Last night at WVC

The lesson last night was practicing flexibility in all forms.

The room had been double booked and it seems no one had been told. The Power Class went with me to another location off campus but unfortunately the message didn't get to the Back/Gentle Class and they went home. My sincerest apologies.

For the next 3 weeks, the Tuesday night classes will be in Van Tassel in the room across from the cafeteria entrance. That's where we held the first class of the quarter.

Again, I apologize for the mix up. Things should be better for the rest of the quarter. If you have friends or family that would like to try the class---please bring them!

I'll make the Back Class a little longer for the rest of the quarter to make up for the missed class.

I've decided to take a break from teaching at the college. I won't be offering my class either Spring or Summer Quarter. You are always welcome at the WRAC. Come try it out for free. Just tell the front desk you are my guest and you want to try a class. If you decide to continue, the classes only cost $8. It is a great deal.

Namaste,

Dean

Yoga challenge

Here is your yoga challenge for today.

Get in a plank position---Santolanasana---and extend one arm forward palm in and lift the opposite leg. Hold it for as long as you can but keep breathing. Repeat on the other side! Work up to it. The first time could be quick.

Now move into Vashistasana---side plank pose.

Come back to a plank position and walk your hands as far forward as you can and hold the position. Breathe!

You are amazing and don't you forget it!


Namaste,

Dean

Beyond Brawny Power Yoga

Check this article out by Zach Gillmann on the Testosterone Nation website.

It is called, YOGA, YES YOGA, FOR BIG BASTARDS.

http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/most_recent/yoga_yes_yoga_for_big_bastards

Zach Gillmann gives his 6 essential poses. He includes Prayer Squat or Malasana as one of his poses. Looks good!

Namaste,

Dean

3 Daily Essential Yoga Poses for February

I've read where there are probably 48,000 yoga poses. Here are my 3 Essential Poses for February. Include these daily in your February practice and be amazed by who you will become by March!

1. Malasana (deep squat)---take your feet out to the edge of your mat and squat. Elbows inside your knees, hands in prayer, and dropping your tailbone to the ground. Breathe deep at least 5 times and push through your heels to stand. Repeat 3 times.

2. Gomukhasana (Cow-faced pose)---while seated, cross one leg over the other. Bottoms of both feet are exposed behind you. Try to stack your knees and get your sit bones to the floor. Breathe deep into your hips and don't worry about your arms. Hold everything but your breath for as long as you can, then come out and do the other side.

3. Vajrasana (Thunderbolt or Zen pose)---get on your knees and sit back on your heels. Hands on thighs. Breathe into those tight quads and feel the release. How about 10 full breaths in this position.

See you at class!

Namaste,

Dean

Yoga and criticism

Okay this is weird, I'm being critical of critics! Something wrong with that.

I was talking with my best friend and training partner about how criticism is such a part of gym culture. It seems to be the way that people, especially guys, show intimacy.

If you are around me, you know I subscribe to the helpful belief that people are usually doing the best they can with the knowledge and awareness that they have at the moment. Thank you Louise Hay. I also ascribe to the belief that in asana, there is no such thing as a perfect pose. Thank you Bryan Kest.

I try not to leave room in my yoga practice and classes for criticism. Work hard, stay focused on your breath, and do the best you can. If you are in a class that makes you feel bad or increases your self-criticism, get out. Never let yoga be an opportunity to reinforce your ability to criticize yourself. Trust me, you've got that skill down and it doesn't need further practice. How about using your practice to flood love and approval to every part of your body. Everyone needs love and and approval, why not give it to yourself?

So the same day we were talking about gym culture and criticism, I had an instructor point out with critical surprise that I couldn't do Gomukhasana fully and I was a yoga teacher. There are many poses I can't do and the list is probably longer than the ones I can do. I tell people that if I could already do this stuff I wouldn't need to practice.

The same day I ran into a guy whose girlfriend went to my class and loved it BUT couldn't believe that I talked all the way through the class. This was the compliment with criticism topping. I told myself to accept the compliment. By the way, I do talk a lot.

Please catch yourself criticizing yourself and stop. Catch yourself criticizing someone else and stop that too. I don't think we have to worry about not having enough criticism in the world around us. Increasing the love and approval that is out there is worth it.

Namaste,

Dean

Open up!

"Lift up your heart." That statement is part of the Christian Mass and it is excellent advice. Most yogis have heard someone talk about having a headlight on your chest. You want to keep it shining forward not down at your lap. Go ahead and feel long and open especially under your sternum. Give yourself room to breathe and your heart to open. Collapsing in on yourself is hard on your body and your psyche.

I've found that lifting my heart is a simple practice but very powerful. Do it while you are sitting, standing, and especially while you are practicing yoga.

The Heart Chakra is called Anahata and is the home of our decision maker. It is also associated with love and compassion. Lifting the heart opens this area and also Manipura, the navel chakra. Manipurna is the center of our self and the discipline to get things done. Open the front of your body, fill it with breath and face the world with confidence and love.

Namaste,

Dean

WVC Class Starts Tonight

We're starting a new quarter at WVC tonight. It is 5:30 pm for Power and the Back/Gentler Class is at 6:45. There is still time to show up and still time to register even if you can't make it tonight. This class relies mostly on word-of-mouth, so please tell your friends about it. Go to www.wvc.edu and hit Continuing Education.

Tonight's class will not be in the Campus Theater. The Drama department needs the stage just for tonight. Our class will be in Van Tassell in the conference room right across from the Cafeteria. It is a great room with windows. The rest of the classes should be back in the Campus Theater.

I did a bunch of Chatturangas earlier today so my triceps are talking to me. Telling them, "Thanks for sharing," isn't quite getting them to stop complaining. Speaking of talking to your body, try just for a day to talk to your body with encouragement and love. Tell it how great it is. Tell it how much you love it, even if you don't. Everyone does better with encouragement and praise. How about you give it to your body and see what happens? One day---how easy is that?

I hope to see some of you tonight out at WVC!

Namaste,

Dean