Archive for November 5th, 2008
From the teacher’s mat
For the past couple of weeks I have been substitute teaching yoga classes at the Lawrence Athletic Club. As many of you know, I made it a New Year’s Resolution to get into teaching, and that day has come. I have been hired by the LAC as a Yoga Instructor and am working on getting my certification so that I can start my own classes there.
The classes that I have taught have proven to be quite the learning experience for myself. I feel pressure to be perfect in my postures and never mess up my left and right when referencing various limbs of the body. I can’t say that I have succeeded in this venture, but I guess that’s okay. I think the most challenging part of it all is to teach people how to move into postures they may not understand but that I understand on a deep level. Finding the right words to say to get the students into the correct posture is quite the experience.
I’m learning about my influences as well. I hear how my various instructors have influenced what I say in class, what postures I lead the students in, and the tone of voice I use in the class. I hear Todd’s influence in knowledge about what muscles are working, Matthew’s calm and encouraging tone urging students on to let go of the day and their worries, and Rita’s strong communication skills and clarity of voice. And I see myself in there too; my ability to appreciate the work that the students are putting forth, my commitment to sticking with the things that I do, and the ability to keep a light-hearted mind in all situations. I find myself encouraging my students to smile, to take their mind off of the pose and let their bodies really surrender into the poses and have fun with them.
I look forward to getting my certification and starting my own classes at the LAC and really starting to discover my own teaching style. These past few classes have definitely been interesting, and I look forward to the classes that will come. I am thankful for all of my teachers who have clearly influenced me in my own teaching and my own practice. Maybe someday I’ll have the opportunity to have that influence on a student. That would definitely be the ultimate honor.
