Help of Ojai, level 2 class

another delightful morning teaching the elderly yoga class. the group is so sincere and eager to participate. during savasana a feeling welled up from within me: there is a profound grace that comes with aging, and as i observe it their faces, i am able to recognize and appreciate that same quality of peace and ease within myself. i believe that the practice of yoga is helping us relax into ourselves and discover our truest nature; love.

opener: feel your spine on the floor. bring your hands to your belly. breath awareness and visualization.

block under the shoulder blades and back of the heart. bring a second block and/or folded blanket under the head for support. knees bent for more support on the low back.

remove the blocks and bring the knees into the chest and rock.
"supine tadasana" with arm stretch over the head with the breath.

reach right arm on the inhale, release right arm on the exhale. x4
reach left arm on the inhale, release left arm on the exhale. x4

reach right leg...x4
reach left leg...x4

alternating right arm and left leg, left arm and right leg. x8
(this is really good for building the strengthening coordination.)

pause

bring right knee into chest and extend through the left heel.
do the same of the left side.
alternate sides with the breath. x8

hip rotation understanding
eye of the needle twist
(repeat pattern on the second side)

sukasana with tailbone awareness (this was the first time i tried out a seated position with them. most of them had their knees way off the floor and it could sense that it was uncomfortable and awkward. i had them walk their hands forward and keep their spine extended).

all fours
cat/dog tilt
childs pose

stand

feet hip distance
shoulder rolls forward and back
shoulder opening with the strap

tadasana
1/4 sun salutations x6 (i like integrating this back into the class sequence because it's centering and grounding)

demo

wall splat
wall dog
warrior 1 at the wall
step back wall dog
(repeat pattern on the second side)

demo

wall splat
wall dog
warrior 3 (!)
float the leg thru towards warrior 1
step back wall splat
(repeat pattern on the second side)

chairs

seated hip opener and self foot massage (i assigned this as their homework)
(repeat on the second side)

standing

tadasana (notice if the feet feel more open here)
balance play: side to side, forward and back.
tree pose (both sides)
walking meditation
tree pose (both sides)

seated twist in the chair

roll on to your back
windshield wipers with the knees side to side

long savasana- about 12 minutes or so. i could literally feel the floor get heavy.
namaste