Earth Yoga Blog

We tend to rely on our back relentlessly.  Without the rest of the body supporting the back, especially the stomach, poor posture and overwork can lead to pain and injury.  This week we are focusing on strengthening the back, building muscle and bringing length to the spine.  In front of every strong back is an even stronger stomach; core, core, core.  Be sure to lengthen out of the lower spine instead of compressing it.  Allow the bend in the back to arise from a lift in the ribs and chest as opposed to a compression in the low back.  To do this, it is imperative to maintain a solid foundation through the pelvis.  Keep your lower abdomen and pelvic floor lifted and your tailbone reaching down. Here’s to a good, strong and healthy back.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment »

The poses I choose before the week begins, and the poses we do in class, vary.  I have an intention of working with a focused awareness that shifts from week to week.  However, what I have in mind and direction the class actually takes has everything to do with the energy of the students and the direction they lead.  I say this for the students who may be reading this and who were also in class…”hey we didn’t do that”.  What has remained constant so far is the focus, which I am trying to make a concerted effort to acknowledge at the beginning of practice.  The asanas move from there.  Week two was helped along with a visual aid…the detached leg of Buzz Lightyear standing in a wide legged stance.  You teach from life.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment »

Teaching excites me and inspires me to constantly learn more and explore.  Because I have a tendency to go off in a million different directions, I’ve started to write.  What I am teaching during the week has become part of my diaries and I thought I would share this with you.  I am two weeks behind in posting what I am teaching in class, but will try to get the past two weeks and this week up quickly.  For the most part, the asanas listed are for the intermediate level student, but can be modified and simplified for a more gentle practice.  In my experience, the best teachers are the ones who never stop being students.  I have been around some amazing teachers lately…and most of them are my students.  Thank you for keeping my feet on the ground, my head on my neck and my heart full of love.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment »