Jul 16, 2013 |
If you come to my yoga classes, you’ve probably learned a couple of new asanas that were inspired by my 4-year-old great-niece Lily. (Yes – I’ve graduated to the title of Great Aunt, which I lovingly cherish and also think is quite fitting since I am great at being an aunt.)
Any time I get to be around Lily, we always get down on the floor to play and eventually do a little yoga together. I love the sense of joy and freedom that she brings to the asanas, and she always teaches me to not take myself so seriously on my yoga mat. In fact, we should all follow this cue and bring a little more playfulness into our yoga practice.
Three-year-young Fiona, another great-niece has taught me more about the fine art of hugasana, with her ability to dive bomb into my arms and share her love with the HUGEST hugs.
I was recently blessed with another great-niece named Salem, and at 4 months old, she is a natural when it comes to honoring her body. This girl knows how to move herself around to positions that feel good and just naturally flows into these beautiful backbends to strengthen her back.
Humm, I think my great nieces are onto something!
Over the 4th of July weekend I got to visit both of them and spent time observing and picking up a few new yoga asanas that I’d like to share with you.
Swimasana
Inspired by Lily, come into dekasana (airplane pose), and then instead of leaving the arms at your sides, begin taking your arms forward and back like you are doing the breaststroke. The leg that is back behind you follows along with the arms, like you are kicking the legs back and then forward to support the breaststroke. This actually makes dekasana a little more challenging, but a helluva a lot more fun because you can’t do it without smiling and ultimately laughing at yourself.
Salemasana
Start by lying flat on your belly, legs together and straight behind you. Take your knees out to the sides of your yoga mat, and then lift your feet up to press the soles of the feet together.
Set your elbows under your shoulders and your forearms on the floor parallel to each other (similar to Sphinx pose). As you inhale, start to lift your head, neck, and upper torso off of the ground and into a backbend.
I don’t know if Salem had this in mind, but I directed my classes to bring awareness to their belly button, lightly drawing it away from the floor. This belly lift supports the backbend and soothes the lower back.
The final step in the pose is to plaster a big smile on your face and just look cute – after all, that is what 4-month-olds naturally do.
Hold salemasana for 5 to 10 complete rounds of breath.
To come out of the pose, exhale as you slowly release the belly and lower your torso and head to the floor. Relax and, if you like, take your head to one side and bend the knees, letting them float from left to right like a windshield wiper for a few breaths. Take a moment to pause here and deepen your breath and then repeat salemasana one or two more times.
I’m sending out a huge hug and lots of gratitude to Salem, Lily, and Fiona for teaching me about yoga and inspiring these awesome new poses. To my beautiful great nieces, I can’t wait to see you again and to continue to learn and grow my practice through your youthful energy, joy, hugs, and wisdom.
Jul 3, 2013 |
The Daily Downward Dog is seeking a dependable and cheerful certified yoga instructor to lead weekly yoga classes on the beach. Please read the job description below and leave a comment if interested.
Job Description:
Beach Studio Maintenance. The beach is your yoga studio, so you will be responsible for keeping it maintained. This duty includes raking the beach to prepare your beach studio floor, and may also include removal of debris, the occasional dead fish, and at times large sandcastles built right in the middle of your beach studio. Basically, you will need to arrive early and be prepared for just about anything; you never know what unexpected delights a storm, heavy wind, or beachgoers might have left the day before.
Meteorologist. Knowledge of weather patterns and a degree in meteorology or experience as a storm chaser is preferred. You will need these skills to determine if a class should take place or be cancelled due to inclement weather. This is Lake Erie, Ohio, so you have to go with the flow and at times teach a class when it is a bit chilly, or when the heat feels more like a Bikram yoga studio, or there is a slight drizzle of rain, or huge gusts of wind threaten to blow your mat away. Sometimes when there is heavy rain class will wind up under the cover of a pavilion. No matter what, always keep the safety of your students as a number one priority! Your students are dedicated yogis, so even if you think the weather is not going to cooperate, they will be there ready to practice yoga come rain, snow, or sizzling hot temperatures.
