Yoga in Small Places

Lately we've been doing yoga at my house to save energy at the church. I really hate turning on their a/c/heat to try and fill that humongous Sanctuary for an hour. Especially when the classes are small. It's interesting at CCPC how class sizes vary but I'm tired of thinking/worrying about that so let's go in another direction.

Since I've moved the classes they have been filled. Really filled. Course the room is much smaller. And easier to fill. But it has been so much fun with the full classes in the filled room. Twists are especially fun "now, everyone in unison turn to the RIGHT" Seems as if there's always someone who turns left and much giggling ensues. Of course, as everyone knows; twists are GREAT toxin relievers... Now, toxin release is a major source of anxiety/humor in most yoga classes. Yoga is designed specifically for releasing toxins, problem is most people are uncomfortable with releasing those toxins in public. I have seen many a yogi in dire distress when I say, "OK, Let's roll". (Rolling is when you hold on to your feet and roll back to your shoulders and then back up without touching said feet to the ground. Takes core strength and a push....last thing you want to do when you are trying to hold onto your toxins)

I've seen grown men crying while rolling. Crying with laughter that is. But it's one thing to have your body loudly announce that you have toxins in a large room. The sound is very muffled for one thing. And the people on your left and right are really the only ones who know it was you. It's easier for the yoga teacher to just move on like nothing happened. (and really, it's not that big a deal AWWW GROW UP PEOPLE!!!) I do have to admit to sometimes having to control my own giggling too though LOL! Let's face it: Farts are funny. However, in a smaller room.... there's no hiding. And the sound amplifies. And invariably someone starts giggling and it sets off the whole room. Try maintaining a peaceful atmosphere after that.

So, there are some drawbacks to a smaller room. But seeing all the joy when the yogis can reach out and hold up each other's legs in Half Moon pose... and the amount of people holding hands during relaxation... and having all my stuff right there; my eye pillows and cushions and music and crystals and essential oils... ahhhh. It's been really nice. The room is filled with Reiki energy and it shows. When we cleanse and fill our souls at the end you can almost see the energy in your hands. On Friday, we did our Sun Salutations outside on my deck and when I lifted my hands for the final blessing, a butterfly flew between them! It was sooo cool! Transformation...

I'm going to keep the classes the way they are. And I'm adding my Tuesday class back since so many have asked. And my husband came up with a great idea: since the room really only holds 8 comfortably (we've been having 9 or 10) and we worry/hope that more will show up and then it will be disruptive having to move the whole class to the church... I put a form on my website www.yolinna.com/yoga.html where all people have to do is check a box to tell me what classes they are coming to. When the total gets over 8, I email them that we're moving to the church--and will post it on the page. They just have to check before they leave and go to the right place. Seems easy enough huh? (fingers crossed)

When I grow up, I want to have a large studio to teach yoga in. By the beach. With an exhaust fan just in case.....