In my last blog, I pointed to the mass amounts of information, teachings and opinions offered in the yoga world today. I noted how important it is for students, especially teacher trainees, to have a firm connection with their "inner teacher" in order to navigate these ideas and use this knowledge to develop their own ideas about their practice.
But when you feel like a beginner, finding the quiet voice inside can be difficult, especially when the really loud voices are outside. Here are a few firm, solid steps to take:
Listen, experiment, and listen again. Then, begin to practice the most important step, learning to express.
Listen. Begin by opening your mind. When presented with a new idea, listen carefully. This is easy if the idea feels familiar and you already feel open to it. But, what if the idea counters what you think you already know, or is very foreign? You don't have to experiment with anything that doesn't feel safe, or is counter to your principles. But, try to open your mind to see how the idea may make sense, even for others.
In my Yoga Ayurveda training, a technique of self-massage with large amounts of warmed oil, "Abhyanga" was presented as being particularly helpful for my primary dosha, Vatta. First thing in the morning, one self-massages the oil over the entire body, head to toe, lets it soak in, and then showers. Hhmmm. Considering the early morning temperature of my bathroom in the winter, an oily self-massage on a cold tile floor did not sound appealing. But, it's not dangerous, is it?
Experiment. Gather enough information so you can take the idea home. If it's an asana you're contemplating, get on your mat and play. Ayurveda? Get out the oil! Perhaps the first go-round is less than definitive or satisfying. Give a new idea some time to become not-so-new before making a final judgement.
My Ayurveda instructor suggested 30 days to try Abhyanga, to make it a daily practice. Yes, this was in the winter, and my house is cold during the early morning when I'd be doing this. I wake up slowly. But, I promised to give it a try...
Listen again. How does your body feel in a certain pose? How do you react to neti? You've may have been told what you should feel; now, what do you really feel? How does your mind feel? Detach from the should, or the wishes. What is the truth?
Laid out the towel, got out the oil. Okay, I was cold. I had to go downstairs to properly heat the oil so it felt comfortably warm. After I oiled, I felt too foggy to meditate, too oily to practice asana. I craved feet up, a thick robe and a hot drink. Was not enjoying this.
Express. Now, put into words what you feel. Actual words. This is how we express ourselves to others. Write them, say them out loud to yourself, articulate them to a friend or practice student. Journal...that's a good, safe start. Find the best words to express your experiences, especially those that work for you and you feel you'd like to share with others.
I do not like Abhyanga.
Now, let's assume you love the new idea. Practice it, express it, and then feel free to teach it.
What if it seems like a sound idea, but it just isn't working for you? You certainly can share it if you think it's helpful to some students, but be honest about your experience.
Okay, Abhyanga is a standard Ayurvedic practice. I wish, wish, wish I liked it. Loads of people do it, and feel more nurtured and grounded. I tried, and was not one of them. But, I am keeping this technique in mind, to revisit at a different time. And...I find that my skin is so dry, it soaks oil up pretty well, so I have modified the practice and do it after my shower, with a little less oil, and skip my scalp. But I do keep it as a tool to practice when I feel vatta-imbalanced (maybe before bed...)
And if the idea seems unsafe or ineffective? Toss it. Only teach what is you honestly feel is useful. Teaching what you love will boost your confidence, the hallmark of a truly effective instructor.
One of the most important components of the Focus Yoga teacher training is that of helping our students find the "inner teacher" and learn to express ideas clearly. All of our trainees will eventually teach with their own voice. We feel one of the most important things we can do is help our trainees find that voice.
To learn more about our training, join us for our September 8 Immersion Sampler. Click here for more info.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The most important teacher in the whole, yoga world.
We live in a material world, and increasingly are becoming aware of the complications of consumerism. For years, we have been sent the message that our information needs to come from outside of us. We are asked to dim our internal radar, and pay more attention to the messages sent to us from teachers, companies, government, magazines, etc. This is life in a commercial, rather than spiritual, world.
Some have found that bringing greater emphasis to our spirituality is a good antidote. For some, practicing yoga, including the philosophy, has offered some relief.
