In-Class Observation

I observed the class on November 14. It was a class of reflection on what we had already done in the class thus far with the introduction of one or two new moves.

Gina began the class by talking about a few minor changes to the schedule that would take place, then began a very high energy yoga routine. The class reviewed the past moves we'd been practicing for weeks, but at a much faster rate than we'd ever performed them before. It left the class out of breath but invigorated.

The previous weeks classes were all classes that focused on meditation and relaxation, so the quick pace of this weeks class was like a kick in the pants. In cobra pose everyone held their arms and legs out straight, resting on their abdomen, and moved their arms up and down quickly. "Like alligators!" Gina declared happily. Even the music was more upbeat today. To warm up they did jumps from the top of their mat from the downward facing dog position. Gina told them to concentrate on kicking their legs up high and holding them there.

During the stretching portion of the routine the class pulled their right knee back, held it and the foot with both hands and rotated the entire leg side to side. I couldn't hear the name of this move when it was mentioned but it was a new one that Gina introduced that day.

Overall the class moved much more quickly when observing! Everyones ways of doing the moves are so different! It's very interesting to watch, like watching a work out video, a Yoga instructional DVD or something. I always feel as though I'm the only one struggling with the poses, but I could see that several people weren't performing the moves as effortlessly as I'd assumed they could, but everyone was doing their best.

For me, the best part of doing the routines is the tension relief in my back when I stretch. I come to class very tensed up from working hunched over a computer all week long. In general I need to be more relaxed about not getting poses right the first time. I'm hard on myself when I do them wrong.

I really hope I motivate myself to practice Yoga outside of class because it really does make my body feel so much better. I haven't gotten sick yet this semester and I've been surrounded by coughing kids and with the late nights, lack of sleep and poor diet, that college usually entails, it's a wonder I haven't been on my back all semester long. I can't help but feel that the yoga has been very restorative in that way. It's wonderful exercise, and for someone who works on a computer all the time, it helps to keep me limber and flexible. I love showing my friends things I've learned in class.

In-Class Observation

I observed the class on November 14. It was a class of reflection on what we had already done in the class thus far with the introduction of one or two new moves.

Gina began the class by talking about a few minor changes to the schedule that would take place, then began a very high energy yoga routine. The class reviewed the past moves we'd been practicing for weeks, but at a much faster rate than we'd ever performed them before. It left the class out of breath but invigorated.

The previous weeks classes were all classes that focused on meditation and relaxation, so the quick pace of this weeks class was like a kick in the pants. In cobra pose everyone held their arms and legs out straight, resting on their abdomen, and moved their arms up and down quickly. "Like alligators!" Gina declared happily. Even the music was more upbeat today. To warm up they did jumps from the top of their mat from the downward facing dog position. Gina told them to concentrate on kicking their legs up high and holding them there.

During the stretching portion of the routine the class pulled their right knee back, held it and the foot with both hands and rotated the entire leg side to side. I couldn't hear the name of this move when it was mentioned but it was a new one that Gina introduced that day.

Overall the class moved much more quickly when observing! Everyones ways of doing the moves are so different! It's very interesting to watch, like watching a work out video, a Yoga instructional DVD or something. I always feel as though I'm the only one struggling with the poses, but I could see that several people weren't performing the moves as effortlessly as I'd assumed they could, but everyone was doing their best.

For me, the best part of doing the routines is the tension relief in my back when I stretch. I come to class very tensed up from working hunched over a computer all week long. In general I need to be more relaxed about not getting poses right the first time. I'm hard on myself when I do them wrong.

I really hope I motivate myself to practice Yoga outside of class because it really does make my body feel so much better. I haven't gotten sick yet this semester and I've been surrounded by coughing kids and with the late nights, lack of sleep and poor diet, that college usually entails, it's a wonder I haven't been on my back all semester long. I can't help but feel that the yoga has been very restorative in that way. It's wonderful exercise, and for someone who works on a computer all the time, it helps to keep me limber and flexible. I love showing my friends things I've learned in class.

Patanjali: A Legendary Dance

For the group paper, my group and I researched Patanjali, the father of Yoga. A man of mysterious origin, his Yoga Sutras would carry the essence of Yoga and teach people for generations to come.

After reading the research assembled by the group I was impressed by the validity of yoga as a lifestyle. In my prior ignorance I’d always imagined yoga as a trend that soccer moms did on the weekends at their local gym. It was very refreshing to learn the history and to discover its impressive and esteemed lineage. Patanjali was clearly a learned man. I wish more was known about his birth and life, but perhaps it’s better to leave his origins a mystery, and maintain the illusion of ethereal creation versus a typical human birth.

Of the 8 sutra's, I could most relate to number 2, Niyama - the 5 observances, including cleanliness of body and mind, satisfaction, body discipline and mind control, greater awakening of the soul and God within, and worship of God. These are all things I try to incorporate into my daily life. I have described before my Christian faith and I may have mentioned my general attitude toward life as one of constant progression. One should never stop, but should always seek to see what they can improve for or about themselves. Practicing Niyama subscribes to all the goals I seek daily for my life.