Last October I approproached the owner of the studio where I teach to ask if we could offer a yoga for teen class as I had been getting quite a few requests for such a class. She loved the idea and we looked over the schedule to see when we could fit one in for the Winter 2010 session. Yikes – that’s one full schedule. The only slot available was Mondays 4:00-5:00. Perfect. However, the next class that day was Hot Yoga starting at 6:00. OK, let’s make it Hot Yoga for Teens. Love it!
That’s all fine and dandy, except I hadn’t done Hot Yoga for years preferring to focus on teaching kids and teens in schools and personally working on my Ashtanga Primary Series. So I started going to Hot Yoga class, making sure that the instructor was aware this was homework for me and that I’d be taking notes during the class. He didn’t mind in the least and was very accommodating with my questions at the end of each session. (total time 12 hours)
I also took out the book Hot Yoga: Energizing, Rejuvenating, Healing by Marilyn Barnett from my local library. What a fantastic read. Ms. Barnett added all kinds of nuances to the poses I thought I knew well. I read it once through completely, then went back and read it again, this time taking copious notes. (total time 9 hours)
Next I typed up my notes one morning early while my children were still sleeping (truly the best time to work uninterrupted). Then using paper cutter, scissors, glue, index cards and a metal ring created a series of instructors cards. (total time 3 hours)
All I have let to do before class starts on Monday the 11th is create my playlist. I am of course following the checklist for teaching teens yoga which states that a playlist is an essential part of any teen class. Since there are some great tunes out currently I’ll be sure to grab a few of those, including Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson – thanks to Shanti Generation for recommending it. (estimated time 2 hours)
So if you’ve been keeping track of the total time in preparation for this series of 10 classes you have 12+9+3+2=26 hours. Holy Cow! And this was my idea? That’s alright. I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully by Spring Break I’ll have my instructor cards memorized, have integrated lots of great techniques into my yoga practice, and shared Hot Yoga with a group of teens. It’s all good.
How do you prepare to teach a new class? Practice yoga, read, meditate, create flow sequences, gather props, review notes? Any good suggestions to add to my playlist?
Here in Alberta, Canada we notice the solstices. Today the sun will rise at 8:48 am and set at 4:16 pm local time. Yes, you read those times correctly. Not quite 71/2 hours of daylight. It’ll be dark as you go to work/school and dark as you come home. For someone who loves the sun and thrives in the long days of summer, this is a challenging time of year. I am always thrilled when the Winter Solstice arrives because it means that we will now gain daylight minutes with each new dawn.
With the darkness of the early hours around me I have enjoyed two wonderful posts about how to take care of yourself during these long, cold, dark days of winter. Both of which come from the always engaging elephant journal.
Yin yoga explained with some wonderful pose suggestions to help you stay on your mat during the winter, using it as a time for rest and renewal
Until the sun begins to shine in at least equal amounts each day I will continue to ingest copious amounts of vitamin D supplements, try to appreciate the natural ebb and flow of energy levels, take care of my body with respect and compassion, and follow the advice of these sage women.
In order to fully understand yoga you need to realise there is much more to it than poses, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques. Yoga is an ancient practice (some archealogical proofs dating from 3000 BCE) involving physcial, mental, and spiritual practices. There are six principle branches of yoga, each with a different focus.
Hatha yoga is what most people in the west associate with the word yoga. This branch is essentially physical yoga and involves various postures or poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and relaxation. There are many yoga styles within this path.
Jnana yoga is yoga of the mind, and as such focuses on wisdom and intellect to overcome limitations. People practising this type of yoga believe that an open and rational mind is essential to knowing the spirit. Study & meditation are lifelong pursuits.
Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion and the most favoured practise in India. Individuals who follow this practise see the ‘One’ or the Divine in everyone and everything. There is an awareness of the relationship between the individual and the Divine which improves character.
Karma yoga centres on service. By doing selfless service you are free from negativity and selfishness. As you focus on good works you change your attitude, your soul and indeed your life destiny.
Mantra yoga is yoga of sacred sounds. It involves chanting a word or phrase, allowing the mind to follow its rhythm and meaning, until the emotions and consciousness achieve stillness.
Raja yoga is considered the King of Yoga, probably because most of its practitioners were member of religious and spiritual orders. This branch of yoga is based on the Eight Limbs as taught in the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali.
Hopefully this explains what yoga is, and what it is not, so that when you say, “Our class will be doing yoga this year,” you can answer parental questions as to exactly what you will be doing with more clarity and knowledge.
Today its the anniversary of the birth of Yogi Bhajan (1929-2004), the man who brought Kundalini Yoga to the western world. Since my physician recently inquired about Kundalini Yoga, I thought this would be an appropriate day to share a little about this style of yoga.
Who was Yogi Bhajan?
Yogi Bhajan
Born Harbhajan Singh Pur, and later know as Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji or Yogi Bhujan, he grew up in Punjab (now Pakistan) until the violent separation of India in 1947, when his family fled to New Delhi as refugees. He practiced yoga from an early age, being declared an expert at the age of sixteen. Emigrating to Canada in 1968, he soon moved to California, where in 1969 he founded the 3HO (Happy, Healthy, Holy Organization) on the belief that every individual deserves the right to be happy, healthy and holy. He was one of few yogis who followed the Sikh gurus and throughout his life fought for Sikh rights and unity. Upon his death Yoga Journal commented “In time, he became an influential figure in modern yoga, attracting a large and devoted following; today there are more than 4,000 Kundalini Yoga teachers at 300 centers in 35 countries.”
What is Kundalini?
Kundalini is a Sanskrit word that means coil and refers to the life energy (prana) within us all. It is often represented as a sleeping serpent at the base of the spine. The goal is to awaken this sleeping serpent and allow the life energy to flow up the spine through the subtle central channel. When Kundalini is awakened it will release the knots, cleanse, and open the chakras, increasing energy, providing vitality, and ultimately spiritual enlightenment.
How we we awaken Kundalini?
Kundalini yoga involves numerous asanas done in series (kriya) combined with breathing techniques which intensify the effects of the poses to purify and cleanse the energy channels. Kundalini can be physcially demanding, yet the practise also involves a spiritual side. Here is a great beginners kundalini video The Morning WakeUp Set.
There are a number of great resources if you are interested in learning more. Please visit Anmol Mehta’s blog for free Kundalini yoga poses and exercises. Also the Kriya yoga site provides information on the more spiritual aspects of the practice.
Kundalini can be very energizing and a lot of fun. Best of luck as you explore this yoga style. Send me some feedback regarding your experiences with Kundalini yoga.
There are numerous styles of yoga currently practised. However, all of the styles share a common lineage.
The founders of three major styles – Astanga, Iyengar and Viniyoga – were all students of Sri Krishnamacharya, a famous teacher at the Yoga Institute at the Mysore Palace in India. Here is a 1938 silent movie of Sri Krishnamacharya demonstrating asana (poses) and pranayama (breathing).
No style is better than another, it is all simply a matter of personal preference. So jump right in and try one out. If it doesn’t meet your needs, try another. You’ll find something that feels right and, hopefully, a teacher who suites your personality. Good luck!
