Sunday, May 17, 2015

8 Things You Should Know about Acro Yoga

It's very possible you've seen a few students playing around after class or watched a few videos online. Maybe you've seen some epic photos in a yoga magazine of two smiling yogis balancing effortlessly on each other's feet and/or hands in some exotic location. Perhaps, upon seeing this, you've thought to yourself, "That's impossible! I could never do that."
Please allow me to let you in on a little secret: Yes, you can!
My name is Daniel Scott, and I teach the Yoga of Trust. For the past six years, I have been blessed to teach thousands of people worldwide to literally turn their lives upside down while loving every second. As a certified AcroYoga instructor and movement therapist, my life is dedicated to helping others answer the question: Are you moving or being moved?
Like any physical practice, yoga or otherwise, AcroYoga is a dynamic offering that can seem both simple and complex. My journey didn’t begin with gymnastics or circus arts. Wandering aimlessly in the labyrinth of corporate life, I ran marathons and partied ruthlessly in my "free" time in hopes of an escape before finding yoga as a true way out. I didn’t do my first free handstand until I was 27, and even then, I was better at falling down then getting up.
Upon truly embracing the practice of AcroYoga, my understanding and appreciation of yoga—and through that, life—has deepened with immense passion and gratitude. Whether you've tried it or not, please enjoy these following tips as guides for the path towards building trust ... within the body, the community, and the true blessing of divine partnership.
1. AcroYoga combines yoga, healing arts, and acrobatics.
It's good to mix things up, even if it sounds like an odd recipe. All three styles truly balance each other out (pun intended). Let's drink straight from the source at AcroYoga.org: "AcroYoga blends the wisdom of yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics, and the loving kindness of healing arts. These three lineages form the foundation of a practice that cultivates trust, playfulness, and community.” Who can say no to that?
2. You don't need a partner to find partnership.
Flying solo? No worries—you’ll find someone to soar with once when you arrive! While you are welcome to train with a dedicated partner, there is much knowledge to be gained in mixing it up from time to time. This partner-based practice develops your skills to work with a wide variety of people... no matter the personality, shape, size, or skill.
3. AcroYoga is for Every Body.
You need not be a master gymnast, circus acrobat, or seasoned yogi to enjoy. Can’t do a handstand, or even touch your toes? No big deal. AcroYoga is a practice of substance, not flash. You’ll learn necessary building blocks to literally take whatever physical skills you have to new heights.
4. Size matters not.
You may think big people do the lifting, and tiny people do the flying. This is not the case.AcroYoga doesn't defy gravity, it honors it. Technique is more important than strength. You’ll quickly learn that muscles tire while bones don’t—whether lifting someone above your head, pouring weight through hands for a healing touch, or counterbalancing someone twice your size.
5. One must give to receive… and vice versa.
When was the last time you let someone else physically move you? A good AcroYoga class creates a safe container in which participants learn the art of allowing movement. Depending on the material taught, this could mean total engagement, utter release, or some degree of both. Everyone in class goes through the same experience. As you learn to support others, you end up allowing yourself to be supported. This is a fundamental of trust: take control by letting go.
6. Get what you need by asking for what you want.
Unlike practicing alone, where we spend a lot of time in our head, partner work is deeply rooted the shared experience. In addition to honing the skill of sharing a physical practice, AcroYoga helps to develop open, direct, and compassionate verbal communication with whomever we’re paired with. Try giving someone directions while in handstand. Up becomes down. Left becomes right. Things can get mixed up when life gets flipped asanaover tea kettle. Work together or fall apart. You decide.
7. In order to know one, you must truly experience the other.
The practice of AcroYoga is split into two parts, Acrobatic (Solar) and Therapeutic (Lunar). Each side explores the relationship between the mover and those being moved. In the dynamic Solar practice, participants learn three different roles: Base (mover), Flyer (being moved), and Spotter (knowledge of both). Lunar theraputics embraces the deeply healing connection to metta—loving kindness. Here, the Giver is the mover, and the Receiver is the one being moved. Balance is the midpoint between extremes, so it's best to explore this practice from all sides to know where your grounded passion truly lies.
8. Trust Communication = Community.
Amazing things happen when one steps outside the box, and there is no coincidence that a yoga mat is rectangular. Don't confine yourself to the soft routine of this non-slip comfort zone.AcroYoga creates a tangible sense of tribe and celebration which is hard to find anywhere else. Remember, it is entirely up to you how high you want to soar or how slow you want to enjoy the process of getting there. May these tips help further your existing practice or inspire you to give it at try... with love, light, and flight.
Source: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7723/8-things-you-should-know-about-acroyoga.html

Task 4 : Causative Verbs Article

Causative Verbs in English: Let, Make, Have, Get, Help

The English verbs let, make, have, get, and help are called causative verbs because they cause something else to happen.
Here are some specific examples of how causative verbs work in English sentences.

