Namaste!
Tonight’s class of the Autumn Series 2011 began with an exploration of standing, stretching warm-ups. Standing tall, upright, shoulders aligned over our hips, with arms raised toward the ceiling, we explored alternate side lengthening from heel to finger tips. Then, we incorporated cervical side-bending, with the tilting of our ears towards the ipsilateral (same) shoulder.
Moving downward through our bodies, we opened our shoulders, with side-bending stretches, progressing into rotational stretches, and exploring ‘sunflower’ and ‘ inward spiral’ pinwheel-like motions. Onwards we moved into Standing Warrior Pose, a variation similar to Cow Head Pose, followed by assorted hugging poses. Lowering our reference point within our bodies, we explored further rotational turns, holding and breathing in the zone of thorough rotations. Then, folded forward in Padu Hasthasan (forward fold) exploring restorative release possibilities.
Next, we explored the always - effective Soorya Namaskar or Sun Salutation, working the core 12 steps coordinated with balanced breathing! I could be inspired to utilize a full hour within the full experience of the alternating unfolding of the forward and backward bends contained within the Sun Salutation. Tonight, we unwound our bodies via the Sun Salutation experiencing greater flexibility and less resistance to deeper stretching.
Continuing with the general vertical inclination for the class, we then explored standing balance poses, including mountain pose and King’s Dancer Pose.
From vertical to horizontal, we came down closer to the earth, sitting on blocks and performing a core strengthening seated balance pose or two.
A leisurely final relaxation, on a balmy warm night in Sebastopol, wrapped up our third class of this series.
Hope to see you soon if you missed tonight’s class! Try making time for 15 minutes of yogic attunement by Friday of this week!
Best Wishes to each of you,
Yusuf Quddus Erskine DO
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