Cliff notes on Sunday's class, 2/18/08

Feb 18, 2008 9:43 AM
Cliff notes on Sunday's class
Class starts easy- sitting breath- a few minutes before reaching up and over
to side stretch. While sitting- w/ straight legs, forward bending long enough
to open along our back with our breath, w/ assist. Later: progressive loosening
toward intending foot behind the head pose; breath leading undulation thru
spinal flexion and extension; then twist w/ one bent knee.

Onto hands/knees-> move into child pose->updog->child pose->updog->child pose->updog->hold. Repeat.
Downdog->folding down, reach child pose->lunge rt leg->monkey stretch->
hips back stretch->monkey stretch->hips back stretch->again on the left side.
Pidgeon pose->plank->downdog. Repeat several times on both sides.

From virasana position, series of different shoulder movements, neck.
From sit bones, navasana (boat pose), centering from our core below & in from
the navel. Fish pose w/ assist, uddiyana bandha. Savasana (corpse pose) for a
little longer than 5 min....
Tea. Appreciation of working on soreness at left center scapula (JK), of
progressively loosening the whole body, letting go of tensions, particularly
our attentions pulled this way, bumped that way,
like a continuous pinball game, always moving, w/out taking a rest.
We forget about taking that step back, to observe from where we are not in
a hurry. Always having something to do hinders us from actually being present
(yoga stretch becomes moving meditation, w/ breath as guide).
Afterglow of release, infusion of cell energies; feeling safe, communal,
in a good mood. :)ohn

Other notes:
Trying to start a monday class at 5:30pm as soon as people interested
can sign up for a 5 class series (doesn't have to be used consecutively).
I will be spreading the word at neighboring medical facilities, hoping to
enlist local after work yogis. Let me know who might be interested.
And with 3 possible classes per week, as part of a 5 week series, there
is an option to sign up for all classes (one class/wk free).

Sunday class, starting on 3/1, will change to 12noon, to make it easier
for church parishioners to attend after service.