Cheryl Thomas, RYT
www.cherylthomas.com
yoga@cherylthomas.com
415-308-3377
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 The Touchy Subject
Yikes, I think I just got groped!
I didn't know my leg could go over my head!
Did this teacher deliberately step on my hand?
Touch is a much discussed topic in the yoga world as is
music, heat, OMing, and incense. It's
complex and varies depending on the style of yoga, the teacher, and YOU.
First, as I mentioned last week in the Question & Opinion column, you should never accept
being touched against your will. This
includes touch by your family, friends, teachers, gurus and priests. If you're not quite sure what to say, here are
some ideas: no, no thank you, or please do
not touch me and, if necessary, get your hands off of me. Do not be bullied or cajoled into allowing
touch that is unwanted.
Oh, right, this is about yoga, it's so easy to get
sidetracked. Anyway, you'll find you're
often touched in yoga class. For most of
us, this is OK, expected and even welcomed.
The contact can be a soft touch or a serious cranking/yanking. I took
class in La Jolla last week, where I would categorize the touch as stroking/caressing. Hum?
In the Ashtanga tradition, one of the roles of the teacher is to
assist the student in getting into poses.
Because the poses are challenging, a knowledgeable teacher can assist in
helping you get into a pose that you may not be able to on your own. A slight (or not so slight) pull on the arm can make a bind
happen. My Ashtanga teachers, John Smith and Ann Austin, know my body
and my practice and I trust them both when they assist me. But, that being said, I always reserve the
right to say "no thank you."
Much of the time, the purpose of the touch is to give you cues
to "proper alignment" (1). The
instructor can see misalignments that you may not feel and can encourage better
stability and integrity in the pose through touch--maybe encouraging the extension of
the spine or rotation of a hip.
Personally, I've adopted a touch/adjustment attitude I've
received from my teachers. I like senior teacher, Max Strom's "two-finger"
adjustments. He only uses two fingers to
touch a student, giving them awareness of where he wants the adjustment. Also, he says, never touch any soft area--belly,
inner thigh, or rear. Judith Lasater
recommends always asking for permission before you touch a student. May I touch you? Sometimes I will touch a student's hand or shoulder
just to let them know I'm there with them. Contact can offer a bit of support and comfort. But, this is tricky, as touch can be
comforting to some people and produce a strong reaction in others. I surmise that those that are uncomfortable
being touched shy away from yoga.
You can help.
Communicate. Let's the teacher
know if you have an injury or sensitive spot.
Breathe with the adjustment and always make your wishes known. Want
to read more, check out an interesting Yoga Journal article here.
(1) The term "proper" or "correct" alignmen" is another hot discussion area among yogis. Let's say "healthy alignment."
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Q&O
A: I can only come to yoga once a week. A teacher told me not to bother unless I can commit to at least 3 times a week. I'm not sure what to do.
O: First of all, I hate to hear anyone discourage you from coming to class. What is your motivation? If you leave class feeling relaxed and refreshed, then why not? Maybe this is your only time to yourself. Maybe you have a home practice and enjoy the camaraderie of practicing with others. On the other hand, if your intention is to advance your practice, it takes dedicated effort. That will mean showing up more often. But, in the end, it's your choice, your practice, your path.
Got a question? Email me at yoga@cherylthomas.com.
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Week of April 11, 2010
Monday
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. (Ann Austin's Class)
Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol
All Levels
Tuesday
9:15 - 10:45 (Ann Austin's Class)
Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol
Beginning
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (Private)
UCSF Restorative Yoga for Metabolic Syndrome
San Francisco
Wednesday
9:15 - 10:45 (Ann Austin's Class)
Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol
Intermediate
5:30 - 6:55 p.m.
Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol
Vinyasa Flow + Restorative - All Levels
5:30 - 6:55 p.m. (Devorah Blum's Class)
Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol
All Levels
Thursday (Cancelled due to Flower Show)
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Graton Community Center
Gentle Yoga - All Levels
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (Private)
UCSF Restorative Yoga for Metabolic Syndrome
San Francisco
Friday
9:15 - 10:45 a.m.(Ann Austin's Class)
Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol
Intermediate
Week of April 18, 2010
Tuesday
9:00 - 10:30 ***Donation***
Yoga on Center, Healdsburg
All Levels
11:30 - 1:00 (Mirka Kraftsow's Class)
Westside Yoga Studio, Sebastopol
Gentle
6:30 -8:00 p.m. (Private)
UCSF Restorative Yoga for Metabolic Syndrome
San Francisco
Wednesday
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Yoga on Center, Healdsburg
Slow Flow
5:30 - 6:55 p.m.
Yoga Studio Ganesha, Sebastopol
Vinyasa Flow + Restorative - All Levels
Thursday
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Graton Community Center
Gentle Yoga - All Levels
11:30 - 1:00 (Mirka Kraftsow's Class)
Westside Yoga Studio, Sebastopol
Gentle
6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (Private)
UCSF Restorative Yoga for Metabolic Syndrome
San Francisco
STUDIO WEBSITES
Yoga on Center: www.yogaoncenter.com
Yoga Studio Ganesha: www.yogastudioganesha.com
Westside Yoga Studio: http://www.westsideyogastudio.net
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Hope to see you soon!
Namaste,
Cheryl
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Bulletin Board
Help, please
I'm the producer, writer, costume and music director , make-up and special effects manager, best boy and key grip of this newsletter (and my website). It doesn't always go as planned. If you find broken links, missing photos, misalignments, or stuff just doesn't look right on your computer, please let me know. Of course, errant spelling, odd grammatical construction, and weird content is just, well, just me. [And, by the way, Constant Contact is a fine program, but it's formatting functions are maddening!]
$5 Yoga On Center
There's a Coupon for $5 for first time students during April on my website for classes at Yoga on Center in Healdsburg. Click here or go to www.cherylthomas.com. Thanks Yoga on Center!!!
Ann Austin's Classes
I'm honored to be subbing for Ann this week at Yoga Studio Ganesha. Hope to see you.
Graton Class on Thursday Cancelled
Due to the Graton Flower Show this weekend, the Thursday class will not meet.
Michelle's 4 Week Series
The talented Michelle Nielsen, CMT CYT, is offering a 4-week series at The Yoga Center of Santa Rosa starting 4/14 from 5:45 - 7:00. Want to know more? Email Michelle at embraceyoga2gether@
gmail.com.
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