and it is a whole other level than yoga without good breath.
2) Yoga for me is all about connecting with others. I have met so many nice and nurturing people through yoga that it actually has shifted my perception of people in general a few percentage points. I know ultimately I am the only one who can choose to practice and push myself to go deeper, but knowing there are others around me who I like and respect makes me want to take this journey as far as I can.
3) Amsa Yoga is a very special place. You may not know this about me if you know me through yoga, but I can be kind of a grumpy guy. Reality often falls short of my expectations. But class after class, the instructors at Amsa just keep helping me and the others students improve our bodies and minds with their knowledge and above all, their giving spirits. They "namaste"d me when I could not namaste myself. Thank you.
4) Every day, every class, every pose is different. Someday I am going to internalize this. For now I just have to keep reminding myself that yoga is a winding road and not a straight path up a mountain. Some days certain poses and variations will be available and some days they will be not. All I can is give it my all and make peace with what is not safely attainable.
5) It is okay to smile. Yoga and life can be fun even if you are trying really hard. Funny things happen and they should be accepted as gifts and not scornfully discarded. If you can't laugh and share with those around you, what's the point?
Well that's what I have gotten out of yoga so far. Thanks for reading and feel free to stick around for the next 300 or so...
P.S. Thanks Kimberly for helping with my half moon pose today and for your patience in general. Yoga Explosion!
1) It all comes back to the breath. The asanas are great and I really enjoy how they make me feel, but without the flow of the breath it is just not the same. I have had one class where I had halfway decent breath and it is a whole other level than yoga without good breath.
2) Yoga for me is all about connecting with others. I have met so many nice and nurturing people through yoga that it actually has shifted my perception of people in general a few percentage points. I know ultimately I am the only one who can choose to practice and push myself to go deeper, but knowing there are others around me who I like and respect makes me want to take this journey as far as I can.
3) Amsa Yoga is a very special place. You may not know this about me if you know me through yoga, but I can be kind of a grumpy guy. Reality often falls short of my expectations. But class after class, the instructors at Amsa just keep helping me and the others students improve our bodies and minds with their knowledge and above all, their giving spirits. They "namaste"d me when I could not namaste myself. Thank you.
4) Every day, every class, every pose is different. Someday I am going to internalize this. For now I just have to keep reminding myself that yoga is a winding road and not a straight path up a mountain. Some days certain poses and variations will be available and some days they will be not. All I can is give it my all and make peace with what is not safely attainable.
5) It is okay to smile. Yoga and life can be fun even if you are trying really hard. Funny things happen and they should be accepted as gifts and not scornfully discarded. If you can't laugh and share with those around you, what's the point?
Well that's what I have gotten out of yoga so far. Thanks for reading and feel free to stick around for the next 300 or so...
P.S. Thanks Kimberly for helping with my half moon pose today and for your patience in general. Yoga Explosion!
Class #49 Slow Mindful Flow with Sara
This class was a little weird but wound up going really well. Begin Giant TangentYoga seems to be largely mental. At the very least, my personal practice has wild fluctuations that I attribute mostly to my fluctuating mental states. So shortly before this class started I was a bit put out by some actions that I would consider faux pas. I won't go into them other than to say the person I was offended by is not anyone that you would know if you are reading this. If my act was better together than I would not have been annoyed in the first place or even if I was annoyed, I would have been able to simply note it, detach, and continue on. Neither of those things happened. Instead I wound up in a mental place I have not been in awhile. As I have mentioned before, I used to be very competitive and active with a variety of mental pursuits you can play in tournament settings. Most of the times I have been successful, I have had a bit of a chip on my shoulder and played mad but focused. Since I have gotten into yoga, it's not really a frame of mind that I have had that often and I am fine with that. Yoga has helped me be a kinder and more patient person and if that takes a bit of my competitive edge away, that is a good trade for both me and my loved ones. Anyways, for whatever reason I found myself practicing this class mad but focused. End Giant Tangent
Good: Welcome back Standing Forward Bend Uttanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/478 ! An old favorite was back and better than ever as I got the palms of my hands on the floor next to my feet. I don't remember doing that before. While it is more than possible that I have found a way to mess up one of the simplest poses in yoga, for now I am pumped that I made some progress.
Bad: Aside from my omnipresent breathing issues I am pretty much okay with how most of the asanas went. I had some trouble keeping balance and had to come out in one side of Dancer Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/936 but if you had told me a couple months ago that I could do it at all I would have just laughed. I also just took a breath and got ready for whatever would come next, which is a better response than I usually have when I mess up.
Yummy: I am definitely getting into a better rhythm with Sara. It is hard for me to explain, but some of the focuses and transitions make more sense to my body now that I am a little more flexible. It's kinda like rereading a good book. You get some fun stuff the first time or two through and then you get some really cool details and additional layers of depth later on. I also really appreciate the adjustments she gave that helped me maximize some of the stretches and twists we got into.
So check back soon for #50 and wish me luck as I try to make some ground up this weekend.
Good: Welcome back Standing Forward Bend Uttanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/478 ! An old favorite was back and better than ever as I got the palms of my hands on the floor next to my feet. I don't remember doing that before. While it is more than possible that I have found a way to mess up one of the simplest poses in yoga, for now I am pumped that I made some progress.
Bad: Aside from my omnipresent breathing issues I am pretty much okay with how most of the asanas went. I had some trouble keeping balance and had to come out in one side of Dancer Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/936 but if you had told me a couple months ago that I could do it at all I would have just laughed. I also just took a breath and got ready for whatever would come next, which is a better response than I usually have when I mess up.
Yummy: I am definitely getting into a better rhythm with Sara. It is hard for me to explain, but some of the focuses and transitions make more sense to my body now that I am a little more flexible. It's kinda like rereading a good book. You get some fun stuff the first time or two through and then you get some really cool details and additional layers of depth later on. I also really appreciate the adjustments she gave that helped me maximize some of the stretches and twists we got into.
So check back soon for #50 and wish me luck as I try to make some ground up this weekend.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Class #48 Yoga for Lunch with Anne
Mmmm. Lunch yoga! I missed Pam's "breakfast" yoga so I was plenty hungry to stock up on some yummy
asanas before heading off to teach. Luckily, Anne was there to dish out some heaping helpings of delicious twists and wholesome core strength builders. Dang it, I have got to stop writing these when I am hungry or learn to make better metaphors. Anyways, here are some of the highlights:
Good: I am sure we have done it before, but I do not remember Shiva Twist PARIVRTTA NATARAJASANA in previous classes. Old or new, it is pretty sweet and definitely fun. Curiously, yoga journal does not seem to have a picture of it. I suppose it is possible I am misspelling it, but it's such a simple phrase...
Bad: Half Moon Ardha Chandrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784 has been one of my favorite poses for awhile, but like a delicate flower it seems to require a lot of love and attention to stay healthy and beautiful. Whenever I neglect half moon it wilts until I give it the time and attention it deserves. So I got through one Half Moon, but my other side was off kilter and wonky (that's an advanced technical yoga term). It's okay, I missed you Half Moon and we'll get you wholly back together in no time.
Yummy: Just really digging Anne's classes and especially the transitions lately. I am sure all the twists we did had nothing to do with how much I enjoyed it... It was also cool to see Queen of Broccoli and all around green thumber Christine. Good times all around.
Getting close to #50. Keeping the dream alive. See you soon!
asanas before heading off to teach. Luckily, Anne was there to dish out some heaping helpings of delicious twists and wholesome core strength builders. Dang it, I have got to stop writing these when I am hungry or learn to make better metaphors. Anyways, here are some of the highlights:
Good: I am sure we have done it before, but I do not remember Shiva Twist PARIVRTTA NATARAJASANA in previous classes. Old or new, it is pretty sweet and definitely fun. Curiously, yoga journal does not seem to have a picture of it. I suppose it is possible I am misspelling it, but it's such a simple phrase...
Bad: Half Moon Ardha Chandrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784 has been one of my favorite poses for awhile, but like a delicate flower it seems to require a lot of love and attention to stay healthy and beautiful. Whenever I neglect half moon it wilts until I give it the time and attention it deserves. So I got through one Half Moon, but my other side was off kilter and wonky (that's an advanced technical yoga term). It's okay, I missed you Half Moon and we'll get you wholly back together in no time.
Yummy: Just really digging Anne's classes and especially the transitions lately. I am sure all the twists we did had nothing to do with how much I enjoyed it... It was also cool to see Queen of Broccoli and all around green thumber Christine. Good times all around.
Getting close to #50. Keeping the dream alive. See you soon!
Class #47 Deep Stretch Yoga with Sara
No jokes this times, just a wonderful class with Sara that I actually remember what happened in. Let's get to it!
Good: Can't...Get...Enough...Triangles. Regular, reversed, left side, right side, in the rain, on a train, something about twisting and extending is just wonderful for me. That's it, I'm going to go do a couple right now.
Okay, I'm back. Just to clarify, my triangles still need work and I am very appreciative of the adjustments Sara gave me in this class. They are just so fun and simple like reverse bon bons that make your body better instead of worse while still being oh so delicious.
Bad: Child's Pose Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/475 on the other hand, continues to be an issue for me. My tummy, gender, and overall tightness combine to frequently make this "resting pose" a source of frustration for me. Wah, wah, wah, I know. I can't (or won't, I suppose) do much about one of those problems, but a tighter tummy is certainly something I can and will work on and breathing work should eventually pay dividends with tightness. Be warned, child's pose, I conquered hero's pose and I am coming for you next.
Yummy: So I got to hang out with Elizabeth which is always fun and we even did wheels together. Go Elizabeth! You rock and I really appreciate the encouragement you have given me. Super cool Katie was also there and has decided on her special phrase. Check out the cast of characters for the latest addition and keep an eye out in the future for other fun new people I am getting to know better through the power of yoga and specifically the wonderful community at Amsa.
Good: Can't...Get...Enough...Triangles. Regular, reversed, left side, right side, in the rain, on a train, something about twisting and extending is just wonderful for me. That's it, I'm going to go do a couple right now.
Okay, I'm back. Just to clarify, my triangles still need work and I am very appreciative of the adjustments Sara gave me in this class. They are just so fun and simple like reverse bon bons that make your body better instead of worse while still being oh so delicious.
Bad: Child's Pose Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/475 on the other hand, continues to be an issue for me. My tummy, gender, and overall tightness combine to frequently make this "resting pose" a source of frustration for me. Wah, wah, wah, I know. I can't (or won't, I suppose) do much about one of those problems, but a tighter tummy is certainly something I can and will work on and breathing work should eventually pay dividends with tightness. Be warned, child's pose, I conquered hero's pose and I am coming for you next.
Yummy: So I got to hang out with Elizabeth which is always fun and we even did wheels together. Go Elizabeth! You rock and I really appreciate the encouragement you have given me. Super cool Katie was also there and has decided on her special phrase. Check out the cast of characters for the latest addition and keep an eye out in the future for other fun new people I am getting to know better through the power of yoga and specifically the wonderful community at Amsa.
Class #45, 46 Yoga for Lunch with Anne and Gentle Yoga with Pam
Okay, so my life got super hectic and I misplaced my notes for these classes. All I remember is being frustrated I couldn't breath better and the oddity of having more guys than girls in Anne's classes. On the plus side, I went on a little trip immediately after Pam's class (left for the mountains approximately 11 minutes after class got out). I have a couple yogic anecdotes from that trip and some wonderfully bad yoga puns composed by either me or my wife during the drive.
I have been pretty frustrated about breathing lately aside from one transcendent class with Kimberly where I managed to keep breathing almost the whole time. I can do okay if the instructor reminds us during each pose when to inhale and exhale. Thanks for the training wheels. Someday I will learn to go solo, I promise. Anyways, we went on a couple walks and a fairly long hike up in the mountains and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could breath really well if I kept ting my breath to my steps. I know I would have been out of breath quickly if I had undergone the same exertion pre-yoga. Ahh yoga, it makes everything better (kinda like Texas Pete hot sauce only not as sticky). So instead of having to focus on getting enough oxygen and having to make a bunch of stops, I got to just enjoy the moment and be present in the beauty of nature.
Also while up in the mountains I was lucky enough to be staying at place with a beautiful view from its front yard. So each morning I would get up and greet the day with some downward dogs, warriors of various descriptions and too many triangles to count. I also found that a good way to ensure good from in chatturanga/ up dog, plank, down dog vinyasa is to just practice without a mat on some dewy grass. No belly scraping here. You also can not really get frustrated with yourself while drinking in the mountain air and little birdies are hopping around and singing to you.
Lastly here are some of the best (or worst depending on your temperament) yoga puns we came up with:
What kind of vehicle did the yogis take to the retreat?
An Omnibus...
Why did the advanced yoga teacher not have to wear a life jacket when out on the lake?
She had mastered boat pose...
Why did the yoga teacher give all her students squeaky toys and tennis balls?
She wanted to improve their down dogs...
Why did the yoga student always go to a Longhorn Restaurant after yoga class?
Her instructor ended each class by telling her to Nom-A-Steak...
And Finally,
Why did the yoga teacher have to hide all through Christmas?
She had gotten stuck in Bow pose...
No yoga jokes next time. I Promise. : )
I have been pretty frustrated about breathing lately aside from one transcendent class with Kimberly where I managed to keep breathing almost the whole time. I can do okay if the instructor reminds us during each pose when to inhale and exhale. Thanks for the training wheels. Someday I will learn to go solo, I promise. Anyways, we went on a couple walks and a fairly long hike up in the mountains and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could breath really well if I kept ting my breath to my steps. I know I would have been out of breath quickly if I had undergone the same exertion pre-yoga. Ahh yoga, it makes everything better (kinda like Texas Pete hot sauce only not as sticky). So instead of having to focus on getting enough oxygen and having to make a bunch of stops, I got to just enjoy the moment and be present in the beauty of nature.
Also while up in the mountains I was lucky enough to be staying at place with a beautiful view from its front yard. So each morning I would get up and greet the day with some downward dogs, warriors of various descriptions and too many triangles to count. I also found that a good way to ensure good from in chatturanga/ up dog, plank, down dog vinyasa is to just practice without a mat on some dewy grass. No belly scraping here. You also can not really get frustrated with yourself while drinking in the mountain air and little birdies are hopping around and singing to you.
Lastly here are some of the best (or worst depending on your temperament) yoga puns we came up with:
What kind of vehicle did the yogis take to the retreat?
An Omnibus...