Strong Voice. You will need a voice that can project over soaring winds and crashing waves. Some days you can deliver your cues in a whisper, and other days you will need your voice to carry like you are delivering a speech in a huge auditorium.
Adaptability. The ability to stay calm, be in the present, and think on your feet is a necessity. You will encounter many distractions: eagles soaring through the sky, dogs running into your practice area, fish jumping out of the water, rainbows, small kids that pull up their beach chairs to watch the class, and at times noisy boats or beach tractors. But none of this will bother you, of course. You’ll teach through the distractions with the sheer focus of guiding your students to a place of bliss.
Expandable Heart. At times you will be so full of joy from the sun shining down on you, the smiles on your students’ faces, and nature’s playlist of wind and waves that your heart will feel like it is going to burst wide open. At these precise moments, your expandable heart will need to kick into full gear so you can share this incredible joy with the entire class.
Benefits: We provide a benefits package that includes sunscreen to keep your skin protected, lots of water to keep you hydrated, plenty of sunshine, and smiling faces. If you are lucky you will also get to pick up a few pieces of sea glass and make many new friends!
Ok, truth time: I’m not really looking for instructors. I just thought it would be fun to share my summer beach yoga job description with all of you. Even on those days when I show up at the beach and have to bury a dead fish, I still pinch myself that I get to do what I love and that I get to do it in such a beautiful place – with such awesome yogis!
I’m sending out a big thanks to everyone who has come to a beach yoga classes this summer! We still have two months to go, so if you have not made it out for a class, please check the schedule and join me soon for a little beach yoga bliss.
Jun 19, 2013 |
This Sunday there will be a full moon – but not just any full moon. This one is being touted as a SUPER full moon, aptly named because it is going to be the night of my inaugural Full Moon Yoga class!
I’ve always wanted to teach yoga during the full moon, and this year I’m finally getting around to it with a Super Full Moon Yoga class to be held at Firefly Beach on the lovely shores of Lake Erie in Huron, Ohio.
The reason for the SUPER moniker is due to the fact that this full moon is not only the closest and largest full moon of this year, but it also will be the moon’s closest encounter with earth for all of 2013!
WOW – please join me and tap into the power and energy of this super full moon and align with the natural rhythms of the season. It is said that the full moon is a time that brings closure to things that no longer serve us, enabling us to set intentions and dreams to nourish us in the days to come. Plus, this full moon falls just two days after the Summer Solstice (the first day of summer and longest day of the year), so it will be a magical night out on the beach.
We’ll enjoy rhythmic and empowering moon salutations; nurture our bodies, minds, and souls; balance our energies; and awaken our creativity and intuition as we flow through asanas in the divine light of this super full moon. There will be time at the end of class for meditation, setting intentions, and sending dreams out into the universe.
Feel free to come early to Firefly Beach to catch the sunset at 9:05 PM (I recommend you get there at about 8:50 to fully appreciate the beauty of the big orange ball dropping down into the lake). The Super Full Moon class will start at 9:15 PM and is a one-hour, all-levels-welcome class.
What to Bring: I’ll have sheets down on the beach to protect your yoga mat or towel. Bring flashlights to help guide you back up the hill to the parking area after class. There will be tiki torches on the beach to provide light. You may want to bring an extra layer of clothing or a blanket to cover up with during savasana and meditation, and you might also want to have some buy spray on hand.
Cost: This is a donation-based class.
Location: The Firefly Beach Resort is located directly behind the Erie Kai Tavern at 4903 Cleveland Road East (Route 6) in Huron, Ohio, just minutes away from Vermilion and Sandusky, Ohio. Please park in the Erie Kai Tavern’s side parking area and walk down towards the beach. Check-in for this class is under the pavilion at the top of the beach.
Class will be cancelled in the event of rain. I’ll post updates on the Daily Downward Dog Facebook page if the weather is questionable.
Click here for the 2013 Summer Beach Yoga Schedule!
