I really can predict how each day is going to be based on the last. Yes, Day 4 was great – both in class and in lecture – but that doesn’t mean a thing.

This morning Ted taught us our morning practice (I think). I honestly can’t remember now what went on this day. Did I have a good class? I think so. I do know as the week went on, I was feeling stronger and more alive in class. I’m going to say Ted taught and it was great.

After class was our first practice teaching session.  This was awful. Well in my head, it was awful. I partnered up with my new friend Jamie from BC and I had to teach her the Moksha sequence. The whole thing. Then she taught me. She is so awesome. I, on the other hand, need to practice and study. Big time.

The afternoon was spent doing more practice teaching. (Honestly it’s like I tried to erase this day from my brain completely because I can’t remember what went on.) I think this hour Deena and Ezmy gave us feedback on habits and things they saw we need to correct as a group. Yeah, that’s probably what happened.

Then we headed to the studio for our afternoon class taught by Jess. And Jess sang to us! And Deena was right there with her. I was a ball of mush on my mat, it was so incredible. This is what I needed after being down and out from practice teaching. I’m so bothered by the fact I do not know the sequence.

After class, I had to thank Jess for the amazing adjustments she gave me in class. She rubbed my feet, massaged my lower back and gently rubbed my shoulders. Our day ended with more teaching methodology where we acted out skits of our best yoga expereience and our worst and talked about studio edict. My group reinacted my Yoga Birthday Challenge because how can you beat your teacher singing happy birthday to you?

It’s incredible the difference one day makes. On Day 3, I was tired and sore in class, but on Day 4 I felt great! This morning Dina taught us a 90 minute Moksha sequence with a morning meditation to start us off. Dina was amazing and so aware of everything and everyone. Not only did she teach us, she was there with us. Like really with us. She was observant and focused – it was a joy being in her class.

This morning, Jess taught us more teaching methodology and after lunch Deena Robertson (Jess’s sister and one of Moksha LA’s co-owners) and Ezmy gave us an hour prep on how practice teaching is going to work. Oh my goodness, this is going to be scary! I have this to look forward to on Day 5. But I’m hoping Ezmy’s wonderfulness will keep me from holding back or getting to taught up in the hardest part and just have fun with it.

Here is Jess! Teaching us about Teaching.

Our second class of the day was lead by Ted, again, but this time I felt stronger. My thighs feel less achy, which was really taking a toll on my practice. Ted always makes a point to build the class upon the lessons we learned in lecture. In our posture workshops we are breaking down each pose – from every movement, to each expression of the poses, to the release values (points were we’ll tend to slack off if the pose becomes too hard), to areas where we hold containment in the posture. It’s all so interesting!

After class Ted lectured on the next few poses of the sequence from Triangle to Dancers – we’re moving right along. Again, there is so much information to absorb. I hope I can retain some of it. Or any of it for that matter. But as Ted finishes each lecture, I have to forget everything he said and trust this information lives in every cell of my body. Ted then always thanks us for our curiosity and love of yoga. We are helping to make this world a more peaceful and better place.

Oh my goodness, Ted could not be more great.

Day three down. How many more to go? These days are starting to blend together and my brain is exploding with information. And I feel as though I have retained none of it. But my energy by the end of day three was much higher than last night.

This morning’s asana was tiring. I felt drained, but — lucky for us — Bryde left out the standing warrior series. Was this by mistake? Possibly. But maybe she sensed my fading attention.

Today’s lecture was Anatomy with THE Dina Tsouluhas. I have head only great things from Jackie and the entire Moksha Community about Dina T. And now I understand. She has a beautiful spirit and she expresses her love for yoga and what she does. She is a born teacher. We learned all about our bones! I felt like I was in Grade 10 biology all over again. It was so great! I was a sponge and soaked up every word Dina spoke. During lecture, Dina threw in some interesting partner activities where we touched each others bones, modified each other’s downward dog poses, and finally did mini-massages on the head.

After lunch was study time. We had an hour to study the Moksha script. Or sleep. Which the majority of us did. Me included.

Our second class of the day was lead by Ezmy! And with a few non scripted Moksha poses, Emzy mixed this up, just a bit, to get us out of the same old same old, we’ve done 5 times in the last 3 days. I need a Moksha break… this is probably not a good sign. Oh Ezmy (as I would say pretty much after every class I’ve taken with Ezmy) that was great and yes you kicked my bum. This is what I needed to get me though the rest of the day.

Afternoon lecture was another posture workshop with Ted where we continued to break down (and apart) each pose in the Moksha sequence. Today, we made it from Prayer twist to Triangle pose. Ted’s light hearted since of humour kills me. He is so humble and excited by everything we ask. He is another natural teacher and mentor. I have so much love for all my new teachers, it is insane. This may not be the case come week 3.

We shall see.