But, guess what? Yoga has become a business, too. There are as many ideas, styles, and philosophies out there as brands of shampoo. And there are many teachers telling you that their way is the right way. How do we navigate this?
It would be easy to say "Well, go back to the ancient, undiluted philosophy. That's safe." But, living in the 21st century, does it always meet us where we are at, either in intention or presentation? When teachers try to adapt and evolve some of the ancient teachings (yoga is a business, remember), how can we be certain they are keeping the gem of the teaching, and not just strive to create a new "brand"?
The first step is to realize that while that first dip into the pool of yoga can feel deliciously cool and invigorating, there is a lifeguard watching carefully from the shore, if we stay in his sights. That strong guy on the tall chair is your inner teacher.
Having experienced and observed myself and others, I offer that there are stages on the spiritual path. Initially, our enthusiasm fuels us like a shot of espresso, and we reach in all directions, like giant sponges, absorbing as much information and ideas as we can. It is all new and exciting, and we can't seem to get enough.
At some point we may reach another stage, however, were we need to assimilate, and even reject some of the ideas we've learned. We begin to reach deeper, for our own inner teacher, and our practice becomes more intensely personal and more discerning. We look outside less, and inside more.
I think the key is to be aware and to work to combine those two stages into one sustainable way of experiencing the yoga world today. If we are to truly benefit from all the learning we do in the "absorbing" stage, we need to pull in some of the qualities of the "assimilating" stage. We need to connect and maintain a dialogue with our inner teacher much sooner in the process.
This can be difficult when we feel we don't know very much. Yet, it is important that we realize that we really do know quite a bit. We've lived in our bodies for many years. Certainly we are the best judge of how they react when we enter certain asanas. We've dwelled in our minds since birth. We are certainly qualified to observe the affects of the breathing and meditation techniques we are shown.
As future instructors, you need to be open to ideas, but re-open your link to your inner wisdom. As you commit to a teacher training, to opening your mind and heart outward, you also need to open your mind and heart inward. As much as you need to commit to learn, you need to commit to feel.
I have taken two full 200-hour teacher trainings, as well as many other trainings, including an additional certification as a Ayurveda Yoga Specialist. I love learning, and always will. And, I love teaching. I feel one of the most important things I can teach the Focus Yoga trainees is how to tap into their inner teacher. There are two important reasons for this:
You are a unique individual, and not all practices that you will be exposed to will be as effective or useful for you as for the student on the mat next to you. If you are to truly utilize yoga as a life practice, you need to have the awareness radar fired up so you are not basing decisions about your personal practice simply on what you've been told by your "outer" teacher, but also by advice from your inner teacher.
Given that we are all individuals, with different bodies, minds and experiences, what works for you may not be effective for all of your students. You may experience an asana, pranayama, or teaching in a certain way, but your students bring different bodies and minds to the mat, and their experience may be different. A good teacher, (you!?) has a dialogue with the inner teacher, and will support their students in doing the same.
If you are interested in deepening your practice, or becoming an instructor, it is imperative that you develop this sensitivity in your practice. I know this can be difficult, so next week I will share some very specific steps you can take to stay connected with your own power and knowledge while you navigate the business world of yoga.
Focus Yoga offers a 200-hour teacher training designed to offer knowledge and help you connect with your own knowledge. We are offering a sampler of the Immersion this Sunday, August 19th from 4:00 - 6:00pm. Click here for more information.
Some have found that bringing greater emphasis to our spirituality is a good antidote. For some, practicing yoga, including the philosophy, has offered some relief.
But, guess what? Yoga has become a business, too. There are as many ideas, styles, and philosophies out there as brands of shampoo. And there are many teachers telling you that their way is the right way. How do we navigate this?
It would be easy to say "Well, go back to the ancient, undiluted philosophy. That's safe." But, living in the 21st century, does it always meet us where we are at, either in intention or presentation? When teachers try to adapt and evolve some of the ancient teachings (yoga is a business, remember), how can we be certain they are keeping the gem of the teaching, and not just strive to create a new "brand"?
