Archive for the ‘photos’ Category

OM yoga students becoming Teachers in Japan

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

 

Chisato is studying her notes.  All the students write down EVERYTHING after they take class from me.  Sequencing, instructions, etc.

Chisato is studying her notes. All the students write down EVERYTHING after they take class from me. Sequencing, instructions, etc.

 

Chigusa and Yuki help Yo do a drop back.

Chigusa and Yuki help Yo do a drop back.

Chisato and Miyo help Miho do a drop back.

Chisato and Miyo help Miho do a drop back.

 

Chika represents her study group in teaching while Yuki and others do hands-on adjustments.

Chika represents her study group in teaching while Yuki and others do hands-on adjustments.

 

Here I am with two of my translators, Yuko and Anu, in Starbucks!  It is almost exactly like the Starbucks in the US except the wraps are root vegetables w/ chicken and only half as big.

Here I am with two of my translators, Yuko and Anu, in Starbucks! It is almost exactly like the Starbucks in the US except the wraps are root vegetables w/ chicken and only half as big.

It’s a secret!

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Yesterday we worked on Supta Virasana — how to do it, how to teach it and especially how to make it workable for the many people who find it next to impossible.  Yukiko told me — via Kanae, my translator — that her husband could not do that pose at all.  I said, “Sure, he can.  Let me show you how.  Let’s pretend that you are your husband and I will set you up in the pose.”  I asked her, “what is your husband’s name?”  She said, “It’s a secret.”   Whoa — first of all, she spoke in English and that was a surprise!  But, then, it’s a secret?  We all laughed so hard, including Yukiko.  Why is it a secret?  Is he famous?  Does he have a weird name?  She wouldn’t say; would only laugh and laugh.  So I decided her husband’s name would be Mickey Mouse and she liked that.  

 

How does that feel, Yukiko?  Ahhh....it feels great.

How does that feel, Yukiko? Ahhh....it feels great.

 

To paraphrase Chogyam Trungpa Rimpoche, Even Supta Virasana is workable -- with lots of blocks!

To paraphrase Chogyam Trungpa Rimpoche, Even Supta Virasana is workable -- with lots of blocks!

Turning Upside Down in Tokyo

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Yesterday we learned how to teach and adjust Adho Mukha Svanasana, Pinca Mayurasana, Salamba Sarvangasana and Halasana.

 

This is one method for teaching beginners the feeling of handstand without even turning upside. They learn how to connect arms and legs and reach in two directions. Creating imprints.

This is one method for teaching beginners the feeling of handstand without even turning upside. They learn how to connect arms and legs and reach in two directions. Creating imprints.

 

We have lift-off!

We have lift-off!

OM yoga TT Tokyo - Day 3

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Joe taught asana class again this morning.  I feel sore in a way that is not normal for me.  Lots of sensation in my joints.  It must be jet lag.  Yoga is good, for sure.  

 

Kazumi saved the tt study group pictures from last September and put them back up on the wall again along with the daily schedule.

Kazumi saved the tt study group pictures from last September and put them back up on the wall again along with the daily schedule.

The schedule is asana 9:30-11:15, break, 11:30-13:00 training, 13:00-14:30 lunch, 14:30-16:00 training, break, 16:15-18:00 training.  I think.  That way of writing time gets me so mixed up.  

 

Working on the full version of parvritta parsvakonasana.

Working on the full version of parvritta parsvakonasana.

 

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana!

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana!

 

Joe demonstrates Parsva Bakasana and then we all did.  Some people remembered how I taught them to use a block and that was helpful.

Joe demonstrates Parsva Bakasana and then we all did. Some people remembered how I taught them to use a block and that was helpful.

 

Joe demonstrates a shoulder opening exercise to prepare for pinca mayurasana.

Joe demonstrates a shoulder opening exercise to prepare for pinca mayurasana.

 

How convenient that this dance studio we are using has a ballet barre for us to rest our arms on and help us open our shoulders.

How convenient that this dance studio we are using has a ballet barre for us to rest our arms on and help us open our shoulders.

 

No problem if the ballet barre is too high -- we can stand on our trusty blocks!

No problem if the ballet barre is too high -- we can stand on our trusty blocks!

 

After the class I had a meeting in this room with Kazumi and Yuko, who will be my translator tomorrow.

After the class I had a meeting in this room with Kazumi and Yuko, who will be my translator tomorrow.

Then I went for a walk in Roppongi and saw this sign which I like a lot.

Then I went for a walk in Roppongi and saw this sign which I like a lot.

OM yoga TT - Tokyo, Part 2

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

This morning Kazumi took Joe and me to the dance studio where the second half of the OM yoga 200 hour teacher training course is being held.  Joe is teaching the first three days of this ten day session with asana class from 9:30-11:15 followed by anatomy until 6pm.  

 

Here is Chama, owner of Tokyo-yoga.

Here is Chama, owner of Tokyo-yoga.

This is Joe with Anu, his translator for the day.

This is Joe with Anu, his translator for the day.

 

This is Kazumi -- manager of Tokyo-Yoga. She works so hard to make everything happen just right.

This is Kazumi -- manager of Tokyo-Yoga. She works so hard to make everything happen just right.

 

Chama in Cat Pose.  Do you know how to say this pose in Sanskrit?

Chama in Cat Pose. Do you know how to say this pose in Sanskrit?

 

Virabbhadrasana 2.

Virabbhadrasana 2.

Joe demonstrates Sirsasana.

Joe demonstrates Sirsasana.