Why did the advanced yoga teacher not have to wear a life jacket when out on the lake?
She had mastered boat pose...
Why did the yoga teacher give all her students squeaky toys and tennis balls?
She wanted to improve their down dogs...
Why did the yoga student always go to a Longhorn Restaurant after yoga class?
Her instructor ended each class by telling her to Nom-A-Steak...
And Finally,
Why did the yoga teacher have to hide all through Christmas?
She had gotten stuck in Bow pose...
No yoga jokes next time. I Promise. : )
Class #44 Deep Stretch Yoga with Sara
Well I didn't breath as well as I would have hoped in this class considering the last one, but it was still an improvement over my normal level so I'll take it. I had some trouble focusing overall and kept thinking about work problems. Sorry for not being more mindful and focused on the moment Sara. : ( Here is what I remember from my scattered thoughts:
Good: So I don't know the name of it, but I look like the girl in Christina's World by Wyeth (I really need a haircut and to get off the farm...) I am loving twists right now. It's silly, but if an instructor describes a pose as a twist, I breath a little better and unclench some of my muscles. The mind is a weird wonderful thing.
Bad: Maybe I can get Sara to call it Pigeon Twist instead of Eka Pada Rajakapotasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/863 cause that pigeon has definitely pooped on my psyche and is roosting in my head. I know I can have a decent pigeon because I have had them before and I am certainly more limber now than I have been in the past. If I could just find a way to relax I would be back to being the king of pigeons (or at least minor nobility of some sort) in no time.
Yummy: My savasana was pretty good. I know it's not sleep but mine seem to go a lot better if I am a little tired when I get to it. I felt super refreshed after the class was over and ready to see a better tomorrow. Thanks Sara!
Good: So I don't know the name of it, but I look like the girl in Christina's World by Wyeth (I really need a haircut and to get off the farm...) I am loving twists right now. It's silly, but if an instructor describes a pose as a twist, I breath a little better and unclench some of my muscles. The mind is a weird wonderful thing.
Bad: Maybe I can get Sara to call it Pigeon Twist instead of Eka Pada Rajakapotasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/863 cause that pigeon has definitely pooped on my psyche and is roosting in my head. I know I can have a decent pigeon because I have had them before and I am certainly more limber now than I have been in the past. If I could just find a way to relax I would be back to being the king of pigeons (or at least minor nobility of some sort) in no time.
Yummy: My savasana was pretty good. I know it's not sleep but mine seem to go a lot better if I am a little tired when I get to it. I felt super refreshed after the class was over and ready to see a better tomorrow. Thanks Sara!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Class# 43 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
I am so excited about this class. I feel like I had a mini breakthrough. Kimberly really emphasized the breath (as she often does) and I was able to do a much better job of breathing throughout. The poses really do come after the breath and not before it. I tried to just breath and let what was going to happen, happen and I was in a much better place mentally than I usually am. Hmm, I guess I am already in the "Good" so I'm going to drop down there and give some more detail.
({{{}}})
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Good: That was my attempt at happy shower drops by the way. So every day and every class is a new opportunity and recently I have been a bit frustrated (as you may have noticed) with how lacking my breath is. I have been coming at the problem from wrong angles though. Beating myself up doesn't really work. Obsessing over how good everyone else's breath is doesn't work. Even fixating over how my breath sounds does not really get at the heart of the matter. I wish there was a non-cliched way to say to say this, but deciding to "Just Breathe" seems to be the key. I took long deep even breaths and when I didn't for whatever reason, I used that opportunity to...
take a long deep breath. I don't know if my poses looked better or worse, but they certainly felt better and less stressful while I did them (yes I get stressed during yoga but not as much as I have before).
Bad: I am not even that upset about the bad, my old nemesis Seated Forward Bend Paschimottanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/477 I don't usually get that far without aid of some sort like a strap or grabbing my legs and trying to wrench myself down. I am pretty sure this is not what the pose is about anyways, but rather gracefully stretching and lowering the torso without crumpling. So when I had hit a wall, Kimberly came over and gently but firmly helped me push through and after she left I was actually able to go even further. It would be great if I could do this unassisted, but I am still really happy with how it wound up and my prospects for the future.
Yummy: So much yum that day... Breathing makes everything better. The adjustments were wonderful. There is really an art to helping people find where they can go without pushing too far. Kimberly, you are a talented artist. The music was also especially cool with some really good songs that fit with the love theme of the class without being sappy (not that there is anything wrong with that. Yum, yum, yum. it was like eating some home made brownies without the guilt!
Okay, so now I just need to keep breathing and not get cocky. Wish me luck!
({{{}}})
. . .
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Good: That was my attempt at happy shower drops by the way. So every day and every class is a new opportunity and recently I have been a bit frustrated (as you may have noticed) with how lacking my breath is. I have been coming at the problem from wrong angles though. Beating myself up doesn't really work. Obsessing over how good everyone else's breath is doesn't work. Even fixating over how my breath sounds does not really get at the heart of the matter. I wish there was a non-cliched way to say to say this, but deciding to "Just Breathe" seems to be the key. I took long deep even breaths and when I didn't for whatever reason, I used that opportunity to...
take a long deep breath. I don't know if my poses looked better or worse, but they certainly felt better and less stressful while I did them (yes I get stressed during yoga but not as much as I have before).
Bad: I am not even that upset about the bad, my old nemesis Seated Forward Bend Paschimottanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/477 I don't usually get that far without aid of some sort like a strap or grabbing my legs and trying to wrench myself down. I am pretty sure this is not what the pose is about anyways, but rather gracefully stretching and lowering the torso without crumpling. So when I had hit a wall, Kimberly came over and gently but firmly helped me push through and after she left I was actually able to go even further. It would be great if I could do this unassisted, but I am still really happy with how it wound up and my prospects for the future.
Yummy: So much yum that day... Breathing makes everything better. The adjustments were wonderful. There is really an art to helping people find where they can go without pushing too far. Kimberly, you are a talented artist. The music was also especially cool with some really good songs that fit with the love theme of the class without being sappy (not that there is anything wrong with that. Yum, yum, yum. it was like eating some home made brownies without the guilt!
Okay, so now I just need to keep breathing and not get cocky. Wish me luck!
Class #42 Hot Vinyasa Yoga with Kimberly
So as people may or may not know, I lost a good deal a weight and bad cholesterol through yoga and some diet changes. Unfortunately, I have managed to put five or so pounds back on despite actually going to more classes than I used to. My school schedule has been making it rough to eat healthy and I also have not been able to make it to as many of the hot and/or fast paced classes lately. Anyways, it was great to go to one of the classes that I have really happy associations with. Heat+moving=progress in my mind still. I got there just in time after oversleeping again. (I am trying out the special lights that are supposed to help with energy during winter time.) My body seemed really confused because I kept trying to yawn while being out of breath. I basically made weird fishy sounds. Sorry nice new guy that was next to me. I hope I didn't scare you with my glubs. So aside from being happy, nostalgic, and fishy how did it go? Let's see...
Good: The basic sequence of down dog, plank and chaturanga is something that comes up a lot both in class and in my home practice. There is always room to grow but I have been trying really hard to breath better during that time and it is starting to pay dividends. My mind is in a good place where I am neither complacent nor panicked. Hopefully that little acorn of mindfulness and a few others I have in some scattered poses can grow together into a healthy forest of not sucking...
Bad: Oh Extended Side Angle Utthita Parsvakonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/749 what am I going to do with you? I still feel like I am stuck in between variations for this pose. I like the way my body feels when I am in this pose and my forearm near my elbow is pressed right behind my knee. My mind, however, will not shut up about how I should be doing it the way a lot of other people are and how it is in the picture I linked to. However, I don't feel stable and my "lines" don't feel right when I try it that way. The deal I have made with my ego lately has been that as long as the pose I am in can strengthen and prepare me for future poses then I don't have to beat myself up as much. Since, that does not really seem to be the case with this pose, I am having a lot of trouble making my peace with it.
Yummy: On a happier note there is a pose we did that I keep meaning to talk about that i just love. There is not a name for it that I have heard but Amanda has dubbed it "Happy Boulder". Kinda like in Happy Baby Ananda Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2497 you are on your back but instead of reaching for your feet and drawing them down with knees bent, you just hug your knees into your chest and wrap your arms around them, then rock back and forth. To the casual observer, you look a lot like a tiny boulder and if you are smiling (and really how can you not?) then you are a happy boulder!
Next class description is almost done. See you soon everyone!
Good: The basic sequence of down dog, plank and chaturanga is something that comes up a lot both in class and in my home practice. There is always room to grow but I have been trying really hard to breath better during that time and it is starting to pay dividends. My mind is in a good place where I am neither complacent nor panicked. Hopefully that little acorn of mindfulness and a few others I have in some scattered poses can grow together into a healthy forest of not sucking...
Bad: Oh Extended Side Angle Utthita Parsvakonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/749 what am I going to do with you? I still feel like I am stuck in between variations for this pose. I like the way my body feels when I am in this pose and my forearm near my elbow is pressed right behind my knee. My mind, however, will not shut up about how I should be doing it the way a lot of other people are and how it is in the picture I linked to. However, I don't feel stable and my "lines" don't feel right when I try it that way. The deal I have made with my ego lately has been that as long as the pose I am in can strengthen and prepare me for future poses then I don't have to beat myself up as much. Since, that does not really seem to be the case with this pose, I am having a lot of trouble making my peace with it.
Yummy: On a happier note there is a pose we did that I keep meaning to talk about that i just love. There is not a name for it that I have heard but Amanda has dubbed it "Happy Boulder". Kinda like in Happy Baby Ananda Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2497 you are on your back but instead of reaching for your feet and drawing them down with knees bent, you just hug your knees into your chest and wrap your arms around them, then rock back and forth. To the casual observer, you look a lot like a tiny boulder and if you are smiling (and really how can you not?) then you are a happy boulder!
Next class description is almost done. See you soon everyone!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Class #41 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
Going to this class helped some after my horrible experience at Gold's. I actually usually have a Friday evening commitment, but I cancelled since I wasn't feeling up to it or the driving I would need to do. I was still a little dizzy, but my wonderful wife Amanda drove me to yoga and practiced next to me, keeping an eye on me to make sure I was okay.
Good: I used to dread Chair pose Utkatasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/493 but now I kind of like it. I am not excited about doing it, but I have made my peace with it and when it is time for chair I do chair. The overall sequence that involves chair and uttanasana and stretching up with arms overhead is definitely fun. Of course, anything and uttanasana is pretty fun, but still...
Bad: I used to NOT dread pigeon Eka Pada Rajakapotasana but lately we have had a bit of a falling out. You can kind of get away with being tense in some of the poses, but pigeon will have none of that and it has been pretty brutal lately for me. Of course it is mostly mental. I think it will be painful and stressful so I tense in preparation which makes it worse and it downward spirals from there. I need to find something to bring out of this pigeon poopstorm...
Yummy: Anytime I get to practice next to Amanda is wonderful. Her schedule is very busy and it almost feels like a little vacation when we get to do yoga together. The overall class was a welcome haven after the trauma earlier and a reminder of the special oasis Amsa is. Thanks Kimberly and thanks Amsa community for being there!
Good: I used to dread Chair pose Utkatasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/493 but now I kind of like it. I am not excited about doing it, but I have made my peace with it and when it is time for chair I do chair. The overall sequence that involves chair and uttanasana and stretching up with arms overhead is definitely fun. Of course, anything and uttanasana is pretty fun, but still...
Bad: I used to NOT dread pigeon Eka Pada Rajakapotasana but lately we have had a bit of a falling out. You can kind of get away with being tense in some of the poses, but pigeon will have none of that and it has been pretty brutal lately for me. Of course it is mostly mental. I think it will be painful and stressful so I tense in preparation which makes it worse and it downward spirals from there. I need to find something to bring out of this pigeon poopstorm...
Yummy: Anytime I get to practice next to Amanda is wonderful. Her schedule is very busy and it almost feels like a little vacation when we get to do yoga together. The overall class was a welcome haven after the trauma earlier and a reminder of the special oasis Amsa is. Thanks Kimberly and thanks Amsa community for being there!
Class #40 Gold's Gym Full Contact Yoga with Headshot
Ugh. I overslept my normal Amsa class so I went to Gold's Gym where I am already paying for a membership and I literally got kicked in the head and thought I had a concussion. "Luckily", it appears to just be a really bad headache with some dizziness. I may try to come back to this post and somehow find good and yummy, but right now I don't want to even think about it.
Class #39 Slow Mindful Flow with Sara
Well, I am behind again. Sleepiness and busy-ness are a difficult duo to overcome. I have made a couple classes recently though, so let's catch up. Slow mindful flow was good times but I had a lot of trouble relaxing and letting go. Of course I was that way before I got to class also...
Good: You know me, I am a sucker for all thing twisty and stretchy (except pigeon, he's no friend of mine) I have been having some trouble with balance lately so it felt good to get a decent revolved triangle Parivrtta Trikonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/692 . Ahh triangles. Day got you down? Triangles will pick you right back up. : )
Bad: Seriously, I was so tense that day I could not even let go in savasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482 I need a massage or to be shot with a tranquilizer dart or something.
Yummy: Aside from the fun of seeing Sara again (our paths had not crossed for awhile) and enjoying some juicy twists ( there was actually another one that was new to me that I really enjoyed but I don't know what to call it) I also was lucky enough to have Katie as a mat buddy. I need to get a word from her to put up on the side descriptions.
Thinking of Katie reminds me of a tangent I have been meaning to share. Okay, so I realized the other day that all of my yoga friends are much better at breathing during class. I have been wondering which of the following is the reason for this.
1)I am so bad at breathing that no matter who I made friends with they would be noticeably better if our mats were next to each other. I have a friend with asthma that I need to convince to come to yoga to test this theory.
2)My brain is slowly dying from lack of oxygen during my frequent yoga classes and so has been sending me subtle signals like "Psst, go make friends with that person who breaths well so that you don't die next time you have to do chaturanga" If this is true and there are actually other people who don't breathe especially well, then I apologize for not being better friends with you. It's not you, it's my brain I promise...
3)Maybe the other yoga students were worried about the poor guy not breathing and drew straws over who would take shifts to practice next to him and encourage him to breath occasionally. If this is true, I appreciate the thought yogis. I promise to try hard to breath and not die in recognition of your efforts.
Whatever it is, I'll keep working on it and we'll see how it goes in future classes.