The first step is to realize that while that first dip into the pool of yoga can feel deliciously cool and invigorating, there is a lifeguard watching carefully from the shore, if we stay in his sights. That strong guy on the tall chair is your inner teacher.
Having experienced and observed myself and others, I offer that there are stages on the spiritual path. Initially, our enthusiasm fuels us like a shot of espresso, and we reach in all directions, like giant sponges, absorbing as much information and ideas as we can. It is all new and exciting, and we can't seem to get enough.
At some point we may reach another stage, however, were we need to assimilate, and even reject some of the ideas we've learned. We begin to reach deeper, for our own inner teacher, and our practice becomes more intensely personal and more discerning. We look outside less, and inside more.
I think the key is to be aware and to work to combine those two stages into one sustainable way of experiencing the yoga world today. If we are to truly benefit from all the learning we do in the "absorbing" stage, we need to pull in some of the qualities of the "assimilating" stage. We need to connect and maintain a dialogue with our inner teacher much sooner in the process.
This can be difficult when we feel we don't know very much. Yet, it is important that we realize that we really do know quite a bit. We've lived in our bodies for many years. Certainly we are the best judge of how they react when we enter certain asanas. We've dwelled in our minds since birth. We are certainly qualified to observe the affects of the breathing and meditation techniques we are shown.
As future instructors, you need to be open to ideas, but re-open your link to your inner wisdom. As you commit to a teacher training, to opening your mind and heart outward, you also need to open your mind and heart inward. As much as you need to commit to learn, you need to commit to feel.
I have taken two full 200-hour teacher trainings, as well as many other trainings, including an additional certification as a Ayurveda Yoga Specialist. I love learning, and always will. And, I love teaching. I feel one of the most important things I can teach the Focus Yoga trainees is how to tap into their inner teacher. There are two important reasons for this:
You are a unique individual, and not all practices that you will be exposed to will be as effective or useful for you as for the student on the mat next to you. If you are to truly utilize yoga as a life practice, you need to have the awareness radar fired up so you are not basing decisions about your personal practice simply on what you've been told by your "outer" teacher, but also by advice from your inner teacher.
Given that we are all individuals, with different bodies, minds and experiences, what works for you may not be effective for all of your students. You may experience an asana, pranayama, or teaching in a certain way, but your students bring different bodies and minds to the mat, and their experience may be different. A good teacher, (you!?) has a dialogue with the inner teacher, and will support their students in doing the same.
If you are interested in deepening your practice, or becoming an instructor, it is imperative that you develop this sensitivity in your practice. I know this can be difficult, so next week I will share some very specific steps you can take to stay connected with your own power and knowledge while you navigate the business world of yoga.
Focus Yoga offers a 200-hour teacher training designed to offer knowledge and help you connect with your own knowledge. We are offering a sampler of the Immersion this Sunday, August 19th from 4:00 - 6:00pm. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Navigating the inevitable: blunders and bloopers
Any yoga instructor who has been teaching for a while has experienced low moments. There was the time I demo'd Kapalabhati breathing a few days after getting over (so I thought) a head cold. If you don't know, Kapalabhati breathing is a pranayama focused on rhythmic, sharp exhalations through the nose. This tones the abdominals, stimulates energy, and, yes, clears mucus from the lungs and sinuses. Which is exactly what happened in front of the class. It was a powerful moment.
Then, once while leading a teacher training class in the Gayatri Mantra I totally blanked the words. This is a mantra I had practiced many times in meditation, repeating 108 times. I knew this chant. Until then.
There have been several blunders and bloopers in my teaching career, and I'm happy to say I've lived through them all. But, does the thought of experiencing similar low moments leave you paralyzed, second guessing your desire to teach? They say we learn through our difficulties, not through our triumphs. So, here are some things my difficulties have taught me:
Your class wants you to succeed. Believe it or not, your class is not willing you to fail. They want you to feel confident and comfortable. You are their teacher. They are in your corner. When I forgot the words to the Gayatri Mantra, there was a moment of silence. Then, guess what? Someone picked it up and the moment was over. Not to say we didn't have a good laugh later. But that's all it was, a funny moment.
