Listening

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This week's practice was a practice of listening.  Listening to your body, to your breath and to the poses.  Staying focused on these questions as you practice:  

What is the pose telling me?  What is the pose awakening in me (inspiration, hope, courage, peace)?  What is the pose assisting me with (possibly rooting out fear or doubt).  

As we all work to drop below the judgments and expectations of the mind, students were encouraged to refine their practice to honor whatever was coming up that day while trusting the process to keep on practicing, noticing, listening, exploring and being curious.  

We strengthened the back with salambasana; we strengthened the core with chair into boat pose.  Students brought their curiosity and listening to challenging balancing flows and deep twists.  Learning to engage an even amount of energy throughout the pose while still creating space for deep, unhurried breath.  We closed practice using a strap on the back foot in pigeon to further open the quads, shoulders and back.  Ending in a quieting savasana.  Namaste, Lynn

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Artist: Kit Night PO Box 551110  South Lake Tahoe, CA  96155

Great book!

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Yoga teachers were asked, "What is your favorite yoga book".  Several teachers mentioned this book.  I hadn't read it.  I bought it, and I'm loving it!  It's written in story form and filled with relatable gems of wisdom.  One of the earliest quotes in the book reminds us:  

The poses bring a feeling of well-being ... Which stays with you.

Below I've typed from the back cover:  

Everyone knows that The Yoga Sutra is the ultimate source of all yoga.  What you might not realize is that this ancient book contains all the secrets you need to know in order to heal both your body and your heart; to overcome any kind of illness or unhappiness; and to reach a place of splendid health, strength, and peace.  

The secrets of how yoga really works to make us truly whole are revealed here in a delightful story based on how these precious teachings reached Tibet from their home in India over a thousand years ago.  

Enjoy, Lynn

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The Play of Balance

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The theme this week was the Play of Balance.  Focusing on balancing today utilizing breath, intention, focus & compassion.   Asking your body to balance with steadiness and ease. I invited students to dialogue with themselves during class with these questions...  "what does steadiness mean to me" &  "how do I feel steadiness in my being".  

Students found balance as they twisted, rotated, transitioned and flowed through a variety of poses.  We had fun; we challenged ourselves.  After several balancing sequences including standing splits, Warrior 3, tree and dancer, we closed with some exciting core poses that included variations on boat pose and scale pose.  

With deep fondness for each of you, I thank you all in supporting me with your kind words, hugs and prayers as I take a leave of absence for the month of February.   With my Mom passing, it feels right to take this time to heal.   Namaste, Lynn