Good: You know me, I am a sucker for all thing twisty and stretchy (except pigeon, he's no friend of mine) I have been having some trouble with balance lately so it felt good to get a decent revolved triangle Parivrtta Trikonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/692 . Ahh triangles. Day got you down? Triangles will pick you right back up. : )
Bad: Seriously, I was so tense that day I could not even let go in savasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482 I need a massage or to be shot with a tranquilizer dart or something.
Yummy: Aside from the fun of seeing Sara again (our paths had not crossed for awhile) and enjoying some juicy twists ( there was actually another one that was new to me that I really enjoyed but I don't know what to call it) I also was lucky enough to have Katie as a mat buddy. I need to get a word from her to put up on the side descriptions.
Thinking of Katie reminds me of a tangent I have been meaning to share. Okay, so I realized the other day that all of my yoga friends are much better at breathing during class. I have been wondering which of the following is the reason for this.
1)I am so bad at breathing that no matter who I made friends with they would be noticeably better if our mats were next to each other. I have a friend with asthma that I need to convince to come to yoga to test this theory.
2)My brain is slowly dying from lack of oxygen during my frequent yoga classes and so has been sending me subtle signals like "Psst, go make friends with that person who breaths well so that you don't die next time you have to do chaturanga" If this is true and there are actually other people who don't breathe especially well, then I apologize for not being better friends with you. It's not you, it's my brain I promise...
3)Maybe the other yoga students were worried about the poor guy not breathing and drew straws over who would take shifts to practice next to him and encourage him to breath occasionally. If this is true, I appreciate the thought yogis. I promise to try hard to breath and not die in recognition of your efforts.
Whatever it is, I'll keep working on it and we'll see how it goes in future classes.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Class #38 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
I stayed up way too late after the superbowl. If this had been a 9:30 class there is no way I would have made it. 10:30 was doable with only a few yawns holding me back. Despite yoga mellowing me out considerably, I still get way too into sports. I am and always will be an unapologetic cubs fan since I consider it a strong part of my growing up, but there is no real good reason why I should have been so invested in the superbowl. I can't seem to let go of the medieval notion that there is some link between how well an individual or group performs and how pure of heart they may be. A mean hurtful person may very well outperform a kind and giving person at football (or even theoretically yoga if you are just observing poses). So I am happy about the outcome of the game, but worried about how much of myself was invested. Anyways, on to the class.
Good: Standing Splits Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2499 I have been a little wobbly in my balance poses lately so it was good to have one go well. I got both hands to my ankle and didn't topple over on one side. Of course I was all puffed up and full of myself when I got to the other side and nearly tipped before I was able to rebalance with a hand off to the side. I also need to get back to a frame of mind where I am inspired and not discouraged when I see full extensions of these. I am starting to wonder if Yoga Journal does not use some creative photoshopping on some of their pictures.
Bad: So I had a decent Dragon Flying Low in a recent class, but this time my dragon flew into the side of a castle and crashed. :( In several poses it seems like the fullest extension is about getting the highest or lowest. In dragon if you do that though you lose the stretch so you have to find a good edge and hang out there. I got way too low and laid there proud of myself until Kimberly came over and kindly pointed out that I wasn't really stretching anymore. Woops. Oh well, I will know better for next time and the burninating will resume.
Yummy: Especially yummy was the chanting we did at the end of class today. Kimberly printed out cool little cards with two famous phrases that have been chanted for centuries and was considerate enough to give us translations so we knew what they meant. Chanting together was pretty fun and even felt a little energizing. Additional yum from Helen who thanked me for giving her a shout out in the blog for the first yoga class she taught. Thank you ma'am for the great class and all the wonderful adjustments you have shared with us.
Til, next time!
Good: Standing Splits Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2499 I have been a little wobbly in my balance poses lately so it was good to have one go well. I got both hands to my ankle and didn't topple over on one side. Of course I was all puffed up and full of myself when I got to the other side and nearly tipped before I was able to rebalance with a hand off to the side. I also need to get back to a frame of mind where I am inspired and not discouraged when I see full extensions of these. I am starting to wonder if Yoga Journal does not use some creative photoshopping on some of their pictures.
Bad: So I had a decent Dragon Flying Low in a recent class, but this time my dragon flew into the side of a castle and crashed. :( In several poses it seems like the fullest extension is about getting the highest or lowest. In dragon if you do that though you lose the stretch so you have to find a good edge and hang out there. I got way too low and laid there proud of myself until Kimberly came over and kindly pointed out that I wasn't really stretching anymore. Woops. Oh well, I will know better for next time and the burninating will resume.
Yummy: Especially yummy was the chanting we did at the end of class today. Kimberly printed out cool little cards with two famous phrases that have been chanted for centuries and was considerate enough to give us translations so we knew what they meant. Chanting together was pretty fun and even felt a little energizing. Additional yum from Helen who thanked me for giving her a shout out in the blog for the first yoga class she taught. Thank you ma'am for the great class and all the wonderful adjustments you have shared with us.
Til, next time!
Class #37 Sweet Vinyasa with Kimberly
Another great yoga class was especially sweet coming off the pajama party peak. No jammies this time, just moving with the breath and going with the flow.
Good: there was a little desert subtheme to this class as we rocked both Pyramid Parsvottanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/1675 and Camel Ustrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/688 I liked Pyramid because I am really enjoying getting my heart down (I am loving humble warrior also). Of course now that I have seen the crazy picture of the full extension on yoga journal I will get depressed over my puny pyramid, but I liked it during class. Camel is cool because I can slowly get into it by using a block to ease myself down. I have tried in the past to kinda jerk myself into it, but surprisingly the "fling your body and cross your fingers" method was not that successful.
Bad: Every class I take should probably come with the disclaimer that I did a bad job of breathing, but this one was a little extra bad. If a future blog is just a string of random letters (slightly different from now, I know) then it will be because I spent another hour of my life breathing twice or so.
Yummy: Aside from just still coasting from the pajama party good vibes and not beating myself up too much, it was also really cool to have Elizabeth be my mat buddy and practice next to me. her positive energy is contagious and it really helps to have a friend nearby. Thanks Elizabeth!
Join me next time when I promise to breath at least three times during class so they don't call the paramedics during pigeon pose.
Good: there was a little desert subtheme to this class as we rocked both Pyramid Parsvottanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/1675 and Camel Ustrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/688 I liked Pyramid because I am really enjoying getting my heart down (I am loving humble warrior also). Of course now that I have seen the crazy picture of the full extension on yoga journal I will get depressed over my puny pyramid, but I liked it during class. Camel is cool because I can slowly get into it by using a block to ease myself down. I have tried in the past to kinda jerk myself into it, but surprisingly the "fling your body and cross your fingers" method was not that successful.
Bad: Every class I take should probably come with the disclaimer that I did a bad job of breathing, but this one was a little extra bad. If a future blog is just a string of random letters (slightly different from now, I know) then it will be because I spent another hour of my life breathing twice or so.
Yummy: Aside from just still coasting from the pajama party good vibes and not beating myself up too much, it was also really cool to have Elizabeth be my mat buddy and practice next to me. her positive energy is contagious and it really helps to have a friend nearby. Thanks Elizabeth!
Join me next time when I promise to breath at least three times during class so they don't call the paramedics during pigeon pose.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Class #36 Yoga Pajama Party with Kimberly and Amsa Community
Class #3 for Saturday was a special event as we all got together for some flow, some nidra http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga-nidra , a potluck, good conversation and sharing. Kimberly led us through some slow stretchy asanas and then into a (literally) dreamy nidra session where my mind drifted off somewhere happy filled with playful panda bears. Seriously, I got so relaxed I started thinking about fluffy panda bears rolling around and playing. I guess it was a daydream because it was pretty vivid and I didn't actually go to sleep. Afterwards we all sat around on pillow bolsters and told stories and enjoyed some delicious and pretty healthy food. So, for the record:
Good: Pretty much everything. I am sure I could have done the poses better, but I let them come to me and didn't stress about anything. It's hard to be too self critical when you are in happy pajamas. So thats a step in the right direction.
Bad: Dunno, I guess I wish the whole thing could have been longer but we were there for several hours. The time just disappeared.
Yummy: A short list would include: Going to a yoga pajama party with my wife, trying new kinds of foods and enjoying all of it (I am a pretty picky eater) being so relaxed that my muscles unclenched, legally obtained panda visions, watching a pillow fight, getting to know the new teacher Shannon better, hearing John and Kimberly each tell stories about their earlier pre yoga days, and being able to wear my yoga clothes to bed without feeling guilty.
Is it too soon for another Pajama party?
Good: Pretty much everything. I am sure I could have done the poses better, but I let them come to me and didn't stress about anything. It's hard to be too self critical when you are in happy pajamas. So thats a step in the right direction.
Bad: Dunno, I guess I wish the whole thing could have been longer but we were there for several hours. The time just disappeared.
Yummy: A short list would include: Going to a yoga pajama party with my wife, trying new kinds of foods and enjoying all of it (I am a pretty picky eater) being so relaxed that my muscles unclenched, legally obtained panda visions, watching a pillow fight, getting to know the new teacher Shannon better, hearing John and Kimberly each tell stories about their earlier pre yoga days, and being able to wear my yoga clothes to bed without feeling guilty.
Is it too soon for another Pajama party?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Class #35 Yoga Basics with Kimberly
I am really digging these basics classes. I think that approaching poses with the mind of a beginner is half the battle. I get into the most trouble whenever I feel like I "know" a pose and go into autopilot. I certainly get the most frustrated when a pose a pose I have "mastered" is not there for me (though really it is I that am not present for it). Aside from working on perspective and attitude, I have learned how to do poses better in every class so far also. Speaking of which:
Good: Fittingly enough, I really enjoyed Humble Warrior http://www.fitsugar.com/Yoga-Pose-Stretches-Hips-8099319 (cant seem to find the translation or a pic on yoga journal). We practiced up against the wall and bracing my foot really helped my balance and foundation. I tried it later that day without a wall and my leg can remember better what I need to be doing.
Bad: So another cool thing this Basics class is helping me realize is that there is a fundamental difference between really knowing a pose and just being able to get yourself into a particular shape after doing your favorite transition. I like Dancer Pose Natarajasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/936 and do it fairly often but getting into it from an unfamiliar angle threw me for a loop and I wasn't able to readjust until our last variation. On a sidenote, I originally described here a bunch of excuses as to why I didn't do well with it. Really though, it's simple. There is a lot of work for me to do.
Yummy: Thankfully, Amsa is about as yummy a place to do work as I can think of. I particularly enjoyed listening to the meditative bells that were our music today. I was near the boombox and could really hear the subtleties of the sound. I probably should have been more mindful of the asanas we were doing at the time, but I became fascinated by how the bells sounded the same at first but the longer I listened the more I could detect tiny differences with each peal. I started to imagine a monk carefully considering a bell and then doing their best to hit it with perfect timing and force each time. There was even a rough pattern. A baseline bell, then a bell either softer or louder, then a bell that tries to compensate but is a little off, then finally a bell that is (as far as I could tell) pretty much the same as the baseline bell. I mention all this bell stuff because I think asanas are like that. You have a good pose one day. Then the next one is off and then you have to work on your body and mind to get back there. But you can't really go back, only forward with your memories and hopefully a better attitude and realistic expectations.
Sorry about the tangent. I promise I will de-bat my belfry before the Yoga Pajama party...
Good: Fittingly enough, I really enjoyed Humble Warrior http://www.fitsugar.com/Yoga-Pose-Stretches-Hips-8099319 (cant seem to find the translation or a pic on yoga journal). We practiced up against the wall and bracing my foot really helped my balance and foundation. I tried it later that day without a wall and my leg can remember better what I need to be doing.
Bad: So another cool thing this Basics class is helping me realize is that there is a fundamental difference between really knowing a pose and just being able to get yourself into a particular shape after doing your favorite transition. I like Dancer Pose Natarajasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/936 and do it fairly often but getting into it from an unfamiliar angle threw me for a loop and I wasn't able to readjust until our last variation. On a sidenote, I originally described here a bunch of excuses as to why I didn't do well with it. Really though, it's simple. There is a lot of work for me to do.
Yummy: Thankfully, Amsa is about as yummy a place to do work as I can think of. I particularly enjoyed listening to the meditative bells that were our music today. I was near the boombox and could really hear the subtleties of the sound. I probably should have been more mindful of the asanas we were doing at the time, but I became fascinated by how the bells sounded the same at first but the longer I listened the more I could detect tiny differences with each peal. I started to imagine a monk carefully considering a bell and then doing their best to hit it with perfect timing and force each time. There was even a rough pattern. A baseline bell, then a bell either softer or louder, then a bell that tries to compensate but is a little off, then finally a bell that is (as far as I could tell) pretty much the same as the baseline bell. I mention all this bell stuff because I think asanas are like that. You have a good pose one day. Then the next one is off and then you have to work on your body and mind to get back there. But you can't really go back, only forward with your memories and hopefully a better attitude and realistic expectations.
Sorry about the tangent. I promise I will de-bat my belfry before the Yoga Pajama party...
Class #34 Slow Mindful Flow with Sara
Curse you sleepy February! I overslept again snuggled underneath covers with kittens and Amanda while more industrious yogis powered through a hot Vinyasa. Thankfully this year (and life) is a marathon and not a sprint. Three Saturday classes will have to be enough. So I got started with some slow flow flow courtesy of Sara. Kimberly was also there taking the class before hers got started. It is always cool when there are instructors participating as students. Obviously, all the classes have a teacher to demonstrate and explain the poses for you, but if there is a teacher as student then you can observe things like pace and smooth transitioning too. It's hard to describe, but there is a grace or elegance that some of the teachers have. It's not enough to just "know" the poses, there is a whole other level of being in them and mindfully moving from one to the other. Someday, someday... Back to today though:
Good: I am still on a twist kick and had another pretty good Half Lord of the Fishes (Half Duchess of Hamsters?) Ardha Matsyendrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/485 . One side was better than the other for my kooky body, but they both felt really good.
Bad: I am definitely having some wobbles lately. My Revolving Triangle Parivrtta Trikonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/692 was more like a downward spiral. I had a bad transition into it and started beating myself up. Yoga is hard enough without being mean to yourself and I wasn't able to maintain concentration after I got frustrated. Yesterday is yesterday and today is today. You can't step into the same pose twice. Hopefully, I can internalize what I theoretically know sometime soon.
