Of the 8 who started with me, 6 remain, and are keen on continuing through the summer. I'm really excited about that.
We'll use the Goodyear Gallery until classes begin, and then if the group wants to continue beyond August, I'm going to have to seriously consider converting a room in my house to a yoga studio....right now it's sort of on the back burner, but it's a distinct possibility!
That's exciting!
Last night, we started by choosing rolled up "diplomas", which were really mandalas to color with markers. I think everyone was surprised, but within a few minutes, you could have heard a pin drop! Everyone really got in to coloring.
As we each finished, we sat in Meditation.
We then returned to our mats, placed our mandalas at the foot of our mats, and continued our practice.
We started in the Rock, and practiced Pranayama.
I directed their attention to the breath through the back of the ribs, from the base of the sacrum, up the spine and to the crown of the head.
Stretched into Child's Pose (arms in front), then rolled up to Hero's Pose and Namaste.
Back into the Rock, then to Table Top, (demonstrated alternative hand positions) where we did a vinyasa of Cat/Cow, then back to Hero's Pose, where we rotated our wrists in both directions.
Down to the Rock, back to Table Top, then to Cat Bows and Cat Side Stretches. Back to Hero's Pose to stretch out toes and Namaste, then into Garland Pose.
We probably did this vinyasa for 10-15 minutes, a long time for beginners to be on hands & knees!
Came to sit on our mats, then onto our backs and totally relaxed for a few breaths.
Directed everyone in a Supine Tree Pose vinyasa, beginning with inhaling/exhaling arms up and down, opening one side of the hips, then the other, palms together, forearms together over the face, then into Namaste. I pointed out that we were practicing the Tree Pose, just in a supine position.
Then directed everyone in Leg Lifts, Ankle Rotations, one knee to chest, both Knees to Chest, rocking a bit, a gentle Supine Twist with Knees to Chest, and finally Threading the Needle to really open the hips.
I actually made it so complicated on one side, I got screwed up taking everyone to the other side! Did anyone notice?!? Maybe not....
When I noticed I had gotten it all screwed up, I decided to do an extended Savasana with Pranayama.
Turned my yoga tunes down very low, and directed everyone through the 3 Part Breath, and finally considering opening the Throat Chakra for Right Speech.
Brought Palms to Eyes, then hands at sides, palms up for full Savasana.
I decided to read Thich Nhat Hanh's Breath Poem, it's so vital!
Stretched where we felt we needed to stretch, came to our right sides, then came to sit on our mats.
And finally, Namaste!
And then, no one moved!!!!!
hahaha
No one got up. Everyone just sat there. Finally, we talked a little about coloring the mandalas, whether it could be considered a form of Meditation--I didn't want to weigh in on the subject, so I asked everyone what they thought.
So we had a nice conversation about it. When someone asked what they were supposed to do with their colored mandala, I suggested either using it as a meditation focal point, or trading it with someone....
So, it seems it is a successful class, and we will meet again in 2 weeks!
I'm happy about it.
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