a bit of a legacy…11-30-22
Summer 2021: I begin to save recordings of Roll, Release, Align on-line. The sessions seemed to have value for students beyond our together practice. They report ease in breaking 90 minute sessions into shorter practices. Or the support of repeating classes in their entirety. So I begin to build a library.
By the time I stopped teaching in September, 55 classes had gathered themselves, arranged in eight anatomically inspired chapters. Teaching principles of loose, long and strong has been in evolution in one form or another since 1983. Imparting this knowledge is starting to feel a bit of a legacy. This life-long work in progress is a living breathing organism, always growing as I track my own internal experience and observe responses in yours. Sensation, injuries, reaction and adaptation to new techniques, total curiosity…so much keeps it ever fresh. This particular on-line year is a snapshot of that continual evolution as we travelled through the entire body.
Each class has every element needed for optimal self-care: release with balls and rollers, core strength, stretching tightness, a bit of yoga asana. Visuals, music, poetry to spark an embodied imagination. If you’re intrigued about how to enter this richly resourced world of self-care, there are many easy ways to slide in:
The Triplet:
Whenever the mood strikes, I’m creating three short videos focused on a particular body region. The current triplet is about the rib cage. I like the Swedish translation: heart basket. Because we want this body part to be more like a basket and less like a cage! Roll out your mat, give it a try. Let it inspire. This content is free. Next up when the mood strikes? A loose, long and strong psoas.
Intro to the Essentials:
The slow and easy basics—four one hour classes—digest at your own pace for free. Care for your unique and beautiful body…it’s a pleasure! Feel confident when you come to your mat, with or without the support of a teacher. Learn the basic skills utilized in Video Library classes. I’ll guide you through the essentials: foam rolling, tennis ball releases, core strength, stretching out. After just one session roll your mat out at home with self-assured expertise. Props you need at this LINK.
A One-on-One moment:
Many students come for individual physical therapy either before they begin practice or as they run into roadblocks along the way. In a single session, in person or on-line, we suss out your unique challenges. This paves the way for you to practice with workable modifications AND clearly focuses you on your unique asymmetries. Not a one of us is perfectly balanced! Practice is so much more interesting and productive when there is a felt sense of the particulars.
The Video Library:
Watch the short introductory video, choose a chapter and then take your pick of classes. Feel the evolution doing them in chronological order. Classes toward the end give you a feel of practice in its more current form, launch point for the upcoming live offering. By monthly subscription.
Release and Realign: free preview Friday December 16 10:00 at Clara Auditorium. Enter parking lot from O St. ‘tween 24th & 26th St. Turn left, enter brown double doors. Drop in fee $20 starting January 6. Bring mat, 3 foot roller, two soft balls, two pair wrapped tennis balls, two blocks, blanket, strap. Props available for purchase for preview class and each Friday morning in January.
Tune Up Your Moving Body: committed series at Yoga Shala Saturdays Feb 4, 11, 18 12:00-1:30. Limited to 16 students. Registration link coming soon.
The time is ripe. So many ways to enter into the pleasure of self-care. And speaking of pleasure….I experienced such a brilliant session as a student at Sunday Sweat Your Prayers. We dance for so many reasons and transcendence is not at the top of my list. But there it was, a total dissolve moment. No separation between me and you and us. And of course, then it was gone. The realization of meaning is only an echo of the actual experience. But the physical memory of this universal truth, this felt sense of non-duality, is anchored in my bones. The reverberations bring me enormous pleasure. 5Rhythms dance 2022 runs through December 18 before we break until January 8, 2023.
This life-long work in progress is a living breathing organism, always growing as I track my own experience and yours. Ever fresh. Knowledge filtered through experience occasionally translates to a bit of wisdom. Sharing that, offering whatever happens to come through feels a bit of a legacy.
❤️Bella