Saturday 6 June 2015

Top 10 Tips for New (And Not so New) Yoga Teachers

When I retired from teaching second graders, I wasn't sure what was ahead of me. After basking in a whole lot of free time, I turned my attention to 'what next..' I was still young, and knew there were opportunities out there for me, I just had to start opening to them.

One such opportunity was the idea of becoming a yoga teacher. At the time, I had only dabbled in the practice of yoga, but it did resonate with me, and I felt with my teaching skills, it might be a good fit. What I didn't realize what a gift it would become on so many levels in my life.

I was very fortunate to have been guided (divine intervention I think!) to a group of exceptional teachers in my training and beyond. And kulas that have been so supportive. It really is a wonderful community to belong to, and grow with, which I continue to be so grateful for.

It has been about five years now, since my training and I was thinking the other day how much I've learned so much about myself as a teacher. I just wanted to share a few of these tips- some practical, some conceptual, especially for those new teachers out there who may need a little help along the way.

1) Be patient. Be very patient. It takes time to build confidence and knowledge, especially if teaching-and/or-teaching is something new for you. In my case, it was both. I had been a primary school teacher, but teaching adults is very different, and although very rewarding, more intimidating early on. I was also quite new to yoga, so I had a lot to learn and the more I learned, the more I realized I didn't know! It takes time.. and that time contains so much value.

2) Be disciplined. Preparing good lessons (even now) takes time and discipline. I prioritize my day around my class, and make sure I give myself lots of time to think through the lesson, as well as practise it physically so I have a sense of the flow, the timing etc. This has become easier as time goes on, but still- a quality lesson takes time, and setting that time aside is well worth it, for your students and yourself.

3) Be organized. Make sure you have your lesson, props, music, or any other paraphernalia you need to take to class! It really helps, as I have learned from my own experience a time or two when I arrived to find my iPod needed recharging, or the lesson I had laboured over had been left at home. These things can really throw off a teacher, especially a novice one. So take the time to check you have everything you need.

4) Give yourself enough time to get to the studio, and set up. It's always better to be a little early than late. And unless to teach from home, or you are within walking distance to your studio, unforeseen things can happen along the way! Road construction, subway delays, heavy traffic and other delays can derail you. Don't assume you can get always there with the same amount of time- be generous and leave a little earlier to avoid the fluster factor. Students don't want a stressed out yoga teacher!

5) Keep learning. No matter how experienced you are, there is always more to learn. When I attend as a student, I have a little notebook beside my mat, and jot down any notes- sometimes just a phrase, or word that I want to remember for my own class. Devour learning in whatever way works for you. For me, my teachers are #1 in my education. I have learned an exceptional amount from them as a student. But I also read blogs, books, take workshops and watch videos for new ideas to keep the practice fresh. And some of the best knowledge can come from your own home practice which is so essential as a student and a teacher. I have had my greatest revelations as I quietly tap into my inner awareness on the mat. It continues to be a challenge for me to have a consistent home practice. But I'm working on it!

6) Be compassionate towards yourself. This has been one of my greatest learnings. I tend to set the bar high for myself, and on many occasions have felt discouraged about how a class played out.  But with the support and feedback from my teachers, my husband (also my student), exercising my own self compassion, and knowing that my love of yoga was greater than the disappointment of a botched class-  it has paid off.  As inexperienced teachers we need to just stay steady with our vulnerabilities and hang in there by 'just coming back to the mat' time and time again. And even with some experience under our belts, there will be times when we're not feeling our best, physically or emotionally. It happens. We're human. Keep a sense of humour, a lightness of heart. It will serve you well throughout your journey.

7)  Sometimes we can get so caught up or nervous about performing as teachers, we can forget about our students.  Greet them warmly, appreciate their presence, listen to their concerns, whether they are physical or emotional. Inquire if they have any issues that may need modifications in the practice. Thank them for coming, and ask how they feel after the class and if they have any questions. Even if they only come to one class,  approach them as if they made that class special, just by being there.
And if I am nervous, and take the focus off myself to my students, it also helps to steady my nerves and keeps me more in my heart. A win win for all.

