Lessons of the Student Teacher

Wednesday, 1/20’s class occurred on the beach of the Family Island in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia! Eight members of a tour group from University of North Carolina, Harvard, Smith and UCLA Alumni Associations experienced their first chair yoga class. We used picnic benches (which were excellent for this class) to develop foot awareness in the sand. The four points of contact were a bit more elusive than on solid ground. We reviewed the 90 degree rule of the feet, shins, thighs, back, elbows and chin. Breath awareness was developed with centering breaths drawn deep into the diaphragm and belly with the inhalation and exhalation slowly through the mouth. The fresh air that filled our lungs was welcome after snorkeling. We continued into the Body Alignment Series with a rhythmic pelvic movement similar to Cat/Cow Stretch. We focused on the positioning of the elbows against the ribs to keep the shoulders in line with the spine. From there, we practiced more effective walking form by drawing the elbows back to balance a longer stride with the legs (versus shuffling the feet). Leg Squeezes (In and Out) were employed to counter stabilized arm rotations . This produced a whole body isometric exercise, while utilizing centering breaths. We finished with upward neck extensions to lengthen the upper body while maintaining our feet grounded into the sand and lower body support with the core muscles. Now back to the ocean!