Post Class Update

Here's what we talked about in Class

 I enjoyed our  opening discussion of  How  Yoga Works.  One thing I forgot to bring up is the importance of the various manifestations of  violence in the story.  Ahimsa (or non-violence) is one of the central ethical teachings of  yoga philosophy. As you continue to read, think about how violence and non-violence manifest in the story. 

We worked on the  following poses in  class.   Tadasana, Urdhva Hastasana,  lots of  Adho Mukha Svanasana.  Savasana with  block under the head and shoulder blades.  Supta Padangusthansana, supported setu Bandha ( off bolster, feet on blocks) and viparita karani.

We worked a bit with breath observation.

Asana homework.  Observe how often your daily tasks take your shoulder forward and shoulder blades off your back.  Then do what you can to  change that habit.  Try to  put your legs up the wall  every day.  Do a  down dog  every  day.  One of my favorite yoga slogans,  "Another Day,  Another Down Dog." 



Here's the handout we used for  discussion.


Hello  All,

There  are   ten  students enrolled.


The good news. Everyone  has created  a blog.
Most of you did a practice reflection.

The super good news.  One of you has already posted a response to one of the memoirs.

The bad news Only  three of  you posted a  reading response. This is the lowest reading prompt response rate I have ever had.

Though  I am not in complete  despair,  it does make it difficult for me to gauge where you are with this.

So,  please  take  a moment  and write  down.

One  thing  you liked about  how  yoga  works.

One thing you didn’t.

If you are auditing or  didn’t  read,   write  a question you  have and an observation  about your yoga practice thus  far.  

 

A blog link to check out

Hi All,

Antonia asked a great question on her blog about how to keep the shoulderblades on the back when the arms are reaching outward.  It turns out my friend, Stacey Mietus, has been pondering just this in her own practice lately. You can check out her musings at  http://yogalab.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/minding-my-neck/

Tomorrow in class, set up your blankets and mats as usual, but we'll form a circle for the beginning discussion.


looking forward to it.  Am enjoying reading the blogs.

Some notes from the second day of class

Hi Everyone,

The second class went well, from my perspective.  We talked some philosophy.  I think in the future I will have us sit in a circle to facilitate discussion.  We discussed the first four sutras. A couple students read all four padas, quite an introduction.  I don't think I've ever read them all myself in one sitting.

Here's the handout I used for our discussion.  

1.1   Now   yoga  begins.    

1.2    Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.

1.3  When yoga happens,   the seer  resides in its true abode/ sees its true nature.

1.4  At other times, the seer  identifies with the fluctuations of the mind. 

Atha   now

Yoga union

Citta   mind

Nirodha   cessation/stopping

Vritti   fluctuation

Purusha   soul/seer 

Kelsey asked some good questions about are all fluctuations bad. No only those that interfere with the aim of  yoga.  She also asked what to do to get more flexible.  Do what you remember from class


here's the asana  sequence   Dandasana, tadasana, Urdhva Hastasana, Urdhva Baddanguliasana, Tadasana, Vrksasana,  Utkatasana,  uttansana, padangustasana, padahastasana,  Utthita Hasta Padasana, Prasarita Paddottanasana,  AMS,  Chatush, SBK, Savasana. 

There are some more musings on teaching yogaandphilosophy. blogspot.com

Things to think about from the first day

Hi Everyone,

here's the sequence of poses that we worked on.     Dandasana, Tadasana, Urdhva Hastasana, Urdhva Baddanguliasana, Paschima Baddanguilasana, Vrksasana, Utthita Hasta Padasana, Trikonasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana, Chatushpadasana, Supta Baddha Konasana, Savasana.


Your asana homework assignment.  Observe how you naturally stand.  When possible, stand in tadasana.
Work on shoulder stretches while making coffee or working at the computer.

Think about the names of the poses and the qualities associated with those names?

Make your feet be like leaves.

Welcome to the BIC Yoga Capstone

Hello Blog world,

Here is the class  motherblog.  All the course blogs will appear on the blog roll.  I will also post links to various yoga sites.  Most of my own blogging will occur on my teaching philosophy and yoga blog.