 Last June I graduated from Kind Yoga School! (www.kindyoga.com)I began teaching at Gleason Family YMCA almost immediately. This past year has been more than I ever imagined. It has been a joy teaching and knowing my students. They have made my teaching so much fun. They have given me great feedback on how the yoga has improved their lives and how they are using it in their lives. It was wonderful when Jami announced she wanted to attend yoga instructor training and ended up at Kind Yoga School! This year has been a continuous year of learning about teaching and yoga. I constantly learn something new about teaching yoga, even if it's a better way to describe the way to do a pose. Student feedback, makes me continue to review my school work and to go further into learning about yoga. I hope I never feel so sure of myself as a teacher that I stop researching and learning about yoga.
The thing that stands out the most is hearing the stories from students about yoga in their lives. My heart glows when a student shares a story with me. The second thing is being able to teach yoga to students with a wide variety of abilities. It is so exciting to look out on a sea of beautiful faces practicing yoga in their own beautiful way. Thank you to Diane and all the Kind Yoga teachers, my students, my husband who continues to support me, Lu (YMCA) who had faith in me to assign me classes even before graduation and mostly to God who has provided this opportunity and supports me as I teach.
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 Graduation pic of Kind Yoga 2013. Jami is bottom left in dark shirt. Congratulations to Jami from Thursday Night Yoga at Gleason YMCA who graduated from Kind Yoga teacher training! (www.kindyoga.com) Jami's training was over 200 hours of yoga, anatomy, practice teaching, meditation and much more.
Jami, my prayers are with you as you discern how to use your new skills!  Recently there was a court case between some parents and the Encinitas School System. The parents claimed their was a religious connection in yoga saying it crossed the barrier between religion and state. The judge ruled that there was no religious content in the school program allowing the Encinitas program (YES) to continue.
There are many yoga programs in schools all over the U.S. Yoga is recognized for its ability to help kids physically, mentally and spiritually. As a person who practices yoga you understand its positive affects on your person. Two of my fellow yoga teacher trainees were planning yoga programs in schools. One teaches at a private school and started teaching yoga as part of their physical education program for the teens. Another is a principal at a elementary school and started an optional morning yoga program with her student. Last I heard, both programs were going well. I am excited that the court ruling supports yoga and makes the connection that yoga and religion does not have to have a religious context. http://yogaalliance.org/ya/Articles/Sedlock_07_10_13.aspx This is the article at Yoga Alliance about the ruling.  www.vivaterra.com This morning I had a wonderful yoga practice under a tall pine tree in my front yard. There were some...challenges!! I was in forward fold when I heard my neighbor walking his 3 dogs (2 hotdogs and one small fuzzy) towards my house. As I sat up, the dogs saw me and began to bark like I was some strange thing! They were all stepping on each other and did not stop barking until they were down the road!. Later during Sun Salutation, I reached up in Reverse Swan Dive, now looking up into the pine tree, there was a large dead branch hanging in the tree over my head!! Lastly, some bugs were "helping" me with my yoga. (see also joys)
Joys: As I practiced, a nice breeze began. It felt so good. One bug decided to stay with me and walk up and around my arm. I spent quite a few minutes watching this bug. It was interesting and fun. I did not need music as the birds and bugs provided music. My neighbor Barbara brought me the paper and shared conversation. This joy was topped off with my husband returning from errands in town with a frozen lemonade from Dunkins!!!! It was an enjoyable practice and the start of a good day.  from yogaabout.com The "Cooling Breath", Sitali Pranayama is a breath practice that improves focus; reduces agitation, anger and anxiety; lessens excess heat in system and helps with hot flashes. This is were your ability to curl your tongue, finally has a good use! With the current hot and humid weather, this is a good breathing
Sitting in a comfortable position, begin to focus on you breath. Curling your tongue as in the picture. Slowly inhale as you bring our nose toward the ceiling. To exhale, close your mouth, exhale through your nose as you bring your chin back to neutral. Repeat breath 8 - 12 times. Sitkari Pranayama is an alternate for those of use who do not have tongues that curl! To inhale, place tongue behind your bottom teeth, make a small opening in your lips and slowly inhale as you tilt your nose toward the ceiling. To exhale, close lips and exhale through nose while bringing chin back to neutral. References: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pwcRbKsFnE good youtube video http://www.yogahmmm.com/articles/cooling_breath.html http://www.yogsadhna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=227&Itemid=343  During yoga classes a few weeks ago we practiced the "Cooling Breath." (Sitali or Sitkari Pranayama) Today a student shared a story of how he used the Cooling Breath outside of class.
Bob likes to walk the canal, usually around a mile each time. The other day, Bob found himself walking on a humid day. When Bob had walked halfway, he found himself feeling weary. Bob sat on a bench and practiced the Cooling Breath. Bob says the breathing helped him feel better and was able to complete his walk. I love hearing all of your stories of yoga in your life! |
AuthorI enjoy yoga as it brings peace to my life. Teaching yoga has brought joy to my life and given me a chance to encourage others in learning yoga. Archives
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