Inspiration.
When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath. ~Svatmarama,Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Yesterday was another long day of yoga! We had about a two hour vinyasa flow practice in the morning, then did some practice teaching. After that we all worked on one of the yamas together (we work on it individually, and then discuss it as a group, sharing if we care to, or not). Then, more practice teaching. Then we got into rescheduling the weekend that Pam had had to cancel, and really got into planning the end of school. My biggest criticism in my pre practicum (the one hour class that I taught) was that it was too difficult. I mostly always attend Sue's classes. Even her level one classes tend to be a lot like many of the other instructors level two classes. I had set up my class more like what Pam would have called a level two class.....and really (I hadn't understood this at the time) what Pam wants to see in the practicum is me teaching a one hour BEGINNER class.
I was racing from Jakes "special day" book reading at preschool this morning to my yoga class, and realized that I was pretty much holding my breath out of stress that I was going to be late. I was also thinking about the weekend. I came to realize over the course of the weekend that one of the things that really draws me to vinyasa flow is how it so clearly and logically integrates breath with movement. Inhale up, exhale down, inhale flat back, exhale fold, inhale to plank, exhale down to chaturanga, inhale to up dog, exhale to down dog.....etc throughout the entire practice. I love the breathing. I love moving my body with breath. It is a moving meditation for me.
So as I was driving, and NOT breathing, it hit me ~ that is how I want to do my practicum. The one thing that it seemed that no one knew how to cue yesterday was breath. Its because so few have been actually teaching. So I'm going to center my entire "beginner" class around breath. It gives my class a theme, which I think will differentiate from the other practicums. Not ujjayi breathing as that is too complicated for a true beginner class, simply movement with breath. Gentle movements, repetitive movements, with breath. Not a vinyasa class, simply gently twist right as you inhale, exhale to center, twist left inhale, exhale center, repeat three times sort of stuff. Cat/cow seated, inhale round, exhale open, three times. The entire practice can be done that way. Standing postures? Inhale the arms up, exhale sink into the front knee. Three breaths there, inhale straighten the front leg, exhale drop the arms. Turn the toes and do the same thing to the other side. Its the one thing that (in my opinion) hasn't been taught at all yet in school ~ breath cueing, and I finally feel like I'm grasping it. If I only have an hour and actually would want to teach a beginner one thing, wouldnt breathing be a good place to begin, I mean, in theory?
I'm ridiculously excited. Pam is all into quotes and meditations, so I'm going to read the above quote during the beginning of the practice, and go from there. A theme! Here we go!
I've requested March 9th for my practicum. By March 31 I hope to be an official RYT.
Yesterday was another long day of yoga! We had about a two hour vinyasa flow practice in the morning, then did some practice teaching. After that we all worked on one of the yamas together (we work on it individually, and then discuss it as a group, sharing if we care to, or not). Then, more practice teaching. Then we got into rescheduling the weekend that Pam had had to cancel, and really got into planning the end of school. My biggest criticism in my pre practicum (the one hour class that I taught) was that it was too difficult. I mostly always attend Sue's classes. Even her level one classes tend to be a lot like many of the other instructors level two classes. I had set up my class more like what Pam would have called a level two class.....and really (I hadn't understood this at the time) what Pam wants to see in the practicum is me teaching a one hour BEGINNER class.
I was racing from Jakes "special day" book reading at preschool this morning to my yoga class, and realized that I was pretty much holding my breath out of stress that I was going to be late. I was also thinking about the weekend. I came to realize over the course of the weekend that one of the things that really draws me to vinyasa flow is how it so clearly and logically integrates breath with movement. Inhale up, exhale down, inhale flat back, exhale fold, inhale to plank, exhale down to chaturanga, inhale to up dog, exhale to down dog.....etc throughout the entire practice. I love the breathing. I love moving my body with breath. It is a moving meditation for me.
So as I was driving, and NOT breathing, it hit me ~ that is how I want to do my practicum. The one thing that it seemed that no one knew how to cue yesterday was breath. Its because so few have been actually teaching. So I'm going to center my entire "beginner" class around breath. It gives my class a theme, which I think will differentiate from the other practicums. Not ujjayi breathing as that is too complicated for a true beginner class, simply movement with breath. Gentle movements, repetitive movements, with breath. Not a vinyasa class, simply gently twist right as you inhale, exhale to center, twist left inhale, exhale center, repeat three times sort of stuff. Cat/cow seated, inhale round, exhale open, three times. The entire practice can be done that way. Standing postures? Inhale the arms up, exhale sink into the front knee. Three breaths there, inhale straighten the front leg, exhale drop the arms. Turn the toes and do the same thing to the other side. Its the one thing that (in my opinion) hasn't been taught at all yet in school ~ breath cueing, and I finally feel like I'm grasping it. If I only have an hour and actually would want to teach a beginner one thing, wouldnt breathing be a good place to begin, I mean, in theory?
I'm ridiculously excited. Pam is all into quotes and meditations, so I'm going to read the above quote during the beginning of the practice, and go from there. A theme! Here we go!
I've requested March 9th for my practicum. By March 31 I hope to be an official RYT.
Love the plan Melissa!
ReplyDeletesounds awesome! linking the movements to the breath is the most natural feeling to me. one of the themes I use a LOT in beginner classes is the idea of finding space with every inhale, and release with every exhale...introduce it at the beginning when seated for centering (e.g., inhale lengthen spine exhale release shoulders & jaw) and then come back to it throughout, especially in poses where we hold a few breaths and people might either hold their breath or the mind might wander or they might be tempted to check out a little bit. so excited for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Megan and Jenn. Jenn, I'm taking notes :)
ReplyDelete