Feb 27, 2012 ONE YOGA CLASS

February 27, 2012 - Class one of  Series Two :  ONE YOGA with Yusuf Quddus Erskine DO

Tonight, we started the series with an exploration of our FLUIDIC bodies. Drawing on the Water Element Breath, (inhaling through the nostrils and exhaling through rounded open lips); we began exploring freedom of movement from within, which we can access when we identify with our fluidic bodies. In contrast to traditional yoga movements which often have a distinct linear quality and in which an endpoint is achieved and maintained for several moments, with this fluidic (Continuum movement inspired ) bodily expression, we explore deeply the fluidic qualities of movement within our bodies. 

After comfortably entering into this zone of fluidic awareness, we began to explore pendulum movements through the movement of the head and upper back; exploring the area within and around the body radiating from the neck's vertebral column.  Image the circumference which would be drawn by the chin if we completed a wide circular movement of the neck. Now, that this circle has been drawn, envision 360 points along the circumference of this circle. Furthermore, see the area of the circle as comprising of four quadrants.   Explore pendulum movements through these four quadrants starting in one quadrant for example left anterior quadrant and move in a pendulum like flow through the left and then right anterior quadrants and explore the right posterior quadrant, finding a resting point with the back of your head on the circumference.  After pausing, begin to move like a pendulum in the opposite direction, from right posterior to right anterior through to left anterior quadrant but pausing at a different point on the circumference then where you initially started. 

Explore further pendulum movements, going with the flow, incorporating rotational and side-bending motions as you move your head and neck.  Pausing intermittently to feel a pause and await the wave within to move in a graceful unwind.
When ready, expand your reference point from within the neck area to include the upper thorax, especially between the shoulder blades.  Allow your body to flex and extend, forward and backward as you further explore pendulum movements. Continue to explore making contact with the circumference projected around your body. 

When you start to feel it is time to come back to center, take your time, continuing with the water breath, to move through your center and pendulum until you feel at ease and still within your center.

Breath!

It was a great class to end the first series of 2012.  New series starting next Monday.  Great time to come into our class energy.  We started tonight standing, stretching, opening and unwinding, a pre- Sun Salutation warm up.   A handout was given to help participants do the SUN SALUTATION at home!  We worked from the head downward, through neck, shoulder, upper back, lower back, pelvis and legs.
We explored Triangle pose and Warrior. 
Some of the basic components of Continuum movement were explored, open awareness, whole body fluidic experience, breath work and introduction of wave movement into the fluidic body.
Then a great Final Relaxation, several class members spent a few minutes in snore zone!
Finished with a round of 4-7-8 breaths.  Great momentum to move into the next series. Hope to see you soon!
Yusuf Erskine DO 

Tonight, we explored in depth - standing structural side-bending and rotation. Essentially, we worked from a regional perspective, starting with the cervicals, then upper thorax, progressing downward to middle and low thorax, and continuing down to lumbar and sacrum.  Of course we recruited the upper limbs and the legs to enhance our flexibility.  After working regionally, we moved more globally into Surya Namastar or the Sun Salutation!  Continuing to work the regions as we moved the whole body.

After our Sun Salutation circuit,  we did some neck rolls while seated in a comfortable cross legged position, then recruited the whole body with deeper circular movements encouraging head toward one knee and circling toward the other knee and then rising up and circling around toward the other knee.

We transitioned to final relaxation with practicing the Buddha Breath sequence 5-9-10.  ( see prior blogs for more thorough description).  Then we dove into a pleasant 5 minute final relaxation dive into repose.

Try this Buddha Breath and Final relaxation practice at home.  It takes less than 5 minutes...
Good health to you! 
Yusuf Quddus Erskine DO