8) Do you know teachers who seem to have it all- a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of yoga? I do, several in fact.  And they continue to inspire me to grow as well. But some of us have more obvious strengths- and weaknesses. I count myself in that category. But what I have learned, is to celebrate those strengths and not take them for granted. We all have our gifts- in yoga and in life- and we often don't acknowledge them fully. Instead it's easier to see where we're lacking and focus on those inadequacies. Make a conscious effort to embrace and appreciate what you do well and just keep pluggin' along to learn more in the other areas that are not so strong. It will happen.

9) Try to keep your yoga class well rounded. I usually have a brief yoga talk at the beginning and a theme for the class to help me incorporate a spiritual and/or philosophical element. It often relates to something in my life as so it's relatable. But do whatever feels natural for you. And of course, integrate some pranayama into your practice as well. Sometimes we can become so focused on the physical practice that the whole class revolves around that. Yoga is so much more than that. It's important to offer teachings related to the heart, as much as the physical being. Sometimes that's what students remember most.

10) Be the best version of you. I remember at the beginning trying so hard to memorize scripted lessons because I didn't have the confidence to trust my own language.  What I've learned is that it is more authentic, and believable to explain something in my own words, even if the language is simple.  Students don't expect a teacher to be perfect, they just want someone who is present, engaged and trying his/her best.

So there you have it. Just a few little tips I've gathered over the years as a teacher.  Maybe it's worth it to take a few minutes and reflect on what you've learned too. Time to contemplate where we've been can be a very useful practice in helping to shape our vision of the future.

I wish you a full and rich teaching experience. You have everything you need, within you.

Namaste. _/l\_


Wednesday 3 June 2015

Endings....and Beginnings.


“Endings are important because when a memory emerges we are invited to think back and speculate on a deeper meaning... a life lesson, a piece of wisdom, a gift we couldn't see at the time." 

In yoga, we talk a lot about cultivating mindfulness, training our mind to be in the present moment. And there is so much value in that. So often our minds are either focused on the past or the future. Have you ever sat down to eat a beautiful meal, but don't really taste it because your mind is elsewhere? I sure have. Our minds like to busy thinking. And it is indeed a practice to slow them down.

However, I also think there is value at looking at the past. The past holds so many life lessons and experiences in which we can grow from in a multitude of ways. They shape who we are, and can influence who we become.

The other day my husband brought up a little photo album of my marathon five years ago. It was on the day the Ottawa marathon was taking place and he thought it would be interesting to look back and reminisce about that experience we intimately shared together. I confess it is still sitting on the counter, unopened. I keep saying I'll get to it, but other 'more important' things (and 'not so important' things) seem to take precedence. But I know once I open that book, a flood gate of tender memories will fill my heart.

For my 60th birthday, my husband also wrote out 60 wonderful memories to reflect back on. Rather than reading them all at once, he reads a few of them to me in bed every week, and I take time to let them sink in a little, before drifting off to sleep. They fill me with so many emotions, mostly happy, some sad, but each one rich in its own way.

Obviously, not all endings are happy. Some of the saddest endings were when my parents died, and also some beloved friends. Or when we dropped our twin daughters off at universities in separate cities as they began their life without us. Or when my newly married daughter and her husband moved to Scotland this summer. Or when we left our sweet home after 25 years, the home where we raised these two girls, and in a community that supported us so much.

But even so, there is always a beginning that follows an ending. Even though my parents are now both gone, they live inside of me, and the tender memories I have, also live on. Our daughters are both strong independent women who are making their way through life in a way I couldn't be more proud of, and we continue to have a very close relationship that has only deepened in time, in spite of the distance between us. The home we moved to has served us so very well, and we appreciate it more with each passing year.

The value of reflecting on these endings, is what I learned from their life experience, about myself and about life. How I hopefully grew from each. And whether they were stressful or carefree, tragic or joyful, how each one was a gift to be cherished in its own unique way.

For me, it is a practice to not only be mindful of the present, but to resist over thinking the future.  To take the time to reflect on the endings and all the richness they contain.

To take it all in.. the memories, and the gratitude for all the life lessons learned. It might just make the beginnings even richer.



Namaste _/l\_