July 27, 2009

Had 3 people for the Gentle Yoga class tonight.

Also 1 dog, who was in Savasana most of the hour.

I asked what people might want, and someone said shoulders, someone said neck, someone said balance.

We started on our feet in Tadasana, moving side to side, then forward and backward, finding our balance.

Went through a flow of Upward Salute, Namaste, hands behind back, into Yoga Mudra, then rolling back up.

We also did Shoulder Rolls, Hugs (dropping the chin on the chest), and the Washing Machine.

Then did a series of balance poses, since one of us had been excited to hold Tree Pose earlier in the week, when she was working on her own!

So I demonstrated how Tree could be as simple as the foot propped against an ankle, or as challenging as Half Lotus....it's all Tree!

I also demonstrated using the wall, just for initial balance, then bringing the hand away once one had settled in.

But I had a feeling there might be some competition going on anyway!

I turned out to be right.

We did the Tree Pose on both sides, shook it out, then came to the wall and did the Crane Pose.  For an extra challenge, I demonstrated bending the knee and tucking the foot up behind, while holding on to the ankle.  We all tried it, using the wall for balance every now and then.

I talked about finding balance outside of yoga, and practicing where ever/when ever.

We then came back to our mats and did the Qigong move, and really got into the flow with the breath.

It's interesting to feel when people get into the flow, it's a physical feeling I get of people settling in and finding a groove!

We then came all the way down to the mat in the Rock.

Really breathed here.

Came into Child's Pose, then into Table Top.

Then rolled up onto our knees and did Closing the Gate Pose on both sides, then came back into the Rock.  Came back up to our knees and did The Monkey on both sides, really stretching across the upper chest, with a nice arch in the lower back.  Still on our knees, we did the Blade, stretching the elbows back to open the chest.

Came back into the Rock.

Then up to Garland.  Then I demonstrated Puppy Stretch for those who might not want to try Down Dog, since that was where we were headed.

However, we all tried Down Dog, and everyone did a good job!

Did lots of alternate leg/ankle stretching here, then down into Table Top, then rolled up onto knees and stretched out the wrists, then came into the Rock once more.

I think I may have had people on their knees for too long here.

Eventually we made it down into Crocodile, where we did a flow of Crocodile, Sphinx and Baby Cobra.

The final challenge was coming back into Down Dog or Puppy Stretch after Baby Cobra, and I knew it might be a little bit of a stretch for one person in particular.

But it was clear she wasn't going to be "left out", which is really not the sort of yoga I think she should be practicing.  I blame myself for perhaps putting some poses together that pushed her too much.  I almost feel as if I should call her to see if she's okay!

We came back into the Rock, centered ourselves, then came into Savasana.

We did the Lemon Squeeze twice (tensing then relaxing all muscles), then really settled in for Savasana.

Everyone hung out for another 20 minutes, and l left while people were still talking!

I feel as if I have to be very careful that I don't push too hard, but I also want to find the balance of just enough of a challenge not to be boring.

And that is certainly a balance!

Tomorrow, Farm Yoga!