The Peak of the Pose & The Receiving Pose, Part 1 Copy

At the edge, there is the peak of the pose (edge of the pose). On the other side of the peak of the pose, there is the receiving pose (on the other side of Stira is Sukha).  These boundaries represent the range of motion and the edges of intensity. The pose is like a mountain with no top, yet our current plateau is the peak of the pose. This place is beyond mere alignment and form and speaks to the substance. The edge is where we go beyond the linear and into the spiritual and creative. 

In contrast, default practice and poses show up as pretty poses, sloppy poses, or the same poses for years with nothing changing. The alternative to default, a drift-along practice, is an expanding and always transforming practice. Teaching in this way is critical for retaining students and for keeping yourself inspired too! Disrupting the drift is how to maintain students: keep them at the EDGE of what’s possible.

Demos included in this video

These demonstrations instruct the skills needed to generate a connection to the student and for the student to the present moment through the creation of Vinyasa.

• 0:47  Receiving Practice: Acknowledgement
• 1:11 Receiving Practice: Integration
• 4:39 Receiving Practice: Awakening, Sun Salutation B

With this video, you will practice Integration, adding instructions between calling the poses. Inside the pause between the inhale and exhale there is space for the magic and transformation of the practice. This is an opportunity to generate results. Work on counting into the pause to connect breath matched to movement.

1. This work can be completed with a partner or alone, in front of a mirror. If in front of the mirror, teach to your body. Record yourself leading each of the demos included within this video. Listen back to the recording and be the student of your teaching. Listen for how your words land for you as the participant. Take 2 – 3 minutes for each exercise.
2. Once you have completed the exercise, including listening back to the recording, give yourself feeback: were your instructions clear and effective?
3. Repeat #1. Incorporate the feedback you gave yourself in questions  #2 and #3.

Also in this video, you will practice teaching Awakening.  Leading Awakening as vinyasa by marking the space of the pause between breath, adding a count of 3. 

1. This work can be completed with a partner or alone, in front of a mirror. If in front of the mirror, teach to your body. Record yourself leading each of the demos included within this video. Listen back to the recording and be the student of your teaching. Listen for how your words land for you as the participant. Take 2 – 3 minutes for each exercise.
2. Once you have completed the exercise, including listening back to the recording, give yourself feeback: were your instructions clear and effective?
3. Repeat #1. Incorporate the feedback you gave yourself in questions  #2 and #3.

Journal: What did you learn about pacing and leading movement matched to breath, in this exercise?