The Accidental Private

I started teaching class on Tuesday nights at Hip Dhamma because the usual teacher had a conflict.  I didn't and honestly still don't know how long that class slot is going to last for me, but for now I'm enjoying every moment of it.

Last Tuesday was a slow night. I got to class early, set up the room and then came back down, sat and talked to Jasmine the Hip Dhamma office manager and waited for students to show up.  I think I might have told you in the past that Hip Dhamma is located at Freebrook mansion, which is a great space that holds many events and they even tape Boardwalk Empire there from time to time. So the class where we teach is up a grand staircase on the 2nd floor.

As I sat and talked to Jasmine the time slid by and next thing we knew it was 7:15pm and class is supposed to start at 7pm.  From that we gathered that no one would show up that day.  I was getting ready to go gather my things when a familiar face walked through the door. It was Felicia (Not her real name. Honoring her privacy.).  She told me she was going to come to class and she was true to her word, which I love! At first she wasn't sure about staying for class since she was the only one, but I feel like if you came all this way, let's have class.

After changing her clothes, Felicia made it up to class. She was not totally new to yoga, but had not taken many classes at all. Felicia told me that the other classes she took were really not the best for her so it wasn't very enjoyable, but she wanted to try again.  That really made me excited. Here was a chance to really change someones mind about yoga and possibly reintroduce them to the practice.

Since it was just Felicia and I, I modified the class. I took her through some pratapana (warm ups) and at that point I could tell that I was going to have to slow the class down and make sure that she got exactly the attention that she needed. I had a whole plan and was going through all kinds of poses, but I knew that may or may not happen that night.

For the next 30-40 minutes we made it through Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), low lunge and Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana Eka). Then we closed moving through Staff pose (Dandasanana) to seated forward fold (Paschimottanasa).  Then we ended with savasana.

Taking time to move Felicia through the poses was so great! When teaching class although I take my time, it's also often about getting through the plan. This time I really just let the plan go and it became intuitive.  I have sort of been waiting for that moment in a way. I usually write down my plan for class and I keep it in a book beside me. Sometimes I look at it and sometimes I don't, but that day I just closed it and I because mindful of my students needs and worked from there.

After class Felicia said she loved it!  It has renewed her faith in yoga and she was going to bring a friend next week! It was really a great class and I'm so thankful for that chance happening.

I can't wait to see you all at class. Now you know that even if you are the only one there, it's going to be an amazing time.

Jai!

The Kids Are Alright: Yoga at Little Sun People

Yoga is for the Kids!

This yoga journey continues to take me places that I never thought I would land.  When I went to school last October I really just thought that after graduation I would find some willing grown ups to take my classes and call it a day. I had no intention at all of young teaching children.

I don't have any kids of my own and as much as I love them, I know they can be tough.  What I mean is that kids are honest. So if you are not doing something correctly or to their standards they will let you know with the quickness.  LOL! 

Soon after graduation my friend Dez approached me about teaching yoga with her and her sons pre-school in Bed-Stuy.  I was hesitant at first, but I remembered what my teachers Devarshi and Megha said when I was at school. When you are asked to teach, say YES!  So I did just that.

It took about a month or so to get things going, but last week Dez and I jumped it off. Neither of us has specific training to do yoga with children, but yoga is yoga.  So I started asking other teachers who work with children on how to approach it.  I got some good tips here and there and then Dez and I just dove in the water.

One saving grace is that Dez's son is at the school so she no stranger to the kids and teachers. That helps A LOT.  The second saving grace is just the kids themselves.  They are really amazing! I am learning so much about what children can and cannot do and they are just full of love and hugs every time I walk though the door. You can't be mad at that. 

We are teaching ages 2, 3, 4 & 5.  My first thought was, what in the world am I going to do with a 2-year old?  Do they really even need yoga? Kids are so good at taking care of themselves and making it really clear what they are feeling unlike adults who are all knotted up inside and out. Also would they be able to follow directions? Will without getting into too much detail I will say that I am shocked at how well my 2 and 3-year olds are doing. Not not all of them can sit still, but they do follow directions. It's sort of amazing to see. They breathe in when I tell them too, they do Downward Dog, Mountain Pose and more.  I later found out from another friend whose son is in my class that he came home and showed them his poses. Yes he's 2!  He'll be 3 in the spring, but really?? Amazing! I knew my 4 and 5-year olds would surely understand me and most of them are so excited. Others are getting there, but all in all I'm just wowed by them.

It's a challenge sometimes to get them to understand that yoga is about being quiet and going in, but some are right there.  We have even gotten them to do savasana.  Did I say I'm amazed?

This is only week 2 and we have the rest of the semester to go.  Dez and I are still getting our sea legs so to speak so if you have any advice out there please pass it along. I have always been the type of person that will take a risk or jump into the deep end before looking to see if there are sharks in the water so bring it on! I ain't scared! Well...maybe a little. LOL!

After being with them for two weeks I understand why Airborne was invented. Snotty noses everywhere!  So I'll keep my immune system up and keep spreading the joy of yoga to the kids.  Who knows, maybe I am part of raising a more peaceful, balanced, happy generation of kids.  Who knows...

Jai!