Thursday, December 31, 2009

New Year Reflections

As I prepare for the renewal of the calendar I am reflecting on 2009. It was for me - a year of study, a year of Yoga. I enrolled in Rolf's training course in February.

The "student became ready and the teacher appeared." I had looked at other "weekend programs" and always thought - "too much time - too much travel." When I saw Rolf's program I thought "about the right amount of time and travel." Funny - looking back now I see that the other programs were offering similar time and travel! I simply was not ready.

As far as time goes - I liked the fact that 2009 would be dedicated as a year of study. It was exactly that. I have learned so much this year! I am truly filled with gratitude for what has been given to me!

Looking forward to 2010 I see a picture that is beautiful. My next phase of study is to teach - teach - teach. I will continue to study on my own and I am actively looking for a summer retreat style program to go deeper in to my own yoga practice. First I will focus on giving that gift to others.

The first law of karma says: Whatever you want from life you must do for someone else first. (Jey Rinpoche (1357-1419) Teacher of the first Dali Lama)

To my fellow yoga teachers and students I wish you the greatest of New Year wishes. May the peace and love that is already inside of you reveal itself more fully in the coming year.

Namaste

David

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Featured pose for week 1

I have planned to have a featured pose each week to break down and teach for my Lunchtime yoga gang. This pose will be the "come and see" pose for the class. Remember - Rolf says we get 1 "come and see" per class.

This weeks pose is Mountain. Are you surprised? I doubt it. It teaches the basic loops (hoops! gears!) and a great intro to "Strong and steady, firm, yet relaxed." (Rolfs words)

I also plan to break down the basic Surya Namaskara A sequence and obviously Mountain figures in strongly there. I plan to teach the pose, not the hoops. But - never fear - the Gears and Hoops will be the subject of a future weeks class.

I hope you are all doing well in your practice and your teaching!

David

Monday, December 28, 2009

Theme for week 1 classes

I thought I would have a weekly focus theme for my Lunchtime Yoga classes. The theme for week 1 is, drum roll please -------- The breath.

Any comments? It seems like the starting place to me. I was reading in TKv Desikachars book - Heart of Yoga - about Pranayama. Afterwards I wrote these words in my notes for the introduction to the breathwork.

The essential aim of Yoga is to remove impurities from the body including impure, disturbing thoughts from the mind. The vital pathway of incoming life energy and outgoing waste impurities is the breath. Therefore our use of the breath in yoga asana is the most important element we can practice. Without good breath work we may receive some basic isolated strengthening from the yoga poses we do - but we will not be getting the fully integrated benefits of the yoga practice which are in fact what make yoga holistic and unique from other forms of exercise.

I do not plan to read this passage - but it forms the basis of my notes. I will do an extended Pranayama practice to begin and then emphasize breath throughout the asana practice.

Next weeks theme!?? Hands and Feet!!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas downtime

I see that I have not posted anything in a week! Wow. I was off his past week and did not really think about teaching much. I did a little sequencing work and practiced 4 times myself.

Family Christmas was beautiful!

Now it is one week until my first Lunchtime Yoga class. Here is the latest:
HR told me this past week that i cannot have Wes come and assist me! Bummer. Fact is they are paranoid as hell! So - Wes - you are off the hook FOR NOW!

Yoga Alliance has been totally non-responsive. I have no idea if they even received my application. (I have called and left a message and emailed. h well. i will call next week.

Did you see the article in oprah Magazine and online? You can find it here.
Wow. It might be crowded in Yoga classes during January. And have you noticed that it always is???

OK - More later. I hope someone is reading this. And even if not - it's worth doing it.

David

Friday, December 18, 2009

Survey says

Really now - how often do you get to survey your yoga class? I am taking the opportunity to learn. It is so corporate! I got back about 35 responses to my survey. I have over 40 students now.

I found many answers interesting. The list of physical issues on #7 was very insightful. Wonder what you would learn if you could survey each class?

BTW - Did you know you can comment on a blog post? You can - so if you are reading, and I think you are, Please comment! Enjoy the answers.

