I have not studied under anyone particularly famous. Although my yoga teacher training was delivered by Maya Breuer who serves on the board at the Kripalu Center (MA) and I have been fortunate enough to meet and learn from Shatka Khaur Kalsa.
Most of my yoga training and experience, however, has come from teachers in my own community. Owners of local yoga studios and men and women I am now able to call “colleagues” and “friends.” These individuals have taught me the importance of a personal yoga practice. That practice doesn’t come from teaching classes or taking classes (necessarily). Instead, it comes in the quiet moments of my life–often on my back patio, in my downstairs (makeshift) rec room or in my living room. Whether my personal practice includes asana, meditation or svadyaya, it is an important part of being a yoga teacher (whether you teach children, adults or both).
In May I attended Radiant Child Teacher training which was conducted and facilitated by Shatka Khaur Kalsa. One thing (well one of many things) Shatka shared stuck with me. She told all the attendees at the training to always set an intention and “tune in” before working with children. This “tuning in” could be done with a simple chant (Sat Nam for example), mediation or a personal yoga practice. Since returning from training, I have found myself doing this before each and every class I teach (regardless of whether the class is for adults or children, advanced yoga students or beginners).
This practice of “tuning in,” of centering the self (if you will), has allowed to be more aware of the needs of my students. Last week for example, I taught a restorative yoga class and the needs of my students were quite varied. I had one 72 year-old man who had went through two total hip replacements in the last several years, a woman in her third-trimester of pregnancy, a young woman in her mid-30s who had confided in me that she was battling depression and anxiety amidst the breakdown of her marriage, an astanga yogi who had never taken a restorative class before and a few of my “regulars” who know very well the many benefits of a restorative yoga class.
In the past, having such a diverse group of students would have panicked me. Were my instructions clear? Was I giving enough suggestions for modifying poses? Were they receiving the benefits of the practice? This time I found myself responding to their individual needs throughout the class without “calling them out” or feeling as if I was leaving other students side-tracked or ignored. I truly believe this was made possible only by my ability to “tune in” prior to the practice.
I have also noticed a difference in my children’s classes. I feel much calmer despite the chaos of a toddler class. And with my kids yoga classes, I am able to deal with my special needs children more appropriately. I am responding to the needs of my younger students better than ever before. For example, some of my children with autism spectrum disorders are much calmer simply by a gentle touch in child’s pose or through the opportunity to share their knowledge of a pose or a factoid in class. And, perhaps, I am more open to these children as well. I see the opportunity they present me as much as the opportunities I am presenting them.
My point is this: It is only by being in touch with ourselves that we can begin to understand others. This is the fascinating thing about yoga (any yoga). It allows people to enter where they are–with broken hearts, broken hips, fears, disorders, illness. In addition, yoga also allows us to leave a place (home, studio, work, etc.) more accepting of our limitations and perhaps a bit better (overall) than when we arrived (entered) initially.
