Yoga for Kids - Stillness

On the weekend I did a 20 hour "Yoga Teacher Training Course for Kids".

I love teaching Yoga to adults as I can share with them the amazing benefits of Yoga. Yoga is still around after thousands of years for a reason, IT WORKS. It works on your mind, body and spirit. It releases tension, it makes your body feel alive and it gives you energy to go forward into the rest of your life with some clarity and peace. And goodness knows, dont we need that!

However, teaching kids as I learned this weekend is completely different. Its an entirely different set up, lesson plan, props are suggested (from small balls, little windmills, colouring in, self-esteem tools etc) games are included and sweet little relaxation ideas.

What I came away with is a real need to offer Yoga to kids. Many have a busy schedule (mine included) and as a result they often cant relax and get a sense of calm or stillness. When we have that, we can make better decisions and we can sail the seas of life alot more smoothly.

Tonight I did some of my new material with my kids. Yes, they enjoyed it and so did I.

Namaste.

Valentines Day Class

Valentines Day is approaching. I was thinking about this day today and I wondered to myself, why is it so that we love others so much (and so publicly) and sometimes leave so little for ourselves (Mum's especially, yes you know its true).

I think that Yoga is onto something when it puts kindness (Ahimsa) first, in its set of guideposts for life. Its such a badge of honour these days to run around after others, yes sure, yes no problem. Its nice that we all like to help each other out, but I think that some are crying out for a little kindness to be shown to them. 

So stop. Think. Ponder. What can you do today to show a little love and kindness to yourself? A nap, a long bath, a walk and coffee, just something simple. I would love to hear your thoughts.

I think that for my Monday Class I am going to consider bringing the theme of love and kindness to the practice. Hmmm, how will she do that? Come and find out. 

Monday: www.djazzexdanceandpilates.com 9.30am to 10.30am. See you there. 

Namaste. 

Teaching Yoga

On Monday I taught my first public class. It was daunting and I was nervous, but it was that kind of scary nervous.

That morning I got up at 6am and rolled my mat out. I did the class I was going to teach, on my own in the family room surrounded by Thomas the Tank Engine and Car's Cars till 7am.

The key for me that day was preparation. I made sure it all flowed smoothly and that I felt comfortable and of course, all limbered up myself. Afterall, the class a Yoga Teacher teaches isn't an opportunity to do their own yoga, they are there to teach.

Which I did, even if their was only 1 person. Thanks Tania!

Namaste.

Teaching Yoga

I am very excited to announce (is there anyone out there???) that I am starting to teach yoga on Monday the 31st January.

I have met a lovely lady who is going to offer Yoga through her dance studio. What a woman!

We met and talked about times and I am going to teach on:

Mondays 9.30am to 10.30am

Thursday 9.30am to 10.30am

Its in Brookvale and for details you can just hop to my "Class Times" page or go to: www.djazzexdanceandpilates.com.

Early enough that the school drop off can co-incide getting straight to a class (and perhaps grab a coffee on the way!!) and late enough so that we can get there!

Its a mixture of excitement and nerves...fear even. Now I need to take that fear and "sit" with it, let it be and as one of my fab yoga teachers told me, "unpack" it. Often things aren't so bad, if one considers sitting with the feeling and looking into it.

So this weekend its about my yoga and about my daughter turning 9. Happy Birthday Maddy.

Have a great weekend peeps.

Hopefully I will see someone in my class on Monday!

Sara

Goals vs Intentions

If you practice yoga, you may be familiar with your teacher asking you during the class to "set an intention".

My understanding is that a goal is something that has an end result, for example saving $2000 or exercise every 2nd day. Its a future outcome that you use your discipline and work towards.

An intention is a path or a value based practice. Or as Phillip Moffit wrote in a Yoga Journal Article "You set your intentions based on understanding what matters most to you and make a commitment to align your worldly actions with your inner values".

So I am putting it out there, does your life reflect your intention(s)? How do you infuse each day with your intentions?

Some intentions for a yoga class may be:

- authenticity - to be more authentic in your practice
- truthfulness - to be more honest about where your bodies edge is in a class, compared to the gymnast beside you
- kindness - to help tidy the yoga room before you leave class

Things to think about.

Favourite Yoga Books

Last year during my teacher training I discovered that there are SO many Yoga books to choose from. I did go a little bit crazy, but have calmed down.

If your interested in yoga here is a great introduction:

Bringing Yoga To Life by Donna Farhi
The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope
Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic by Darren Main

Going a bit further in:

A Life Worth Breathing by Max Strom
The Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele
Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life by Charlotte Bell
The Heart of Yoga by Desikachar

Bit more serious:

Glimpses of Raja Yoga by Vimala Thakar

For Teaching Yoga:

Teaching Yoga by Mark Stephens
Instructing Hatha Yoga by Kappmeier & Ambrosini

There are so many wonderful books on Yoga.

Enjoy.

Consider this quote for 2011:

During my year of Teacher Training I came across this quote (and quite a few others!) which I thought you might like to consider for 2011:

Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time.
Dont take them lightly.
Give them your full heart and energy.
Do them with enthusiasm.
Do whatever you have to do.... with all your heart and soul.

Marjorie Pay Hinckley.

What are your assignments for 2011? How might you give them your full heart and energy?

Namaste.