Lizzie for Free : a yogi's blog
The Free State of LizArchive for indaba yoga studio
Lizzie’s Class Schedule February 2012
CLASS SCHEDULE(see below for restorative class dates at Indaba)
PREBOOK: WORKSHOP MARCH 4
Aversion to Inversions at Indaba Yoga Studio 1-4pm (postponed from February 5th due to snow)
FEBRUARY 2012
Monday:
6:30-7:45pm Life Centre, Islington
Tuesday:
12:45-2:00pm Life Centre, Notting Hill
Wednesday:
9:30-11am Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
8:15-9:30pm Life Centre, Notting Hill
Thursday:
6-7:15pm Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
Friday:
9:30-11:00 Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
4-5:30pm Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
Saturday:
9:30-11:00am Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
Restorative Sundays at Indaba (covering for Netta Imber):
10:00-11:30am
Sunday, February 26
Sunday, March 11
Day 28, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
For the forth time this week, I’ve been denied engaging actively with my body. The universe is nothing short of blatant in telling me to back off asana practice for now, as much as my preferentially attached mind wants to hit the mat and engage with the physical. Taking from Pema Chōdron’s analogy, I have had an itch (to practice asana), and my mindfulness practice has been becoming aware of that, acknowledging it, and staying with it without scratching. Instead, I’ve surrendered to letting this path unfold.
Today I attended Zhenja’s 4 hour workshop for teachers with the theme of Puja, assuming for there would be an aspect of asana practice as I heard the previous weekends’ workshops with Zhenja were quite asana intensive. Instead, it was a four hour exploration of the concept of puja and the Anusara method for creating puja in a class. It was quite interesting to gain insight into this style of yoga with such a structured framework and language of its own, and valuable as an exercise for creating focus, rationale and sequencing relevant to a class’ esoteric focus.
The best part of the workshop was Zhenja herself. Intelligent, down to earth, authentic and energetic, Zhenja was present throughout the entire workshop as an approachable, passionate, inquisitive yogi, ambassador to the Anusara method and disciple of Jon Friend. There was no posturing, just respect and palpable love. Even towards the end when energy began to drop, Zhenja made her way around to the smaller groups to help regain the focus.
Meanwhile, my experience of Anusara yoga continues to unfold. I’m challenged by the shiny, contemporary packaging of the ancient teachings and practicing reserving judgement…after all, these newer methods are devised in part to articulate the vastness of the history and teachings of yoga in a more approachable way. Watch this space….and tomorrow, the 29the Day of the Yoga Challenge, holds a wild card; let’s see where the practice and the challenge lead me…
Day 27, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
The universe has been sending me signals this week, and I’m receiving them…maybe unable to interpret them fully, but receiving them nonetheless.
First, the two classes earlier in the week that focused heavily on pranayama. Then yesterday at my regular Rolfing appointment when I showed up very eager for deep bodywork, and my rolfer decided it was the time to instead have a somatic experience session that left my body largely untouched. The idea behind somatic experiencing is that trauma that isn’t fully dealt with emotionally gets left behind in the body, building up over time, even being the catalyst for illness and other physical, mental or emotional problems. Through somatic experiencing one becomes more aware of the physical sensations in the body, ultimately aiding in the letting go of the held traumas.
Today when I was late for the class I planned to take at Triyoga, Leila Sadahee’s class was right under my nose at Indaba – lucky me! Leila, fresh from her trip to Peru, spoke about her time with a shaman in the jungle who sees the human form as a series of shapes based on energetic flow and blockage rather than at face value (no pun intended). The class was focused on yoga as a healing medicine, with the theory that when engaging specific areas of the body this can lead to a shape of health rather than disease. Billed as a hip opening class, it was not immensely challenging physically and not obviously hip-opening, but certainly strengthening with great alignment instruction. To add to this, Leila is a passionate and compassionate teacher who is captivating and charismatic. If you love Anusara but haven’t been to Leila’s class, make the time – this is a special and gifted teacher.