How to use causative verbs in English

LET = permit something to happen

Grammatical structure:
  • LET + PERSON/THING + VERB (base form)
Examples:
  • I don’t let my kids watch violent movies.
  • Mary’s father won’t let her adopt a puppy because he’s allergic to dogs.
  • Our boss doesn’t let us eat lunch at our desks; we have to eat in the cafeteria.
  • Oops! I wasn’t paying attention while cooking, and I let the food burn.
  • Don’t let the advertising expenses surpass $1000.
Remember: The past tense of let is also let; there is no change!
Note: The verbs allow and permit are more formal ways to say “let.” However, with allow and permit, we use to + verb:
  • I don’t allow my kids to watch violent movies.
  • Our boss doesn’t permit us to eat lunch at our desks.

MAKE = force or require someone to take an action

Grammatical structure:
  • MAKE + PERSON + VERB (base form)
Examples:
  • After Billy broke the neighbor’s window, his parents made him pay for it.
  • My ex-boyfriend loved sci-fi and made me watch every episode of his favorite show.
  • The teacher made all the students rewrite their papers, because the first drafts were not acceptable.
Note: When using the verbs force and require, we must use to + verb.
  • The school requires the students to wear uniforms.
    “Require” often implies that there is a rule.
  • The hijacker forced the pilots to take the plane in a different direction.
    “Force” often implies violence, threats, or extremely strong pressure

HAVE = give someone else the responsibility to do something

Grammatical structure:
  • HAVE + PERSON + VERB (base form)
  • HAVE + THING + PAST PARTICIPLE OF VERB
Examples of grammatical structure #1:
  • I’ll have my assistant call you to reschedule the appointment.
  • The businessman had his secretary make copies of the report.
Examples of grammatical structure #2:
  • I’m going to have my hair cut tomorrow.
  • We’re having our house painted this weekend.
  • Bob had his teeth whitened; his smile looks great!
  • My washing machine is broken; I need to have it repaired.
Note: In informal speech, we often use get in these cases:
  • I’m going to get my hair cut tomorrow.
  • We’re getting our house painted this weekend.
  • Bob got his teeth whitened; his smile looks great!
  • My washing machine is broken; I need to get it repaired.

GET = convince/encourage someone to do something

Grammatical structure:
  • GET + PERSON + TO + VERB
Examples:
  • How can we get all the employees to arrive on time?
  • My husband hates housework; I can never get him to wash the dishes!
  • I was nervous about eating sushi, but my brother got me to try it at a Japanese restaurant.
  • The non-profit got a professional photographer to take photos at the event for free.

HELP = assist someone in doing something

Grammatical structure:
  • HELP + PERSON + VERB (base form)
  • HELP + PERSON + TO + VERB
After “help,” you can use “to” or not – both ways are correct. In general, the form without “to” is more common:
  • He helped me carry the boxes.
  • He helped me to carry the boxes.
  • Reading before bed helps me relax.
  • Reading before bed helps me to relax.
Source: http://www.espressoenglish.net/causative-verbs-in-english-let-make-have-get-help/

Task 3 - Exercise 31-36

Exercise 31 
1. Twelve
2. Language
3. Three acts
4. Two days
5. 79 pieces
6. Five shelves
7. 16 ounces each
8. Six quarts
9. Bricks
10. Ten speeds

Exercise 32 : Enough
1. Enough people
2. Enough French
3. Enough time
4. Fast enough
5. Soon enough
6. Early enough
7. Hard enough
8. Slowly enough
9. Enough flour
10. Enough books
Exercise 33 : Because/Because Of
1. Because
2. Because
3. Because of
4. Because
5. Because of
6. Because
7. Because of
8. Because
9. Because
10. Because of
Exercise 34 : So/Such
1. So
2. Such
3. Such
4. Such
5. So
6. So
7. Such
8. So
9. So
10. Such
11. So
12. So
13. Such
14. So
15. So
Exercise 35 : Passive Voice
1. The president is called by somebody everyday.
2. The other members are being called by Jhon.
3. Mr. Watson will be called by somebody tonight.
4. Considerable damage has been caused by the fire.
5. The suppliers should be bought by the teacher for this class.

Exercise 36 : Causative Verbs

  1.  Leave
  2. Repaired
  3. To type
  4. Call
  5. To paint
  6. Write
  7. Lie
  8. To send
  9. To cut
  10. Sign
  11. Leave
  12. To wash
  13. Fixed
  14. Published
  15. To find