While teaching my Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga class at Bear Creek Lake Park on Sunday, I had a conversation with one of my students about how important it is to allow your yoga practice to be playful sometimes. As yoga teachers, both of us had experienced times when we thought yoga had to be serious. When I started practicing SUP yoga I found that allowing the practice to be more fun can be beneficial. Attempting a crow pose or a headstand on a floating yoga mat, knowing there's a chance you'll topple into the water, allows you to let go and simply enjoy.
I had a wonderful experience while practicing yoga at Red Rocks Amphitheater on Saturday. The teacher (who was leading us in a bilingual class of English and Spanish) had us repeat what she referred to as dancing warrior several times. This sequence of moving with breath from star pose (reaching the arms up to the sky) to warrior two with our hands pushing out in opposing directions not only made me feel strong but also able to go with the flow. I felt light and grounded at the same time. Watching the hundreds of other practitioners around me moving in synchronous rhythm gave me a sense of unity.
We could use a bit more joy and unity these days. Many people feel isolated and alone in this world that appears divided based on the news we're confronted with each day. Yoga provides an opportunity for us to have some fun while together in community. Sure, yoga can be serious and does require body awareness to practice safely, but it can be an opportunity to express joy. Moving through a flow or holding a yummy stretch that your body needed in that moment makes you feel good.
I've missed my personal yoga practice. Since my partial knee replacement in March I've been teaching again, but have only taken a few classes as a student. Saturday's class at Red Rocks reminded me of how great it can feel to move my body next to other people in a way that connects all of us in a positive way. We are all one, and yoga is an opportunity to come together.
I don't have many SUP yoga classes left this summer. I'd love to see you at Bear Creek Lake Park on Sunday, August 18 or 25. Sign up in advance through Rocky Mountain Paddle Board here. I'm also subbing one more yoga class on the deck at the Evergreen Lakehouse on Wednesday, August 21 at 7 AM. You can sign up for that class through Evergreen Park and Recreation here. For those who are not in Colorado, I still teach Zoom classes on Mondays at noon and Wednesdays at 11:30 AM Mountain Time. Contact me with any questions.
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