Chances are, your students are not fluent in Sanskrit. If you do not feel comfortable using Sanskrit, then don't. I do believe in developing enough comfort with the Sanskrit names of poses that you can use them easily, but this may take months or years to learn. Take your time. As teachers, we want our instruction to be perfect, but in all honesty, little imperfections are most likely unnoticed by our students.
But, don't feel afraid to correct yourself in class. Maybe I take a chance and teach something I'm less familiar with in class and it doesn't go well. Maybe I forget what side we are on, or blank a sequence, or find that a direction I am taking the class in is not going as planned. Well, darn it, I have the right to say "Hold on! Back up! Let's make this better!" It's your class, you are the teacher, and if something isn't going well, hit the pause button. My class and I have had a few good laughs (at my expense!) and admitting that you are not perfect can add a lightness to class. Then move on.
Remember, this is not about you. This is the most important thing to remember. Teaching isn't about you and your confidence. It's about developing your student's confidence. It isn't about you feeling good, it's about helping your students to feel good. Once you take the spotlight off of yourself, and do everything you can to help your students feel strong and empowered, your insecurities will melt away.
As the instructors of the Focus Yoga Yoga Immersion and Teaching Skills training, it is our job to help you feel confident in your teaching abilities. This confidence we cultivate during the training will flow into other aspects of your life as your communication skills improve. To learn more, register for our Yoga Immersion Sampler, a taste of the type of information covered in our training. The next Sampler is Sunday, August 19, 4:00 - 6:00pm. For more information, click here.
Then, once while leading a teacher training class in the Gayatri Mantra I totally blanked the words. This is a mantra I had practiced many times in meditation, repeating 108 times. I knew this chant. Until then.
There have been several blunders and bloopers in my teaching career, and I'm happy to say I've lived through them all. But, does the thought of experiencing similar low moments leave you paralyzed, second guessing your desire to teach? They say we learn through our difficulties, not through our triumphs. So, here are some things my difficulties have taught me:
Your class wants you to succeed. Believe it or not, your class is not willing you to fail. They want you to feel confident and comfortable. You are their teacher. They are in your corner. When I forgot the words to the Gayatri Mantra, there was a moment of silence. Then, guess what? Someone picked it up and the moment was over. Not to say we didn't have a good laugh later. But that's all it was, a funny moment.
Chances are, your students are not fluent in Sanskrit. If you do not feel comfortable using Sanskrit, then don't. I do believe in developing enough comfort with the Sanskrit names of poses that you can use them easily, but this may take months or years to learn. Take your time. As teachers, we want our instruction to be perfect, but in all honesty, little imperfections are most likely unnoticed by our students.
But, don't feel afraid to correct yourself in class. Maybe I take a chance and teach something I'm less familiar with in class and it doesn't go well. Maybe I forget what side we are on, or blank a sequence, or find that a direction I am taking the class in is not going as planned. Well, darn it, I have the right to say "Hold on! Back up! Let's make this better!" It's your class, you are the teacher, and if something isn't going well, hit the pause button. My class and I have had a few good laughs (at my expense!) and admitting that you are not perfect can add a lightness to class. Then move on.
Remember, this is not about you. This is the most important thing to remember. Teaching isn't about you and your confidence. It's about developing your student's confidence. It isn't about you feeling good, it's about helping your students to feel good. Once you take the spotlight off of yourself, and do everything you can to help your students feel strong and empowered, your insecurities will melt away.
As the instructors of the Focus Yoga Yoga Immersion and Teaching Skills training, it is our job to help you feel confident in your teaching abilities. This confidence we cultivate during the training will flow into other aspects of your life as your communication skills improve. To learn more, register for our Yoga Immersion Sampler, a taste of the type of information covered in our training. The next Sampler is Sunday, August 19, 4:00 - 6:00pm. For more information, click here.
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