sadedoesToday's mega crappy 7 to 5 day was completely changed by teaching yoga again.
It is amazing how **teaching** yoga improves my mood.
After a craptastic work day (and last week too), I went to teach today and suddenly I feel way better.
Started a new training as a yoga teacher: Mental health & well-being.
The thing I love about this particular school is that is science/research based.
The first module is diving into bio-psychology, genetics, and now I am into behavioural psychology & learning theory.
The recommended reading list includes several published research articles on neuroscience, biology & psychology.
If you thought all yoga was (incense)smoke & (pretty poses)mirrors, that is not the kind of yoga I learn about or teach about in my classes.
This morning I taught yoga at the (other) Crossfit gym. Variety of ages & genders.
And I embodied the "this is your practice" by skipping some demoing, and modifying as needed since I am enjoying
- the pulled hamstring (not to be confused with pulled pork)
- the kinked neck (from Friday still... stretching in bed was bad that morning)
- the inversion induced sinus headache (aka: no forward folds for me)
Just showing that yoga is for everyone & can be adapted to the situation & person in question ;)
This morning's yoga class included:
- 5 minutes heart coherence breathing (5,5 breaths per minute, use a track like https://open.spotify.com/track/0ztPS3K6OBrbaQnyGqFLMh?si=7a8e8f2147754176 to guide inhales / exhales)
- modifying class on the fly because someone was still having wrist issues (byebye vinyasas, hello creative stepping backs)
- giving lots of options for poses "chose your own adventure" style.
- a nice 8 minute long savasana with a track that is scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and help relax (https://open.spotify.com/track/6kkwzB6hXLIONkEk9JciA6?si=a6918acf3f6c4b16 ) (*)
And it resulted in a great class, even I felt energized after teaching it!
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(*) ymmv like with all studies
The yoga class I taught this morning had 8 students, it's been a while since it had more than 3 or 4.
It is always nice having more people come and share the energy.
So after that mad day at the day job, I went to teach yoga at the PT-practice. It's a gentle flow, inclusive, I offer mods and pauses and whatever is needed.
I had gone with a class in mind (and paper) and ended improvising half of it, because it felt like it was needed.
Students appreciated it too.
I feel better after teaching.
Today I had another one of those moments "This is why I teach yoga".
New guy in class, at the end, after savasana, signed he was so chill and zen and relaxed, he could have just sat there for a while enjoying the feeling.
(Sadly, I do have to lock up the space after class, and cannot stay long).
Teaching yoga in a physical therapy cabinet is a whole lot different business. I might need to find some extra tips/tricks/trainings.
I really just love teaching yoga, helping people getting into their body, using it in ways they might not have moved it before, feeling that edge of discomfort and being able to abide in it without assigning it negative feelings.
Today's class was 1/3 newbies - I hope their first experience was as good as I hoped for and they keep coming back to explore more.