Journey of an Aspiring Yoga Teacher

Week 167: The Sky is Blue

10/30/2015

This week I am in Barcelona, Spain competing in Life Fitness' Global Personal Trainers to Watch competition.

Since I am in the learning phase of my yoga training, yoga is always on my brain. Being in Spain made no difference. Thus, in the wee hours of the morning, jet-legged and all, I was up writing a yoga sequence that I could do on the Life Fitness Synrgy BlueSky.

Here is what I came up with!

Monkey Bar (Long)

How about a supported upside down hand stand with out the pressure on the wrists? Hanging from the monkey bars provides an easier option to the traditional handstand. Ramp up the intensity by straightening a leg - yikes!

Dip/Leg Raise Station

Unable to get your hands back behind you and reaching your heels in camel pose? Not to worry, the Dip station has your back. Kneeling in front of the station reach back to the natural curve in the bar and proceed into your backbend.

Arc Ladder

Who doesn't love a good legs up the wall pose? Position the side of one of your hips right up to the edge of the bottom bar. Swing your feet up towards the best positioned bar for your feet to rest on. And sink into the awesomeness that gravity provides in this pose.

Traverse Bar (Long)

Nothing better than a yoga strap for support! Thread your strap through the transverse bar overhead and let it dangle down with both ends equal in length. Position yourself under the bar and move into tree pose. As you bring your bent leg higher (and become less stable), reach for the strap for support. Sometimes trees need support too!

Step Station

Many yoga poses are suitable for the step as it adds extra elevation and aid. Yet, supported shoulder stand seems to be the most obvious. In a supine position, place the feet on the step and allow the hips to rise. As the torso permits, place the hands under the low back to prop oneself onto the shoulders. For a more challenging version, the shoulder stand could also be positioned with the sacrum on the step.

Cargo Net (Long)

Any yoga pose that requires the body to be flush against an imaginary wall is perfect for the cargo net. An extended side angle or extended triangle pose are perfect for positioning against the net. Even add a stability option of holding the net with the overhead hand in the extended side angle or the top hand in the extended triangle pose. Great to keep the upper body in check and chest lifting in each of these poses.

Row Station

Garland pose can get the best of any yogalini. Why not use the side bars of the row station for support? The bars are perfectly positioned to take this deep yogic squat into an assisted position without a second thought.

Press Station

A yoga session cannot forget a downward facing dog. The handles of the press station allow for various heights off the ground to place your hands in downward facing dog. Try each position with your hands...then why not with your feet as well!

Pull-Up (Short)

Not using the pull-up station in a traditional way, yet, its two tall pillars work perfectly for assisting in a supine single leg stretch. Positioning the body so the leg that is stretching is beside the pillar, place the foot up in the air and place it on the pillar. Depending on how flexible the hamstring is, will dictate how close or far you are from the pillar.

Ab Station

Everyone likes to finish a practice with child's pose. Using the ab station, place the back of the heels under the top bracing bars, sink the hips back and fold forward onto the built in bench. Alternatively, the ending of a class would be perfect with a corpse pose with the knees bent over the top bracing bar as well.

Having a chance to "play" on a new piece of equipment is always fun for me. This event was an experience of a lifetime and my yoga teacher in training came along for the ride too!
LW

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Week 25: The Camel

2/18/2013

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I've been thinking a lot about the camel pose (Ustrasana) lately. Maybe is it because I sing "Alice The Camel" song on a daily basis but also it has been key for me to work on backbends. I've already written briefly about backbends, which has been essential to help with opening my chest and slouchy shoulders due to late night nursing and carrying baby and baby things. But these aren't the only reasons I am drawn to the camel pose...

This past year has been one of many changes for me. The most significant change was becoming a mom. In light of this, I realized the camel can be symbolic of my journey so far on two fronts.

1. Camels have reserves of water, and I, like the camel, have been delving into my reserves many days over the past year. My thirst for knowledge (when does my baby eat this or that?), patience (when will he sit by himself?), and sleep (how long will he sleep tonight?) have been constant. I really didn't know exactly what I was signing up for with motherhood and recently I've reflected on what has changed. Part of me is experiencing loss (of a life I had pre-baby) but it is greatly overshadowed with the presence of my fantastic son. Reading the book, Momma Zen by Karen Maezen Millera, has been a breath of fresh air (recommended by a yoga teacher and mom) and it too has been nourishing my soul.

2. Camels are work animals who carry heavy loads. I, too, have been literally and figuratively carry a heavy load. As I stated above, I'm carrying a 25 pound toddler many places and all his associated things. But I'm also carrying the load of being the primary care giver to this child for, let's say, another 18+ years of my life. Not a light load but something I am ready to take on.

I look to the camel pose now as a physical chest opener but also an energizing pose to allow me to open up to change and to refuel my reserves. Interestingly, chest opening is thought to release dramatic emotional displays and I am ready for this vulnerability. In one of my yoga books, it is listed as exhilarating!

All in all, camel pose is an advanced pose which has many alternatives to allow almost anyone to try it. In my research, it is common for some people to actually experience nausea and lightheadedness during this pose due to the extension of the back and neck. So some cautions need to be taken.

Ready for the humps and bumps ahead...and now I know more about camel pose and how it can help!
LW

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The Journey of an Aspiring Yoga Teacher

Week 167: The Sky is Blue

Monkey Bar (Long)

Dip/Leg Raise Station

Arc Ladder

Traverse Bar (Long)

Step Station

Cargo Net (Long)

Row Station

Press Station

Pull-Up (Short)

Ab Station

Week 25: The Camel

Aspiring Yoga Teacher

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