Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year Reflections
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
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
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
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
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. |
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I have a consistent physical fitness program | 21.9% |
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I don't have a physical fitness program | 21.9% |
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I try to be fit but I am inconsistent | 37.5% |
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I am seeking a physical fitness program I can stick with | 18.8% |
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I don't really care about fitness | 0.0% |
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3. My experience with yoga includes the following: |
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I have a regular yoga practice of my own | 18.8% |
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I have tried it a few times | 46.9% |
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I have no prior yoga experience | 34.4% |
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4. Why did you sign up for Lunchtime yoga? |
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I like Yoga and welcome the chance to do it during my work week | 50.0% |
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I need to start a fitness program | 28.1% |
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I have a lot of stress and heard it might help | 18.8% |
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I have a physical ailment that I hope to overcome | 15.6% |
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A friend suggested I try Yoga | 3.1% |
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I just thought I would give it a try | 25.0% |
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5. What are you seeking in a yoga class? |
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To get away from my desk | 25.0% |
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To get fit | 53.1% |
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Lose weight | 31.3% |
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Reduce Stress | 65.6% |
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I want to sweat! | 15.6% |
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Gain strength | 59.4% |
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Increase my physical flexibility | 75.0% |
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Relaxation | 62.5% |
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Get rid of physical pain | 15.6% |
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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. |
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invigorated | 37.5% |
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tired | 12.5% |
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refreshed | 71.9% |
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relaxed | 31.3% |
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sore | 12.5% |
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ready for anything | 37.5% |
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chilled out | 6.3% |
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energized | 62.5% |
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rested | 3.1% |
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Other (please specify) | 0.0% |
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7. Do you have any physical injuries or limitations? If so, please plan to discuss them with me prior to class. |
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Yes - I have an injury | 3.1% |
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Yes - I have some physical limitations | 18.8% |
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Nope - I'm all clear | 78.1% |
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Describe your physical challenges or injury | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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? |
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Monday at noon | 37.5% |
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Friday at noon | 25.0% |
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I really want to practice on both days! | 37.5% |
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Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Survey
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