The students joining me today were 0, 2s, and 3s out of 5. There was only one request today, for our hearts and how to bear witness to what is happening in the world and in our country right now. In today’s practice, we explored spine and shoulder mobility to warm up our heart spaces, and we focused on twists and opening abs and hip flexors to unstiffen front and side body. During the practice, I also named the three stages of “old-school” Kripalu Yoga: Stage 1 0 warming up and area and bringing attention there; Stage II - sitting and staying in a pose to let sensation arise, and watch how sensation changes; and the Stage III - moving out of the long hold into meditation in motion to give the accumulation some vector and possibility. Today, we also explored Dancer pose side-lying and standing, and moved through the tadasana and toe explorations that we are using in the Godfield series. Practice today starts and ends with the Caring Breath. Enjoy.

Props: Blanket, strap/tie

Tags: Humming, Caring Breath, 4 parts to the breath, Dancer Pose, hip therapeutic, back bends, Philosophy: 3 stages of practice, spinal therapeutic