Sitting in a Chair
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Sitting Meditation on Sitting
For anyone who has suffered from back or neck pain, the innocent state of sitting can be a special kind of hell. Even for our pain free friends, sitting is so frought with controversy. It seems that no matter what, we can’t seem to do it right. This meditation is a gentle period of somatic education and an opportunity to observe the incredible body as it supports you in your seated position.
Something for Nothing
Often we have an intractible, parasitic tension that causes pain. This tension is the bodies’ way of protecting an area. Sometime, relieving the tension can relieve the pain. Most of the time a stretch won’t do it. Instead we will have to teach the tissues to let go. This is a class about learning to let go, with techniques for doing just that.
Thoracic Expression
The upper back is an area that can be a big source of tension and even pain. We also have a fair amount of cultural baggage around the appropriate way to hold our upper back. Even in the Yoga world, we tend to favor a stiff and straight upper back above other shapes. But the upper back is capable of so much more, and I believe we suffer when we get locked in to a specific posture or expression.
In this practice, we explore the capacity of the upper back to generate movements, sensations and even emotions. We will use a somatic lesson adapted from Feldenkrais Method® supported by familiar Yin Poses. Your upper back and neck will really benefit from this practice.
Yin & Somatics for Self Acceptance
In this very supported practice we will be focusing on the movements of the spine: delicious forward folds, sublime twists, exquisite sidebands and soft hearted back bends. As we gently experience the body in these movements and poses, we will explore an idea from the Buddhist tradition, that it takes a strong back and a soft heart to practice compassion. Throughout your practice, I’ll be encouraging you to direct your compassion and self acceptance inward. You’ll get to experiment and feel these ideas in your body and in your practice.
Thoracic Integration
If you often have pain in your upper back and/or neck, this is a lesson you should do often. I’ve borrowed a bit from a Feldenkrais Method® Lesson and added some elements that have helped my clients. Improving awareness through movement and attention is an effective way to unravel persistent pain in these areas.