YogaWithGrace.net™

It was almost as fulfilling as a yoga class. Because of schedules and the alignment of the stars, we postponed last and next, Tuesdays' classes. Instead, the ladies of the Trailer Park, aka Preschool in the portable classrooms, indulged ourselves with great company, great conversation, amazing food choices (some healthy), a visit from Darlene the MaryKay wonderwoman, hot paraffin hand treatments, and massages. Our massage therapist Barbara, just back to work from taking care of family health issues, created magic for our muscles. Hmmm, she said all of the teachers had residual shoulder tension...end of year stress?? The woman is amazing in her insight as to who needs what where, and how much! ahhh.
Obviously I am still learning (sped-oga) how to add pictures... but as a side note, the strawberries in a previous post were home grown by my daughter in law Kate! Multi talented woman.
namaste
Grace

trying to up load photos from the computer...
and it worked. Yea for PMD...

I forgot to mention our favorite cool down... like laying down a strand of pearls.
Next week is a new moon...hmmm
namaste
G

To celebrate the eve of the summer solstice, we dedicated our Tuesday night to hot postures. Not Bikram, but still toasty for a room full of mature women. There was some grumbling about not having pillows available. We did multiple renditions of Sun Salutation, Surya Namaskar, with some Vajarasana ( the thunderbolt) as the skies lit up with lightning. The heat was on with Utkatasana and Thai goddess with those little toes engaged! Ekapada Rajakapotasana, all you king/queen pigeons, was a beautiful thing to see. Number one son Patrick and I have a date on Fri so he can show me how to include photos...
anyone game for a photo shoot next week?
Happy summer to all of my favorite yoginis of the evening.
namaste, Grace

June 11th was the official full moon, but we yoginis of the evening honored the occasion with a session of restorative yoga. I had promised this in lieu of an entire class of savasana. Miss Deb brought the strawberries, hand dipped and beautifully displayed around fresh whipped cream. Who needs to do yoga?? Now, now...
It looked like a sleepover with pillows and blankies strewn about the floor. We spent less time reconnecting (venting and whining) and we six anticipated great fulfillment. I do believe everyone's pitcher was refilled.
With modifications as needed, we moved from our centering breaths right into Dandasana (seated staff) and eased into Paschimottanasan (supported forward fold with props).
Having been folded forward we moved into Makrasana (crocodile) and all had a turn with the weighted sandbag on our lumbar spine. ahhhh.
Bound angle (did she say ankles??) lead to Supta Baddha Konasana (reclining over bolsters and pillows and blocks, oh my. With straps! ah yes, open hips)
Viparita Karani (legs up the wall was fabulous and entertaining as we slipped off the pillow supports and hung out upside down).
Supported Savasana was just not long enough. Sorry I had no words of wisdom from Fred Rogers... I am sure he would have said, "you'll never go down the drain" even as relaxed as you have become.
namaste my friends, you are wonderful yoginis and full of good spirit.
peace,
Grace

This fine wet Sunday morning I was the substitute teacher at the Webster studio of Say Yes to Yoga. It was the first time I have taught in a "real studio", not the library at the highschool or Kathy's great room or a conference room at yoga bootcamp. Quite a nice feeling being able to light her candles and incense. I brought my own cd's (even though the OM didn't work!) so I wouldn't be surprised by unknown incantations or funky musical interludes. Her studio is clean, so well organized, and stocked with props. I have taken classes in other studios that were dusty, messy, unorganized...
Baujke's studio has an aire of sacred space. There were 10 students, two brand new and the rest I knew from class. All were gracious and accepting of a new face in the teacher space. I used the lesson from last Tues night. It having had rave reviews from the ladies. It had rave reviews again today. Lots of ocean themes and gentle twists. (I DID NOT however share the Tom Brady story). The after class critiques were supportive and generous. One young lady is brining her mom to the next class I sub because I break the instructions into little steps... hmm, special needs preschool teacher...
All in all a lovely way to start the day.
namaste
G

The ladies of the Tues. night class have all agreed with miss Deb's suggestion that we honor the moon with a Supportive Yoga class. All are willing to bring pillows, blankies, and Deb is bringing the strawberries. Some classes are just a chuckle fest, some are flowing and cosmic (like last weeks!) and some are inspired by Jacque Cousteau and/or Tom Brady...
My new intention is to post post post, yogic and otherwise.
namaste, G