Yoga is a wonderful exercise with so many benefits. Most people know this, but have difficulty affording the monetary and time cost of practicing yoga. If you do find that you like yoga and want to learn more, then the cost skyrocket. Any "yoga" seminar carries a hefty price tag amounting to hundreds even thousands of dollars. Any item of clothing that says "yoga" is very expensive too!
Is yoga just for the rich? I sometimes wonder. Not only do you need money, but you need to the luxury of time to explore all the things that yoga has to offer. I sometimes feel guilty because I have the time to teach and take yoga classes. Most people, especially those who work full time, don't. And I think they need yoga the most!
How do I get yoga to the folks who need it the most? The best solution I've come up with is offering inexpensive community classes. Since there is no contracts, a person with little time would only have to pay for the class they attend. I wish there was a way to give someone more time, but I guess that is up to each individual.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Carol and Pat
Carol and Pat are two ladies in my yoga classes that I admire a great deal.
Carol, not too long ago, could not walk on her own. Carol told me she had to go to physical therapy just to walk again. Then walking unassisted became her next challenge. Every step of the way she has had a very strong determination to get her body back to a healthy and functioning shape. She came to my Monday class and I didnt think she would return since my Monday class is more difficult class than my other classes. She tried my Tuesday's gentler class and loved it. Since then I've seen her every week and yes, every Monday, modifying the more difficult postures so that she can do them. I wish all my students had this determination and instinct to modify the postures and not injure themselves. Way to go Carole!
Pat was a 79 yr old who took her first yoga class when I substituting for another instructor. I took one look at her and thought she should be in a gentle class. I suggested to her to wait and start with a gentle class, but she was determined to give yoga a try. Pat had to use a cane and her goal was to walk without one by her 80th birthday. She was going to a personal trainer and getting strong, but she knew she needed to stretch those strong muscles. She made it through her first class, modifying her postures and taking breaks when she needed to. A few weeks later, she came to another class I was subbing and she was going very strong. At one point, I told the whole class to go in child's pose because I could see that Pat was overheating! Today, Pat has reached her 80th birthday, and yes, no cane! She told me she loved walking into her doctor's office unassisted. Pat has come to a few of my classes and she has learned to use props to get the most of her yoga experience. Awesome job Pat!
As a teacher, I have so much to learn from my students...thanks Carole and Pat!
Carol, not too long ago, could not walk on her own. Carol told me she had to go to physical therapy just to walk again. Then walking unassisted became her next challenge. Every step of the way she has had a very strong determination to get her body back to a healthy and functioning shape. She came to my Monday class and I didnt think she would return since my Monday class is more difficult class than my other classes. She tried my Tuesday's gentler class and loved it. Since then I've seen her every week and yes, every Monday, modifying the more difficult postures so that she can do them. I wish all my students had this determination and instinct to modify the postures and not injure themselves. Way to go Carole!
Pat was a 79 yr old who took her first yoga class when I substituting for another instructor. I took one look at her and thought she should be in a gentle class. I suggested to her to wait and start with a gentle class, but she was determined to give yoga a try. Pat had to use a cane and her goal was to walk without one by her 80th birthday. She was going to a personal trainer and getting strong, but she knew she needed to stretch those strong muscles. She made it through her first class, modifying her postures and taking breaks when she needed to. A few weeks later, she came to another class I was subbing and she was going very strong. At one point, I told the whole class to go in child's pose because I could see that Pat was overheating! Today, Pat has reached her 80th birthday, and yes, no cane! She told me she loved walking into her doctor's office unassisted. Pat has come to a few of my classes and she has learned to use props to get the most of her yoga experience. Awesome job Pat!
As a teacher, I have so much to learn from my students...thanks Carole and Pat!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Hello and Welcome
As a yoga teacher, I find that yoga has taught me some wonderful lessons in life. Some small and some life changing. I hope to utilize this blog to share some of those experiences and I welcome your comments, too. I will share my opinions, too, and hope that you can share yours whether you agree or disagree. We can all learn from each other.
Peace and Namaste.
Peace and Namaste.
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