SUNDAY'S CLASS
Sunday mornings are great at Living Yoga in Temecula -- receptive and welcoming students, good numbers, and - perhaps - an opportunity to video; which I did yesterday.
The situation was just too good -- enough people, in a big enough room, and well-schooled (maybe not everyone in Anusara, but that turned out to be o.k. for this group).
And, what's the rest of the story? Not sure it will fly -- why?
First, I always have a written out plan with me (not that I read from it verbatim, but I do refer to it just to make sure I'm covering all the bases) -- The plan I hoped to use I left in the car which Howard (husband) was driving to run errands as he waited for me. Duh!
Second, I found myself being too directive, not using linking words enough. Oh, I knew I was doing it (being directive) and I tried to get them in (linking words), but I am not sure I did it often enough or with the right placement to create the desired sense of flow in my sequence.
Third, I almost forgot to demo. When I remembered that I ought to do one (not sure if it is a 'requirement'), it was at 'apex time'. Therefore, I demo'd the apex, which was Warrior I (this was a Basic class). I demo'd the pose, talking as I did it. I didn't re-cap, reminding everyone of two things to remember in this pose, and I didn't ask if anyone had a question -- these are key inclusions.
Fourth, I used my alignment emphasis (IS/OS) enough, but am not sure the verbiage I used gives credit to that emphasis for how each of the related movements felt (if that makes sense). An example: "confidently take your thighs back and apart, into the space you've created scoop your tailbone; now from the stability created by the two actions of IS and OS, raise your arms extending into your personal, extraordinary Warrior I" (see #5 for explanation).
Fifth, I am worried I totally blanked on the heart quality. I used John's recent quote in my opening comments "To make the ordinary extraordinary, sometimes you have to slow things down a bit." I believe it is so applicable to our practices and can be used effectively to help bring home the point that tadasana is an extraordinary pose with the right attitude. I used that simile through the class but is "extraordinary" a heart quality? Not sure.
I wish I had some good reasons for all of the above (the only explainable one is the first -- that I left it in the car). And, my memory ought to be good enough to remember or create a sequence 'on the fly'. Obviously, it isn't. Or, the excitement of all the right elements coming together just overwhelmed me. Who knows?
Now, what's the good in this? That I can think about that class and even without watching it, know what I left out. That bodes well for including it next time. Wish me luck.
Today? Gentle Yoga, back in Temecula this morning; Library Class at 3pm in Fallbrook. More opportunities to practice, I'm thinking.
Have a great Monday,
The situation was just too good -- enough people, in a big enough room, and well-schooled (maybe not everyone in Anusara, but that turned out to be o.k. for this group).
And, what's the rest of the story? Not sure it will fly -- why?
First, I always have a written out plan with me (not that I read from it verbatim, but I do refer to it just to make sure I'm covering all the bases) -- The plan I hoped to use I left in the car which Howard (husband) was driving to run errands as he waited for me. Duh!
Second, I found myself being too directive, not using linking words enough. Oh, I knew I was doing it (being directive) and I tried to get them in (linking words), but I am not sure I did it often enough or with the right placement to create the desired sense of flow in my sequence.
Third, I almost forgot to demo. When I remembered that I ought to do one (not sure if it is a 'requirement'), it was at 'apex time'. Therefore, I demo'd the apex, which was Warrior I (this was a Basic class). I demo'd the pose, talking as I did it. I didn't re-cap, reminding everyone of two things to remember in this pose, and I didn't ask if anyone had a question -- these are key inclusions.
Fourth, I used my alignment emphasis (IS/OS) enough, but am not sure the verbiage I used gives credit to that emphasis for how each of the related movements felt (if that makes sense). An example: "confidently take your thighs back and apart, into the space you've created scoop your tailbone; now from the stability created by the two actions of IS and OS, raise your arms extending into your personal, extraordinary Warrior I" (see #5 for explanation).
Fifth, I am worried I totally blanked on the heart quality. I used John's recent quote in my opening comments "To make the ordinary extraordinary, sometimes you have to slow things down a bit." I believe it is so applicable to our practices and can be used effectively to help bring home the point that tadasana is an extraordinary pose with the right attitude. I used that simile through the class but is "extraordinary" a heart quality? Not sure.
O.K., enough for 'true confessions' -- I'll watch it. I am not even sure that the camera captures much of the 13 students in the room; I set it up, hurriedly went back to signing people in, and never re-checked it. I do know that it was on, however. So, we'll see.
Now, what's the good in this? That I can think about that class and even without watching it, know what I left out. That bodes well for including it next time. Wish me luck.
Today? Gentle Yoga, back in Temecula this morning; Library Class at 3pm in Fallbrook. More opportunities to practice, I'm thinking.
Have a great Monday,