Tag: EDCI336

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Week 3

This has been such an insanely busy week. Every time I think that I have gotten a handle on all of the assignments I realize there are many more I’ve missed! I’m afraid my transition into the world of online learning has not been as graceful as I had planned. I’m hoping my clumsiness will fade as the term progresses.. Apart from all of the intermittent course load panic, the last few classes have actually proved to be extremely interesting. In my EDCI 352 Multiliteracies course on Thursday we were fortunate enough to be joined by Rich McCue from the Digital Commons. He presented an introductory workshop on TWINE a digital story telling tool. After his talk we were all invited to try our hand at creating our own interactive story. I even earned a digital badge for successfully completing the tutorial!

During our Tech class on Friday we had the opportunity to sit down with Jesse Miller who spoke to us on our online citizenship. He covered a number of enlightening topics including online privacy, safety, bullying and consent. I found his lecture extremely informative and his talking points gave me much to consider. I have been thinking a lot recently about my online presence and last year I made the decision to make my instagram private and change my facebook name to an alias. I would not feel comfortable having students be able to find me on social media. I’ve since tried to google myself and the only thing I can find is a memorial piece I penned for a famous Norwegian Philosopher.

 

 

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Foundations

This week I dug deep into my library and pulled out some informative yoga references. I really appreciate the skeletal images provided in “The Key Muscles” textbook. It highlights a great visual representation of the joint stacking required to enter and hold this pose.

 

Preparatory Poses:

  • Downward Facing Dog
  • Mountain Pose
  • Plank
  • Feathered Peacock
  • Reclining Hero
  • Eagle
  • Cow Face Pose

Wrist Warm Up Video

IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS STRETCH AND WARM UP APPROPRIATELY !

Today I activated my Trello board. I’m really excited to have access to an online tool that can help me make lists and keep track of my goals. I’ve always been an avid list maker and Trello really takes it to the next level. I like how user friendly the interface is, and how the ease of moving tasks from in progress to done. The visual layout helps me to take mental note of what still needs to be completed.

Oh yeah, and did I mention I learned how to screen shot on a mac!? It’s been such a game changer! I can use CONTROL/COMMAND/3 for a straight screenshot, or CONTROL/COMMAND/4 if I want to select a particular portion of my screen.

 

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Free Inquiry Project

As a dedicated yoga student and trained yoga teacher, I make sure to set aside time each day for a mindful, movement based practice. While I have certainly progressed in many asanas, one posture in particular has always alluded me –Adho Mukha Vrksasana – also known as the handstand.

My goal for our Free Inquiry project, is to devote my energy and efforts into learning the theory behind the pose, mastering the preparatory postures and building the core strength required to enter and maintain a handstand for 5 seconds.

I believe the first step in this pursuit is changing my internal dialogue from: “This is impossible”, too “I CAN handstand!” That being said, I will attempt to approach this challenge with patience and a sense of humour, knowing the process could potentially take years..

In the next few days I plan to start gathering useful resources. This may include:

  • Yoga textbooks
  • Consulting with advanced practitioners
  • Watching instructional youtube videos
  • Reading about the success and failures of others
  • Creating a daily workout plan to build core strength
  • Becoming knowledgable about the risks and contraindications of this advanced pose

 

Questions:

  • Why can I kick up into a handstand but am unable to stay?
  • What muscle groups are involved in balance and stability?
  • How long will it take me to hold the pose for 3 seconds or longer?
  • Can my wrists withstand this level of daily strain?
  • Will I be able to achieve this goal without injuring myself?