Subbed a restorative class at Bay Club this Sunday morning at 10am – the class before mine was vinyasa taught by my dear friend. Her class was running a bit late and so I looked in while waiting, noticing the fact that it was a very packed class (no surprise – she’s a superb teacher). After her class and before the one I’m subbing, I greeted her with a hug, when I told her the size of her class being rather impressive she said – well, it’s actually smaller class than usual. Usually there are more like 50 – Then, modestly she said – it’s that time slot – it’s always like this – we both nodded knowingly – “it’s a church”. Yeah, it’s a worship time. Sunday morning class tends to be like church attending – hope not to sound sacrilegious but many of us no longer go to church and so … instead, this is our church. The entire Sunday is that intention of dedication towards well-being for ourselves and others. Sean Corn’s class Sunday morning at Wanderlust was exactly that for me (the young people with hangovers from Saturday nights do not show up, lol) and so … that explains the packed Restorative class in Vancouver Sunday morning where we stepped in ready to be restored both hardware and software. Check out the Sunday morning classes in your neighborhood – it’s probably packed as it’s the spiritual for the non-spirituals.

So many people have shoulder problems …Sometimes it’s all the burden we carry on our shoulders – literally.
Here’s Baxter Bell, MD, one of my teachers at Yoga Therapy TT sessions.
Don’t try this at home – just kidding – only try with knowledge of science behind the move, that is, to know why you are moving this or that way and why that’s good – so know the why’s OR with a guidance from a teacher with experience in yoga therapy or physical therapy.
Speaking of science – Science behind Yoga & Meditation is HERE for us to embrace and … practice. One thing people sometimes overlook is in their urge to master meditation, they forget the steps. There’s general lack of rest amongst us which apparently is based on our notion of lack of time – lack of sleep sets up the inner-environment of distress and speeds up the aging process. Why would you want that? Unfortunately, insomnia sufferers are everywhere. For them, no matter how fatigued, luscious sleep does not come easily. & yet, your whole system is in need for a tune-up and a … restoration. Your brain function along with everything else will eventually decline if you do not treat your body with loving kindness. Here’s some more information to keep up this regular practice.

Awhile back, I was in one of those hard tough drippy with sweat class where a teacher cracked her whip and yelled, shaming the students, “THIS isn’t one of those – you know the kind of yoga you just sprawl out and relax – eliciting smirks and embarrassed laughter – this is hard work! We are going to build HEAT and burn the toxins to ashes – we are going to transform!!!”. The energy suddenly changed from that of dragged heaviness to that similar to a military boot-camp. I never went back to that class even though I probably could use the aerobics, the muscle strengthening and nagging lecture on empowering – actually, no, not anymore. I’m over that phase in life when I needed that approach. Our needs change with our circumstances.

99.9% of those who show up to the kind of class I like to teach is already a very very hard working people. To me, it’s enough that they showed up. The rest will take care of itself. As Judith’s introductory somewhere says “We work hard everyday in our lives”. Yes, the students I get are hard working either because eyes on the prize, they are high achievers or because they are caring for others; because they are so giving of themselves to others – or they are suffering from the aftermaths of overwork and extreme striving or giving. The practice or the style of yoga should meet the needs of each unique individual – those needs that change over time and space. I respect and embrace all styles of yoga and each has its place to serve the varied needs of the students.