Yummy: Got some cool adjustments from Sara and we tried a new way of doing forward fold Uttanasana. Maybe it came back from Maui with her? I also looked up at one point and Katie had snuck into the class. So I got to talk with a friend after the class and that's always fun.
On to class #2!
Good: I am still on a twist kick and had another pretty good Half Lord of the Fishes (Half Duchess of Hamsters?) Ardha Matsyendrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/485 . One side was better than the other for my kooky body, but they both felt really good.
Bad: I am definitely having some wobbles lately. My Revolving Triangle Parivrtta Trikonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/692 was more like a downward spiral. I had a bad transition into it and started beating myself up. Yoga is hard enough without being mean to yourself and I wasn't able to maintain concentration after I got frustrated. Yesterday is yesterday and today is today. You can't step into the same pose twice. Hopefully, I can internalize what I theoretically know sometime soon.
Yummy: Got some cool adjustments from Sara and we tried a new way of doing forward fold Uttanasana. Maybe it came back from Maui with her? I also looked up at one point and Katie had snuck into the class. So I got to talk with a friend after the class and that's always fun.
On to class #2!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Class #33 Yoga for Lunch with Anne
I was hoping for a three-fer today, but couldn't quite get of bed quick enough to get to the morning class on time. Tonight is also going to be crazy busy with school and hosting Bible study at our house. Still, one class is good and I am fortunate to be able to have a schedule that even makes 365 classes possible at all. So it was another cozy class with Anne that certainly got my late starting day off on a good note. The small student count meant she could specifically tailor some of the poses for our needs. Thanks Anne for the personalization!
Good: My Pigeon Pose Eka Pada Rajakapotasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/863 is getting less panicky even as I lay my pigeon down. I still am not really relaxing in the pose, but I am not quite in fight or flight mode either. It's okay, I will take all the pigeon progress I can get. One of the instructors said in class recently that there are two kinds of people in the world, those who enjoy pigeon and those who don't. I am still one of those who don't but I can see light at the end of the tunnel where I can smile and mean it.
Bad: My Child's Pose Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/475 is getting pretty cranky. I swear I remember being able to get my head down to the ground earlier. As I have talked about before, I feel my worst poses are not the ones I cannot do right now, but those I feel I should be able to do but have trouble consistently achieving. The gap between perception and reality is brutal on my self image and (oddly enough) my desire leads to suffering. I know I can get back to a fuller expression of child's because every time I get adjusted it works. So, I guess, right now I just have a mental thing to work on as the frustration and tensing is holding me back.
Yummy: I really enjoyed the transitions and general flow of this class. I have heard that a better way to tell how advanced a student is in their practice (or more usefully, to assess your own) is to observe how they move into and out of the different poses. I try really hard to avoid wrenching quick movements, but I am easily confused and spatially limited. There were some really cool transitions that were new to me in this class, but felt very smooth and natural. Love it!
So is everyone else as excited about the Pajama party this Saturday as I am? What's the only thing better than yoga? Yoga with fun relaxed people! Now if I can just be mindful until then...
Good: My Pigeon Pose Eka Pada Rajakapotasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/863 is getting less panicky even as I lay my pigeon down. I still am not really relaxing in the pose, but I am not quite in fight or flight mode either. It's okay, I will take all the pigeon progress I can get. One of the instructors said in class recently that there are two kinds of people in the world, those who enjoy pigeon and those who don't. I am still one of those who don't but I can see light at the end of the tunnel where I can smile and mean it.
Bad: My Child's Pose Balasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/475 is getting pretty cranky. I swear I remember being able to get my head down to the ground earlier. As I have talked about before, I feel my worst poses are not the ones I cannot do right now, but those I feel I should be able to do but have trouble consistently achieving. The gap between perception and reality is brutal on my self image and (oddly enough) my desire leads to suffering. I know I can get back to a fuller expression of child's because every time I get adjusted it works. So, I guess, right now I just have a mental thing to work on as the frustration and tensing is holding me back.
Yummy: I really enjoyed the transitions and general flow of this class. I have heard that a better way to tell how advanced a student is in their practice (or more usefully, to assess your own) is to observe how they move into and out of the different poses. I try really hard to avoid wrenching quick movements, but I am easily confused and spatially limited. There were some really cool transitions that were new to me in this class, but felt very smooth and natural. Love it!
So is everyone else as excited about the Pajama party this Saturday as I am? What's the only thing better than yoga? Yoga with fun relaxed people! Now if I can just be mindful until then...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Class #32 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
So for a brief moment I actually pulled ahead of the pace. Thirty one days in January and thirty two classes completed. I will be using this tiny cushion to rest up one day and spend some time on a date with my lovely and very patient wife, Amanda. I was also fortuante enough to recently get my own private office at work. It has no windows which is sad, but that does mean that I can sneak in some "home" practice yoga at work now. I definitely just got paid for a couple minutes of Uttanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/478 So how did the "real" yoga go? Glad you asked. :)
Good: Hmm. Twist? Check. Slight Inversion? Check! Heart Opener? You Betcha! It's official. I love you Revolving Triangle Pose Parivrtta Trikonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/692 I have a lot of work to do to improve this pose, but it makes me smile just thinking about it.
Bad: So Warrior III Virabhadrasana III http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/941
was super shaky on one side for some reason. Sometimes I wish yoga had a reset button or a save point like a video game so you could try again on the poses that you feel like you "should" do well on. Oh well, maybe my warrior just needed a little humbling. Thinking about it now, I could also have been much more mindful and slow moving during my transition in also. Always something to work on.
Yummy: I saw a fellow student who had been away for awhile and got to catch up a bit. That was pretty fun. Oh, and tons of good adjustments this class. I wish sometimes I could get a team of yoga instructors to follow me arond and give me adjustments on everything. Fix my slouching posture, gently push me out the door so I'm not late to appointments, correct my angle and get me to hold the teeth brushing posture longer so I won't get anymore cavities, maybe shut my mouth before I say something that I will regret later. So hire a team of dedicated on call yogis... or be more mindful. Either one would solve a lot of my problems. I better start saving up.
Good: Hmm. Twist? Check. Slight Inversion? Check! Heart Opener? You Betcha! It's official. I love you Revolving Triangle Pose Parivrtta Trikonasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/692 I have a lot of work to do to improve this pose, but it makes me smile just thinking about it.
Bad: So Warrior III Virabhadrasana III http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/941
was super shaky on one side for some reason. Sometimes I wish yoga had a reset button or a save point like a video game so you could try again on the poses that you feel like you "should" do well on. Oh well, maybe my warrior just needed a little humbling. Thinking about it now, I could also have been much more mindful and slow moving during my transition in also. Always something to work on.
Yummy: I saw a fellow student who had been away for awhile and got to catch up a bit. That was pretty fun. Oh, and tons of good adjustments this class. I wish sometimes I could get a team of yoga instructors to follow me arond and give me adjustments on everything. Fix my slouching posture, gently push me out the door so I'm not late to appointments, correct my angle and get me to hold the teeth brushing posture longer so I won't get anymore cavities, maybe shut my mouth before I say something that I will regret later. So hire a team of dedicated on call yogis... or be more mindful. Either one would solve a lot of my problems. I better start saving up.
Class #31 Sweet Vinyasa with Kimberly
Loved this class. So it is not a hard class where you have to be advanced to participate, but the pace and the poses can certainly work up a sweat if you choose to do the more strenuous variations (or if you are just out of shape like I am). Slower classes are certainly good and producitve too, but sometimes I just want to move. Of course, the trick is to be mindful while moving. I am getting better at not thinking about other things while doing yoga (especially in the quicker moving classes) but I am not really thinking much at all actually and that is not really be present. Fun, but not present.
Good: My boat pose Paripurna Navasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/489 is getting a bit better. Hurray core strength! Obviously I have a long way to go. It's not like I can do full extension and hold it forever, but my legs are getting lighter and my endurance is certainly better than six month ago.
Bad: Do I get credit for knowing that my breathing is bad? My awareness is certainly getting better, but time after time I can't or won't breath properly in many poses. At this point, I am just happy I am still alive since apparantly my natural instinct is to not breath whenever life gets tough...
Yummy: I just can't say enough about this style and pace of yoga. It's not just my body that feels better afterwards, but I mentally feel better. I am more confident and optimistic and have the energy to go accomplish something. Assuming of course that I can remember to breath that long...
Good: My boat pose Paripurna Navasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/489 is getting a bit better. Hurray core strength! Obviously I have a long way to go. It's not like I can do full extension and hold it forever, but my legs are getting lighter and my endurance is certainly better than six month ago.
Bad: Do I get credit for knowing that my breathing is bad? My awareness is certainly getting better, but time after time I can't or won't breath properly in many poses. At this point, I am just happy I am still alive since apparantly my natural instinct is to not breath whenever life gets tough...
Yummy: I just can't say enough about this style and pace of yoga. It's not just my body that feels better afterwards, but I mentally feel better. I am more confident and optimistic and have the energy to go accomplish something. Assuming of course that I can remember to breath that long...
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Class #26-#30 with Kimberly, Anne, Pam and Helen
So I made it to four classes today. Early morning got gobbled up by a luxurious shower and then a delicious organic breakfast at Rosewood Market with my lovely wife Amanda. It would have been cool to bank a few more classes for rainy days (though I actually really enjoy yoga on rainy days)but catching up to the pace is pretty cool too. Also, Amanda did all four classes with me which made it much cooler (and exponentially cuter). I am pretty worn out now after the classes and the errands we ran afterwards but I wanted to get something down before I forget again. So a little different format today:
Top Ten Moments from Free Yoga Weekend:
1) All the classes we were in were packed and all the poses done in unison by dozens of students were cool. The best was when we were in tree pose and I had a great view of everyone's hands slowly moving up to the sky and swaying in the breeze. Just beautiful.
2) Similar effect happened before Pam's relaxation class when two people went ahead and made little armchairs out of props. Like dominoes, within a few minutes the chairs had sprung up and spread out from that epicenter and everyone was comfy in their own little lazy-boys waiting for the first announcements of class.
3) Kimberly was helping us perfect our down dogs when she told us "If you want to make your dogs more yummy, relish them." If that was a coincidence I'll eat a bolster with ketchup and mustard...
4)One class started with the heat on, but the combined effort and sweating of the class was sufficient to get the heat to turn off and theair conditioning to come on in Jaunary.
5)Another class was very prop heavy and we were once again packed. Before class started several of the more experienced students volunteered without prompting to share some of theirs with some of the newer people and go without before we knew that there were actually enough for everyone. I don't know if that happens at some studios. Amsa is a special place people.
6)Of course one person was overheard doing last minute bartering, "I'll trade you a strap, one block and an eye pillow for a second blanket..."
7)Helen taught her first class and it was a great Yoga Nidra session. For anyone who has ever said, "I wish the whole class could be savasana." this was the class for you. She claimed it would be as restful as two full hours of sleep, but it only felt like one hour and forty seven minutes to me. Still pretty good, though...
8)The quick turn around between classes and the huge turnout made for a stressful day of quickly handing out and resorting supplies for John. At one point, a new student started a stack of blankets and others started piled them on top instead of giving them to John to be properly stored. It took all my will power not to jump on the comfy stack like a big pile of leaves. Next time you will be mine giant stack of blankets!
9)So one of the instructors doing adjustments we had three!)must think I am really strong. We had gotten into a wide legged pose where we try to stretch down and plant our hands in front of us while keeping our legs from bending. I made it down had my hands spread out but with most of my weight still in my legs. Theoretically, the weight is evenly distributed between legs and hands so it was understandable that an instructor would push down on my shoulders to get me to redistribute. However, the pressure kept coming and I suddenly realized that this balance pose had become a strength pose and that I better pull it together or I would be the first person I had ever seen to tumble while being adjusted. Luckily, I had just enough in me (which was the point of what they were doing) to hold it and not become a bowling ball in a room of crowded pins.
10)Lastly, one of the classes was both very full and featured a lot of extended arm stretches. This made it very difficult for the awesome instructors going around giving cool adjustments. Complicating matters were the placements of some of the mats at perpendicular angles. At one point Anne was nearly trapped by all the arm waving until I and another student did a little draw bridge action to let her duck underneath. I think we should have held out for a toll.
I can't wait till the next one. See you soon everyone!
Top Ten Moments from Free Yoga Weekend:
1) All the classes we were in were packed and all the poses done in unison by dozens of students were cool. The best was when we were in tree pose and I had a great view of everyone's hands slowly moving up to the sky and swaying in the breeze. Just beautiful.
2) Similar effect happened before Pam's relaxation class when two people went ahead and made little armchairs out of props. Like dominoes, within a few minutes the chairs had sprung up and spread out from that epicenter and everyone was comfy in their own little lazy-boys waiting for the first announcements of class.
3) Kimberly was helping us perfect our down dogs when she told us "If you want to make your dogs more yummy, relish them." If that was a coincidence I'll eat a bolster with ketchup and mustard...
4)One class started with the heat on, but the combined effort and sweating of the class was sufficient to get the heat to turn off and theair conditioning to come on in Jaunary.
5)Another class was very prop heavy and we were once again packed. Before class started several of the more experienced students volunteered without prompting to share some of theirs with some of the newer people and go without before we knew that there were actually enough for everyone. I don't know if that happens at some studios. Amsa is a special place people.
6)Of course one person was overheard doing last minute bartering, "I'll trade you a strap, one block and an eye pillow for a second blanket..."
7)Helen taught her first class and it was a great Yoga Nidra session. For anyone who has ever said, "I wish the whole class could be savasana." this was the class for you. She claimed it would be as restful as two full hours of sleep, but it only felt like one hour and forty seven minutes to me. Still pretty good, though...
8)The quick turn around between classes and the huge turnout made for a stressful day of quickly handing out and resorting supplies for John. At one point, a new student started a stack of blankets and others started piled them on top instead of giving them to John to be properly stored. It took all my will power not to jump on the comfy stack like a big pile of leaves. Next time you will be mine giant stack of blankets!
9)So one of the instructors doing adjustments we had three!)must think I am really strong. We had gotten into a wide legged pose where we try to stretch down and plant our hands in front of us while keeping our legs from bending. I made it down had my hands spread out but with most of my weight still in my legs. Theoretically, the weight is evenly distributed between legs and hands so it was understandable that an instructor would push down on my shoulders to get me to redistribute. However, the pressure kept coming and I suddenly realized that this balance pose had become a strength pose and that I better pull it together or I would be the first person I had ever seen to tumble while being adjusted. Luckily, I had just enough in me (which was the point of what they were doing) to hold it and not become a bowling ball in a room of crowded pins.
