1st visit, "Imagine, A Yoga Studio"

I made it out of my Chicago apartment for some yoga (finally)!

Today I attended my first class at Imagine, A Yoga Studio, just a couple blocks away from my residence. It's a small storefront, with a single studio set up lengthwise, with full windows at the end facing the train. The sun created beautiful light through the windows, diffused through japanese paper room dividers, with soft wood floors and light purple and gray walls. There was a lingering scent of incense, but not overpowering. I came early to register, and was greeted by the sister of one of the owners, Beka Olsen (I'm having trouble recalling the sister's name).

All classes are $10 (very reasonable), but they offer a 2 week unlimited pass for $25 for new students, so I decided to go with that and try out as many different teachers as I could. Imagine's philosophy seems unique. Unlike many studios, they do not prescribe levels or descriptions to their yoga courses (though there is a 90 minute course as opposed to the usual 60, a 'yoga basics' workshop for beginners, and 'gentle yoga' for a gentler practice). In general, their courses are designed to work for all levels, and are unique through the teaching methods of each individual instructor. Modifications are provided by the instructor to adjust the level of difficulty in either direction. There is something communal and all inclusive about this method that I admire, though I am a fan of changing up what type of class I am going to. Once I try several teachers, perhaps I will find that these classes are more radically different than they appear! Every instructor does have their own style, after all.

I went to the 12pm class, which is usually taught by Beka, one of the owners. However, today we had a sub, Leona (I hope I've spelled her name right). I was looking forward to instruction from the owner of the studio, but Leona did a lovely job. Maybe next time! There were I think 6 total people in the class. The room appeared to be able to accomodate maybe 10-13 comfortably.

The class: (60 minutes)
We began seated, but elevated. Most of us elected for a block, some used a towel or pillow. I opted for the block. This places your hips above your knees in a seated position, which is a refreshing change. Best not to cross the legs entirely, but let the ankles gently cross.

Leona began and ended the class with a single "Om". I like the symmetry and singleness of this, however I realize some people find the "Om" a bit silly or alienating. Having done plenty of Linklater vocal exercises for theatre looking and sounding ridiculous, the "Om" isn't too big a deal for me. The class did contribute a hearty Om, though there could have been tenfold more power and depth behind it. If you're gonna Om, then OM!

We went through the usual breath awareness exercises, breaking into some moderately difficult lunges (after some cat/cow stretches) with prayer twist that came a bit to early on for my taste. I prefer to ease into the more difficult stuff by going through familiar stand-bys first, such as the warriors and sun salutations. The very next thing after  lunging and flowing into downward dog, came a forward fold which progressed into sun salutations and warrior variations.

She varied the warrior sequence a bit, going from warrior one, then placing the arms in eagle, moving into warrior three, then back to one, unwinding the arms, and flowing into warrior 2, and eventually triangle. It is nice to shake out of old patterns, so I appreciated the variety. I really liked her approach to triangle. From warrior 2, she had us reach and reach with the front arm until you couldn't anymore, and then leave the torso where it is, but drop the front arm to your leg, and raise your left to the sky. This really helped me keep my torso in proper alignment for triangle.

Half Lotus in Tree Pose

For balance, we did variations on tree pose. I chose to attempt half-lotus, which she offered as a modification. I've never actually attempted half-lotus, where instead of placing your foot on your upper thigh, you go beyond and place your foot on top of your thigh, resting on the hip socket; and I'm always up for a challenge. From there we went into a forward fold, still in half lotus, and then jumped back into plank, STILL in half-lotus. While in standing half lotus, you can hold your foot in place, however, jumping into plank made my foot slide down to just about the knee, though still on top of the leg. This seemed to be the case for everyone. From there we moved into side plank, which I did normally, though you could pursue it in half lotus as well. I actually found half lotus more balancing then the usual tree pose. It would interesting to explore why that is.

She definitely stressed spreading your toes widely for all of the standing poses, which was very grounding and balancing and I enjoyed.

We also did some twists, plow, shoulder stand, and fish poses, which are some of my favorite stand-bys. I missed camel pose, crow, side-crow, and the headstand, though! Of course, there's only 60 minutes, and you can't do EVERY pose.

Overall, it was an enjoyable, and moderately challenging class. It was perhaps a tiny bit too difficult too early on (in regards to the order of the poses), but the overall difficulty was mid-range. The music was faint and not distracting, the studio was warm and beautiful, and Leona was encouraging and sweet. I am interested to see what new insight the other instructors at Imagine can provide.

PS I'd like to share this important article I came across today. Someone thinks they have the right to copyright yoga poses. Ridiculous, IMO. http://www.jdjournal.com/2011/12/12/yoga-cannot-be-copyrighted/