May 22, 2013 |
Raise your hand if you are a yoga teacher and you’ve instructed your class to close their eyes so they can see within. Or, raise your hand if you are a yoga student and you’ve heard your yoga teacher ask you to close your eyes. I’m seeing a lot of raised hands out there in the universe as this is a common theme in yoga classes.
If you ask me, once you get comfortable in your yoga practice and can start to close your eyes during some of the asanas, that is when your practice really starts to blossom. Closing the eyes provides an outlet to quiet the mind and notice exactly what is happening in your body. When I ask my students to do this, it is not so they can’t see, but so they can truly SEE what’s happening from within.
These instructions took on a whole new meaning to me when I started the first week of my beginners’ yoga class series and was notified that one student was blind. Not only that, but she was to be accompanied by her seeing eye dog. I wasn’t terrified, but I quickly changed my game plan of how I was going to teach the class. I’ll be honest: This is one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a teacher.
With a student who is blind, you can’t tell them to look at their feet to see if they are in the proper alignment, or to watch the way you are demonstrating the proper alignment with your feet. You pretty much have to throw most of your regular cues away. It forced me to rethink every cue as it came out of my mouth.
So, what’s it like having a blind student in class? It’s awesome!
When you teach new students, there are always a few in each class who fear the unknown, not quite sure what to expect, maybe even thinking, ‘oh my gosh, what have I gotten myself into?’ If any of the women in my beginners’ series class felt this way, I’m sure their fears were squelched as soon as they saw Mary and her dog walk into the studio. I know I would be checking myself and saying, “Geez, if this woman has the courage to step onto her yoga mat, then I most certainly can too.”
Buddha always practiced with his eyes closed!
Mary has been an inspiration to each person in the class, present company included. I love the sense of community she has brought to all of us – how the other students are patient when I need to spend a little more time with Mary, how they help her prepare for class and then put away her props for her after. Every week something one of the students does to help Mary touches my heart and makes me smile. And, Mary is probably by far the most attentive and best listener I’ve ever had.
Having Sarah the dog in class is a special treat too. Sarah sits attentively next to Mary and has never caused the slightest distraction. Although, I admit I was kind of bummed when she didn’t try downward dog with us.
I close my eyes a lot when I practice, but never for a whole class. I blindfolded myself and tried this out at home and have to say (no pun intended) it was an eye-opening experience, one that I highly recommend everyone try at least once (but be safe and have a spotter there to keep an eye on you). Even if you can’t do a whole class this way, just try doing a sun salutation with your eyes closed. However, I caution you to watch your nose when you come down from plank to chaturanga dandasana. And be careful with those balance poses – they were nearly impossible for me! Standing poses and alignment will take on a whole new meaning, and if you are a teacher, this exercise provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen your verbal asana cues.
It can be really natural to be fearful of new experiences. What I’ve learned from Mary is that you can’t be afraid, that you have to look at what the experience will teach you, how you can embrace it, and how you will learn and grow from it. Mary is not showing a single sign of fear. Last week after class she asked if I could teach her how to do Warrior 3!
I’d like to send out a huge hug and thanks to Mary for having the courage to start her yoga journey and also for helping me to grow as a yoga teacher. Mary used to do a lot of ballet dancing and is looking forward to bringing her love of dance and movement into her yoga practice. So, Mary here’s to you – keep on dancing on your yoga mat and spreading your light!
Buddha image: Andrea Kratzenberg
Yoga Teacher Tale #1
Apr 30, 2013 |
Sometimes I put together a yoga class playlist that I just really love, so much so that I want to keep using it and I have to share it. I’ve used variations of this over the last few weeks in my yoga classes and it will definitely be one I continue to pull out of the archives.
“Om Mani Padme Hum” – Travelling the Sacred Sound Current: Divine Chants & Sacred Tones for Healing & Meditation – Deborah Van Dyke
[youtube]http://youtu.be/X2m98JO2g3s[/youtube]
It starts out like a beautiful whisper. Then a slow drum beat layers on top, and the peaceful chant of “om mani padme hum” is perfect for opening up class with breath meditation and warm-ups.
