General

Complete sentences
Forgot to do moon squats, so will not work for certification
Start with most accessible version of pose, rather than jumping right in
Did get the principles covered many times
Did share personal experiences relevant in general, and in specific examples
Hope I got across “this is not yoga, it’s deep flexibility using yoga”
Generally slow down, but this got better as we moved through the class
Walked around well
Did eventually moderate my tone a bit, and did slow down.
Repeated the principles (and on the handout) - good
Avoid talking about how long I do the poses, it’s factual, I’m trying to be helpful (I hope), but it sets up what we are doing as less, and it’s not. It’s a stepping stone to improvement.
My body feels great, but it takes me effort to get out of the poses, so this “weakness” is helpful for students.

Getting Organized

Slow down talking
Be more prepared for layout, this was 5 minutes after Tai Chi class, so that’s a bit situational.
Ripley is OK for Tai Chi Students, and she was there because this was after Tai Chi, but she won’t be at classes in the future

Establish Breathing

Like comment about doing stuff uncomfortable
Might have gotten into breathing a bit more quickly
Good comment on compressing diaphragm

Rag Doll

Going into rag doll, better demo - I convinced myself I was rushed because I was hoping to record cert video.
Going into modification after (using the wall), get there first - start with most accessible version
Good on modification
I put my hand on my spine (for myself), turn around and show
Good messaging around getting out of poses

Cliffhanger

Setting up for cliffhanger, should start at the wall?
Story about issues in tissues - true story, think it’s worth mentioning
Again, show a version of the pose adjusted. Considered using chairs and knees, but it would have been a bit hard on peoples’ hands based on the available chairs.
Ripley is getting involved too much - everybody knows her, and is comfortable, but it’ll probably distract people out of poses
Only 1 person did the pose
I was sticking to two minutes so I did not stop with 20% had dropped out, I thought about it, and chose to disregard that recommendation for today
Did show how I get out of the pose - using diaphram, I’m demoing visually, but better verbal queues

Pretzel Left

Again, relying on visibility, verbal queues
Question about doing twice, mentioned asymmetrical poses
Mentioned modification - start with more accessible version (bit of a room issue)
Still taking fast

Pretzel Right

“Just try to melt, melt your body into your mat”
Mentioned tension over time, and sarcomeres - personal experience on impact of stretching
Yin/Yang - using this model is good for me, and this class
Reminded of this being after other stuff
Warned about using body after - did say using body-based resistance training

Noodle - Skipped

Originally worried about Cliffhanger, but the room doesn’t work for this pose. It’s not a yoga studio, and suffice it to say, I’ll need props. Plan to work on a version of this pose using blocks, but as I have not done that myself enough, I’ll start now for next time.

Hero

Forgot to mention that this stretched front of thighs
Mentioned my messed up c4 - so personal stories, and personal challenges good
Good - mentioned not feeling anything in lower back
I keep talking about doing poses longer, drop that. It’s implicit comparison, and I want people to start where they are
Good - how to get out of poses
Good stabby pain/area pain - it was based on a question
Showing what I like to do after - maybe emphasize - this is an option

Wide Dog

Sloppy intro
Way too wide for Wide dog
Good on discussing modification
Again, showing by touching, but verbalize it
Good - checking on touching
Story - doing it and targeting back of legs, then brought up engaging the pelvic floor - really did my legs, and calves especially, much looser from years of stair master
Based on question / talking about this not being yoga - student talked about micro bends, which is great to engage, and why we do not want to do that
Emphasize Heals On The Ground
Yang of yoga vs. yin of what we are doing ++
mentioned indoor rock climbing, but probably not a good analogy for most
Good commentary on nervous system
Did mention that I can feel this pose on the ground, but I need to use lateral rotation, which is sending mixed messages to nervous system.

Twister Left

Twister Right

Video Comment: Got label wrong, both show twister left - won’t fix
START High and Go Low
Show highly accessible version first, then work your way down as options
I think this one I did well in terms of starting with accessible version
Good commentary on directing hand to outside of leg
Don’t mention pulling leg, said it better later, but don’t encourage yang stuff
Continue repeating principles, good
Mentioned interoception - keep doing that - mindful meditation using interoception to distract yourself
Mentioned finding pulse in body - good distraction, and fun to do
Good to mention feel of side we just twisted, it really does feel thinner
Kissed Ripley, do love having her here.
Story about ego-ing through pose, ignoring pinch. True story, good to mention.

Washer Knees

This is a reset pose.
Mentioned transition/reset poses - more detail maybe? Sooner?

Blaster Right

Again, more accessible version of poses first
Good commentary on pressure pose
Mentioned asymmetrical
Decent instruction I think
Mention plantar flexion on back foot
Again, mentioning how long I do the pose, reduce that
Talked about using blanket to help me relax
Reminder on rotating foot
Good - mentioned how rotating foot moves where feel goes
Good - showing how I got out of pose

Blaster Left

Good, but remind about foot rotation
Someone got cramps, good discussion on it
Good story about stair master and tight calves
Good mentioned empty stepping - which we practiced in class before
Good, mention paying down future pain
Good, how this has worked for me
Good, how to get out of pose

Butterfly

Good on fist distance
Good, looking forward for lower back
Good on using block to help with back
Good adjustments
Bad, block doesn’t work well for this - and started to get cramp in calf
Good (I think) showing how I’ve used prayer palms to help gravity pull, and avoided discussing physics
Good - showing pillows and how the fold forward
Again, when demoing physically, use your words :-)
Good, mention not pulling
Good, working/relaxing mixed message
Covered principles again
Good on mentioning we are not trying to look good, we are going for feel
Good, talking about intention and congruence
Good, mentioned my C4 - or bad, too much?
Mentioned calf cramp
Explained not to use reps and its impact on time
“Drizzle shoulder blades down”

Pins & Needles -student question

Asked about observations, gave demo to someone with ankle problems
Good - mentioned
Curl toes - dorsiflexion - missed opportunity
Good - mention using wall to keep knees from sliding too much
Student asked - “What have I done to you for you to show me this pose?” )
Tied it back to tai chi
Did mention how to work into slowly

SoS for Tai Chi and Qigong First Teach Personal Notes