Teen Yoga + Dharma
During teacher appreciation week, I thought what better to post about than being a teacher ?
No, not only a yoga teacher at studios, but also in schools.
Less often photographed, but where I spend close to l half my time is @fusion_academy .
Not only do I get to spend at minimum one full semester with each student, but it's all 1:1. This creates such a beautiful container to not only practice and learn, but also discuss the connection of yoga's ancient wisdom & mindfulness to each individual student's life.
For example, today I discussed dharma with one of my students. This is the yogic term for a soul's purpose and meaningful role in society. Not only can this be inspiring, but it can help us as humans understand why our role is so critical to the greater collective, how we can play on our strengths in a more meaningful way, and with this, empower us to show up as our highest selves on a day-to-day basis. - in school, in work, in relationships.
What do you feel your dharma is?
What are you being called to do?
How can you take one step closer to this?
Now imagine how many other ancient pieces of wisdom in yoga could be applied to your day-to-day life...
I can tell you, it's A LOT.
Yoga is so much more than just the poses.
It is a lifestyle.
It is you; it is me, at our highest, most fulfilled, most present version of who we were meant to be.
Now imagine getting to learn and begin applying this as a teen..
Dang, these @fusion_academy kids are lucky they have yoga in high school.
I had to wait until I was an adult to learn these things.
This is not just asana. This is yoga. Mindfulness mentoring. Holistic lifestyle balancing. Mind-body connection. Yoga therapy. This is so much more.
What's also amazing is getting to share this with students at such a hugely pivotal part of their lives, where so many things change, evolve, & fall into place.
Teens need yoga too.
Children needs yoga too.
Toddlers need yoga too.
.... oh yeah, I didn't mention what it's also like to teach toddlers on a weekly basis.. that I'll save for another post..
XCKD
Earth Day + Walking Meditation
Wellness walks // Walking Meditation on Earth Day weekend ~ ๐ฟ๐โ๏ธ
Wissohikkon on Earth day 04/23 +
On Friday I lead a Penn GSE Wellness Walk for the doctoral student leaders.
We covered five of many tenants available to access during this type of walking meditation.
>>Orienting:
-Grounding down in the present moment
-Anchoring to the Earth beneath
-Honoring the present
>>Pratyahara:
-Sensory control + mastery
-Honing in on one sensory input
-Letting the rest fade to the background
>>Mental Noting:
-Leaving an open awareness
-Allowing each thought to pass by like a cloud
-Removing the judging mind
*Labeling which thoughts are passing- for example: scheduling, to-do list, past rumination, future worry, breeze, birds chirping, an itch, the breath, perhaps in a loop.
Which type of these arise most often?
>>Gratitude:
-Thankful for the present moment, avoiding the time traveling mind
-Grateful for the breath & health to be able to walk or just be outside
-Blessed for any and all of life's gifts, especially the small: cool breeze, two feet, the ability to see, to hear, to have this type of moment
>>Loving Kindness // Metta
-Wishing well onto others
-Wishing well onto yourself
-Perhaps the added tonglen breath
What type might feel good to you today ?
What do you crave?
โ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธ
Y12SR in philadelphia with courtney doyle
I got certified in Y12SR.
Y12SR is The Yoga of 12-Step Recovery, and it combines the cognitive work of the 12 step system, along with the somatic approach of yoga.
Y12SR holds room for all "A's" to be welcome, and acknowledges: alcohol, nicotine, other substance, love & sex, gambling, eating, shopping, OCD & other mental health behaviors, media, work, and exercise, as just some of the possible categories of addiction.
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Helpful for those who personally experience addition, or those who experience alongside others, Y12SR notes "the issues are in our tissues," and yogaโs physical practice combining breath and movement can release whatโs held in our bodies.