Today I worked with Abigail for 45 minutes.
I set an intention for the session and told her I wanted to honor the Spring Equinox but first meditating for 10 minutes, then imitating a seed opening and just beginning to sprout!
She was game, and told me she is a gardener.
I asked her to focus on emerging from a long, dormant winter in her meditation, and how her body might want to express itself.
After our meditation, we came into the Rock, where I asked her to breath deeply into her back and ribs, to feel that movement. Where in the body was energy lacking or being stored? From here we stretched into Child's Pose, then into Garland Pose.
We went to Table Top and went through a series of Cat/Cow Poses. I asked her to really focus on curling up and uncurling from the base of the spine, all the way to the crown of the head, to try to feel that energy.
After a few Cat/Cows, we went up into Down Dog, alternating bending each leg, coming up on our toes.
I looked over and she was taking her sox off not even using her hands, just her feet!
I cracked up!
From Down Dog, went to Plank (I suggested she use the alternative of knees on mat), then Inch Worm, then up to Cobra. This was a tricky flow for her, but she got there.
Then into Puppy Stretch.
Rolled up and came to sit in Pike Position on the mat, chin tucked in, feet flexed, shoulders dropped, and stayed here for a few breaths.
I then directed her in Fish Pose, but made sure it was really simple for her.
Back up to Pike, into a Sitting Forward Bend.
Then brought feet to mat, bent legs, hands facing back and went into a Bridge. Rolled back down, arms forward and rolled down to the mat on our backs. Raised arms up to ceiling and down beside ears.
In haled into another Bridge, rolled down and came into Knees To Chest
Holding our shins, we did a bit of rocking, releasing in the neck as well.
Came into one more Bridge, this time bringing the arms in under the back, interlacing hands.
Came back to Knees to Chest, took arms out to the sides and let the folded legs swing very gently side to side in a Spinal Twist, experimenting with that range of motion.
From here we tried Happy Baby. This made me very happy!
Took arms out to the side, raised legs to ceiling and did a series of leg stretches, opening the hips.
Then brought arms and legs to ceiling and did the Happy Cricket Pose, rubbing hands and feet together.
From here, brought hands into Namaste, while lowering the legs, feet still together, to the mat for a further hip
opener. This was pretty tough for Abigail, so I suggested she could slide her legs further down on her mat.
From here we unfolded into Savasana.
Namaste!
Abigail said she really liked the session and said she would like to begin paying me. I thanked her and told her not to worry about it, that I appreciated the opportunity to work with her, but on second thought, I think I will ask for Dana--she can leave whatever she feels in appropriate, under 10 dollars. I will tell her next week.
In the meantime, I am formulating a plan to hold a few classes over the summer for my friends, but I need to look into getting insurance. I think we can hold sessions in the Goodyear Gallery, my new yoga studio!!!!
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