CLASS LOG: # 1

INTRO THOUGHTS
Four of the six WINTER SHAKE-OFF YOGA sessions have sailed along smoothly.
This log entry is for the current participants as a wee mental revision of content covered so far. However, and more importantly, this log entry serves as a snapshot of what I see coming from your work. And, it is work, clearly, because I see change coming from dedication. I wish you could see what I see … because the individual and collective outcomes of your efforts are inspiring.

I teach yoga because I truly believe that the body-and-self-awareness that the form encourages in the practitioner is a precious key toward managing and maintaining a care-system that aptly addresses our innate need for wellness. I believe it can tap into our more essential self offering it a forum to communicate within, safely and honestly. I’ve seen this happening in class, in repetition. Yoga is not the only way, not by a long shot, but … it can be a very effective mode of honest expression.

My personal yoga practice gives voice to my inner truer narrative in a life that is dominated by my outer fictions; turning the volume down on the white-noise created by my negative mind and the volume up on my more peaceful hum. For example, when my practice is sluggish and full of discomfort this suggests that my day may need to be tempered. Or if the next day my practice is solid and easy this gives me a worthy foundation to build my ambitions on. My yoga practice is me: zippy, floppy, ouchie, right, wrong, perfectly imperfect and ever different. I’ve seen this happening in class, in repetition.

I can’t say what yoga is for those who come to my class because 'variety is the spice', as they say, but I do I see something akin to my experience, and this makes me smile.

Thank You.
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CLASS REVISION
1] Class Structure: in general
All classes start on the floor in ‘constructive rest position’ as a way of relaxing the body without becoming sleepy, making a restful attention while re-gearing one’s mind out of the day and into safe yoga practice. Gentle breathing exercises and spine work happen, while still on the floor, in preparation for strong standing postures, challenging transitions between poses and traditional yoga breathing. After poses, deeper relaxation and mild meditation close the session.

2] Class Content: anatomy as practitioner’s tool for awareness building

Atlanto-occipital Joint: pictorial intro to its form and function + practical exercises to move in a way that releases tension in the neck.

Thoracic Girdle: pictorial intro to it’s placement in relation to ribs, lumbar spine, sternum and diaphragm + practical breathing exercises to develop lung capacity and general awareness of heart’s pace and strength to aid stress release and energy lifting.

Pelvic Girdle: pictorial intro to the bowl-like bony structure of the pelvis + practical floor rolling exercises to bring awareness to the body’s centre of gravity.

In theory and practice: why to improve the stacking of the 3 main bone masses (cranium, thoracic girdle and pelvic girdle) in relationship with gravity’s pulls + poses and visualisations to develop postural awareness with the aim to self-correct posture, for wellbeing’s sake.

3] Stuff Said
“…imagine you have a flower pot balancing on the top of each shoulder; let them balance.”
“Fold from the waist.”
“A hand-stand a day, keeps the doctor away, I reckon.”
“How GREAT does THAT feel?”
“Send the stress energy from your face to your finger tips…”
“Getting to know your comfortable discomfort levels can be hard, but it’s important; pain is not ok.”
“… consider that your muscles are like warm butter. It might help them melt.”
“ Strength and flexibility are interdependent. All yoga poses challenge this interdependency and the challenge’s goal is Balance.”
“Sometimes yoga practice can make you feel an unidentifiable emotional erk- but it passes.”
“The goal is to combine breath and motion so that they become one effort. It’s not easy, but it feels good when you get it.”
“In each pose you’re looking, ultimately, for comfort and ease; ease.”
“People are inherently afraid of going upside-down, don’t worry if it worries you; it’s natural.”
“Try to think with every part of your body and no part of your brain ...”
“Personal yoga practice is a jolly good goal to work towards.”
“Dedicating your yoga practice to someone can be a good thing to do, if you want.”
“Inhale…exhale; join them together to make one circular action.”
“Function proceeds form, so don’t worry what you look like, watch what how you feel.”

D