Who puts the Om in the Om Shanti shanti shanti
Today, for the first time, a student came up to me after class and told me they loved my voice. Found it soothing. Never knowing how to take a compliment (I'm working on it), I told her she should tell my boyfriend that.
This isn't just the first time teaching a class someone has told me they like my voice. This is ever. If I were to classify my voice, I would say it's a combination of second-generation Brooklyn mixed with East Coast Jew. Chris is of the opinion that I'm slightly tone deaf. In other words, I'm no Enya.
Partly for this reason, I'm not a big om-er. I started off teaching without it because I taught at gyms/fitness centers/YWCAs and I wasn't sure if it was appropriate. Now, out of habit and not wanting my voice to crack, I haven't ended a class with an om since September (yes, I remember the date).
I also find that when I am in a class, I'm really conscious of how I am singing it. You, too, maybe? Making sure that all three syllables are of equal length, that I don't end last, that I don't end first, that I'm enjoying it... I know, that last one. Oy. I'm grasping at trying to be in the moment and be one with the universe. I might not recommend approaching it from that angle. Must. Be. One. With. Universe!!!! (Hint: Will never, ever work).
Anyway, the comment came from a class at Cornell in the Healthy Living department. It's really healthy living/healthy aging. The average age is probably 60s-70s. All sorts of unique, beautiful aches in that room. This sequence is for this group, although they are smart cookies and modify the heck out of everything as needed.
- Begin on back, knees bent, feet on floor (Some choose to begin seated in a chair)
- Bridge, lowering and lifting (not holding) for 1-2 minutes
- Core work on back (5-6 minutes). Alternate leg lifting and lowering; crunches and pelvic tilts with legs bent, knees over hips and shins parallel to floor; toe taps with legs in same position; upward facing boat (using arms for a lot of support)
- 2nd set of bridge lifts
- Table top position, cat/cow (some less "cow" than others)
- Table balancing, lifting opposite arm and leg
- Tadasana/Mountain Pose
- Warrior II (Pulsing knee, better for joints), repeat on other side
- Triangle Variation (feet remain parallel)
- Balancing poses (5-6 minutes). Come by wall. Tree (vrkasana) , knee into chest, crane (balikikasana).
- Back onto mat for any final gentle stretches
- Savasana (or any variation where they feel supported). Give head rubs!
