Self-Practice Journal, Week 13

For one of my RYT classes this semester, I'm required to keep a weekly self-practice journal. This is for yoga practices I do on my own, not guided in a studio, gym, or via video. Each week I'll have a post that details at least three of my self-practices.

Week 13
Practice 1
Date: Monday, April 10 7:30-8:45p
Intention: Practice for teaching practicum class Tuesday night
Content: Seated warm up- lateral stretches, hip circles, neck rolls, cat/cow with child's pose variation, downward facing dog, half sun salutes, chair with bow and arrow, wrist rolls, sunflower.
Chandra Namaskar
Goddess pose
Star pose
Virabhadrasana II
Utthita Parsvakonasana
Crescent lunge
Wide-Legged Forward fold (supported with blocks under hands/head, and twist after surrendering for a few breaths)
Malasana (use a block under the sits bones first time through)
Bakasana
Wide-Legged Forward Fold (supported with blocks under hands/head, and twist after surrendering for a few breaths)
Crescent lunge
Utthita Parsvakonasana
Virabhadrasana II
Star pose
Goddess pose
Garudasana
(Repeat twice, with progression. Second time through, add Ardha Chandrasana after lunges on each side).
Static side lunges
Sage Twist
Ardha Virasana
Lizard
Prone shoulder stretch (but share variation: seated shoulder opener for pregnant classmate)
Marichyasana I (with strap for the class, without strap personally)
Legs-up-the wall (with or w/o block)
Ananda Balasana
Savasana
Reflection: I originally planned this sequence with Pyramid to follow side angle, but I didn't like having to adjust my feet to go into lunge afterward. I wanted lunge to prep for Ardha Chandrasana, so I pulled out Pyramid pose. I liked that flow so much more and felt my alignment wasn't compromised when I played around with that change. Also, even though I won't have time to teach Bakasana or Garudasana in my 50-minute practicum, I included it in this practice for myself.

Practice 2
Date: Wednesday, April 12 8-9p
Intention: Enjoy the moon sequence without worrying about tweaking it for teaching. Be present.
Content: Seated warm up- lateral stretches, hip circles, neck rolls, cat/cow with child's pose variation, downward facing dog, half sun salutes, chair with bow and arrow, wrist rolls, sunflower.
Chandra Namaskar
Goddess pose
Star pose
Virabhadrasana II
Utthita Parsvakonasana
Crescent lunge
Wide-Legged Forward fold (supported with blocks under hands/head, and twist after surrendering for a few breaths)
Malasana (use a block under the sits bones first time through)
Bakasana
Wide-Legged Forward Fold (supported with blocks under hands/head, and twist after surrendering for a few breaths)
Crescent lunge
Utthita Parsvakonasana
Virabhadrasana II
Star pose
Goddess pose
Garudasana
(Repeat twice, with progression. Second time through, add Ardha Chandrasana after lunges on each side).
Static side lunges
Sage Twist
Ardha Virasana
Lizard
Prone shoulder stretch (but share variation: seated shoulder opener for pregnant classmate)
Marichyasana I (with strap for the class, without strap personally)
Legs-up-the wall (with or w/o block)
Ananda Balasana
SavasanaReflection: Doing this sequence again, but without stopping to make notes, was so much more relaxing. I was able to move through the poses without thinking of my breath or cues. I was able to listen to the music that I had specifically picked for the flow and to notice how it connected with my poses (for example, while in crow the lyrics of an Iron and Wine song were "flightless bird." I could appreciate that when in the moment). It was also fantastic to have a longer savasana.

Practice 3
Date: Thursday, April 13 11:55a-12:25p (I took advantage of today's late start and did a flow!)
Intention: Regroup after rushing all morning to get errands done and son to sitter before class.
Content: Warm up- sunflowers, Downward Facing Dog, cat-cow, Chaturanga to Downward Facing Dog (5 times), baby cobras (3 times), child's pose, Virabhadrasana I to II (3 times), Virabhadrasana II to straight-legged variation (3 times), forward fold, Chaturanga, Chaturanga Dandasana, Upward Facing Dog, Balasana.
Reflection: It's amazing how a few minutes of "me-time" can help me center and feel refreshed. I had been stressed all morning and practically ran to class to get there on time. Then I realized I wasn't late, and that I had even more time because class would be starting late. It changed my perspective and I realized that stressing about a few minutes lost here and there didn't mean my entire day was shot. I really appreciated having time to go through some poses and literally catch my breath.