Leave a comment

#PowerPose – Weekly Instagram Challenge

Posted by Suzanne on October 7, 2014 in Practice

summerofbalance collageIn June I did my first Instagram yoga challenge.  I was in the playful zone of summer and it looked like a fun thing to try.  The #summerofbalance challenge offered a daily arm balance posture, ranging from camatkarasana (wild thing) to mayurasana (peacock pose – ooof, so hard!).  You snapped a picture of your pose (or modified/attempted pose) and put it out to the instaverse to share with yogis all over the world.  It was a great way to challenge my practice, gave me a ton of class ideas, and it was really fun to find members of my digital yoga tribe.

The poses that were in the challenge are the types of poses that we work and build towards in my Monday night power class.  When the challenge started, I invited the class to play along.  Several students participated in the challenge and even more participated with their encouraging and cheer leading.  It really made it a community effort and experience.  We shared feelings of satisfaction when we found a pose, we shared questions and curiosity when we were discovering something new, and we shared road blocks and frustrations when we were met with challenge.

The challenge brought out what I really love about my classes, the sense of community.  Each class has a different personality, but they all share a common thread of care, empathy, and investment in their fellow yogis.  This is why when a student is sick, unable to attend, or moves away, you feel that sense of void or absence.

Sadly, one of our community recently moved away.  It’s temporary and thankfully she’ll be back in 6 months, but, we still wanted a way to stay connected.  She had participated in the June challenge and one thing we talked about was doing another one together.  The suggestion came out that we should just do our own.  And here we are….

You’re invited to join our little #PowerPose community.  Each week, I’ll feature a building block pose or peak pose that appeals to my Monday night power class.  Several building block poses will string together to build towards a peak pose.  Take these components, bring them into your practice, put in some work, and hopefully, they’ll come together to get you into or closer to the peak pose.  For example, this first four weeks will be:IMG_9288

  • Week 1 | Building Block:  Chaturanga Dandansana (yoga push-up)
  • Week 2 | Building Block:  Utkatasana (lightning bolt pose)
  • Week 3 | Building Block:  Malasana (yogic squat)
  • Week 4 | Peak Pose:  Bakasana (crow pose)

I’m big on kramas (stages) and modifications and will be sure to highlight options.  Be sure to work where you feel challenged, but also where you can breath and relax around the work.  Remember, it’s really not about the poses, it’s about what we learn along the way, how we react to the challenge, how we can appreciate the progress, and how we honor the set-backs.  Allow the embodiment of the poses to be beautiful in your mind’s eye and that energy will radiate and translate to the physical postures.

Follow along @suzannewrightyoga on Instagram or at Suzanne Wright Yoga on Facebook.  If you post your pictures or about your experience be sure to tag #PowerPose and @suzannewrightyoga.

Enjoy the Journey,

Suzanne

Tags: , , , , , Permalink
1 Comment

Studio Visit: Avani Day Spa and Yoga Studio

Posted by Suzanne on September 30, 2014 in Life, Practice

photo 1When I walked into Avani in Hastings, Nebraska, it felt like I was home.  I had heard about the studio, met the owners and teachers, and seen pictures online, but this was my first visit. I walked in, took a deep breath, relaxed away from the busy day, and felt the familiarity of the studio wrap and comfort me.  The space is warm and inviting, has the perfect mix of eclectic décor, is spacious, and clean.

I knew I was going to be in the area to give a talk at a health and wellness conference, so I reached out to Elizabeth and Chelsie to see if I could pop in to visit and maybe to teach.  They were open to it and I was thrilled.

So, when my talk at the conference was over, I zipped to Hastings, hoping to make the next class.  Thankfully, they had recently expanded their schedule and there was a Flow Class with Megan that would work for me.

The space for the yoga studio is quite roomy. You could easily fit 30 mats, probably more.  There is a collection of handmade artwork in the space that is quite whimsical. I LOVED the painted elephant artwork that hung in the front of the room.  (It’s too bad there’s that whole asteya yama, or I would have snuck one out to my car.)  There is a row of windows, slightly obscured by artwork and gauzy fabric that lets in just enough natural light to keep you connected to the outside, but still buffers the sometimes chaotic sidewalk energy from outside.

photo 4

With the amazing Avani teachers: Megan, Chelsie, me, Elizabeth, and Jenni.

Megan led a lovely flow class with just enough heat to provide a little challenge, but her gentle nature provided a leisurely pace, so you could really enjoy and explore the movement.  The class focused on standing poses of anjanaeyasana (lunge), virabhadrasana II (warrior), and trikonasana (triangle).  She worked to open hips and create stability leading us to a rooted vrksasana (tree).  For a little bit of fun towards the end, she had us play for a little while with bakasana (crow).

There’s a huge plus to attending a class at a yoga studio that is also a spa.  The savasana adjustment was divine. With confident, nourishing hands, the short massage of the neck was the perfect send-off to the final resting posture.

After class I led a workshop on the Building Blocks of Handstand.  I was pleasantly greeted with students who had wonderful alignment and integrity in their practice.  It makes it so much easier when you are digging into a complex posture like handstand to start with yogis who already have a really solid foundation and intention to learn and absorb.

photo 2Shame on me, I didn’t have the foresight to book a massage ahead of time, so I will definitely have to get the full experience next time.  The massage rooms were cozy and inviting, but make sure to plan ahead as some of the therapists didn’t have openings for a month.  That there is a pretty good endorsement!

