Lessons of the Student Teacher

Lessons of the student teacher

December 21, 2009 by youcallthisyoga

Sunday, 12/20, at the Alexander YMCA was a double dip opportunity, with back to back mat and chair yoga classes. The first class held 11 students who were pretty familiar with yoga. Four had previously been in my class. We began by constructing home made bolsters with two blocks and three blankets. The supported rest back led to Breath Awareness exercises with a series of centered, hissing, three part, and then diaphragm breaths. Sunday Buffet. We made our way to our backs to loosen the base of the spine and S-I joint with focus on the positioning and tipping of the pelvis. We explored hip opening with arm movement in the opposing direction to lengthen the stretch. We countered with a downward dog series, highlighted by 1/4 dog. you have to feel it to believe it. The standing series focused on Tree Pose for balance. We finished with Legs up the Wall for a nice relaxation of the nervous system.

Four students attended the chair yoga class. Two were new to the experience. We straightened up our posture from Sitting Mountain position, utilizing Foot Awareness (the soles have four points of contact with the floor) assessment of chair height, and how we align our lower body(in search of a neutral pelvis). Everyone built up single leg strength and ultimately learned how to have an even golf swing (while seated).