Lessons of the Student Teacher

Friday, 1/29 provided two classes at the North Regional Library. The mat class drew seven students, five of which were new or limited in exposure to yoga. Four of the newbies were co-workers from the same office. After a brief orientation of yoga as a path to greater awareness, the group rested on their backs. We explored body awareness by focusing on areas that contacted the floor. Breath awareness began with focusing on one’s natural breath and then shifting to a deeper pelvic/diaphragm driven centering breath. A rhythmic pattern of nasal inhalation, pausing, then exhaling by mouth allowed us to expand the lungs in all three planes. We then developed mini-breaths to the belly, heart and chest areas to deepen the inhale, leading to an even deeper diaphragm breath that drew the belly to the spine. The reclining poses were similar to those in yesterday’s class at the Alexander YMCA. To complete the breath awareness, diaphragm driven core (Hara) breaths were employed with a Warrior and Victory Pose flow. This helped to build better balance as we shifted from side to side for each pose. The new students were juiced.

How juiced? Enough for all five to double dip and stay for chair yoga. Being office workers, we explored the 90 degree rule and foot awareness to develop proper posture. Foot position was emphasized as a foundation for the hips to support the spine. Drawing the shoulder blades down and in helped relax the neck and shoulders. The yoga for fliers regimen was presented: pelvic tips, hip sway, drawing opposite shoulders and hips together, and neck extensions. The “airport sets” of trunk twists (with spinal extension to decompress the discs), hip opening (using single legs for support) and foot flexing (for the calves and hamstrings) were then reviewed. We put it together in the Golf Swing Stretch to combine the rhythm of the hip sway and trunk twist with maintenance of the foot awareness (staying upright) and keeping the elbows drawn in. All this while focusing on the knee (the ball) and breathing. Who said golf/ yoga was easy?