January 23, 2009

Today I met with Abigail for a half hour.  Her husband was with her, but he chose to walk around the track--Abigail informed me that he was embarrassed because they had forgotten their yoga mats.  She however could care less.

I asked if she had anything in particular she wanted to work on, she said no.  She returned the questionaire I had asked her to fill out last week.  I told her I needed to work on my back, so we would be lying down.  I also told her it might be easier to go without sneakers, but she explained that she's unable to exercise without them due to a problem with her toes.  So, shoes on for yoga!

We started in Tadasana, inhaled up to upward salute, interlaced fingers and turned inside out.  Exhaled arms down and repeated, then exhaled arms behind back and interlaced fingers, just standing, noting the breath.  Brought hands to Namaste and explained how she could give her thymus gland at the Heart Chakra a massage.  She likes info like this.

Then we lay on our backs and I taught her how do pelvic tilts.

We then did Dying Bug.  That was tough for her, and I encouraged her to do a simple bicycle if she wanted to.

We then did Knees to Chest and rocked a little, letting our head wag side to side as well.

Then we did several Gut Sucks, and laughed.

Knees to chest and rocking again, then feet to mat for a series of Bridges: first one with arms above head, palms up, second one, arms beside body, palms down, finally one where I encouraged her to tuck in her shoulder blades and interlace hands beneath her back.  Each time I encouraged her to exhale slowly, one vertebrae at a time, but she rushed, I think because she was pushing herself and felt fatigued.  I've come to realize that she will push herself beyond her comfort edge.

Knees to chest again, with rocking.

We did a series of Lying Spinal Twists.  Then knees back to chest.

Legs straight up, arms out to the side for support, ankle twirls in both directions.

Arms up with legs, then exhaling arms and legs open, inhaling back to center, repeated 3 times.

Finally, did Happy Bug, rubbing hands and feet together, laughing.

Our Savasana began by continuing to rub our hands together to generate some heat, then gently placed the palms over eyes for a few breaths.  Then hands to lower abdomen to note breathing for a few in/exhalations, then arms by our sides for a complete Savasana.

Namaste!