Thank you, Gerhard!
This great group, which came together in September, represents another example of the opportunities you have created for people to explore in a supportive environment. Each person is allowed to be themselves, and you foster each person’s growth with a sense of steady presence and inspiration. What a great example and resource you are for teachers and students; we as yoga teachers are both student and teacher in our own journey, as you have mentioned, and we look to other, teachers and students, for collaboration.
A million thanks as always for your dedication to sharing yoga over many decades :)
With my best wishes,
-Mary
if i were a yogi...
inspired journeys to finding yoga
Mary Kalra
How I came to this idea:
People’s candid reactions when i told them about taking a YTT program. More and more people know about yoga...
Why i chose to do this:
To invite more people to yoga. To increase awareness of goals and challenges of current students so that all students may feel more comfortable.
What is the idea:
Understanding insecurities and discomforts that limit people from exploring yoga...
- Why some people stay away from yoga or have to feel like they must overcome big hurdles to begin yoga?
- Why are current students often practicing with worry and discomfort?
- Insecurity and competition are challenges to many students, even though yoga is promoted to accept the person for where they are.
- They need to get “here”, and why aren't they “here yet”?
4. The process that i followed to learn more about this topic:
Explored in conversations and in YTT classes, observed in online marketing correspondence, reflected on my own journey.
5. How to move forward with this:
Actions include:
- Addressing concerns within class by what cues and language you use. What language can be used to address concerns both directly and indirectly. Eg instructor says “ i find that my left side is (different) when i do this pose”
- Sharing stories
- Personally addressing the person who is getting adjusted.
- Correcting (suggesting improvements) of student’s positions by addressing the class as a whole if u see opportunity for corrections, or think of common areas for improvement. Choose ur battles kindly. Just bc u can improve the students position doesn’t mean that it is helpful overall eg too many cues can disrupt the experience.
- Encouraging improvement and avoiding over facing students. Training horses ideally uses this same principle.
- Add a questionnaire along with your other initial forms (release of liability, cancellation and etiquete guidelines) that includes:
- What would be a good outcome
- What injuries/medical conditions present What concerns in starting your practice What questions u have Would want (any physical interaction) ie adjustments (ideally explain different kinds of touch, like supportive touch and props vs deepening vs functional improvements).