Everyone experiences times when they don’t have much to give: Time, money, or maybe attention. Some of the most profound experiences of my life have been at the very moments when I thought I had nothing left.

Whether it’s pushing through physical challenge, or a digging out of a deep emotional well, we humans have capabilities that surpasses even our own belief at times.

For many, yoga is a way to access that place. Of course, we tend to focus on the postures- even me. As a teacher, my brain sees bodies and their complex spirals and nuances, and I’ve chosen a role that helps bring awareness to that. I gravitate toward the physical postures and breath, asana and pranayama, with students, but it’s the internal work that holds the power of my attention in my personal practice.

Yoga helps us see the relationship between and among our various layers, and to navigate their complexity with awareness, if not ease.

To address this challenge, or any other, with a sense that our deepest abilities are limitless, is to begin trust our own innate power. We are infinite. We only need to believe.

Changing the ‘program’ is necessary for me to prioritize work-life balance. During my short time teaching, I have been fortunate enough to witness people make real, meaningful shift in their bodies and personal lives. I feel deep gratification in seeing realization spread over someone’s face, hearing phrases like “yoga is the best part of my week”, or seeing injuries healed and confidence lifted.

There is a plethora of advice on yoga etiquette available: “Never come in to yoga class late.” “Don’t fidget during savasana.”  “Don’t leave early.” And on, and on.

First let me say: I get it. Coming to yoga 5 minutes late can be somewhat disruptive, both to students and the instructor. Fidgeting during savasana might disturb your mat-neighbor, and leaving class early sends the signal that you’re only there for the ‘exercise’ (asana) portion. (Yoga is SO much more than exercise by the way.)

Frankly though: I’ve been there. I’ve been the person who is so wound up from my life, that I can’t lie still and awake for 5 minutes in savasana. (“There is so much I could be DOING right now!”)

I’ve been the person who has an appointment at 11am, but need the 10am yoga class so badly, that I’m willing to suffer the embarrassment of being the one who leaves early. (It IS courteous to let your instructor now if you’ll be leaving early though.)

I’ve also been the person who is rushing, shouting, and running to get a child in daycare and drive across town to drop in on a much-needed yoga class- only to arrive 5 minutes late, sneaking into yoga like I stole something. (This is not acceptable for your very first class, however…)

Isn’t part of ‘living our yoga’ being compassionate toward both ourselves and others? In a group class, being around other people is simply part of the package. People who, with all their faults, odd noises and smells, are simply doing the best they can to cultivate a more satisfying existence. So, the next time someone is shuffling on their mat, packing it in early, or clambering for a mat space because they came in late, imagine they are someone that you love. Imagine your father, daughter, sister, or brother, and trust they are doing the best that they can. Tell yourself to just be glad that they were able to make it, because they most likely are. (:

Life is what happens while you’re making other plans, right? So, you planned to go to your regular yoga class tomorrow, but slipped and fell today on the ice today. Should you still go?

I get questions like these often, whether it’s a recent fall or something more serious. Is doing yoga while injured good for us? First, let’s consider the injury:

Doctors orders: Did you see a doctor? If so, do what the doctor, NOT your yoga teacher, recommends first. (If a physician told you to rest, then REST.)

Chronic or acute: Did you experience injury from a particular event and can pinpoint the site (fell and bent wrist back for example), or is it a nagging injury they recurs? (“Oh my old aching back” and so on…)

Many chronic issues can be alleviated by a consistent, mindful yoga practice. BUT, there are many different ‘kinds’ of yoga, so choose wisely. An intense practice with a lot of up and down transitions may not be the best thing for an arthritic knee, and a deep, Yin-style practice might aggravate an area already under strain. Remember, each posture in each class is a choice, and you must always advocate for your own best interest. That may mean going against the tide of sun salutations, or maybe even getting up and leaving the class.

Acute problems- sorry to tell you- will probably heal faster with rest. Last week, a participant asked me how to stretch an obscure muscle that she felt she had pulled, feeling a ‘pop’ while exercising. In this kind of situation, without implying any diagnosis, my advice is that the best activity might be: Leaving that area alone to heal. Inflammation from a sprain or ‘pulled’ muscle might be aggravated by stretching the site of injury, lengthening the recovery. (Of course, there are recovery options that don’t include ‘activity’: Hydration, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, etc.)

That said, a gentle, restorative style yoga practice with an emphasis on healing breathing and avoiding the injury site might be just the ticket to staying loose, mindful, and calm while recovering.

