Met J in the driveway who said she had a headache and was afraid it was going to turn into a migraine, so I was thinking frantically of what poses might help, then realized simple breathing might be best.
The sky was about to open with rain, but the 7 of us started outdoors anyway.
We started with something silly and fun called Secret Handshake--broke into teams, went to our separate corners and made up something silly as a greeting to show the group, like slapping 5, etc.
There was lots of laughter while everyone worked it out. Then we came together to share out handshakes.
I was paired with Vencente, an intern from South America and we mimed some of the work we had done all day--pulling cord and tying it around stakes, which we turned into a dance, then sitting at the computer and working at the keyboard, then pressing SEND.
It was funny and we all laughed and clapped for each handshake.
Then went into Tadasana, and directed a brief 3 Part Yoga Breath.
We did simple warm ups--shoulder shrugs, hugs with chin tucked to chest, Washing Machine, shook like Jello, arms out to a T.
Did several Upward Salutes, then rolled into Uttanasana, repeated and brought palms together, then into Namaste. Repeated Upward Salute, into Namaste, bent knees, then exhaled hands down.
On the next Upward Salute, interlaced the hands and turned palms up, then exhaled hands to the back of the head for a little massage around the bottom of the skull and the neck. Bent knees.
Exhaled the arms down, then brought the hands behind the back, interlaced fingers, Forward Bend into Yoga Mudra.
Rolled up and inhaled to a final Upward Salute, palms together, crossed thumbs, interlaced all but the pointer fingers, gazed past the hands.
Then down to Chair Pose, then Namaste.
We then did the Tai Chi balance pose, and it began to rain.
Moved our mats into the barn, where it was dry, but really filthy for bare feet--oh well, those mats are washable!
Took a moment to talk about using the Ujila Breath.
Did a Tree series. Baby Tree, then Big Tree, growing branches, then palms together and into Namaste.
Did this as a partner pose, after J and I demonstrated.
We all grew branches and brought a palm to one another's palm.
I think everyone really liked this! I loved watching them do it, and they all really did a good job.
Came to sit in Bound Angle, hands on feet. With straight back, did a Forward Bend, rolled back and shoulders and head down, then rolled up.
Went into a Seated Chest Opener, hands on floor behind back, chin tucked in, then up and into the Straight Back Forward Bend, then rolled it all inward, then inhaled up. Repeated.
Then did a series of Inverted Table Top, each time rotating wrists between poses--on the last pose, tilted the head back and focused on the 3rd eye. (Was really hoping this was okay for J's headache!)
Then went into the Rock.
From here were did a Cat series, basically going from Cat Bows, back to Garland, to Table Top, to Hollow Cat, the Cow, back to the Rock--repeated several times, with an extended Cat/Cow.
Rolled up to our knees and did a Monkey series, moving in and out of the stretch using the breath.
Went back into the Rock.
Then into Savasana.
I asked anyone who wanted a Breathing Buddy to give me a high sign, then placed them on tummies.
We breathed in silence for some time, then I asked everyone to rub their palms together, then place them over their eyes (I remembered this was a good headache reliever).
We lay in Savasana for quite a while, then came to sit up in Easy Pose, hands on knees, for one long OM.
Namaste!
It went fairly well, I think. they all want me to come back. J said she no longer had a headache!!!! And Vencente, who had never done yoga and had looked really bored in the beginning said, "I feel better."
Yaaaaaaa.
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