I arrived at Om Culture last Monday and was wondering how in the heck I would teach with all the dust from the drywall being installed at the studio!  I had a bit of a panic when I saw that at fifteen minutes before class, the floors were still being mopped up.  I was tempted to cancel class and simply go out for dinner with everyone (which was the plan for after class!).  However, I did hold class and I am really glad I did!  We opened all the windows and got the fans going and luckily, it all worked out! In fact, it was a beautiful class, a fun group ready to move, stretch, strengthen,  explore breath and life, and celebrate simply being AND being alive!

Here are some of the poses we did in class:

One of the Sequences: Warrior I (add the arms of Eagle Pose)-Warrior II–Side bend back while in Warrior II (we work in a circle and we move away from the circle in this side bend)–Extended Angle Pose-Plank-Cobra-Downward Facing Dog-forward bend-mountain-repeat the same sequence to side two.

Another sequence: Warrior I-Triangle Pose-Half Moon-Pyramid Pose-Revolved Triangle-Revolved Half Moon-Squat-Plank Pose-Side Plank Pose (both sides)-Downward Facing Dog–Forward Bend-Mountain-Repeat the same sequence to side two.

We had a wonderful class.  In addition to the two sequences above, we also did some pair work in which one person is in Viparita Karani (legs up the wall pose) while the helper lends his/her legs to the person’s arms in Viparita Karani and then stretches over to reach the person’s feet at the wall.  The end result is that each person gets a great back and hamstring stretch.  It is hard to explain so here is a picture (taken from another yoga session):

I am leaving for India next Monday evening, so tonight was my last class for a while at Om Culture. Some of the class members (those who could) and I went out to Tutta Bella Pizzeria in Wallingford after class.  We had a great time refueling, enjoyed getting to know everyone more deeply (we don’t get to talk  much during class!).  The yoga community is so beautiful!  It was fun to see everyone interacting and new friendships being forged.

Poet-Model-Mycologist-Yogi Randy (and major promoter of going out after class!)

Posing with Paul:

Koren:

Barbara and Michael:

Happily scrunched between Shel and Pam:

I can’t believe I’m including this one of Don, blurry as it is but it’s the only one I have from the evening (I can’t tell you how many pictures I took of Don and they ALL came out blurry!):

E la bellezza, Kristin:

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful positive people every day of my life!  I love living YOGA and sharing the joy of yoga with my classes.