10)Lastly, one of the classes was both very full and featured a lot of extended arm stretches. This made it very difficult for the awesome instructors going around giving cool adjustments. Complicating matters were the placements of some of the mats at perpendicular angles. At one point Anne was nearly trapped by all the arm waving until I and another student did a little draw bridge action to let her duck underneath. I think we should have held out for a toll.
I can't wait till the next one. See you soon everyone!
Class #25 All Levels Yoga with Shannon
Shannon is a new face at Amsa and has recently been certified as a teacher. This was her first class teaching at Amsa and the community has really welcomed her. It was a really fun vibe with a good crowd as people both enjoyed getting a fresh perspective and rooted for her to do well. Since it was all levels it was a pretty straight forward class with a lot of poses that come up often. Of course, every pose can always be refined and improved even if you are very advanced (and I am very not advanced).
Good: So if you go to a yoga class everyday apparently your Chaturanga Dandasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/469 will get better. Well it gets better if the instructors watch you carefully and help when your form gets off. Luckily at Amsa they do both so muscle memory is starting to hold. A pose I used to dread is now one I look forward to. Hurray!
Bad: My basic Chair Utkatasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/493 is also improving but I am having a lot of trouble with the variation that starts when you twist in prayer with an elbow to a knee. I can do that part (though a little shaky sometimes)but when I try to extend one hand to the ground and another up, it is both shaky and a little painful. I have been backing off lately and just doing the prayer variation, but I am not sure of that makes progress to the full extension. I will ask a teacher next time I remember before class.
Yummy: Lots of smiles and hugs after class. Amsa is a special welcoming place and it was fun to see a reminder of just how nice and friendly an oasis we have here. Good luck Shannon and good job everyone giving her an Amsa welcome.
On to Saturday and a yoga-thon to catch up to the pace. Let's do it!
Good: So if you go to a yoga class everyday apparently your Chaturanga Dandasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/469 will get better. Well it gets better if the instructors watch you carefully and help when your form gets off. Luckily at Amsa they do both so muscle memory is starting to hold. A pose I used to dread is now one I look forward to. Hurray!
Bad: My basic Chair Utkatasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/493 is also improving but I am having a lot of trouble with the variation that starts when you twist in prayer with an elbow to a knee. I can do that part (though a little shaky sometimes)but when I try to extend one hand to the ground and another up, it is both shaky and a little painful. I have been backing off lately and just doing the prayer variation, but I am not sure of that makes progress to the full extension. I will ask a teacher next time I remember before class.
Yummy: Lots of smiles and hugs after class. Amsa is a special welcoming place and it was fun to see a reminder of just how nice and friendly an oasis we have here. Good luck Shannon and good job everyone giving her an Amsa welcome.
On to Saturday and a yoga-thon to catch up to the pace. Let's do it!
Class #24 Deep Stretch Yoga with Kimberly
Okay, I finally found my notes on this class. Let's get right to it!
Good: I had a pretty good Dragon Flying Low pose http://www.yinyoga.com/ys2_2.0_asanas_dragons.php with a decent mix of digging deeper without pushing too far and hurting myself. Okay, I'll be honest, I had another pose I did better with, but dragons are totally sweet so they get a mention.
Bad: So we were in a low lunge and we got into a revolving side angle variation where you put your hands in prayer and then have an elbow on the knee. I think this pose is becoming my new nemesis. I feel like I can do more there, but the variation where you plant your hand down is super shaky and requires a block even on my best day. So it's no big deal that I am bad at a pose, but I am working really hard at improving my mindfulness as I experience the ups and downs of my bodies fluctuating strengths and weaknesses.
Yummy:I love twists but this one was just crazy. We were doing Half Lord of the Fishes Pose Ardha Matsyendrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/485 and Kimberly came over and did an adjustment and I swear I went another 90 degrees. No pain, no forcing, jut proper alignment and breathing. I seriously did not want to come out of it because it felt so good. If anyone has seen Kill Bill Volume Two, there is a mythical martial arts move where you gently press a couple spots and the other person dies. The adjustment was like that only in reverse. Thankfully the instructors at Amsa use their great powers for good and not evil.
Okay, I will be back soon with more classes. At the time of this writing, I am actually caught up. Thanks for all the support and encouragement fellow yogis!
Good: I had a pretty good Dragon Flying Low pose http://www.yinyoga.com/ys2_2.0_asanas_dragons.php with a decent mix of digging deeper without pushing too far and hurting myself. Okay, I'll be honest, I had another pose I did better with, but dragons are totally sweet so they get a mention.
Bad: So we were in a low lunge and we got into a revolving side angle variation where you put your hands in prayer and then have an elbow on the knee. I think this pose is becoming my new nemesis. I feel like I can do more there, but the variation where you plant your hand down is super shaky and requires a block even on my best day. So it's no big deal that I am bad at a pose, but I am working really hard at improving my mindfulness as I experience the ups and downs of my bodies fluctuating strengths and weaknesses.
Yummy:I love twists but this one was just crazy. We were doing Half Lord of the Fishes Pose Ardha Matsyendrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/485 and Kimberly came over and did an adjustment and I swear I went another 90 degrees. No pain, no forcing, jut proper alignment and breathing. I seriously did not want to come out of it because it felt so good. If anyone has seen Kill Bill Volume Two, there is a mythical martial arts move where you gently press a couple spots and the other person dies. The adjustment was like that only in reverse. Thankfully the instructors at Amsa use their great powers for good and not evil.
Okay, I will be back soon with more classes. At the time of this writing, I am actually caught up. Thanks for all the support and encouragement fellow yogis!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Class #23 Dynamic Flow Yoga with Kimberly
I think I should be happy with this class. I did not do especially well with the poses and was pretty tired, but I did not get frustrated and laughed at my mistakes instead of beating myself up over it. I need to be careful to avoid complacency and make sure to continue to give full effort, but I think it is good sometimes to not be incredibly intense and serious. Maybe not quite as loopy as I was after a lot of classes in a short time, but there is definitely room in yoga for a playful spirit.
Good: So faithful readers know that Half Moon Ardha Chandrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784 is one of my favorite poses. It also is a pose that I have had a little difficulty with recently. Thankfully, it seems to be coming back now that I am actively practicing it. We had a chance to do Reverse Half Moon (twisting the other way and using the other hand) and I really enjoyed it. Twisting feels so good. I feel like I have some ick in me and if I can just wring it out, then I can move with more grace and ease.
Bad: So being happy and maybe even a little goofy is good. Not being mindful is unproductive though. Near the end of class (and this was a third class in a brief time period) I was mentally drifting. I was aware enough of where I was at to not try one of the more advanced poses when we were given options for inversions at the end of class, but after a couple minutes of legs up the wall, I tried Supported Shoulderstand Salamba Sarvangasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/480. I was okay while in the pose, but I made the mistake of not giving the transition into and out of the pose as much attention and mindfulness as the pose itself. I flung myself into it and used momentum instead of my core and then just kind of rolled out of it. Since I was still up near the wall, I thwacked it pretty loudly and was very embarrassed. Sigh...
Yummy: So we (Kimberly, Katie and I) managed to use peer pressure to convince Elizabeth to stay for this class even though she had just finished one. She enjoyed it despite me almost rolling into her at one point. If I keep bouncing all over the place I am afraid the "Tumbleweed" nickname one of the teachers has been using will stick. Kimberly did her best to help me with adjustments but at some point it is like duct tape on the titanic. There is only so much that can be done. Still, I really appreciate the help. A last bit of yum: my savasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482 was great. Apparently all you need is to do three classes and then flop into a wall to remind yourself to be more mindful. At least I have a formula now.
Almost time for yoga weekend!
Good: So faithful readers know that Half Moon Ardha Chandrasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/784 is one of my favorite poses. It also is a pose that I have had a little difficulty with recently. Thankfully, it seems to be coming back now that I am actively practicing it. We had a chance to do Reverse Half Moon (twisting the other way and using the other hand) and I really enjoyed it. Twisting feels so good. I feel like I have some ick in me and if I can just wring it out, then I can move with more grace and ease.
Bad: So being happy and maybe even a little goofy is good. Not being mindful is unproductive though. Near the end of class (and this was a third class in a brief time period) I was mentally drifting. I was aware enough of where I was at to not try one of the more advanced poses when we were given options for inversions at the end of class, but after a couple minutes of legs up the wall, I tried Supported Shoulderstand Salamba Sarvangasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/480. I was okay while in the pose, but I made the mistake of not giving the transition into and out of the pose as much attention and mindfulness as the pose itself. I flung myself into it and used momentum instead of my core and then just kind of rolled out of it. Since I was still up near the wall, I thwacked it pretty loudly and was very embarrassed. Sigh...
Yummy: So we (Kimberly, Katie and I) managed to use peer pressure to convince Elizabeth to stay for this class even though she had just finished one. She enjoyed it despite me almost rolling into her at one point. If I keep bouncing all over the place I am afraid the "Tumbleweed" nickname one of the teachers has been using will stick. Kimberly did her best to help me with adjustments but at some point it is like duct tape on the titanic. There is only so much that can be done. Still, I really appreciate the help. A last bit of yum: my savasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482 was great. Apparently all you need is to do three classes and then flop into a wall to remind yourself to be more mindful. At least I have a formula now.
Almost time for yoga weekend!
Class #22 Yoga for Lunch with Anne
It was good to see Anne again. I have been playing a little bit with my schedule and should be able to get to a better variety of classes and instructors now. I think my practice is healthier when I get a good mix of slower and more dynamic styles. We had a fun cozy class with just a couple students. Anne really took advantage of our size by rotating around us to demonstrate poses as the class progressed. It was like Yoga in 3-D. Well I guess all yoga classes are in 3-D, but it was still fun and helpful to have a demonstration of the poses easily available regardless of which direction we faced.
Good: We also had a bit of a nautical theme with lots of Boat and Mermaid and Pirate poses. Okay maybe just boat and mermaid, but if we can have warriors why can't we have pirates? Maybe something where we balance on one straightened toe extended leg to look like a peg and cover one eye with a hand to be like a patch. Avast Yeasana? So I was a pretty good Mermaid (or as Zoolander would say, Mer-Man!)I usually have a lot of trouble with balance in that pose but I was able to get my spine significantly straighter than I have in the past.
Bad: I have been working on Supported Head Stand Salamba Sirsasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/481 recently and felt like I was making progress but it was not happening for me in the class. My preparatory pose of getting my knees up was a whole lot of wobble and tipping. However...
Yummy: Anne was super helpful and gave me some assistance and support after class as I practiced Head Stand some more and got her advice on good transitions and strengthening ideas. Thanks Anne!
So I am starting to catch up a little. Hopefully I can squeeze in another extra one and then load up with the free weekend. See you there!
Good: We also had a bit of a nautical theme with lots of Boat and Mermaid and Pirate poses. Okay maybe just boat and mermaid, but if we can have warriors why can't we have pirates? Maybe something where we balance on one straightened toe extended leg to look like a peg and cover one eye with a hand to be like a patch. Avast Yeasana? So I was a pretty good Mermaid (or as Zoolander would say, Mer-Man!)I usually have a lot of trouble with balance in that pose but I was able to get my spine significantly straighter than I have in the past.
Bad: I have been working on Supported Head Stand Salamba Sirsasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/481 recently and felt like I was making progress but it was not happening for me in the class. My preparatory pose of getting my knees up was a whole lot of wobble and tipping. However...
Yummy: Anne was super helpful and gave me some assistance and support after class as I practiced Head Stand some more and got her advice on good transitions and strengthening ideas. Thanks Anne!
So I am starting to catch up a little. Hopefully I can squeeze in another extra one and then load up with the free weekend. See you there!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Class #21 Gentle Vinyasa Yoga with Pam
I finally made it to see Pam! Pam is a really special person with seemingly infinite patience and kindness. I have really enjoyed her classes in the past, but my schedule has made it tough to see her this year. Hopefully Wednesday mornings will work for me in the future. A lot of her classes have a little more deliberate slowly flowing pace and can be a really good way to relax catch up with yourself. Pam also just radiates compassion. I have S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and have been considering getting some lights that are supposed to help during the dimness of winter. An alternative solution (though inconvenient to her) would be to just have Pam smile at me every day.
Good: I lamented in a recent post the difficulty I have been having with moving with the breath or even just breathing at all in some of the classes. I didn't magically fix everything, but I did manage some noticeable improvement in this class. Everything was just so tranquil that it was hard not to have some kind of relaxed rhythm going.
Bad: So One-Legged King Pigeon Eka Pada Rajakapotasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/863 happened for me in a recent class and I tried to recreate it during this one. The pigeon was much more elusive this time and I managed to fall over when trying for an extension that just wasn't there. I was a little wiser when trying the other side and found a better balance between still getting a good stretch and not flapping into the people beside me. Be warned though King Pigeon, I'm coming back for you and I am bring warriors One, Two, and maybe even Three with me!
Yummy: I really enjoyed the story Pam told at the beginning of the class about a turtle, a rabbit, God, a laser printer, a butterfly, a manatee, a giraffe and Arnold Swarzennegger. I may have some of that mixed up with a joke a friend texted me after class, but it was definitely a good story.
One class down, two to go today. Here we go!
Good: I lamented in a recent post the difficulty I have been having with moving with the breath or even just breathing at all in some of the classes. I didn't magically fix everything, but I did manage some noticeable improvement in this class. Everything was just so tranquil that it was hard not to have some kind of relaxed rhythm going.
Bad: So One-Legged King Pigeon Eka Pada Rajakapotasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/863 happened for me in a recent class and I tried to recreate it during this one. The pigeon was much more elusive this time and I managed to fall over when trying for an extension that just wasn't there. I was a little wiser when trying the other side and found a better balance between still getting a good stretch and not flapping into the people beside me. Be warned though King Pigeon, I'm coming back for you and I am bring warriors One, Two, and maybe even Three with me!
Yummy: I really enjoyed the story Pam told at the beginning of the class about a turtle, a rabbit, God, a laser printer, a butterfly, a manatee, a giraffe and Arnold Swarzennegger. I may have some of that mixed up with a joke a friend texted me after class, but it was definitely a good story.
One class down, two to go today. Here we go!
