yogaHOPE’s Teacher’s Blog

Yoga on the Deck at Women’s Hope

Had a most wonderful experience today.  All of the women were interested in doing “outside yoga” so to the deck we headed.  With the sun shining, the breeze gently blowing, the birds chirping….and yes, all the city noise, rumblings bumblings that go with being outside in close quarters….we began in presence; sitting in sidhasana and lifted our arms parallel with the earth, noticing how quick resistance begins in our mental and physical states.  I was amazed that, although there are many more distractions outside, nature was able to connect these women to presence, they loved it…after class, 2 of the women remarked how incredible it felt to “remember their true nature”, their goodness while being in the outdoors.  They said that their heads felt clearer and for the first time in a long time they were okay to feel physical sensations that they typically “use” to avoid.  —all of their faces radiated a sense of accomplishment…I felt blessed to be there..Many thanks to Beth for her nurturing and guiding presence….Trish

Opening hearts at HAWC

On Saturday I attended my first class at HAWC.  Class was small, two residents and two staff members.  Barbara filled in for the regular teacher.  Barbara was instantly calming and  gentle.  These women looked more traumatized than at the last class I attended, as if the abuse had just happened yesterday. 
One moment in particular was eye-opening.  We were doing a simple heart opening posture.  I noticed the woman next to me kept her shoulders very rounded.  Barbara gently suggested we lift our hearts, open our chest and lungs.  The woman still stayed rounded and hunched.  Barbara observed her and began to remind us we were all in a safe place.  Now was the time to test our vulnerability and learn how to receive.  I then realized what was happening.  This posture that I take for granted is incredibly challenging for someone whose trust has been broken and abused.  Even the physical representation of opening up is scary.  I will certainly appreciate heart opening postures from now on.  I am grateful for this experience and I hope I offered as much to the class as they did to me.
 

Highlight of my week

Hi everyone,

It’s been awhile since I posted and I’ve been meaning to, so here I am!  At Hello House tonight I had a new volunteer with me, Kate, which always brings a nice energy to the group.  The girls are so welcoming to new faces!  We started out on our backs simply coming into our breath and the room became quieter and still.  We moved through some gentle sequencing - neck and shoulder stretches, seated twist, cat/cow, thread the needle, modified lunge, and table top variations (reaching leg back, arm forward) eventually making our way to hip openers, half pigeon included, as it was requested by one of the senior girls in the house.  This was a very intense moment for the girls, especially on their right sides, but they stayed with it, and we all breathed together, breath by breath. I spoke a lot about shedding the layers of our false self and letting our true self shine - the joy and love within us all.  After our pigeon, one girl said she had a “yoga ephiphany”  She said “I get it, yoga is all about balance, right?” And we talked about that for a bit.  

It truly amazes me how week after week this girls give so much to me.  I am sometimes tired before going to class, and my energy immediately shifts when we breathe and open our hearts together.  It enriches my life and theirs!

 Namaste,

 Amanda 

My first YogaHope experience!

I attended Amy’s class at the Meridian House tonight. I was nervous on my way over, not knowing what to expect and what the environment would be like. I was relieved the moment the first resident opened the door with a big smile. The people were friendly, talkative and welcoming. I arrived before Amy, so I had some time to learn everyone’s names and chat a bit. They shared some of their experiences with the class and most seemed positive and happy to be there.

Amy was a calming yet upbeat presence from the moment she entered the room. She handled the mild interruptions and chatter with poise and calm. If the class got distracted and unfocused, she pressed on undaunted and eventually everyone settled down. She constantly stressed the importance of accepting our current mental state, modifying poses to our comfort level, coming into child’s pose whenever we wanted. Acceptance was the theme of the evening and the class responded to it well. I saw one woman, who insisted she wasn’t participating, attempting a lovely upward bow.

I can see the importance of being real and true above all and its surprising how challenging that can be. We have so much to learn from each other. I truly look forward to my next experience.

-Laura D.

