Repose: Sanctuary Spa, Paradise Valley, Arizona with Beri: Janauary 19, 2015

Spa and gym classes can be surface. Today's class was not. Maybe because I've been here for a few days and jacuzzied, massaged, facialed, and repeated that a few times with short hikes in between and clean organic food.

In the past 13 years of practicing yoga on a regular basis, I have increased my flexibility. As I sat on the mat and started stretching this morning I notice, even to my own eyes, a deeper sense of stillness and flexibility..almost more than ever. And I'm super grateful for God's grace.

Beri lead a beautiful "stretch" class this morning. It really should have been straight out called yoga. I really liked her and I really liked her sequencing.

Here's two great sequence and stretches some I remember:
Seated twist (I was in lotus)
option to bring bottom arm around to grab inner thigh, or in  the case of lotus the opposite foot 
Back to center
Cross arms by bringing bottom arm around on top
Forward fold
Eagle arms and wobble
other side

Sphinx or seal
half frog on right
half bow on left
windshield wiper
other side


Earth swastikasana
On belly bend knee arm underneath
Bend other arm and look in direction
feel heart on the earth

But my deepest yoga happened when Beri used the word repose instead of relax. It reminded me of what Leslie Kaminoff said about 'poses don't have alignment, people do".

The practices of yoga today help me repose into a deeper Truth of Love and Grace. The ongoingness of touring is a mighty force, especially when combined with my habit of anxiety and worry.

Grateful for the break.

Namaste