Class #20 Deep Stretch Yoga with Kimberly
So theoretically this is an hour and fifteen minute class. At the end though, I could have sworn we had only been there around a half hour. So no levitation from our fearless leader, Kimberly, yet but time travel remains a possibility... Seriously, it's weird to me how classes that feature the fewest poses and the longest stretch of time between new variations often wind up going so fast. Anyways, this was a great class and I really felt like there was a wonderful cumulative effect as each asana built on the last.
Good: I am not sure how, but I wound up in One-Legged King Pigeon Eka Pada Rajakapotasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/863 with the back leg bent and grasped in my hand. I don't remember being able to do that before. I am definitely getting stretchier and stronger. I am also getting hungrier though. Hopefully I won't just end up a giant stretchy ball.
Bad: So I am not sure if my breathing is getting worse or if it has always been really bad and the more I focus on it the more I realize how much I need to work on. On the positive side, I am starting to understand the extent breathing is the foundation for so much of yoga.
Yummy: Lots and lots of Yum to choose from. Really good adjustments helped me get the most out of the poses. Elizabeth was there and that always helps. Best of all, Amanda was able to share another class with me and is trying to adjust her schedule to get to more classes. It is a wide road and I need all the help I can get on this journey so hopefully she can walk alongside me for a good portion of it.
I am going to try for a yoga hat trick (3 classes) tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Good: I am not sure how, but I wound up in One-Legged King Pigeon Eka Pada Rajakapotasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/863 with the back leg bent and grasped in my hand. I don't remember being able to do that before. I am definitely getting stretchier and stronger. I am also getting hungrier though. Hopefully I won't just end up a giant stretchy ball.
Bad: So I am not sure if my breathing is getting worse or if it has always been really bad and the more I focus on it the more I realize how much I need to work on. On the positive side, I am starting to understand the extent breathing is the foundation for so much of yoga.
Yummy: Lots and lots of Yum to choose from. Really good adjustments helped me get the most out of the poses. Elizabeth was there and that always helps. Best of all, Amanda was able to share another class with me and is trying to adjust her schedule to get to more classes. It is a wide road and I need all the help I can get on this journey so hopefully she can walk alongside me for a good portion of it.
I am going to try for a yoga hat trick (3 classes) tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Class #19 Dynamic Flow Yoga with Louise
So I finally got back to one of Louise's classes. I have been out of town for a couple days and really needed some yoga, so got someone to cover a longstanding Monday evening commitment for me and headed with Amanda over for some dynamic flow. It is always good to see Louise and I was really looking forward to moving and working up a good sweat. We actually got there early so I was able to grab a great spot near the front so I could see the poses well. Quick side note, normal people can have really good classes from pretty much anywhere in the room. I just have a little sub par vision and very sub par spatial awareness. In this particular class, Louise even got up on the little platform at the front of the class underneath the fish painting so we yoga ships had a cool instructor light house to guide us during the dynamic storm.
Good: Had a pretty good Warrior Three Virabhadrasana III www.yogajournal.com/poses/941 I was a little steadier than I have been in the past. I had a doorknob right at my eye level to focus on and that definitely helped. I am getting a little stronger and it has been helping out unexpectedly in some of the poses.
Bad: Half Moon Pose Ardha Chandrasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/784 is one of my favorites so I was a little bummed when I had some trouble today easily beginning and holding this pose. Our transition to get into it was a little different than I am used to so I think my body got a little confused. I also have just not done it as much recently and when my initial confidence got a little fragile I think I started believing it was harder than it is. So much of yoga is mental...
Yummy: It is always great to do a class with Amanda. I can not really get upset or too frustrated when she is around. I get distracted or have a goofy smile sometimes, but overall it is a pretty good trade off. It also has been way too long since I have seen Louise who is a nice change of pace from some of the other classes. If I really want to get into poses and feel them and know them, I need to be comfortable coming to them from different places. Thank you Louise for broadening my practice and being a cool light house today.
I have lost my notes for the two previous classes so I am trying to piece them together. Also, I will be attending the free yoga weekend and so might actually catch up or even pull ahead temporarily of the pace soon. Fingers crossed everybody!
Good: Had a pretty good Warrior Three Virabhadrasana III www.yogajournal.com/poses/941 I was a little steadier than I have been in the past. I had a doorknob right at my eye level to focus on and that definitely helped. I am getting a little stronger and it has been helping out unexpectedly in some of the poses.
Bad: Half Moon Pose Ardha Chandrasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/784 is one of my favorites so I was a little bummed when I had some trouble today easily beginning and holding this pose. Our transition to get into it was a little different than I am used to so I think my body got a little confused. I also have just not done it as much recently and when my initial confidence got a little fragile I think I started believing it was harder than it is. So much of yoga is mental...
Yummy: It is always great to do a class with Amanda. I can not really get upset or too frustrated when she is around. I get distracted or have a goofy smile sometimes, but overall it is a pretty good trade off. It also has been way too long since I have seen Louise who is a nice change of pace from some of the other classes. If I really want to get into poses and feel them and know them, I need to be comfortable coming to them from different places. Thank you Louise for broadening my practice and being a cool light house today.
I have lost my notes for the two previous classes so I am trying to piece them together. Also, I will be attending the free yoga weekend and so might actually catch up or even pull ahead temporarily of the pace soon. Fingers crossed everybody!
Class #18 Deep Stretch Yoga with Kimberly
No notes on this one either. I assume I did a handstand unassisted for a half hour. Or I fell over in down dog. One of those... So, umm, Haikus!
Good:
In Triangle Pose
Trikonasana my heart
opens to the world
Bad:
Warrior One Pose
Virabhadrasana, I'm
afraid of tickles
Yummy:
Best part of Plow Pose
Halasana? Singing Old
McDonald in head
Good:
In Triangle Pose
Trikonasana my heart
opens to the world
Bad:
Warrior One Pose
Virabhadrasana, I'm
afraid of tickles
Yummy:
Best part of Plow Pose
Halasana? Singing Old
McDonald in head
Class #17 Slow Mindful Flow with Sara
I have lost my notes for this class and I don't really remember what happened. I did go though and would like to record it somehow. How about haikus?
Good:
Standing Forward Bend
Uttanasana is how
I play peek-a-boo
Bad:
When in Garland Pose
Malasana I want to
play leap frog with you
Yummy:
Supported Headstand
Salamba Sirsasana
will one day be mine
Good:
Standing Forward Bend
Uttanasana is how
I play peek-a-boo
Bad:
When in Garland Pose
Malasana I want to
play leap frog with you
Yummy:
Supported Headstand
Salamba Sirsasana
will one day be mine
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Class #16 Dynamic Flow Yoga with Kimberly
Wow. I needed that. So refreshed from a good night's sleep and a massage from Teresa I headed back to yoga determined to not be so determined. I need to not be so obsessed with ranking and categorizing everything (a post for another time) but I am pretty sure this was the best class I have had this year. There was a cool message about Enso http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ens%C5%8D and we actually did the class in a circle. I could see the instructor well and could correct my mistakes (yes even in my "best" class I made a lot of mistakes). We were close enough to each other that the
Ujjayi breath ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ujjayi_breath )for the class was pretty well sustained and there was definitely a strong sense of connection. The dynamic part of the class was the pace we had and the difficulty of some of the poses. On a side note, if you are reading this and thinking about coming to a dynamic flow class, do it! Sure, it is not a class for people who are just starting yoga, but it is not that hard. The instructor gives multiple variations for a lot of the poses so if you are looking for something advanced you have that option, and if you are looking for something more basic that is available too. Obviously, yoga is many different things to different people, but I just love the ones where we move and get a little sweat and endorphins going. So let's break it down.
Good: So lots of things went well (loved Uttanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/478 and extended triangle http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/494 of course and even got a cool correction in triangle) but I think the most progress came during my attempts at Handstand Adho Mukha Vrksasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/788. It's not that I got into a handstand, but that I made productive use of the time and variations we were given to prepare. We did a kind of condensed down dog with our toes against the wall and then worked our legs up to make a 90% angle and then hopefully hold them there. Instead of getting frustrated with not being at a more advanced level right now I worked on holding my legs at that angle and made some good progress mentally and physically.
Bad: So I am getting better at extended hand to big toe pose Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana http://yogajournal.com/poses/2473 which I am pretty excited about, but I am still having trouble with the variation where we stretch our leg out to the side instead of straight ahead. That's okay. All is becoming I hear... However, I did get a little grumpy with myself when we did one leg and I fell out of the pose. I was able to laugh at myself a little the other time thankfully. Also, cool person who was to my right during the class, sorry I almost bumped into you when I lost concentration in that pose and kudos on keeping your balance with somebody careening past you.
Yummy: In no particular order: Music, having an Enso in the middle of the class (I couldn't look at it without smiling), the shared breathing, the idea of lifting each other up in one of the poses, how we all connected in a tiny circle with our hands linking near the end, and the kitten that curled up in my lap while I wrote this.
Okay, now can I just keep this positive energy and mindset going? Check in next time to see...
Ujjayi breath ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ujjayi_breath )for the class was pretty well sustained and there was definitely a strong sense of connection. The dynamic part of the class was the pace we had and the difficulty of some of the poses. On a side note, if you are reading this and thinking about coming to a dynamic flow class, do it! Sure, it is not a class for people who are just starting yoga, but it is not that hard. The instructor gives multiple variations for a lot of the poses so if you are looking for something advanced you have that option, and if you are looking for something more basic that is available too. Obviously, yoga is many different things to different people, but I just love the ones where we move and get a little sweat and endorphins going. So let's break it down.
Good: So lots of things went well (loved Uttanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/478 and extended triangle http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/494 of course and even got a cool correction in triangle) but I think the most progress came during my attempts at Handstand Adho Mukha Vrksasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/788. It's not that I got into a handstand, but that I made productive use of the time and variations we were given to prepare. We did a kind of condensed down dog with our toes against the wall and then worked our legs up to make a 90% angle and then hopefully hold them there. Instead of getting frustrated with not being at a more advanced level right now I worked on holding my legs at that angle and made some good progress mentally and physically.
Bad: So I am getting better at extended hand to big toe pose Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana http://yogajournal.com/poses/2473 which I am pretty excited about, but I am still having trouble with the variation where we stretch our leg out to the side instead of straight ahead. That's okay. All is becoming I hear... However, I did get a little grumpy with myself when we did one leg and I fell out of the pose. I was able to laugh at myself a little the other time thankfully. Also, cool person who was to my right during the class, sorry I almost bumped into you when I lost concentration in that pose and kudos on keeping your balance with somebody careening past you.
Yummy: In no particular order: Music, having an Enso in the middle of the class (I couldn't look at it without smiling), the shared breathing, the idea of lifting each other up in one of the poses, how we all connected in a tiny circle with our hands linking near the end, and the kitten that curled up in my lap while I wrote this.
Okay, now can I just keep this positive energy and mindset going? Check in next time to see...
Class #15 Deep Stretch Yoga with Sara
Ugh. Hopefully this is the worst I can mess up a class. So I was having kind of a weird day, just everything seemed a little off. My body has also been getting increasingly cranky and several little nagging aches and pains have been manifesting. So I got to class and felt a little better. Sara is always filled with energy and it's pretty hard to be grumpy around her. I also saw Katie again and she had brought me a little rosin bag present to help with mat traction. Thanks Katie! There were plenty of friendly people there as usual at Amsa. I actually was there pretty much on time so I didn't have to set up in the front. However, the spot I took was in a direct line with both Sara and another student between us (cue ominous foreshadowing music...)So as I have mentioned before, I am a little spatially challenged and really have to carefully look at poses (especially unfamiliar ones) to do them correctly and even then I often am a little off. A cranky body plus a distracted mind plus a poor sight line= 3.1415, no wait it was actually a recipe for disaster (not delicious pi(e)...)
Good: Umm. I was okay in one half of a Garland pose Malasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2472 with a bind variation. I think I may literally have messed up everything else in some way. Well probably not, but it felt like it. I just could not get a rhythm going and kept knocking things over and being shaky and tense. Aside from working on the breath and trying to be mindful, what should I do if that happens? I wasn't too tired to keep going and they were pretty much all poses I had done before at some point so I didn't think to go to child's pose. Maybe I should have done so just to reset and get my mind back in order.
Bad: So my comedy of errors nearly turned into tragedy when late in the class we got into a pose kinda like a lunge but with the front leg tilted out to the side and the chest forward until either the forearms or chest reach the ground. I pushed too hard trying to get further down to a stage that I had done several times in the past despite the infinite signs my body had been giving me that tonight was just not the night and to take it easy. So I wound up tweaking my ankle a little bit and had to skip the last couple poses before savasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482.
Yummy: Sara was awesome at coming over and helping as soon as she noticed me rubbing my ankle and made sure I didn't make it worse. Also, I am writing this now a couple days afterwards and a couple good night's sleep and a massage from fellow Yogi Teresa seems to have fixed me up. Hopefully I will make this a productive learning experience.
See you soon everyone and don't worry, I promise to take it a little easier.
Good: Umm. I was okay in one half of a Garland pose Malasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2472 with a bind variation. I think I may literally have messed up everything else in some way. Well probably not, but it felt like it. I just could not get a rhythm going and kept knocking things over and being shaky and tense. Aside from working on the breath and trying to be mindful, what should I do if that happens? I wasn't too tired to keep going and they were pretty much all poses I had done before at some point so I didn't think to go to child's pose. Maybe I should have done so just to reset and get my mind back in order.
Bad: So my comedy of errors nearly turned into tragedy when late in the class we got into a pose kinda like a lunge but with the front leg tilted out to the side and the chest forward until either the forearms or chest reach the ground. I pushed too hard trying to get further down to a stage that I had done several times in the past despite the infinite signs my body had been giving me that tonight was just not the night and to take it easy. So I wound up tweaking my ankle a little bit and had to skip the last couple poses before savasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482.
Yummy: Sara was awesome at coming over and helping as soon as she noticed me rubbing my ankle and made sure I didn't make it worse. Also, I am writing this now a couple days afterwards and a couple good night's sleep and a massage from fellow Yogi Teresa seems to have fixed me up. Hopefully I will make this a productive learning experience.