I love it when I get to experience other studios.  To be part of new surroundings and community is really a privilege.  To be reminded that you can find the comfort of home when you travel is really exceptional.

Enjoy the Journey,

Suzanne

Tags: , , , , Permalink
Leave a comment

One-on-One

Posted by Suzanne on September 26, 2014 in Beginners, Practice

private session“So, what do you do in a private session anyway?”  It seems I’ve been fielding this question a lot lately.

Curious about private yoga instruction?  One of my favorite things about teaching is when I get to spend time one-on-one with a student.  Sure, there are short moments before, during, and after class, where you can focus on a single student and over time you get a better understanding of their goals and challenges.  But, the opportunity to really dive in and buoy another yogi’s practice is such a privilege for both student and teacher.

Many yogis can benefit from a little one-on-one time and like each yogi, each private session is unique.  Here are just a few of the scenarios or types of sessions that might occur.

Beginners – Just getting into yoga?  Can’t tell a Warrior 1 from a Warrior 2?  Don’t worry, you’re not alone.  An instructor who is approachable, knowledgeable, and has experience with beginners can help you along.  New yogis who want to get a little more comfortable with the basics and what to expect from a class can definitely benefit.  Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the practice, ask lots of questions, talk about concerns, learn basic alignment, and understand when to use props, can help yogis feel more comfortable and at ease as they begin to practice.  Check with your friends for recommendations on teachers who will fit well with your personality.

Injury or Physical Challenge – Whether you are just coming out of physical therapy or modifying for a physical challenge, a private session can help you make the most of your practice and keep you safe.  Be sure to check with your doctor or healthcare provider about practicing yoga before you get started.  Pass any helpful information on to your instructor before your session, so they can be prepared.  I recommend that you ask if an instructor has experience with your situation and if they are comfortable working with you.  If not, ask them to recommend someone who would be a good fit.  In one-on-one sessions for injury or physical challenge proper use of props, pose modifications, and restorative practices might be included.  Bringing your challenges out into the open can also have a wonderfully cathartic affect as well.

Bucket List – A great time for private instruction is when you are working towards a specific goal or working to deepen your practice.  Sometimes in class when working on a challenging posture or concept we want to ask questions, explore feelings, and deepen our understanding, but the group environment is just not as conducive as a private one.  If you’ve had thoughts like, “I’d love to handstand, but I’m really freaked out about my feet leaving the floor, I’m working towards dropping back into a backbend, what poses should I be practicing to get there?, or I want work on keeping the cadence of my breath as I practice”, then this type of session is for you.  Bucket lists can include pranayama, meditation, chanting, ayurveda, and other yoga concentration areas, it doesn’t have to be focused on a poses.  Finding a teacher should be easy, just pick one that you enjoy practicing with and who is familiar with your practice.  If you’re not sure, check with the studio on teachers who have experience in your concentration area.

IMG_8506TLC – Feeling overworked or depleted?  Need a little softness and tender, loving care?  A private restorative session might be in order.  This is great for anyone who is feeling overrun.  It’s also great for high performance athletes to balance out all that hard work and promote recovery.  Restorative yoga requires lots of bolsters, blocks, blankets, sandbags, and other props to make sure your body is supported and cradled throughout the practice.  Many instructors will use essential oils to add to the “ahhhhh” affect, so be sure to share if you have any allergies or skin sensitivities.  Select an instructor with a nourishing bedside manner and of course, experience with restorative yoga.

Tune Up – One of things that happens when we practice on the mat and in life, is the development of samaskaras or habits.  These are not necessarily good or bad, we develop them because we are not focusing or paying attention.  We act in a mindless, auto-pilot way.  Working with an instructor can help you point out those little habits that you’ve created overtime.  For example, I discovered that I short-change my inhale during Sun Salutation A when I come into up-dog.  Bringing focus this this aspect of my practice has helped me to improve.  You can select a teacher who is familiar with your practice, but a fresh set of eyes might be helpful too.  A teacher with a good eye will be able to help you refine your practice by helping you find those samaskaras and also by finding areas where you can enhance or elevate your practice.

IMG_4223Group Class –  Okay, so technically, this isn’t one-on-one, but it’s still a great use of private instruction time and the focus is solely on the small group in the private class.  A private group class can be a great way to celebrate a wedding, birthday, college reunion, or any other excuse to get friends together.  It can also allow for focused instruction for common interests and goals like beginners, new moms, sports teams, or work colleagues.  Work with your instructor to find the right energy and focus of the class, or ask the studio to match the right instructor to your group.

There are about a million other ways you can approach a one-on-one session, so if you’re not sure, just ask.  The venues are endless as well.  Sessions can be held at the studio, in private homes, at work, and just about anywhere else you can fit a mat.  A one-on-one session will typically run 45 to 90 minutes, work with your instructor to create the perfect set of variables.

Whether you are new or an experienced practitioner, make sure you are in good health and yoga is a good fit for you.  If you have any concerns, check with your doctor or healthcare provider to make sure you are healthy enough for your chosen practice.

Namaste,

Suzanne

 

Tags: , , , , Permalink