Yeah, I Cranked It Up…
by carl on Jun.01, 2010, under Yoga, teaching
When I saw who had shown up for my Sunday yoga class, I decided to put my half-formed idea about raising the skill level into practice (I mean, the students were all regulars who had ability), and so we did. Moved a little faster, covered more of the primary series, just intensified the class somewhat. One of the benefits of the Ashtanga system is that it gives you an enormous repertoire of poses to choose from, some of which are extremely difficult. You can also keep increasing the number of vinyasas until you do one after every pose (for the seated sequences and the finishing sequence, at least). We did reverse half moon and kurmasana, with suptakurmasana and tittibhasana thrown in. I may try counting in Sanskrit one of these days, just to see what kind of reaction I get (and also to help me learn it). Needless to say, I’m really enjoying teaching, especially subbing for other teachers now and then. It’s nice to look out on a bunch of different faces than my regular class every so often.
June 1st, 2010 on 11:56 am
Carl, the added challenge was much appreciated for Sunday’s class, and fun too. But what are you trying to say about looking at regular faces? We could become less regular if it makes things more interesting for you:)
June 1st, 2010 on 2:04 pm
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy my regulars quite a bit, especially observing their growing abilities as they progress. There is a slightly different kind of energy one gets, however, when you approach a class full of people who aren’t familiar with your style and approach…I find them looking quizzically at me at the beginning (“what’s with all these down dogs and warrior ones?”), and by the end of the class, they kind of “get it.” Hey, what happened to Crane?
Well, no more funny screen names with yoga poses…too easy, I guess.