1. I am







A male.

48.4%


A female.

51.6%







2. Tell me about your physical conditioning program.







I have a consistent physical fitness program

21.9%

I don't have a physical fitness program

21.9%

I try to be fit but I am inconsistent

37.5%

I am seeking a physical fitness program I can stick with

18.8%

I don't really care about fitness

0.0%







3. My experience with yoga includes the following:







I have a regular yoga practice of my own

18.8%

I have tried it a few times

46.9%

I have no prior yoga experience

34.4%














4. Why did you sign up for Lunchtime yoga?

I like Yoga and welcome the chance to do it during my work week

50.0%

I need to start a fitness program

28.1%

I have a lot of stress and heard it might help

18.8%

I have a physical ailment that I hope to overcome

15.6%

A friend suggested I try Yoga

3.1%

I just thought I would give it a try

25.0%













5. What are you seeking in a yoga class?







To get away from my desk

25.0%

To get fit

53.1%

Lose weight

31.3%

Reduce Stress

65.6%

I want to sweat!

15.6%

Gain strength

59.4%

Increase my physical flexibility

75.0%

Relaxation

62.5%

Get rid of physical pain

15.6%












6. We will practice Yoga for 50 minutes. How would you like to feel when you leave class? Choose an answer or write your own.







invigorated

37.5%

tired

12.5%

refreshed

71.9%

relaxed

31.3%

sore

12.5%

ready for anything

37.5%

chilled out

6.3%

energized

62.5%

rested

3.1%

Other (please specify)

0.0%







7. Do you have any physical injuries or limitations? If so, please plan to discuss them with me prior to class.







Yes - I have an injury

3.1%

Yes - I have some physical limitations

18.8%

Nope - I'm all clear

78.1%

Describe your physical challenges or injury



1.

Feet: Have what is called "pressure points", which result in calluses with a very sensitive core, which need to be cut out about every 3-4 months. Makes it hard to walk sometimes.
Legs: Have periperhal artery disease (PAD), which sometimes makes my legs tired.



2.

overwieght and inflexable so it will be embarressing



3.

previous back injury



4.

back issues, but know my limitations



5.

cannot lift more than 10 lbs.... lower back injury



6.

I am hyper mobile (I bend more than I "should")
I am nursing some regular ailments. I have regular back pain (sacralized vertibrae-lower back), am seeing a chiropractor for this.
I was seeing a personal trainer but other body pains I've had has not allowed me to continue my cardio/weight routine.



7.

I have an old knee injury that can get cranky during the winter.



8.

I don't have any acute issues, but I do have some knees that would like me to lose weight and a curve in my thoracic vertebrae. In addition I am woefully not-flexible, especially in my hamstrings.



9.










8. Class is scheduled Mondays at 12 noon

We are also adding a second class on Fridays at 12 noon.

Which day would you prefer?







Monday at noon

37.5%

Friday at noon

25.0%

I really want to practice on both days!

37.5%














Thursday, December 17, 2009

A Survey

Today I designed a survey for the people who signed up for lunchtime yoga! Here are the questions.
The only reason I asked about male and Female was to be able to view the differences in answers. Bad idea? By the way - the class appears to be about 40% men! Things that make you go Hmmm

Lunchtime Yoga Survey

1. I am

2. Tell me about your physical conditioning program. Remember its anonymous! You can select multiple answers.

3. My experience with yoga includes the following:

4. Why did you sign up for Lunchtime yoga?

5. What are you seeking in a yoga class?

6. We will practice Yoga for 50 minutes. How would you like to feel when you leave class? Choose an answer or write your own.

*

7. Do you have any physical injuries or limitations? If so, please plan to discuss them with me prior to class.

*

8. Class is scheduled Mondays at 12 noon
We are also adding a second class on Fridays at 12 noon.
Which day would you prefer?

9. If you have any questions about Lunchtime yoga you can ask them here and I will answer them in class - or you can email, call or stop by my office.






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