The Last Class
Is that spinach?
- Hair trimmed – check
- Head shaved and polished – check
- Special tee shirt – check
- Spinach free teeth — check
- Music — check
- Camera – check
- Plan for the class – Doh!
This was it, the day had finally arrived. I am not sure why this class was so important or me. I had been teaching my YMCA class for longer and the final class there was also this week. This Saturday morning class was not even mine, I was just a sub. But we had been attending this class for a little over two years now and during that time missed only a handful of classes. Made a lot of friends and had a lot of fun. Today was to be my last class at Devi on a Saturday morning. I have been given the opportunity of my own Saturday morning class at Nandi. This is a pretty rare and special opportunity in the Bay Area where there are almost as many Yoga instructors out there as there are software engineers.
My preparation started at the beginning of the previous week. I had decided on my playlist early on, though that did not stop me tweaking and tuning it right up until the last minute. Those final few tracks are critically important to bring the class to a comfortable spot for Savasana. Or so I lead myself to believe. Talking with someone afterwards they had no idea what tracks were playing.
Shark pose, we don't do it that often 
The sequencing was going to be interesting. I like to choreograph the class to the music as much as possible. So a little practice during the week should lead to the perfect class on Saturday, right? The chosen theme at the start of the week was Africa. Well more specifically it was Jacques Cousteau visits Africa. I have talked about the themes idea before. It’s really just an excuse for me to pull out some less familiar poses like “Crocodile”, “Shark”, “Compass”, “Lion”, “Tiger” and “Turtle in shell”. Most of which get a laugh even if a few lack the full class participation
With the temperature at 100 degrees in the shade, only the very dedicated turned up to practice Yoga in traditional Indian style, hot, on Tuesday. The four of us had a little “side crow” focus. Thinking about it now I should have blasted on with Africa theme, I had the weather element on my side too.
So Wednesday was my first big outing for the sequence. There are only a couple of problems with Wednesday, the class is 15 minutes shorter and, it’s a 1-2 class not a 2-3. Now if you are teaching a whole new set of poses in the same amount of time, something has to give. As we near the end of the class I have to avoid a near mass revolt as the class realizes pigeon is not part of the sequence. Note to self “All classes, always have pigeon. No exceptions, ever.”
Thursday was my last class at the YMCA. Just to add to interest, someone on Wednesday night suggested I should add some of my favorite things for this final class. A sort of Mary Poppins (or is that “The Sound of Music”?) twist. This is also a 75 minute level 1-2 class. The same was true for the rest of my classes this week. Learning my lesson from Wednesday and chanting my new mantra “…pigeon….. pigeon…..pigeon” I say my final goodbye to my friends at the YMCA with a diluted version of “Mary Poppins meets Jacques Cousteau in Africa”. Oh wait pigeons, that is classic Mary Poppins. It’s like I planned.
A class for of Yogis Oldmooning
On Friday someone suggested they would like more arm balances. I immediately thought of a new theme of course “Would you like an arm balance with that?” Through my facebook announcement a friend also suggest we do a little Michael Jackson. I did a tribute class to him a while back. I am sure you can guess when.
So as I walk into the class on Saturday morning everything is planned and prepped, with the exception of the sequence. Unable to keep my big mouth shut I ask a regular ”what do you want to do today?” ”Party poses” is the reply.
So there we have it. The theme is “Mary poppins visits Jacques Cousteau in Africa, while listening to Julie Andrews and Michael Jackson. All poses to be done balancing on the arms of course”. Oh look there’s my favorite pregnant Yogi just setting up her mat too. This is going to be interesting, here we go, deep breath.
The class was amazing, just how I like it. Enough people showed up to make the room welcoming without being too full. A lively crowd ensuring a little banter and feedback. It was a great way to end a two years of Saturday morning yoga at Devi.
My colleagues created this shirt for me
No plan would have worked better, I think it’s time I gave up the themes
