Santosha in Restorative
Just taught my restorative class at Still. Used the theme of "santosha" which means contentment. May we practice feeling that who we are, at this moment in time, is enough. Without fixing, without doing anything. May we just rest in the idea that who we are is enough.
Nathan from Black Dog's teacher training was assisting me, and he is really inspiring in the way he jumps right in, asks questions and then goes and assists so well.
We started, as I often do, on their backs in a series of supine stretches.
Tonight we started with Mountain Brook.
Then we did Viparita Karani, which is my hardest pose to teach in Restorative. I think tonight went really well, with everyone having a folded blanket underneath their pelvis, a blanket under their heads and a strap over the calves. Did notice a student who has some lower back issues getting fidgety. Whenever I notice a student in restorative get the slightest bit fidgety, I run over and see how I can help. I changed her to another pose.
Then we did supported bridge (or I've also heard it called "supported shoulder stand.") This is the one where you lie over a bolster -the long way- and your head and shoulders are on the floor. Your feet rest on two blankets, so the whole body is elevated, while your head and shoulders are on the floor. Come to think of it, I've also heard this pose called "Fish."
I didn't hold this pose too long and I think it went surprisingly well.
We ended of course with Savasana.
I always give the students the option to stay in a pose longer, if it feels right for them. And so far in every single class, someone has taken me up on that, and I love to see students honoring themselves when they need/want to stay longer in a pose, and not just following the teacher along.
We finished with a closing and blessing.
I never sweat as much as I do when I teach restorative yoga!
But still, it is incredibly rewarding and I feel a deep connection to the students afterwards.
Off to bed!
That sounds like a wonderful class. I've always wanted to try a restorative class, and this fall I'm going to make sure I cross that one off the wish list! So what makes you sweat so much teaching a restorative class?
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Because you are assisting everybody. Getting more props for someone who needs it. Adjusting their legs, their pelvis in most poses; their shoulders. Moving bolsters around. It might be the hardest class I teach in the sense that you are always aware of the students, noticing if they are uncomfortable, if they are shifting, if they need anything... There is verbal adjustment, physical adjustments and energetic adjustments. All in all it is an amazing class to teach though, but it takes a lot. And then right after it ends, there is another class coming in, so I had to quickly get all the props out of the way! I hope it doesn't sound like I'm complaining though... I'm not. xoxo, MC
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