Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend another class at DragonFly Yoga Studio in Marshfield, MA. Today I tried something new (to me) - a class called Meridian Yoga. During my yoga instructor training we touched on this type of yoga very briefly. I have never taken a class dedicated to this style and wasn't sure what to expect from the class.
The instructor, Kate, is trained in Meridian Yoga and is also an acupuncturist. As a result, she has a lot of knowledge about the meridian energy pathways.
Before class began Kate explained what we could expect from class: the first half would consist of gentle warm up stretches that you would see in any yoga class - neck rolls, side stretches, forward bends and breathwork. The 2nd half we would partner up with another student and perform the meridian yoga stretches together. The organs we would focus on today were bladder and kidney.
Kate demonstrated the first stretch for the bladder, and then we paired up. This stretch would open the energy pathways up my legs, into my back and along the spine up to my head. Kate told us it's great for those with back pain and would help open up hips and hamstrings. Right up my alley!
The emotion associated with this meridian is fear which I found interesting. Could it be that my back and hamstrings are tight not only from physical activity but also from emotions I hold on to? I was getting more and more interested as class went on.
Unfortunately we did not have time for the 2nd exercise for the kidney meridian. I was a little disappointed that I paid $12 for a meridian yoga class and only practiced 1 meridian stretch. Then I thought to myself "This was a great introduction and I would happily try it again". We ran out of time simply because the students in class (only 4 of us) were interested in it and asking a lot of questions.
When I was finished, the one meridian stretch we did had an affect on my legs and lower back. I got up from my mat after our final relaxation feeling very light. Again, I was becoming more intrigued by this form of yoga.
I had a lot of questions once class was finished. Kate happily answered my questions. I have decided that 1) I will attend the meridian class again and 2) I plan to schedule an appointment with Kate for a private meridian yoga session. I really need help with my right hamstring and I sense this might work. (I will post about that experience once it happens).
As far as I've seen on different studio schedules, this is the only regularly scheduled meridian yoga class in my area (Weymouth/South Shore, MA). Kate was a knowledgeable and friendly instructor and I look forward to taking her class again.
I would recommend this class for those looking for something different in their yoga practice once in a while. DragonFly offers this once per week and starting at the end of August it will be on Tuesday mornings at 10:15am (Take a day off from work or go in late to try it!).
If you have issues with pairing up with someone you don't know then 1) this class isn't for you or 2) attend with a friend you can partner with. The partner work included minor hands on assistance and light resistance, nothing intimate or invasive. I know, however, that many people have issues with that type of activity. You have been warned.
I asked Kate whether Meridian yoga was always a partner experience and she said not necessarily. It's how she was trained. She expects the next few classes to focus more on meridian stretches you do alone because she understands not everyone is comfortable pairing up. I appreciated that answer. For me that shows she is open minded - even though her training was in partner stretching, she is willing to do solo work for the benefit of her students.
If you live in the Marshfield area, I encourage you to check out this new studio. I can't wait to try the "chill" class.
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Saturday, August 11, 2007Yoga Class Review - DragonFly Yoga, Marshfield, MA
Enter the Dragonfly By Mark Gardner
She has taken and taught classes at studios and gyms around the Spencer took her time choosing the right place for her project before finally stumbling upon “The Freight House” on “I just wanted a name that represented what I was passionate about, and anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with dragonflies,” Spencer said. “I was just there to support him really, but I fell in love with it right away,” she said. The teacher of that first class, Margaret Horwood, remains one of Spencer’s biggest inspirations. “She did a soulful kind of yoga, something that’s really lacking in a lot of classes these days” she said. “It was gentle, challenging and yet invigorating all at the same time, and in a wonderful English village setting”. After moving to the Spencer spent two months at the Spencer has returned to Kripalu many times since, including trips to attend workshops by nationally acclaimed yoga teachers Baron Baptiste and Shiva Rea. Spencer, also a qualified massage therapist, began teaching yoga classes all around the “Gyms and other studios often can’t recreate the atmosphere that’s necessary,” she said. “I’ve taught at many gyms — I’m certainly not a yoga snob and I think that if you have the right teacher, they will be able to teach anywhere — but gyms can be challenging environments to teach in, and to be able to walk into a place that is totally dedicated to the practice of yoga can be hugely beneficial.” Spencer hopes to demystify yoga and that her studio will be a welcoming place to men and women, children and retirees alike. “I like to think that we have a wonderful variety of classes on offer to the public she said. According to Spencer, classes will include chill yoga, which will appeal to beginners and advanced students alike; intermediate yoga; powerflow yoga; yoga for children; and one of Spencer’s new challenges, what she describes as “yoga for dudes.” “Guys tend to think of yoga as a girlie activity,” Spencer said with a smile. “My hope is that I can change that perception.” Spencer hopes to attract men, athletes in particular, to her classes by concentrating on the benefits that yoga can bring to them, such as increased flexibility, learning the art of breathing and for high school athletes, the chance to stave off injuries. “Guys shouldn’t be put off by their lack of flexibility. Yoga can really help with tight hamstrings and hips,” Spencer said. “It helps with balance and coordination, breath work and their overall well-being.” But for Spencer, yoga isn’t just for adults and teenagers. She is planning on running classes for children 3 to 7 years old, as well. “It’s not just the kids that are benefiting from the yoga class; the parents can as well,” she said. “For the kids, it’s an opportunity to totally self-express and run crazy, but within the disciplined environment of yoga, and for the parents, it’s a chance for an hour’s break!” Spencer added that yoga can help children to relax and use the techniques learned during class in real-world situations such as school. According to Spencer, it can also be beneficial to kids with attention-deficit disorder and similar conditions. Spencer will be surrounded by teachers who have inspired her since her move to the “I plan on having six or seven teachers to help with the class schedule,” she said, “I’ve taken classes over the years with teachers that have so inspired me that they have helped me to continue growing as a student of yoga and as a person, and I am really thrilled to say that many of them will be working alongside me at my studio starting next month.” Spencer is hoping to pull from towns around the “No one who walks through our doors should feel that they need to be competitive, that they need to feel insecure, nervous or intimidated,” she said. “There are so many classes to appeal to everyone’s levels of fitness and flexibility. And we have a wonderful group of teachers with varying styles to choose from.” Spencer said she was once the girl who didn’t believe yoga would be for her, but that it has changed her life “in every single way.” “It’s something that can appeal to everyone,” she said. “All you need is a good sense of humor, a mat, and your willingness to learn.” |
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