(3-21-17)     Last Wednesday on March 15, I held a yoga class, followed by a short discussion (focus group).  I sequenced the practice in a manner that I hoped would promote relaxation and openness.  I incorporated gentle backbends that are believed to open the throat, chest, and (heart).  My hopes were that these postures would prepare the yogis for relaxed, comfortable engagement in discussion, post practice.  Here are pictures from that class.  There were 9 students present.  One student was not pictured because he walked in late and practiced on stage by me!! That student greatly contributed to the conversation after.  The last pictures are the students in their final resting pose savasana or corpse pose.  I read a short passage on embracing our tiredness.  When the students came out of their final pose, I could see that 3 of the girl students had tear streamed faces!  Those reactions are considered emotional releases, which further supports how yoga can be considered therapeutic.  I  even feel therapeutic effects for me as the instructor!  I was able to audio record the focus group session as well.  I was very grateful for all the information gathered!