Starting Class on TIME in 2009 (and ending on time, too)

It is awesome that you are coming to yoga class and you are totally rocking to get yourself to class -- clearing the deck of all other obligations and making time for yourself. That is a BIG accomplishment and a credit to your commitment to being your best self.  The time you've protected for class is probably just about all you have for yoga and you need to me to end class on time so you can get back to your regularly scheduled LIFE.

Got it.

So, I've been strategizing about how to get class started and still accommodate the reality that this life-stuff holds us up sometimes.  Pretend class starts at least 5 minutes earlier than it is posted and come and get your coats off (these Wisconsin winter garments can take several minutes to de-layer) and roll out your mat and get situated.  Starting Tuesday, 1/13, as the class time chimes, I'll put a little sign on the outside of the door for any late arrivals and begin the centering.  This sign will ask late arrivals to wait outside until the centering is complete (generally 7-10 minutes) and then I'll come invite anyone who is waiting to please come in and jump into practice with us. 

If you arrive 'just' before the centering starts, I ask you to move quickly and set up a simple seat with two blankets so I can begin.  You can get more completely set-up with a mat and props after the centering.  My goal is to be doing warm-ups within 10 minutes of the start time.  The pay-off for all this will be that there's enough time to do all the poses I plan, time for savasana and there's still time for a 5-10 minute meditation.  After your asana practice and the integration time in savasana, you are primed to Sit and can easily slip into sublime, spacious stillness.  The great Swami Rama said, "Everyday, make time for silence, make time for silence, make time for silence." 

Let's hold the space together for class and milk it for all it's worth -- I'll arrive 15 minutes before and stay at least 15 minutes after class for questions and any one-on-one coaching you are interested in.  And I will teach for 90 minutes (105 on Wed night) straight through so that you can get the most out of the time you are protecting for your practice.  

Hari om and blessings on all our good intentions,

Kathy