Yoga on the Lawn: Workout of the Week

brst2lo Yoga on the Lawn: Workout of the week

Yoga that Heals, 992 Sycamore Ave., Boulder, 303-495-2576, yogathatheals.com

Instructor: Cindy Lawrence, of Boulder. Lawrence has been doing yoga for more than 20 years. She was trained in Shambhava Hatha yoga, massage therapy and various spiritual practices. She has received Level 1, 2 and 3 certifications from the Shambhava School of Yoga and Meditation.

What is the workout? a morning yoga class in the backyard of Lawrence’s home studio. Lawrence’s teaching style uses the elements, which is an ideal fit for a class in nature. She also focuses on uniting the different parts of the self: the physical, energy, mental, emotional and spiritual. Lawrence likens it to brushing your teeth: cleaning out your organs and the systems in your body, as well as your psychic system.

I think yoga and the outdoors belong together. as Lawrence says, “There are so many paradoxes in yoga, this is a good example of how being outside in nature can better help you drop into your internal self, inside.”

Lawrence helps guide her students deeper into the practice by using imagery and the senses, such as the different smells, sounds and temperatures outside. Doing sun salutations in the sun — bowing toward the actual rays of light — is a completely different experience than being confined by four walls.

Lawrence’s classes also emphasize playfulness, curiosity and joy, which I have found makes me more receptive to reach new levels of exercise, both physically and internally.

What does it cost? a drop-in is $10. Preregister at cindy@yogathatheals.com because there is limited space.

Who does it? My class was six women. Men are welcome, but Lawrence’s classes tend to attract more women.

When: 8-9:15 a.m. Thursdays.

Level: Any level.

Format: Class started with breathing and guided imagery to set the tone; warm-up stretches; sun salutations for strengthening and building core; a quiet moving meditation; and ended with deep relaxation with warm river stones — all on Lawrence’s back porch, surrounded by flowers, trees and chatty birds.

During the moving meditation, we were invited to walk around the spacious backyard. I walked through the wet grass barefoot, above the roots of a large tree, along a stone walkway past a garden — I literally stopped to smell the roses. I don’t remember the last time I spent silent time in nature with nowhere to be, feeling connected and alert and relaxed. for me, it was more meditative than trying to lie or sit still on a mat.

Lawrence says moving meditation is good for people who have a hard time sitting still.

“Sometimes just the idea of meditating makes people anxious,” Lawrence says. “It makes meditation more accessible for the shakers and the groovers.”

At the end of class, we picked a handful of warm or hot river rocks out of coolers of water and placed them on our bodies: the stomach, heart, head, wherever we wanted. Because the stones are from a river, they’re connected with water, which is healing. At the same time, the rocks are heavy with the weight of the earth so they make you feel secure. The warmth triggers your body to let go, so the relaxation is deep and penetrating.

“As part of Yoga on the Lawn, it’s an integral reminder that we’re connected with nature,” Lawrence says. “We are from the earth.”

Equipment: Bring a yoga mat if you have one. otherwise, Lawrence provides mats, blankets and stones. She decorates her backyard with little altars: hearts, candles, a book, Buddha, a bright pink sarong. She says she hopes the images invoke a richer experience for the students.

“It’s like if you have a picture of someone you love at work, it evokes a feeling of connection with that person,” Lawrence says.

As a visual person, I appreciated the altars — and the intention and thoughtfulness that Lawrence put behind them.

What to wear: Yoga clothes. Bring water. Don’t you dare wear shoes and socks, or you’ll miss the feeling of dew on the grass.

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Muscles worked: full body, core and internal.

One new move: The Breath of Joy, done two ways. The masculine style, which has a three-part inhale while you quickly move your arms above your head, arms wide, shoulder height in front of you and then a strong exhale as you throw them to the ground and fold forward. then, the feminine style: Slowly inhale and exhale with each flowy movement of the arms, following the same pattern.

“Those two Breath of Joy exercises I’ve done a million times, but you bring the newness if you change the breath or the intention and be curious, instead of robo-yoga mode,” Lawrence says. “If you do the same thing from a more curious and playful place, you’ll never get bored with your exercise routine.”

What’s different: all of Lawrence’s classes are so unique. She continues to surprise me. This class was different, with walking meditation, hot rocks, being outside and vocals. Oh yes, she invites participants to make sounds as they relax or stretch.

“It reminds you of your natural rhythm,” Lawrence says. “Kids naturally yelp and squeal. They don’t hold back. Every time you hold back and squelch a sound, some little tension gets lodged into your being.”

I found making noises was very freeing. and it made me laugh. Which this class was also full of.

What I loved: This teacher is so special. I can’t even tell you how lucky Boulder is to have this class. Lawrence is one of the most joyful and real people I’ve met. Every time I leave one of her classes, I am nothing short of euphoric. and no, she’s not bribing me to say this. try it. I don’t think anyone could attend Yoga in the Lawn and leave in a bad mood.

“It’s a huge breakthrough to give yourself a joyful life,” Lawrence says. “That’s my purpose on this planet: to help others open up to the joy that’s inside their hearts.”

What I didn’t like: The fact that every yoga class isn’t outside, and that Colorado isn’t always warm enough for outdoor yoga. It was also tough to get to class by 8 a.m., but any later in the day would have been too hot.

Inspiration for class: a blend of Lawrence’s two loves: summer and yoga.

How I felt after the class: Bare feet, wet from the grass. Cheeks, warm from the sunrise. Lungs, stretched from the cool morning air. Heart, playful and curious. Soul, grounded and joyful.

How I felt later: My happy high lasted all day.

– Reported by Aimee Heckel.

Check out workout.pmpblogs.com to browse more of our featured workouts.

know of any interesting workouts? tell us about them so we can check them out: heckela@dailycamera.com or 303-473-1359.

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