See you soon everyone and don't worry, I promise to take it a little easier.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Class #14 Yin and Flow Yoga with Kimberly
Okay, I'll be honest, I have lost my notes for this class. If I get something wrong I apologize. Here is what I do remember. The class was packed since a lot of people had the day off for Martin Luther King Day. I got there on time and still had to sit way up the left side. I have had to set up at the front a fair amount recently and am afraid that people will think that I think I am a hot shot or something. I wish I could wear a sign that said "Not full of myself, just spatially challenged and I need to see the instructor well to keep from messing up the poses". Hmm. That is more of a billboard than a sign and might be distracting. Maybe I will just bring a periscope next time. Anyways, it wasn't too bad because I got to hang out with Kerry and Elizabeth and also Teresa who I don't think I have introduced before. She is from the West Coast and is a licensed massage therapist (she is teaching a cool self massage class during the upcoming free yoga weekend). Another cool person at Amsa who makes the lives of others more pleasant. It's like some sort of care bear conspiracy... Anyways, on to the asanas.
Good: I think I said it recently, but I am still loving extended triangle pose Utthita Trikonasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/494 If anyone has seen the Saturday Night Live sketch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFKt0j-UoXE where the producer keeps wanting more cowbell, it's kinda like that. I just feel like I am opening up something inside that daily stresses would otherwise keep compressed and confined.
Bad: I am not that upset about it in the grand scheme of things, but I really thought I was going to do a little better with Supported Headstand Salamba Sirsasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/481 . We worked on several poses leading up to it and I was feeling strong in my arms. When it came time though I tried to get full extension in stead of just getting my knees up which would have been a more reasonable goal. It is good that I was at my specific spot in my room because my somersault definitely would have bowled over anyone in front of me. On a positive note, Kerry and Kimberly talked over the pose after class and graciously let me listen in and observe. Kerry is making awesome progress and I am pretty sure I learned some more from watching and listening. Thanks to both of you!
Yummy: So breathing went a little better this class. I kinda cheated because Kerry was next to me and she is an excellent breather but I really tried to focus and did a little better job with breathing in the more difficult poses and not just holding my breathing and trying to push through. It really helps. For instance we did a pose that I don't know th name of, but it involves being flat on your back and then lifting your legs (and sometimes your arms) straight up. In the past when I have tried this pose and have had to hold it for more than a couple seconds, I look like I am having a mild seizure because I shake so much. Some core work and some better breathing and now it just looks like there is an earthquake underneath me. Hurray progress!
So that is what I remember. Oh and there is a new teacher who is going to teach a class soon. So fun stuff on the horizon (and hopefully better note taking by me in the future).
Good: I think I said it recently, but I am still loving extended triangle pose Utthita Trikonasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/494 If anyone has seen the Saturday Night Live sketch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFKt0j-UoXE where the producer keeps wanting more cowbell, it's kinda like that. I just feel like I am opening up something inside that daily stresses would otherwise keep compressed and confined.
Bad: I am not that upset about it in the grand scheme of things, but I really thought I was going to do a little better with Supported Headstand Salamba Sirsasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/481 . We worked on several poses leading up to it and I was feeling strong in my arms. When it came time though I tried to get full extension in stead of just getting my knees up which would have been a more reasonable goal. It is good that I was at my specific spot in my room because my somersault definitely would have bowled over anyone in front of me. On a positive note, Kerry and Kimberly talked over the pose after class and graciously let me listen in and observe. Kerry is making awesome progress and I am pretty sure I learned some more from watching and listening. Thanks to both of you!
Yummy: So breathing went a little better this class. I kinda cheated because Kerry was next to me and she is an excellent breather but I really tried to focus and did a little better job with breathing in the more difficult poses and not just holding my breathing and trying to push through. It really helps. For instance we did a pose that I don't know th name of, but it involves being flat on your back and then lifting your legs (and sometimes your arms) straight up. In the past when I have tried this pose and have had to hold it for more than a couple seconds, I look like I am having a mild seizure because I shake so much. Some core work and some better breathing and now it just looks like there is an earthquake underneath me. Hurray progress!
So that is what I remember. Oh and there is a new teacher who is going to teach a class soon. So fun stuff on the horizon (and hopefully better note taking by me in the future).
Monday, January 17, 2011
Class #13 Sweet Vinyasa with Kimberly
Mmmmm. Sunday morning yoga, it's good for what ails ya! So I really love vinyasa (breath synchronized movement) yoga. It's fun to breathe and connect with the other students in the room. I also find moving with the breath very soothing if I am stressed out or worried about something. One of the many beautiful things about yoga is that I can get so much out of this style of class while being almost comically bad at it. I keep forgetting to breathe and lose focus often. Sure it's great if a person can do all the poses correctly perfectly synchronized with the breath, but each new pose, each new breath is also an opportunity to improve even if the one before was not that great.
Good: We did some side lunges (I can't seem to find an image that matches this pose)that I got decent extension on and felt really good. Pretty much anything that starts from Wide-Legged Forward Bend Prasarita Padottanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/693 seems to go well for me. Maybe it is because I have a relatively open mind and don't feel like I "should" or "should not" be able to do certain things while I am inverted that way. If I am able to get a full extension on a pose, cool. If not, it's no big deal, I just try my best. Maybe I need to do all my poses inverted somehow...
Bad: I am trying to be more mindful of my breath and it is just not there on some of the more physically demanding poses. For instance, the plank to chaturanga dandasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/469 to Upward Facing Dog Urdhva Mukha Svanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/474 sequence quickly devolves into me holding my breath for most of it as the class progresses and we repeat this variation. I wonder why my body's natural impulse is to not breath? At least I am thinking about it now and can focus on it as I practice.
Yummy: I mentioned in an earlier post the difficulties I was having with tortoise pose Kurmasana and sleeping tortoise pose Supta Kurmasana http://www.motleyhealth.com/yoga/sleeping-tortoise-yoga-pose-supta-kurmasana. Kimberly was super considerate and gave a great explanation and demonstration for both. I did a little better in tortoise and was really getting into it for the sleeping variation. When I was a little kid around eight or so, I actually used to do something pretty similar to this pose and getting close to it again was very fun and exciting. Thanks Kimberly!
Thanks everyone else too. One of my favorite songs that gets played a lot in Amsa classes is "You are not alone in this". It's true and it makes all the difference.
Good: We did some side lunges (I can't seem to find an image that matches this pose)that I got decent extension on and felt really good. Pretty much anything that starts from Wide-Legged Forward Bend Prasarita Padottanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/693 seems to go well for me. Maybe it is because I have a relatively open mind and don't feel like I "should" or "should not" be able to do certain things while I am inverted that way. If I am able to get a full extension on a pose, cool. If not, it's no big deal, I just try my best. Maybe I need to do all my poses inverted somehow...
Bad: I am trying to be more mindful of my breath and it is just not there on some of the more physically demanding poses. For instance, the plank to chaturanga dandasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/469 to Upward Facing Dog Urdhva Mukha Svanasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/474 sequence quickly devolves into me holding my breath for most of it as the class progresses and we repeat this variation. I wonder why my body's natural impulse is to not breath? At least I am thinking about it now and can focus on it as I practice.
Yummy: I mentioned in an earlier post the difficulties I was having with tortoise pose Kurmasana and sleeping tortoise pose Supta Kurmasana http://www.motleyhealth.com/yoga/sleeping-tortoise-yoga-pose-supta-kurmasana. Kimberly was super considerate and gave a great explanation and demonstration for both. I did a little better in tortoise and was really getting into it for the sleeping variation. When I was a little kid around eight or so, I actually used to do something pretty similar to this pose and getting close to it again was very fun and exciting. Thanks Kimberly!
Thanks everyone else too. One of my favorite songs that gets played a lot in Amsa classes is "You are not alone in this". It's true and it makes all the difference.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Class #12 Yoga Basics with Kimberly
So I have been trying to get my friend Michael to go to yoga with me for awhile. Michael is also a teacher and has even more stress than me because he teaches Middle School. I certainly still have frustrations and stresses and do not deal with them healthily all the time, but yoga has definitely helped me improve my attitude and patience along with my overall health. I am hopeful that he will be able to use yoga to enjoy some of these benefits too. This class was special not only because I got to take my fiend to his first yoga session, but my wife Amanda had enough free time to get a little yogic pick me up also. So how did it go?
Good: I've been working on Extended Triangle Pose Utthita Trikonasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/494 in my home practice and just love doing it. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have gotten some great adjustments in past classes and know I have a better understanding of Triangle than I have previously. Of course I can always get better, I just feel so good when I do this pose. When Amanda and I went to Japan and had to be on plane for a ridiculous amount of time I was even rocking (not so extended) triangle in the tiny bathroom just to keep limber.
Bad: Ugh. So I used to be pretty flabby. I am certainly not buff or anything, but Yoga has helped me shed a fair amount of that and also cut my cholesterol in half. Pretty much every class has a few poses that create some heat or even get you sweating. However, because of my schedule this semester it is hard for me to get to the classes that really turn it up a notch for burning calories. I have a Gold's Gym membership that I am stuck with until the contract expires (I panicked when I had a disturbing doctor's visit). So I try to go fairly often to get value out of the money they are getting from me but I am always afraid I will step on a syringe or get clotheslined if I don't wipe the equipment down right. Seriously, I have been yelled at by large employees there and it was pretty scary. Anyways, excuses, excuses I have a little pot belly right now and it makes a lot of the poses much harder than they have to be. I am going to have to turn up the home practice and drop this cannonball I am lugging around. Just because I like cow pose doesn't mean I need to have my own udder.
Yummy: I'm loving this basics class. I feel like my plank pose www.yogajournal.com/poses/470 got better with our review of this staple. Just putting my mind in my place where I can get back to the openness of a beginner is great. I also just wanted to say thanks to both Kimberly and Helen (a fellow student and newly minted yoga instructor) for making Michael feel welcome and ensuring that his first class was a friendly and supportive one. The community at Amsa is truly special.
Real quick before I go, thanks everyone who has had kind words about this blog. I couldn't do it without all the support and kindness people are sharing with me. A lot of people are also worried about me catching up (in a sweet helpful way). I know yoga can and does happen in our homes as well, but I am trying to reach 365 classes with a live instructor (I'm not counting DVDs or classes taught by Zombies). The community aspect and learning from and with others feels like the core of yoga to me. I certainly am spending a lot of time on introspection, but without connecting and growing with the journeys of those around me it would be too cold and lonely a trip to take. Thanks everyone for sharing your journey!
Good: I've been working on Extended Triangle Pose Utthita Trikonasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/494 in my home practice and just love doing it. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have gotten some great adjustments in past classes and know I have a better understanding of Triangle than I have previously. Of course I can always get better, I just feel so good when I do this pose. When Amanda and I went to Japan and had to be on plane for a ridiculous amount of time I was even rocking (not so extended) triangle in the tiny bathroom just to keep limber.
Bad: Ugh. So I used to be pretty flabby. I am certainly not buff or anything, but Yoga has helped me shed a fair amount of that and also cut my cholesterol in half. Pretty much every class has a few poses that create some heat or even get you sweating. However, because of my schedule this semester it is hard for me to get to the classes that really turn it up a notch for burning calories. I have a Gold's Gym membership that I am stuck with until the contract expires (I panicked when I had a disturbing doctor's visit). So I try to go fairly often to get value out of the money they are getting from me but I am always afraid I will step on a syringe or get clotheslined if I don't wipe the equipment down right. Seriously, I have been yelled at by large employees there and it was pretty scary. Anyways, excuses, excuses I have a little pot belly right now and it makes a lot of the poses much harder than they have to be. I am going to have to turn up the home practice and drop this cannonball I am lugging around. Just because I like cow pose doesn't mean I need to have my own udder.
Yummy: I'm loving this basics class. I feel like my plank pose www.yogajournal.com/poses/470 got better with our review of this staple. Just putting my mind in my place where I can get back to the openness of a beginner is great. I also just wanted to say thanks to both Kimberly and Helen (a fellow student and newly minted yoga instructor) for making Michael feel welcome and ensuring that his first class was a friendly and supportive one. The community at Amsa is truly special.
Real quick before I go, thanks everyone who has had kind words about this blog. I couldn't do it without all the support and kindness people are sharing with me. A lot of people are also worried about me catching up (in a sweet helpful way). I know yoga can and does happen in our homes as well, but I am trying to reach 365 classes with a live instructor (I'm not counting DVDs or classes taught by Zombies). The community aspect and learning from and with others feels like the core of yoga to me. I certainly am spending a lot of time on introspection, but without connecting and growing with the journeys of those around me it would be too cold and lonely a trip to take. Thanks everyone for sharing your journey!
Class #11 Deep Stretch Yoga with Kimberly
Loved, loved this class. Lots of friendly familiar faces and a great positive vibe. I got to hang out with Elizabeth as my mat neighbor which is always fun. Kimberly really brought it with an insightful lesson about letting go of the negative practices and emotions we hoard inside ourselves. Let's get right to it.
Good: One of the most basic and repeated poses in yoga is downward facing dog Adho Mukha Svasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/491 (why is this not pose #1?)Just because we do it all the time does not mean it cannot be improved and doesn't deserve mindful attention. So ideally in this pose the hands are flat on the mat and the weight is equally distributed instead of all in the heel of the hand and/or the fingertips. I recently have been getting more of my hand down and the pose feels a lot better. Hurray!
Bad: One of the trickier poses (for me at least) is tortoise pose Kurmasana http://health.indianetzone.com/yoga/hathyoga/1/kurmasana.htm I am listing this one as bad not because of my current level of ability with this pose, but because I feel like I have regressed some with it since last time it came up in class. I know there are variations from class to class and day to day, but I feel like I knew what to do to make progress earlier in terms of how to adjust my arms. It's hard to explain, but it's like the concept is still in my mind, but the muscle memory is not there.
Yummy: A lot to choose from as I indicated in the intro, but perhaps the best was the way the principle Kimberly discussed of letting go of unhealthy things through the practice really worked during the class. With each deep stretch it was if a little bit of a burden fell away. Good times.
I'll be back soon with a longer post about a Yoga Basics class that I was fortunate enough to share with both my wife and my good friend Michael. Till then!
Good: One of the most basic and repeated poses in yoga is downward facing dog Adho Mukha Svasana www.yogajournal.com/poses/491 (why is this not pose #1?)Just because we do it all the time does not mean it cannot be improved and doesn't deserve mindful attention. So ideally in this pose the hands are flat on the mat and the weight is equally distributed instead of all in the heel of the hand and/or the fingertips. I recently have been getting more of my hand down and the pose feels a lot better. Hurray!
