Clubbell Yoga Cues Deepen My Practice

There are a couple comments I get from people when I explain that I am a clubbell yoga instructor. The first is usually 'what is clubbell yoga?' The second, is something like 'I don't like yoga because it's too slow' or 'I can't get past all the flowery talk in classes'. And some of the more 'eastern philosophy ' verbiage (i.e.: referencing chakras or the use of chanting) can be a hindrance to some with specific religious beliefs. As a yoga practitioner for the last 20 years, I totally get it - those two things were a challenge for me, and in many ways, contributed to my disenchantment over the last several years.

I find the clubbell yoga cues I have learned and that I bring into my teaching style to make much more sense to me. I love metaphors and similes, and I do use them, but clear instructions on which muscles to fire and exact body positioning help me to remain grounded and mentally connected to my body. This kind of body awareness is compounded with the use of a clubbell. The clubbell helps to find that 'ideal' body position by providing resistance throughout the movements as well as the static holds. For example, rather than just having my hands hanging there in warrior II, with a clubbell in hand I can feel how my lats should be flaring to pack my shoulders (I never understood that concept before clubbells, but I pack my shoulders immediately now, even without the clubbell in hand).

This kind of immediate bio-feedback, along with a focus on timing my breath with each movement ultimately has helped me to find my flow in a deeply profound way. Clubbell yoga has become my favourite way of connecting my mind, my spirit AND my body in a synergistic flow that leaves me feeling grounded, clear and alert.