Aum, the Sound of the Absolute

Theme: Aum, or Om, is the sound of the absolute.
How it relates to our everyday lives: sometimes the stories we tell ourselves become overwhelming. If we try to block them out or tune out we won't alleviate the issue because we give more power to them. We need to acknowledge them first instead of trying to block them our or fight them.

Thoughts are transitory and we can relieve those that don't serve us by turning in and listening to them so we can discern if they are true or of value. Then we thank the goddess of that thought for arising and release it to go about it's own business. These thoughts or goddesses all resonate with the sound of Aum, so we can connect to them and our bodies through chanting Aum and merge our self and dreams with the large divinity in the world around us.

Break it down into three parts...
Ah, the sound of the self, our identity assemblage point, who we tell ourselves we are.
Ou, the sound of our dreams and aspirations.
Mm, the sound of pure consciousness bliss, our self and dreams merging together with the rest of the world.
Silence is the fourth sound when all merge into a calm quiet state like savasana at the end of our practice and the cycle renews

Repeat each sound once, then merge all sounds together in chant.

Surya Namaskar x2 - Crescent and Prayer Twist - engaging muscle energy

Tadasana - instruct SITO and tailbone action with block
Uttanasana - with block
Downdog - with block

Surya Namaskar x2 - Crescent and Prayer Twist - with SITO and tailbone action

Vrksasana - inner and outer spiral
Utkatasana - is/os
TUD - Parsvakonasana - when in doubt stick it out - Ah
TUD - Trikonasana - Ou
TUD - Bhujanghasana - have partner help encourage IS and lift chest - Mm
Dhanurasana - partner holds heels down to help you rise up
Setubandha Sarvangasana with block

Urdhva Dhanurasana x3
Supta Padangusthasana with strap, encourage rooted thighs (is) and outer spiral
Windshield wipers
Sirsasana - tripod arm balance or rise up to full pose (level II)
Sarvangasana
Pranayama - Chant Om (several minutes)
Savasana - hear the primordial sound of the absolute resonating over and over again in your heart

Concerns: One student experienced some low back pain after the backbends. Gave them some further instruction in engaging their tailbone to relieve the low back. Another student had some discomfort on the crown of their head after headstand. Showed all the students how to relieve the tension in the muscles of the scalp with their fingers clasped and holding the tops of their heads.

Success: Partner poses went well and the students enjoyed them, giving good feedback. Also, the student who didn't feel very warmed up last week advised that this week the warmup was good.