"How did you feel after last week's class?"

It’s not unusual for me to ask at the beginning of class, “How did you feel after last week’s class?”

There are usually a lot of nods, some blank stares, and occasionally, what I call a “testimonial”.

These “testimonials” are sometimes vague, “I felt good”. Some are more specific, “I slept GREAT!” Some are very specific, “When did that pose where we put our fingers in between our toes, my balance was better for days!”

Today after my morning class, a woman, who has taken one seven week session of yoga with me, told me someone in her choir noticed she looked different. Her posture was different. She stood straighter and, in general, looked happier and healthier.

Although most of the emphasis in my yoga classes is about the physicality of the pose, the alignment, and how to safely come in and out of the pose, we make an effort to also be more mindful, to pay attention to the effect of the pose. Sometimes, immediately after doing the pose I ask students to do a body scan to see what has changed from before the pose to after the pose. Or, I ask when we’ve done just one side, comparing it to the side on which we have not done the pose. And at the end of class I often start our last pose, savasana, with "Do a tip of the toe to the top of your head body scan. See where our practice today has had an effect."

There are a lot of effects. It may be as simple as "I feel better". Other times, it's an accumulative effect. Doing a pose for the feet can lead to better balance, which can lead to better posture, which can lead to someone out there in the world noticing you stand up straighter. And look healthier. And feel happier. And my student told her choir-mate, “It’s from yoga.”

What does yoga do for you?

Each week one of the teachers at the Yoga Space shares her thoughts and experiences in this blog. Pam Lindberg teaches Tuesday and Thursday nights at The Yoga Space, a studio just east of Dexter serving Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, Manchester and Ann Arbor.  We have been helping people with their flexibility, strength, focus and stress management for over 14 years. See what yoga can do for you at the free class the last Friday of each month from 6-7 pm. 180 Little Lake Dr #1 Ann Arbor, MI, 48103. www.yogaspaceannarbor.com 734-622-9600