Strength, Joy & Acceptance

Thursday’s class was a small intimate class. Two of the ladies participating in class we’re extremely happy. Both had good news to share. One was graduating from the program and going home. The other woman was accepted into a six month transition program after her completion at Women’s Hope. Thus, class focused on poses of strength such as mountain, warrior I and II, chair, and tree pose. The ladies practiced with such fervor and determination. We celebrated the steadiness and balance of tree pose. I observed the upbeat messages portrayed on the posters from the AA program. Noting that the messages of AA are similar to yoga. That of strength, joy and acceptance. So often, yoga can bring up emotions of pain and suffering. Today, we celebrated the path of joy and working through those things that bring us closer to the truth of who we are. Since Women’s Hope is a 28 day treatment facility long term connections with the women are limited. Thus, each class may be the one and only class to share the message of yoga with the women. The class is a gentle reminder to take “One day at a time” and to begin to cultivate joy for all of the experiences both pleasant and unpleasant.  Thank you Beth for your presence and assists. Namaste,

Kat Larsen, RYT

Flowing in Yoga at Women’s Hope

The last two Thursday’s at Women’s Hope have brought a new group of women to yoga class. The women are very enthusiastic about the yoga. A few arrive early to help set up the room with yoga mats and props. Also, I’ve seen during the minutes before class the women want to connect by asking questions about meditation and how yoga can help in their lives. One young lady stated she wants to get off her meds to help her sleep, and find a natural remedy through meditation and yoga. She stated she’s trying to be positive about what she’s gone through in her life and stated that the yoga classes help her so much in her recovery.

Also, one week a woman can be very upbeat in class, the next week depressed and struggling on the mat. Yesterday’s class a regular participant was so down but said she came to class hoping that it would boost her mood. The struggles of getting sober are very evident in class. The moods are up and down. I can’t help but teach a class that is full of positive upbeat messages and asanas that are fun and challenging at the same time. The times shared in class give the ladies an opportunity to flow in spirit and heart through yoga. Believe it or not there is always a request for core strengthening and  ab work! Thank you Trish and Beth for the amazing assists. Until next time,

-Kat Larsen, RYT

Breathing into our pain and finding light

Hi all,

Tonight at Hello House was a night filled with much energy.  At one point while in bodha konasana I spoke to the women about the emotional pain we often carry in our hips, and that women in particular can carry a lot of pain in this area because of experiences we’ve had.  I spoke about breathing in our pain and exhaling light and space to that situation - tonglen meditation.  The women really felt this - you could feel the energy in the room as they listened and accessed their own pain.  Most stayed with it though for one woman, she had to come out for a bit.  It was a very intense moment for all of us I think, and very bonding being that we’re all female.  It was the kind of moment where you wanted to cry and hug each other but at the same time a moment where we all were able to be in our bodies with the courage to breath through this emotional pain on our own - no escaping.  I emphasized that whatever pain we held on to was not us.  This really spoke to the women tonight and created for an evening of true connection for all.  I am grateful for the time I share with these women each week.

 Namaste,

 Amanda

Special offer for Boston yoga teachers

Hi all,

My teacher David Vendetti is extending this offer to anyone teaching yoga. I thought you all might like to take advantage! www.southbostonyoga.net

Dear Friends,
South Boston Yoga is entering it’s third month
since our opening and things are going incredibly
well. Our studio offers an open morning practice from
6am-8:30am M-F and weekends 7am-9am where teachers and
students alike are welcome to come in to study, play
and work together. To give you all a chance to check
it out Todd and I would like to extend a free month of
morning practice to any yoga teacher in Boston. You
name it Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Pranavayu,
Jivamukti, Forrest, Baptiste, Sivananda, Restorative,
Bikram, Acro-Yoga, Meditation, etc. All styles are
warmly welcome and the studio is equipped with
bolsters, balls, a rope wall, inversion swings,
sandbags, straps, blindfolds, chairs, meditation
cushions and back bending benches. We really wanted to
give people a place to study and develop what they
love regardless of tradition or style and already the
inspiration we have seen people giving each other is
amazing. Come in any morning in April or May and we
will check you in for a free month to celebrate your
yoga studies and jump start your spring.
All the Best,
-David and Todd

Compassionate Assistance

Hi–My second week assisting with Amanda at Hello House was a very different experience for me–and I hope for the young women there.

Initially I was concerned with technique, how to pull and touch in such a manner that would both safely soothe and nurture.  This week, quite naturally, I began to mindfully direct my breathing to the assisted part of their body. 

One woman, who was clearly agitated at the beginning of the practice, became calm and more relaxed with each assist. Another who claimed she had zero flexibility, was amazed to witness her muscles relax through mindful breathing and through our assists.  

YogaHope is helping them cope.  –Barb Blair