“Om Shantih Shantih Shantih” – Asana 3 Peaceful Heart – Robert Musso
This one starts out slow too, but with more of a mystical feel, and then it picks up with a groovy beat and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois chanting “om shanti, shanti, shanti” over the musical stylings of Robert Musso. PJ’s chant is so cool, it sounds like he’s rapping.
“Om Mani Padme Hum” – Path to Bliss – Mercedes Bahleda
Yeah, I was on a little om mani padme hum kick when I was putting together a class about Avalokiteshvara, a goddess able to reach nirvana who delayed doing so out of extreme compassion to save suffering beings. “Om mani padme” is the universal mantra of compassion and often associated with Avalokiteshvara, and that is why this classic mantra gets a double-take on this playlist, but in this version Mercedes serves up a happier, sunnier version of the chant.
“Om Namah Shivaya (Omstrumental)” – Elephant Powered Omstrumentals – MC Yogi
[youtube]http://youtu.be/_Z2gzCLCt2I[/youtube]
This is a yoga class playlist standard, and I’m not quite sure why it took me so long to finally include it on one of mine. This is the perfect song to use when it’s time to pick up the pace and when you want a little chant/rap in the playlist.
“Love is My Religion” – Love is My Religion – Ziggy Marley
I always need at least one reggae song per playlist, and if you’re gonna have religion in your life, love is certainly one to not only worship but believe in.
“All Good” (Mangalam Remix) – Remixed – Girish
This one has a funky belly-dancing groove sound to it, and I love the vocals and message, “It’s all good!” Girish will make you want to shake your hips and move to the groove on your yoga mat as you repeat the mantra. I’m really excited to say that Girish is coming to Yoga Bliss Akron – one of the studios I teach at! – on June 1 from 11 to 12:30 PM for a special yoga class led by Juli Hicks, where he’ll be playing LIVE. Then on June 2, he will lead a chant workshop from 11 to 1 PM. If you live in the Akron/Cleveland area, you can’t miss this opportunity to attend a yoga class where Girish will be performing live.
“Amazing” – One eskimO – One eskimO
[youtube]http://youtu.be/nLEPdjscQ5Q[/youtube]
I will fess up, I am guilty of overusing the word amazing, and in this song, the word is definitely overused, but I don’t care, because this song is AMAZING! The definition of amazing is to affect with great wonder and astonishment. Yep – I’m certain I misuse the word all the time, but to quote One eskimO, “I love life, I hope you do to, cause I love everything, it’s all amazing.”
“Copper Moon” – Sounds of Tadasana – Tom Freund
[youtube]http://youtu.be/9Zuzd-wsrlE[/youtube]
I’m digging Tom’s sound. He reminds me a little of Tom Petty, but a mellower version him that is into yoga, incense, and chanting om. I picked up this song from the complimentary Sounds of Tadasana festival album, but you can pick up this tune from Tom’s album titled Copper Moon.
“Bliss Ma” – Blue Fire Soul – Suzanne Sterling
I got the opportunity to attend an awesome singing yoga class with Suzanne at Tadasana Festival and have been wanting to include her lovely voice on my playlists ever since. This song has a nice beat, but a slower feel to it, so it’s perfect for the second half of class after all the vinyasas, when the body is heated up and we flow into the “Bliss Ma” portion of class.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/QFuuUT-J6RA[/youtube]
Check out this video of Suzanne talking about singing and pranayama!
“Jap Man Sat Nam (from Anand)” – The Essential Snatam Kaur – Snatam Kaur
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V9WA98gGyk[/youtube]
I can’t get enough of Snatam lately. I just love the sound of her voice, and this album has a ton of great cuts to use in yoga class playlists. This one is perfect for savasana.
I have so many yoga class playlists that I’ve put together this year that I have not had the chance to share, so I promise to get back on the cool yoga music bandwagon and start sharing more of my favorites. And you can always visit the Cool Yoga Music page for a look at past yoga theme songs and playlists.
I’ve got a special treat for you later this week, some big news about KD, one of my favorite yoga rock stars – Krishna Das!
Musical Note Image courtesy of Billy Frank Alexander – like him on Facebook and check out his awesome work!
