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I've posted about the bird pose before because I was fretting and getting anxious each time the balance track for BB 36 comes up. But I just wanted to share that I've been practicing by myself at home surrounded by tons of pillows and sheets and stuffed animals(!) and it's really so much fun to practice the pose. Thank goodness I live alone but I think my neighbors are getting suspect of the laughter that ensues each timne I fall flat on my face. I was really worried about this pose but as my amazing instructors have said, BB is about centering yourself but at the same time having fun and refreshing your soul. Happy Bird Posing everyone!

Yes! I completely agree. I can't tell you how much I used to dread this pose, and when I found out we had it coming in BodyFlow, I actually (momentarily) regretted signing up to be a teacher! But now that we've been doing it in class a few weeks, it makes me really very happy. It's one pose that I still can't do quite perfectly (because, you know, I'm so PERFECT in all the others!! ;) ), but where it used to make me feel so nervous to even try, I am now perfectly fine with just doing baby bird, and giving the cues to help students feel a bit more comfortable trying to find it. I celebrate the people who I know have been trying and trying and then get it for even a few seconds; even though the actual pose is mostly staring at the floor, it's become one of my very favorite moments to connect with my class.

I can tell the difference in my increased confidence translates to the class, too, it used to be a real jolt in the middle of the track to people, now I feel like everyone is, "Okay, that was a fun challenge and focus, let's keep our minds there." So I'm really very thrilled with this pose these days.

Thanks for bringing it up again! It's fun to talk about our progress, isn't it? I think learning to laugh at ourselves, even while pushing ourselves to improve, is my very favorite thing about Les Mills programs. Life is fun, why shouldn't our exercise be?

I've gone back to this release (#28)... we had a discussion between instructors about this pose: it was suggested that you keep your eye gaze forward as you take your weight forward.  Some found this helpful.  I prefer to keep a fixed focus in between my hands.  Then in the class, it turned out a 50/50 response.  Any thoughts?

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I have significantly impaired sense of balance = I can't stand on one foot with my eyes closed.  Even a simple tree pose is very challenging, but then I have no particular problem with the bird pose.  Here's why :

I keep my gaze forward to a spot on the floor about where my head would touch if I went all the way over.  Now I control this distance, gradually decreasing it until my feet lift up and I'm in bird pose.

The significance of this is it's an additional tool for those with normal balance. 

Rex

 

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Excuse me... May I motivate you?

Yes, I remember when I first come across bird pose I thought no way, but hey found the more I sucked my navel to the spine and kept my butt high eye gaze forward and took my time to get there the easier it became now I don't even think about just go there.  Love Bird Pose, now.  Always love a pose when I can execute it easily and quickly.

 Keep the Flow!

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Always Be the Best You Can, Never Ever, Ever Give Up! Dare to be Different!

Ok - here's what happened. On Monday I taught my Lunchtime Balance Class. All was well. I had chosen to teach the Balance track from 36 - no problem  - myself and the participants had done this track many many times, my set up both visualy and vocally very clear. For the first time ever in my Balance class and I feel ashamed to say it - one of my clients lost her balance and hit her head! My heart is in my boots! - she has told me she has minor concussion!!!!!!! (although she hasn't actually seen a medic Has anyone ever had this experience and how did you deal with it? I have spoken to the client who is fine about it all but maybe I guess I just have to get back on the horse?

I had a similar experience last week. I was cooling down my over50s class with walking round the room in a circle, sidestepping then walking backwards. One of the ladies (she is in her 80s!) tripped over. I felt awful, it is a huge class 40-50 people. But I had to just keep going, after checking she was ok (she just bruised her butt). Hopefully in a couple weeks I will feel 100% confident again, but with older ladies I worry about brittle bones etc.

 When doing 36 I fell a few times learning bird pose, but my worse thing was I was trying so many times I ended up with loads of bruises on my arms from trying to balance, very embarrassing!

 You did the right thing speaking to the client, if she is fine, then just keep teaching and enjoy it, accidents sometimes happen however much cueing and CRC you do.

Thanks - so much - I'm amazed at how easily I can be made to feel deflated by things that I know to be outwith my control. I made myself teach it again on Wednesday and all was well (client still not back to class though - her Doc says she has persistent concussion!!!! - but should be fine by next week)! I think I've been more worried about things than the client - thanks again  

I still cant do it, haha its either i'm afraid i'm going to fall onto my face on the wood floor in class, already happened twice and i burst out laughing, or i just cant get balanced. Still practicing it though because practice makes perfect!

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it dosen't matter if your old enough, as long as your good enough

I practised by giving myself a wide support base by really spreading out my fingers. My elbows actually a bit wider angle. I placed a mat up against a wall and positioned myself so that if I was going to tip forward the crown of my head would gently tap the mat and I wouldnt fall on my face on the floor!.. I would push off one toe first.. elevating one foot and practised alternating the feet. Playing with finding my centre of balance... how much to counter balance my hips to shoulders and one day... viola! all good fun and humiliating!

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I'm a super freak, super freak, I'm super freaking oouut!

hey there I'm looking for release 28 I was wondering if you can e-mail me and tell me how I can get it.

here is my info ericrahn@hotmail.com

 I love 36 it is one of my fav. releases to teach

take care,

Eric

:)

 

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on my free time I like to read spend time with family and friends. When I'm not busy teaching I like to take other friends classes and have fun with them. When it comes for launch time good advice is co teach toghter make it a fun time so when you get time to launch your team is 100% ready and that has helped me get over my worries and fears of learning my material and music. That will help you alot when you get ready to teach your next relese. if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave me a message and I can reply back to you. Make it an excellent. Eric Rahn