Yogatones: Tri Stories: Be Open

Tri Stories: Be Open

GROW

Last evening I taught a great hip opening sequence to a group of yogis I know well……I like to feel the energy in a class before I begin teaching, as we ground at the beginning of class I walk around soaking up the vibe, the energies…..it’s then I determine the actual sequence…….After class many commented “that’s exactly what I needed”……..I like that…..Being open to giving the body what it needs…..I head into spin class with that on my mind this morning, I begin setting up my bike scanning the room….OK, nice group, I spot a few of the regulars….nice…..Ol’G is back up front, and next to her is a middle aged women (I’d say late 50’s) who always dresses in the *newest* gym gear (adding her unique style)….today she walks in about 5 minutes into the class start time, we were just beginning our first ride around the track…..Julie was teaching today, a big ol’ smile came across her face when this woman (I’ll call her Orange) walked in, and she yells out “Heyyyy, wow, I haven’t seen this orange outfit before”….all eyes on Orange now….Lol!

Be Open

She sashayed in with Neon Orange and Black head to toe……Neon Orange baseball style cap, spandex tank top, Nike sneakers and socks…..black pants and jacket….I kid you not, she looked ADORABLE!! I don’t think many people would have pulled this off, but momma was steppin’ with confidence and a smile, and worked that Neon Orange workout wear, Oh, I forgot to mention her RED hair was in a Janet Jackson “Control“ style pony tail…Lol! Makes me wanna go buy something NEON ORANGE!!!

Be Open & Grow

Anywhoo, after that sweet moment we all were left with smiles on our faces and energy to burn…….Julie had a OUTSTANDING ride planned for us today!! I’ve been working on my alignment with run’s on the bike , Julie gave us a nice running mix, as well as running and jumping on a hill…we also did a bunch of sprints, I’m also working on my feet being flexed and heals down with my peddle strokes…..I find sprints help me with that awareness……Julie has the best spin music PERIOD! I sing to the top of my lungs each class…..my two favorites today….Blinded buy the light by Manfred Mann's Earth Band, I used to LOOOVVVEE this song…..ok, well after today I realize I still do!! I can’t get it out of my head….“Blinded by the light revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night”

Open

YUP. I’m singing it now AND playing the air guitar!! Love, love, love, this song…..Oh, she also played Madonna *Holiday* Spinning’ to the 80’s Y’ALL!! OH, YEAH! Clearly Julie was listening to what all of our body’s needed……Thanks Julie!!

I enter my personal practice with that class on my mind today…….My plan was to move through a personal practice heavy on holding inversions, adding in some backbends, then I’d finish up with a few twist. Well, that was not what my body desired today, instead of lying down, I found myself in a comfortable cross-legged position (siddhasana) to ground, from there, I slipped into three part breathing exercise (felt GREAT), as I follow my breath, I notice my thoughts wanting to take over……I chant the word peace within, and my breath slowly begins to take the forefront, I’m feeling a sense of relaxation wash over me, my heart rate slows, I feel the rise and fall of my chest and lungs, the inflation and deflation of my belly, as my beautiful breath flows completely through me as I inhale and exhale with awareness. As I move into several seated asanas…..Dandasana, (yoga mudrasana), Heron (Krounchasana) Cow Face (Gomukhasana)……I lie down and add in some shoulder stretches, followed by upper body and core work….Plank, (Palakasana), Inclined Plane (Purvottanasana), with side variations, Crane (Bakasana) and side variations……Wow, this was not in the plan I thought……My physical body, quieted down the mind, I remained open and trusting to what my mental and emotinal self needed....I listen, I open as I flowed through the practice I could feel the small hidden (so I thought) pockets of tightness and tension release…….Aaaahhhh, NICE!!