We started with 5 Surya A's and 5 Surya B's and from then on it was, go, go go. Quick, focused, flow from pose to pose. Not spending a lot of time on alignment or theme, just hitting the poses quickly, with a lot of concentration. We went through tons of standing poses, we did some balancing poses, we held a handstand for a minute. There was really no time for talking, chatting, or demo's. Darren quickly showed a challenging arm-balance demo: Eka Pada Bakasana 2 to Astavakrasana to Eka Pada Koundinyasana 2. And then we tried to go into it. It was a full spectrum class taught in a vinyasa manner.

The good news: It's great for me to try something different and something so challenging. As a Kapha I generally avoid these kinds of classes because they go too fast for me; I don't find them fun, nor helpful. BUT because I rarely do them, I could see how easily it is to get lost in the movement, how powerful they make you feel, how much you sweat and how they encourage you stay focused. I also really admire the way Noah holds in such an unwavering way the seat of the teacher, and does inspire everyone to do their best. And Darren is so exquisite in his serenity and wisdom. Watching him practice yoga is like seeing the poses being borne out of him- no struggle no effort.

The bad news for me is that the poses are flowing so fast that the teacher rarely has time to expound on a theme or share some learning, which is one of my favorite parts of a yoga class: I want to know what the teacher has to say about yoga, philosophy, the asanas, etc.

I also think that doing so many jumping back to chaturangas - and we did so many- can't be that good for the wrists. I'm not talking one class, I think over and over, through months and years, it seems way too stressful. Even tonight as I went home my wrists felt sore. And by the time we got to the backbends, I was quite burned out. Maybe I'm getting old! 

I really think that my gift as a teacher is teaching intermediate classes, and teaching people how to do hard poses from a softer place. We all have gifts and talents, I think that might be mine in terms of yoga classes. I truly have a strong practice and enjoy hard poses but I approach them from a different place. I want to get to urdhva's without feeling fatigued or sore... But it still is great to challenge ourselves in the way Darren and Noah helped us last night. And they are excellent teachers to take us to that place. They help challenge our ideas of who we think we are and what we think we are capable of.

Today I teach BD Teacher Training and then I'm going to try to make it to the workshop. Then go to dinner with Felix and Michelle and Jenny, who are taking me out as celebration for my certification! Yay! I still can't believe I'm certified!