yogaHOPE’s Teacher’s Blog

Under the yoga tree at Women’s Hope

Last Thursday’s yoga class at Women’s Hope was held outside under the beautiful tree that graces the outdoor deck. It’s such a treat for all to enjoy a beautiful summer day in New England and share in the practice of yoga. We had familiar faces in the class and a group of ladies that have been interested & dedicated to attending class week by week while residing in the house. Class focused on standing poses such as mountain, warrior I and II, side angle, tree, variations of standing balances, twists, core and a long savasana. One of the ladies in class stated she will be attending one more yoga class then completing her stay in the house. She stated how much she enjoyed the yoga classes and truly looked forward to continuing her practice when she leaves the house. In the two years of teaching at WH, I’ve seen many women attend the yoga classes. The asanas may be different, the faces different, but one thing has remained the same. Hearing the repeated words from the ladies of continuing yoga, staying sober and getting healthy. Thank you Mary for your wonderful assists & presence.  -Kat Larsen, RYT

Breath by breath

Today’s class focused on breathing and creating space in the body for new things to come. The ladies that attended class expressed that they hadn’t slept well the night before. Thus, the need for moving gently was apparent. We started with breathing both with deep, long inhalation and exhalation. I could hear the sighs of release for that which was held in the body. As we moved through shoulder opening I could see the head and neck release and movement became natural and organic. I witnessed the ladies coming into their own bodies. Asana continued with variations of cobra, and supported heart openings. It’s a wonderful thing to witness one grab a strap with their own initiative and practice exactly where the body is at that moment. Another woman utilized a chair to assist with balancing in tree pose. The calm that was felt in the room was visible through the expressions of peace on the women’s faces. As class closed with savasana, the exhales of relaxation and letting go we’re heard. One woman stated when leaving, “I feel so good, so much better since I took the class”. It’s so great to see the women smile and feel uplifted as they continue their day on the road to recovery.

Kat Larsen, RYT

What the women are saying…..