We focused today on arm balances. Arm balances are asanas in which the stakes are so high- you are literally picking up your whole body. Therefore they are the one class of poses that cannot be held for a long time. They are like a brief moment in time, a spark, where every single part of the body is connecting and drawing to the middle. And because the stakes are so high, we have to remember every single piece of alignment note that has been given. Otherwise pain ensues, our wrists hurt, our shoulders drop and we cannot do the pose.

However, if we are doing the right actions and breathing, and hell, even smiling, then the poses are incredibly enjoyable, playful and uplifting. Just like a piece of information at first might be too much, too heavy to hold or take, and then with time we are grateful that we know what we know and we can move in a more centered way. Kind of like reading Howard Zinn's pivotal book "A People's History of the United States." You know that feeling? Why didn't I know this? Why wasn't I taught this at school? And feeling anger at not knowing and then slowly letting that feeling transform into gratitude. And with time being able to move with the new knowledge and the chance to make better decisions.

Moving from the highest. Letting information become wisdom.

Highlights:

*The Sequence for class:

Half Sun Salutes

Surya Namaskar

(All the aforementioned done with a block between the thighs to teach people effectively about hugging in to the midline.)

Surya Namaskar without the block

Parsvakonasana to Warrior 1

Trikonasana 

Vasisthasana

Bunny hopping into handstand

Eka Pada Galavasana prep

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana prep #1

Agnistambasana

Eka Pada Galavasana

Gomukhasana

Eka Pada Koundinyasana #1

Setu Bandha

Urdhva Dhanurasana

Mayurasana

Triang Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana

Krounchasana

Bharadvajasana #2

Paschimottanasana

Nadi Shodhana

Savasana

*It was a great fun class. Most of my regular beloved students where there. We did poses we rarely do (like peacock pose) and we all had a blast trying them, falling to the floor, trying again, clapping for each other and yes trying again.

*We did Galavasana with a friend spotting the back foot, giving resistance. Very helpful.

*I made sure to do hip openers between the arm balances which helped open the psoas/hips, which is key in arm balances. 

But also it helped to keep the energy grounded and not burn out the students and their wrists.

*Nice to do Nadi Shodhana at the end.

Something to work on:

Today was good.

I did scream at a student today because his left hand was coming off the floor in an arm balance and I was worried for him. I screamed something like "T. keep your left hand on the floor, LEFT HAND." I think I terrorized him. I could have said it in a softer way. Sometimes I get excited and I scream. It's not mean. It's. It's... Passion? Puerto Rican?! Me!