 

The Japanese teacher training students are very good at paying attention.

The Japanese teacher training students are very good at paying attention.

 

I asked Joe to teach a Sirsana variation for Tamao who has a neck injury from surfing.

I asked Joe to teach this Sirsasana variation for Tamao who has a neck injury from surfing.

 

Joe demonstrates how to use a blanket in Salamba Sarvangasana.

Joe demonstrates how to use a blanket in Salamba Sarvangasana.

 

Here is the "Shyndi mark" -- many of the students asked me to sign their mats and make my drawing there, too.

Here is the "Shyndi mark" -- many of the students asked me to sign their mats and make my drawing there, too.

 

Outside the studio is a bench next to this sign which says, "You may smoke here."

Outside the studio is a bench next to this sign which says, "You may smoke here."

This shrine was on the corner.  Kazumi said this deity will help your cough go away.

This shrine was on the corner. Kazumi said this deity will help your cough go away.

OM yoga in Japan

Monday, March 8th, 2010

OK, here I am.  

 

I feel like a pro -- got on the airport bus all by myself!

I feel like a pro -- got on the airport bus all by myself!

Love this little water bottle holder in the bus.

Love this little water bottle holder in the bus.

 

It definitely helps that some signs are in English -- I'm on the way to Shinjuku.

It definitely helps that some signs are in English -- I'm on the way to Shinjuku.

Thank you, Tibet

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Here are some pictures from a great night at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  The Tibetan diaspora is 50 years old and these events were to say Thank you to all the Tibet has given us.  

The evening opened with chanting by the Gyuto monks.

The evening opened with chanting by the Gyuto monks.

 

Not a great picture but you can sort of see the Tibetan dancers.  The dance is from a dream by the Panchen Lama.

Not a great picture but you can sort of see the Tibetan dancers. The dance is from a dream by the Panchen Lama.

There were incredible performances by Phil Glass, Laurie Anderson, Bobby McFerrin and others.  But I felt like it was annoying to take pictures so these are pictures from the end when everybody was taking a bow and getting a kata from Rinchen Dharlo of the Tibet Fund and Lobsang Nyari, HHDL’s representative in the US.

 

Bravo!!!  It was a powerful evening.  Two Noblelaureates were there: Dr. Abadi and Joy Williams.  Amazing women who travel the world working for peace.!too.

Bravo!!! It was a powerful evening. Two Noblelaureates were there: Dr. Abadi and Joy Williams. Amazing women who travel the world working for peace.!

 

This is kinda dark but it is Michael Imperioli in a white kata.  He was the MC.

This is kinda dark but it is Michael Imperioli in a white kata. He was the MC. A far cry from The Sopranos, right?

 

Looking closely: L to R,  Bobby McFerrin in the brown shirt; Laurie Anderson hugging Philip Glass, John Giorno (great, great poet -- check him out!) and the monks.

Looking closely: L to R, Bobby McFerrin in the brown shirt; Laurie Anderson hugging Philip Glass, John Giorno (great, great poet -- check him out!) and the monks.

from Pura Vida to Big Apple

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Going home.  Saying, See you soon.  Saying, Can I sit in the front seat of the van?  Because the 2.5 trip to the airport is half on very bumpy, very dusty roads.  urp.  

Sometimes we had to share the road with cows.

Sometimes we had to share the road with cows.

And cowboys.

And cowboys.

Now we are back in the concrete jungle and we say Muchas Gracias to Costa Rica for sharing with us the beauty of Pura Vida.

last OM yoga class in CR

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Our last class was co-taught by all three of us teachers.  First Edward led us in a restorative pose and a warm-up vinyasa.  Then since we were all totally in love with each other at this point in the retreat, it seemed like the right thing for me to lead a partner class.  What fun!  I structured it in a way that everybody had a chance to partner with everyone else.

 

Melanie, the smallest, with Edward, the largest.  So cute.

Melanie, the smallest, with Edward, the largest. So cute.

 

Sometimes it takes two to triangle.

OM yoga warriors -- fearless and gentle.

 

Sometimes it takes two to triangle.

Sometimes it takes two to triangle.

 

Cherie and Liza -- so beautiful.

Cherie and Liza -- so beautiful.

 

Liz and Edward -- so sweet.

Liz and Edward -- so happy.

 

David finished our last class together by ringing the bell and leading us in shamata.  Then he talked a bit about re-entry, to balance our beginning talk about what it means to retreat.

David finished our last class together by ringing the bell and leading us in shamata. Then he talked a bit about re-entry, to balance our beginning talk about what it means to retreat.

 

That night there was a concert -- here is Liz, Melanie, Suzy and Irene -- cuddling on the couch and loving the music.  Later all the OMmies got up and took over the dance floor!

That night there was a concert -- here is Liz, Melanie, Suzy and Irene -- cuddling on the couch and loving the music. Later all the OMmies got up and took over the dance floor!

watching clouds, birds and thoughts

Monday, February 15th, 2010

 

After morning yoga, I spent some quality time staring into space, watching clouds and birds.  Just like watching thoughts coming and going.

After morning yoga, I spent some quality time staring into space, watching clouds and birds. Just like watching thoughts coming and going.

 

And....buying jewelry from local designer, Ashley.  Her company is called Adorning Aphrodite. Each gemstone has a meaning.  Steve is amazed at us gals.

And....buying jewelry from local designer, Ashley. Her company is called Adorning Aphrodite. Each gemstone has a meaning. Steve is amazed at us gals.