Having said this, of my handful of Anusara classes and workshops I’ve attended so far, none has resonated with me on a deep personal level, despite enjoying the practice. I am planning to go to Zhenja De Rosa’s workshop tomorrow and have heard wonderful things about her, so maybe tomorrow my world will get rocked by Anusara. At the very least, I expect another hint from Ms. Universe soon…
Day 24, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
I went to class today at the Life Centre, where Mark Hill was covering for Kathy Roberts. A class heavy on pranayama, we practiced samavritti antar kumbhaka and rechaka, agnisara, nadi shodhana and after savasana, 10 minutes of meditation. In between there was trikonasana, Astanga A and B, , virabhadrasana I, janursirsasana and mahamudra, which Mark taught as a version of janursirsasana with inhale and exhale retention. After class, I felt pretty spacey and tired, and ended up cancelling on a private client (which I rarely do) because I felt so trippy.
The class format in itself was a little choppy and felt unbalanced to me – too much pranayama and too little asana; it was billed as a dynamic 2-3 class on the schedule.
Pranayama on an intensive level isn’t to be dabbled with from time to time, or taken too intensively with an unfamiliar group of students. As the Hatha Yoga Pradipika notes, “When the yogi has perfected his asanas he should practice pranayama according to the instructions of his master. With controlled senses he should nourish himself with moderation.” The body needs time and a daily practice to acclimate to these powerful practices, and should ideally be practiced with a teacher whom you know and trust.
The explanation of mahamudra left me perplexed; it was explained as a variation of an asana, specifically, janursirsasana, combined with specific breath techniques. Mark didn’t take the time to explain the word mudra in any depth, and while he did tell us at the beginning of class we would be working up to this posture, mahamudra, he didn’t clarify the difference between the mudra and the asana, or the relationship between the two.
Mark was a kind and encouraging teacher, and the one adjustment I received in downward dog was strong. This said, the pivotal information given to the class, namely, mahamudra and its relationship to the spine (it was mentioned that the cases would focus on the anatomy of the spine) lacked depth, and diluted the importance of these ancient, powerful teachings. I will revisit his class in the spring, as I’ve decided to do with all the classes I’ve taken during the challenge.
Tomorrow’s schedule has changed! I am giving a workshop on yoga and meditation to 35 GPs at St. Mary’s hospital at the time of Sally’s class at Indaba, so another practice wild card. Stay tuned…
Day 22, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
After an afternoon on Hampstead Heath with family, by 4:45pm I found myself back at Indaba Yoga Studio where Bryony Bird was teaching on behalf of Amanda Denton (who normally teaches the 5-6:30 Sunday class).
Given my depleted energy levels and based on the renowned rigorous style of Yogasana classes, I was a little intimidated of what to expect from the class. Nevertheless, I vowed to listen to my body, and by 5pm with the energy of 15 or so other students in the room and Bryony’s calm voice, I settled in to the breath and it felt good. Surprisingly, the pace of the class was very accessible, and while a challenging vinyasa class, Bryony suggested options and reminded the students to listen to their own rhythm and not to feel obligated to push oneself into the full variation of every posture. I really appreciated hearing that given my energy, and especially valued it given other Yogasana classes I have taken where the teacher has had the tendency to come off aggressive, pushing students into poses verbally and/or through adjustments for perhaps the wrong reasons.
There was music throughout the class primarily to maintain the rhythm of the breath, and Bryony presented a nice combination of vinyasa, balancing and seated postures. Amoung the postures, we took parivrtti utkatasana to on legged parivrtti utkatasana to parivrtti parsvakonasana (sidenote: why do some teachers start twist sequences on the left? I was taught twists always are initiated from right to left due to digestive movements – ascending to descending colon, but half of the classes I’ve gone to haven’t followed this general rule…any thoughts?). Other asanas included uttitha hasta padangusthasana to virabhadrasana 3, plenty of crescent moon-variation namaskar, ustrasana, 2 urhdva dhanurasana, janursirsasana, ardha matsyendrasaa, tarasana, paschimottanasana…and a truly lovely savasana complete with neck rub.
Bryony was even-keeled throughout and gave good basic instruction into the postures, even if she seemed slightly reserved (it was her third class of the day after all). She gave me a couple of nice adjustments and, even though I’m still definitely not firing with all cylinders, I felt a whole lot better after the class than before. I will be back for more Bryony in February.
Tomorrow, my long awaited return to Anoushka’s class, at the Life Centre, 12:30-2pm. Yoga inspired Pilates….
