I've been to two workshops, one was yesterday and one was today, and both were great.

Yesterday I took Danny Gray's workshop which was an introduction to Anusara Yoga at Jade Apple Yoga in the Valley. 

Is there anything harder than leading an introduction to Anusara in three hours? Danny, who is an angel and one of the brightest, most loveliest human beings you will ever meet, did a fantastic job. He started us in a circle and asked us to introduce ourselves, to share something with the group no one knew (!) and to say why we were there. And as much as I dread those opening circles, I did feel afterwards a sense of connection with everyone (First Principle Danny- well done!). Then he gave a brief introduction of Anusara, the UPA's and the three A's. I could've listened to him all day long. He is so in his heart, when he speaks. I think everyone felt that.

Then we moved our bodies briefly and then he started to go into details with the UPA's in the poses.

I thought the highlight was when he explained Inner Spiral using volunteers at the wall doing "wall dog," and explaining the therapeutic benefits of Inner Spiral. I think a lot of people experienced an aha moment.

Time was moving fast so we went into a handstand with two other friends, which was always fun, and then we started to wind down.

Well done my friend!

Then today I went to Noah Maze's three hour yoga intensive with the theme of Kali. This workshop was three hours of back bends! Back bends are my hardest poses so I went in with humility and low expectations. But the thing about showing up and studying with a gifted teacher is that magic does happen. I had several breakthroughs including:

-camel drops backs (did several back to back) Felt incredibly inspired by Noah's reminder to keep the inner body bright as you go back.

-pincha far away from the wall. then your feet hit the wall, you straighten your legs, then you walk all the way down and you land in dwi pada viparita dandasana. 

-the softest most graceful drop back from Tadasana to Urdhva and then, most importantly I was able to come right up into standing.

-continuing to deepen my Headstand Drop overs, by learning to melt more in my thoracic spine. Noah said that Headstand drop overs are back bends that require more opening in the thoracic spine. I have a flat thoracic spine so these kinds of back bends are exquisitely challenging and fun to do!

I had NO breakthrough in:

-padangustha dhanurasana. Zero. Zip. Zilch. This pose is very far away from me right now and that is ok.

I love being with Noah. He is a serious, fiery, smart teacher who challenges you in every way.

It's good for me being so incredibly Kapha and so mellow to study with someone like that.

Anyhow, off to teach my 6PM at Black Dog.