Module 33 Siting position 1

I asked my sister to help me out with this session. She does practice yoga so I knew she could sit for a period of time without discomfort. I would also feel comfortable with some of the physical closeness in this module. I did place small folded blankets under her thighs for support. She sat with a straight back as I half kneeled behind her - my right knee on her back to the right side of her spine. With both hands on her trapezius muscles - I was able to easily squeeze and pull up kneading the area. My thumbs moved between her shoulder blades. She tends to be very tight in her shoulders and neck area- this was very good for her. I couldn't feel ant "knots" between her shoulders, but I'm sure there were some because the area was generally tight. She felt it loosen up. I did trapezius rocking - this again was good moves for her. My hands were like "karate chops" with a see-saw movement to offset them. I did this for a time and slowly eased up to stop. I changed position to sit behind her - knees on either side of her hips so I was close to her. I criss-crossed my fingers so I could squeeze her neck with the heels of my hand. Thus was a tough move for me - she and I were laughing because she told me I needed a lot of work with this one. She's not big - my hands seemed to fit but I had a hard time squeezing my hands together. Anyway - we moved on - I will revisit this technique again. I slowly moved to standing position while gently touching her shoulders. My moved her head forward and placed her hands behind her head - her fingers interlaced. To support her back, my knees were apart. My left hand placed on her left shoulder as my right hand is on her right shoulder. Knees supported her back as I moved to twist her, held there for her to take a several  breaths so she could feel the twist -changed hands and twisted the other way - hold and breathe. When done I slowly moved her hands to her legs resting there. She chose to slowly released to the floor in savasana to end the session.  She did enjoy the session - and the laughing with her was great. It's just got to be fun!

Take care, be well,

Peg Rusert (Margaret)

I really don't mean to be long...I just don't know how you would know what I am doing without detail....crazy!

Module 34 Sitting position 4

When I reviewed the video, I decided to ask my sister to help out once more. I felt it would be comfortable to practice these techniques on someone close to me. I knew I would get more out of it working with her. I wanted to do traction of her arm and back. She sat on the mat - I was behind her. My knees were against her sacral area and my knees along her back. I take her arms up and place her hands around my neck. My hands wrap around her upper inner arm area. I lean back taking my hips to my heels. Holding on the her upper arms and pulling back. Leaning back while supporting her back. and release forward. At first I had to lean back slowly to get the feel of supporting her back. I also wanted to make sure it was not going to be to much of a stretch for her. It did get easier and she did like the traction feeling very much. She felt it really opened up the front of her body and chest. I released her arms and placed them on her thighs.  Next we did the back stretch, I squatted behind her and placed my knees below her shoulder blades and on either side on her spine. The squatting position was easier than I thought it would be - until I pulled her upper body back against my knees. I slowed it down to get the hang of pulling her shoulders back and her body against my knees. I wanted to start the stretch slow and get her input about her comfort level. Once I got a little more comfortable - she  did enjoy the stretch. I wanted to try the forearm to neck and trapezius. She tends to have a tight neck and trapezius area. I had my left knee bent with my leg along her side- with my right knee against her sacrum. She had a hard time releasing her head to the side to rest on my thigh. I took a small towel and rolled it up - she was able to rest comfortably the way. As I leaned forward, I rolled my forearm on the neck and trapezius area. Then release body weight back. I liked the feel and rhythm of this movement as did my sister. I gently moved her head up. slid away from her body. She sat for a minute and then moved to a prone position- she relaxed in savasana,. Relaxing from head to toe with her breath. All of the above will take much more practice to feel  comfortable and confident. I was glad my sister could help me -as we were both comfortable with the positioning.

Thanks much! Take care!

Peg Rusert (Margaret)