Schedule for Week 4, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga challenge
Below is my unofficial schedule for the last full week of my yoga challenge! Please let me know if you can join me, its always more fun to practice together.
MONDAY Anoushka Boone, 12:30-2pm, the Life Centre Notting Hill
TUESDAY Mark Hill, 15:45-5:15pm, the Life Centre Notting Hill
WEDNESDAY Sally Parkes, 12:30-1:30, Indaba Yoga Studio
THURSDAY Huma Jalil, 4:00-5:30, Jivamukti Yoga Studio
FRIDAY Helen Shepherd, 12:45-2:15, Triyoga Chelsea
SATURDAY Amanda Denton, 5-6:30, Indaba Yoga Studio
Day 21, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
And on the 21st day there was rest. Feeling quite run down, I opted for a two hour nap today instead of rushing out to an afternoon class after teaching this morning followed by giving a 2 hr. Thai massage. I have to admit, I am a little let down as its the first day without a practice, and that was one of the points of the challenge. On the other hand, we all need sleep, and it’s something I often deprive myself of as I feel that nighttime is the only time I can get anything done! With Louis sick this past week and Xavier and I on the verge, we’ve been laying low this afternoon.
I have to admit that where my practice is concerned I feel a little leashed to the family, especially on the weekends. I adore my son and husband, but I would love to take more of the weekend workshops offered around town and feel more a part of the larger yoga community. Zhenja La Rosa is in town at Indaba Yoga Studios the next couple of weeks, and there are always some incredible teachers in town in various studios. In fact, I will be putting together my workshop wish list for winter/early spring in the next week.
Tomorrow I’m considering a couple of classes but will wait until morning to decide on which one. Husband has offered to watch Louis, so I want the class time to work for him….it’s a delicate balance.
I have heard stories of women leaving their husbands and children to follow their sadhana, their spiritual path, and while I don’t agree with the level of selfishness one must have to act upon that instinct (and love both too much to ever want to go that far), I sometimes dream of escaping off to India or South America or Africa for some self discovery through travel as I used to do. But then I remember, self discovery is happening right now, right here. I have a responsibility to my family, and that fuels my self discovery….even while sometimes impeding on my asana practice (and sleep). Lights out.
Day 17, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
For the first time since the 30 Day Yoga Challenge began, my energy levels today were lower than normal. My son has been fighting a cold, so maybe that’s taking a toll on me, or maybe it’s the busy work schedule made busier trying to fit in classes that aren’t in my regular practice schedule. Ohh, that sounds like a bit of a moan! Bottom line is today I had to make a choice to do a self practice or to return to Nita’s Iyengar class at Indaba Yoga Studio, where I had just finished giving a Thai massage. Based on the tweaked knee from yesterday’s short stint into ballet (and my fatigue), I went to Nita’s class. It was just what I needed at the time. So, no new teacher, no new studio today, but even more of a reason to get to Kate Walker’s class tomorrow at Triyoga Primrose Hill! Let’s hope the parking Gods are on my side!
And now, here’s to hoping Louis stays asleep tonight.
Day 14, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
“Ciao Bella!”
The voice and accent is unmistakably Claudia’s as she enters the studio with laughter that is contagious and ongoing throughout the class; unusual for an Iyengar teacher to say the least. She’s personable, charismatic and funny, but can she teach?
I’ve been to countless classes with Claudia, and I always take away something new. She is precise with her instruction, and while not always easy to follow, sometimes even chaotic, this is in part because Claudia is so tuned in to the students; she is like an eagle constantly reassessing her flight to keep everyone on track. She often uses the students to keep things going, both in demonstrating postural alignment dos and don’ts, and in working together (“Help each other, help each other!”).
Claudia gives all of herself to the students who seem to not only have fun in her class, but to learn a lot along the way. From time to time Claudia shares great, important insights into the Iyengar method of yoga; if only she would repeat these and slow down her speech so the words would be heard and remembered..
Tomorrow I’m going Yin with Norman Blair, who is holding an afternoon workshop at Indaba- a great way to finish week two and begin week three of the challenge. Insights and next week’s schedule coming tomorrow, including visits to a few studios I’ve been dodging the bullet on. Time to own up and really get out of my comfort zone!