This brief summary is, by no means, all inclusive, but here are two important ‘take away’ points to help you decide whether or not to hobble to your next yoga class:

Listen to your own intuition. Don’t worry about feeling like you’ll let your yoga teacher down if you miss class because of a slip on the ice. Our interest is in having you come to class and feel safe. Protecting an injury and feeling uncertain as to whether you should even BE THERE is counterproductive to yoga.

Yoga instructors are not physicians. Some do have more extensive training, or are also “Yoga Therapists” (or doctors for that matter) who are more equipped to deal with and offer help for an injury. Otherwise, yoga teachers are able to be helpful in discussing your injury or rehabilitation in the context of yoga, but certainly cannot design your recovery plan or make a diagnosis.

What ever you decide, DO keep sharing information with your instructor. They may have modifications to offer or alternative poses that have similar benefits. Hopefully, we are all healthy and injury-free to fully experience the benefits of a yoga practice. But if not, I hope this helps you decide whether to get back on the mat, or stay in bed! Namaste.

As the Chinook winds bring a winter thaw, Sun River Yoga will be experiencing yoga schedule  changes in response to some life changes.

New out-of-town obligations for our household have resulted in a conflict with our Tuesday night Slow Flow Yoga class.

As such, Slow Flow Yoga class will change to 545pm on MONDAYS, beginning next week, Jan. 23.

Even in our small community, it is difficult to choose a day/time for ONE class to meet everyone’s schedule needs. However, I am optimistic that as attendance and interest grows, we will be able to add another class in the future.

I am also passionate about wellness and making it accessible in rural areas, and I will continue to work to assess and serve the needs of the Sun River Valley community.

Namaste, Audra

Okay, you’re busy during the holidays, but even Santa can make the time!

Community Center Yoga this month:

Tuesdays, 9am: Gentle Yoga. With limited up and down transitions, this is focused on gentle strengthening, maintaining mobility, and breath work. $7 to drop in, or $20/4 classes. Suitable for beginners and beyond.

Tuesdays, 6pm: Slow Flow Yoga. This class focuses on building strength, increasing flexibility, and relieving the effects of day-to-day life, and ‘flows’ at a pace that emphasizes safe alignment. Suitable for all levels. $10 to drop in or $30 for 4 classes.

NO SLOW FLOW ON DEC. 20- COMMUNITY CENTER BOOKED.

Yoga Workshops

If you are interested in hosting or arranging a workshop for friends, staff or for your community, please contact me to schedule! Classes for be tailored to meet the needs of each group, from deep relaxation to deeper alignment work.

The winds of change bring us to the month of November, and a welcome vacation for our family. Between a short family trip and Election Day, the November schedule will see some changes. I am also instructing at The Peak Athletic Club part-time in Great Falls, so please check the schedule if you’re passing through!

I love leading yoga classes and sincerely hope to continue to learn and share with this community. I am also hoping to grow the class attendance at the community center, so if you have anyone to share class information with, please do! Namaste.

Nov. 1: Classes as usual. Gentle practice at 9am, Slow Flow at 6pm.

Nov. 8: CHANGED- Gentle practice at 9am on MONDAY THE 7TH. No evening practice this week. 

Nov. 15: NO CLASSES.

Nov. 22: Classes as usual. Gentle practice at 9am, Slow Flow at 6pm.

Nov. 29: Classes as usual. Gentle practice at 9am, Slow Flow at 6pm.

SPECIAL RESTORATIVE PRACTICES THIS WEEK!

Gentle Yoga: Tuesdays at 9am. ****Tues. Oct. 11 cancelled for community flu shots. The fee is $7 to drop in, or $20 for 4 classes. This class will continue month to month unless a scheduling conflict occurs.

September Only

Yoga Basics continues: Sept. 25, Oct. 2 from 3pm-430pm. Attend the next two for $25! (Materials and props, mats provided). Suitable for all levels, emphasis on beginning or ‘new-beginners’.

Starting in October

Slow Flow Yoga: Tuesdays at 6pm. This class incorporates movement, strength and flowing sequences at a pace that emphasizes functional alignment. Each month, we will focus on a different ‘theme’: core strength, shoulder safety, etc. Suitable for all levels. Class fee is $10 or 4 for $30.

October’s theme: Core strength. From our core, or manipura chakra, comes our will power, motivation, and confidence.