Bad: One of the trickier poses (for me at least) is tortoise pose Kurmasana http://health.indianetzone.com/yoga/hathyoga/1/kurmasana.htm I am listing this one as bad not because of my current level of ability with this pose, but because I feel like I have regressed some with it since last time it came up in class. I know there are variations from class to class and day to day, but I feel like I knew what to do to make progress earlier in terms of how to adjust my arms. It's hard to explain, but it's like the concept is still in my mind, but the muscle memory is not there.
Yummy: A lot to choose from as I indicated in the intro, but perhaps the best was the way the principle Kimberly discussed of letting go of unhealthy things through the practice really worked during the class. With each deep stretch it was if a little bit of a burden fell away. Good times.
I'll be back soon with a longer post about a Yoga Basics class that I was fortunate enough to share with both my wife and my good friend Michael. Till then!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Class #10 Dynamic Flow Yoga with Kimberly
Hello again! So another quirk of my schedule has been that I have not been to a more upbeat dynamic flow class is awhile. I love any of the classes where you can move and get a good sweat going. My attention can't wander if we are always doing something new, right? Since I was at the class before and did not leave the building I was actually on time for this one. I also was fortunate enough to run into the pleasant Katie again who let me know I had messed up her description earlier. If I got it right this time, she is interested in counseling work in the near future, but is currently working at a car dealership. Or maybe she's a card dealer on a ship. Or it might have been cardiologist. I'm not sure and am embarrassed to ask again, but I have a plan. I will simply wreck my car outside Amsa while playing poker with friends in the backseat and then fake a heart attack. Her response should clearly indicate her line of work. Its the only course of action that makes sense really. Anyways she was there and so were my good friend Kerry and several other familiar faces including another yogi I met who is also on a classes quest. She said she might start a blog too. I am rooting for you cool person with a similar quest whose name I forgot...
Good: We did some Dolphin Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2462 and it was good to be reminded of how those feel. I used to do them a lot when I was hurt a while back as an alteration to Down Dog. Down Dog may be a good home base restful pose, but Dolphin (at least the way I do it) is not. Kimberly had us use a block between our hands for better alignment and I tried to do so but didn't put it in the right place. No ego issues here, just poor spatial skills on my part. So the good was after she noticed my mistake and fixed it for me, I could really feel the Dolphin pose doing work. Try it. It's harder to hold than it looks.
Bad: So one of the highlights of this class was we got to try to do an inversion up against the wall. I used to practice these a fair amount when I was going to classes that featured them. I have had occasional good moments and also occasional bowling ball moments where I almost roll into the person in front of me. Without the practice though, when we tried for Feathered Peacock pose Pincha Mayurasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/1711 it just wasn't happening. That's okay, sometimes it's not the day for a certain pose to come out and play but I got more frustrated with myself than was productive.
Yummy: Whole lotta yum to choose from. Just being active and moving felt great. There was good breath in the room (thanks everyone!). I got to hear the story and explanation that I had missed from the beginning of the earlier class so I was still able to learn and absorb some. I got closer to being on track with my quest.
See everybody soon!
Good: We did some Dolphin Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2462 and it was good to be reminded of how those feel. I used to do them a lot when I was hurt a while back as an alteration to Down Dog. Down Dog may be a good home base restful pose, but Dolphin (at least the way I do it) is not. Kimberly had us use a block between our hands for better alignment and I tried to do so but didn't put it in the right place. No ego issues here, just poor spatial skills on my part. So the good was after she noticed my mistake and fixed it for me, I could really feel the Dolphin pose doing work. Try it. It's harder to hold than it looks.
Bad: So one of the highlights of this class was we got to try to do an inversion up against the wall. I used to practice these a fair amount when I was going to classes that featured them. I have had occasional good moments and also occasional bowling ball moments where I almost roll into the person in front of me. Without the practice though, when we tried for Feathered Peacock pose Pincha Mayurasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/1711 it just wasn't happening. That's okay, sometimes it's not the day for a certain pose to come out and play but I got more frustrated with myself than was productive.
Yummy: Whole lotta yum to choose from. Just being active and moving felt great. There was good breath in the room (thanks everyone!). I got to hear the story and explanation that I had missed from the beginning of the earlier class so I was still able to learn and absorb some. I got closer to being on track with my quest.
See everybody soon!
Class #9 Yin Yoga with Kimberly
Oh when will I learn? So I am trying to catch up to the pace of one class a day and I am several behind due to snow and in a couple of cases sloth (I love that word. I always think of the animals sloth being all slothy in their pajamas while squinting at an alarm clock and then slowly and deliberately rolling over and back to sleep). So I tried to rush to a 4:45 class from the other side of town at like 4:22. I'm sure I broke a few traffic laws and bent several others. I got to my house which is literally (no really literally, not literally like the people who say things like "I was literally on fire")two minutes drive to Amsa, changed into yoga gear while scaring the poor kittens with clothes flying everywhere and rushed down my icy steps in bare feet. I got to class a couple minutes late and missed a really good explanation of frustration and mindfullness by Kimberly (I am aware of the irony here). How did the class go after my frenzied efforts to fling myself onto the mat?
Good: My plank pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/470 is getting a little better. It is still shaky after a while, but I can keep the proper shape longer than I used to. Yoga is sneaky. Long term practitioners often don't look that different from "regular" healthy people (though they are often older than you would think). However, they have the capability to do some pretty amazing stuff. Kimberly would say we all have the capability to do amazing things, but I mean in the short term. It's like we can become secret super heroes. In the meanwhile, hopefully there will be an emergency that requires someone who is slightly more flexible than average that I can help with (as long as it does not require bending directly forward while seated...).
Bad: So I rushed and fought and strained to get to class and then it was time to get into still poses and hold them for long periods of time. In case you did not know, Adrenaline + Testosterone does not = Yin. You know the hero pose virasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/490 I was so happy about recently? Busted. When I got to class, everyone was in hero while sitting on either a block or blanket for support. Of course fresh off my mad dash I was like "Blocks? I don't need no stinking blocks!" Sigh, yes you do Jesse. Especially if the pose is going to be held for ten minutes while we mentally prepare for the rest of the class. Especially if you are all tense and stuck in fight or flight mode. Especially if you are a block head who keeps talking about not letting ego get the best of them and instead simply letting the asanas do their work. So I swayed and fidgeted and started adjusting my hair more than my barber does.
Yummy: Despite my silliness, the poses, the awesome Zenny music Kimberly played and her always stellar and insightful instruction combined to eventually work their magic and I finally calmed down and got closer to the right frame of mind. Also John was there and those classes are always fun because he is a good male example for me to follow since (based on the classes he is in my line of sight) he gives good effort but rarely goes overboard. Also because he sometimes wears a baseball cap while practicing and I think he may be hiding some sort of small yogic animal familiar in there. It's just a theory I'm working on.
Come back soon and see how my first flow class in weeks went...
Good: My plank pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/470 is getting a little better. It is still shaky after a while, but I can keep the proper shape longer than I used to. Yoga is sneaky. Long term practitioners often don't look that different from "regular" healthy people (though they are often older than you would think). However, they have the capability to do some pretty amazing stuff. Kimberly would say we all have the capability to do amazing things, but I mean in the short term. It's like we can become secret super heroes. In the meanwhile, hopefully there will be an emergency that requires someone who is slightly more flexible than average that I can help with (as long as it does not require bending directly forward while seated...).
Bad: So I rushed and fought and strained to get to class and then it was time to get into still poses and hold them for long periods of time. In case you did not know, Adrenaline + Testosterone does not = Yin. You know the hero pose virasana http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/490 I was so happy about recently? Busted. When I got to class, everyone was in hero while sitting on either a block or blanket for support. Of course fresh off my mad dash I was like "Blocks? I don't need no stinking blocks!" Sigh, yes you do Jesse. Especially if the pose is going to be held for ten minutes while we mentally prepare for the rest of the class. Especially if you are all tense and stuck in fight or flight mode. Especially if you are a block head who keeps talking about not letting ego get the best of them and instead simply letting the asanas do their work. So I swayed and fidgeted and started adjusting my hair more than my barber does.
Yummy: Despite my silliness, the poses, the awesome Zenny music Kimberly played and her always stellar and insightful instruction combined to eventually work their magic and I finally calmed down and got closer to the right frame of mind. Also John was there and those classes are always fun because he is a good male example for me to follow since (based on the classes he is in my line of sight) he gives good effort but rarely goes overboard. Also because he sometimes wears a baseball cap while practicing and I think he may be hiding some sort of small yogic animal familiar in there. It's just a theory I'm working on.
Come back soon and see how my first flow class in weeks went...
Class #8 Yoga for Lunch with Anne
Finally a class with Anne! Amsa actually has several wonderful talented instructors, but my schedule so far has worked out so that I keep winding up with Kimberly or Sara. I enjoy both of their styles and classes very much but people were starting to ask me questions about why I only have classes listed from 2/5ths of the instructors. Don’t worry, I am sure there will be classes with Pam and Louise very soon. Maybe if we are lucky there will even be a class in the not too distant future with Philip the semi-retired artist (the awesome fish picture at the front of Amsa’s studio is by him!) who specializes in Thai and/or partner yoga. One of the many great things about yoga is how open ended it is. Even the greatest instructor has their own focuses and limitations. Getting multiple perspectives from different teachers (at least occasionally) helps a lot to keep the mind expanding and reminds us of the possibilities and creativity inherent in the practice.
So this was a fun class with a relatively small crowd and an intimate feel. Yoga in the middle of the day can be tough to fit in with our busy lives and work obligations. I was fortunate to be able to sneak it in before heading off to teach because of my quirky schedule this semester. I was a little nervous because the open spot to set up (without having to ask people to move) was front and center. Aside from the ego and insecurity issues I have briefly mentioned earlier, I am a little superstitious. The last time I was exactly front and center I pushed myself too hard and wound up hurting myself. It was a lesson that needed to be learned (and that I am still working on) but it was really discouraging at the time to have to take a break for a while and then have to do some alterations to poses for several classes after that. Let’s see if I handled it a little better this time.
Good: High Lunge http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2488 is a pose that comes up a lot and one that I “feel like I should be able to do better”. I put that in italics because I am trying to be aware of such perceptions and pause and examine them. Begin Giant Side Note: I come from a very competitive background. I have played chess, scrabble and a card game called magic at high levels in the past. It is hard for me not to mention specific achievements with them. But why? What does it really matter what I achieved in a competition based around a game? I was thinking recently during a yoga class about what really matters to me. Honestly, everything comes back to my relationships with friends and family, my faith, and being able to help others. If something does not serve one or more of those purposes it is probably a waste of time. It sounds harsh, but it is actually kind of freeing. Yoga helps all three as I develop patience and calmness, work on introspection, and establish more stamina and empathy. It is very difficult though for me not to approach yoga as I have dealt with competitions in the past. I want to judge myself based on others around me and want to “achieve” certain poses. I have to keep stopping and resetting my perspective to avoid tying self-worth to what I can and cannot do so far. There is nothing wrong with striving and giving something your all but I have to keep asking myself why to stay centered. End Giant Side Note So we were in the pose with our hands to either side of our forward foot. I usually strain as hard as I can and get my fingertips down to the mat. Believe it or not, this is not how the pose is intended (though the yoga journal picture kinda makes it look like that). Oftentimes an instructor will notice what is going on and gently suggest (or in one memorable class, firmly insist) I place blocks under my hands so I can straighten out. This time I got the blocks myself and let the pose do its actual intended work. Despite being front middle, no one pointed and giggled at me. I am happy that I was in a mental place that let me deal appropriately with my current stage.
Bad: We did a high lunge variation http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2492 where we rose up on tippy toes and balanced for a bit. I am usually decent at balance poses but I was very wobbly. I also beat myself up more than I should for having "wind in my tree" Things change from day to day. As much as I would like it to be a steady progression where I only get better and never regress, there are tons of factors like rest and diet and mood that all come together each time we get on the mat.
Yummy: It was good to see Anne again and try a chakras themed class. Hurray variety! Hurray openness!
So this was a fun class with a relatively small crowd and an intimate feel. Yoga in the middle of the day can be tough to fit in with our busy lives and work obligations. I was fortunate to be able to sneak it in before heading off to teach because of my quirky schedule this semester. I was a little nervous because the open spot to set up (without having to ask people to move) was front and center. Aside from the ego and insecurity issues I have briefly mentioned earlier, I am a little superstitious. The last time I was exactly front and center I pushed myself too hard and wound up hurting myself. It was a lesson that needed to be learned (and that I am still working on) but it was really discouraging at the time to have to take a break for a while and then have to do some alterations to poses for several classes after that. Let’s see if I handled it a little better this time.
Good: High Lunge http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2488 is a pose that comes up a lot and one that I “feel like I should be able to do better”. I put that in italics because I am trying to be aware of such perceptions and pause and examine them. Begin Giant Side Note: I come from a very competitive background. I have played chess, scrabble and a card game called magic at high levels in the past. It is hard for me not to mention specific achievements with them. But why? What does it really matter what I achieved in a competition based around a game? I was thinking recently during a yoga class about what really matters to me. Honestly, everything comes back to my relationships with friends and family, my faith, and being able to help others. If something does not serve one or more of those purposes it is probably a waste of time. It sounds harsh, but it is actually kind of freeing. Yoga helps all three as I develop patience and calmness, work on introspection, and establish more stamina and empathy. It is very difficult though for me not to approach yoga as I have dealt with competitions in the past. I want to judge myself based on others around me and want to “achieve” certain poses. I have to keep stopping and resetting my perspective to avoid tying self-worth to what I can and cannot do so far. There is nothing wrong with striving and giving something your all but I have to keep asking myself why to stay centered. End Giant Side Note So we were in the pose with our hands to either side of our forward foot. I usually strain as hard as I can and get my fingertips down to the mat. Believe it or not, this is not how the pose is intended (though the yoga journal picture kinda makes it look like that). Oftentimes an instructor will notice what is going on and gently suggest (or in one memorable class, firmly insist) I place blocks under my hands so I can straighten out. This time I got the blocks myself and let the pose do its actual intended work. Despite being front middle, no one pointed and giggled at me. I am happy that I was in a mental place that let me deal appropriately with my current stage.
Bad: We did a high lunge variation http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2492 where we rose up on tippy toes and balanced for a bit. I am usually decent at balance poses but I was very wobbly. I also beat myself up more than I should for having "wind in my tree" Things change from day to day. As much as I would like it to be a steady progression where I only get better and never regress, there are tons of factors like rest and diet and mood that all come together each time we get on the mat.
Yummy: It was good to see Anne again and try a chakras themed class. Hurray variety! Hurray openness!
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