The joy of teaching
Have you ever wondered how I prep for my yoga classes or why I teach them in the first place? Today I am going to share with you about one of the classes that is closest to my heart; chair yoga at the senior center.
It's 7 AM and I have just finished listening to a guided meditation about connecting with nature. It's now time to plan my routine for chair yoga at the senior center. I am the first to admit I don't write down every pose or every cue. Rather, I prefer to set an intention for our bodies, mind, and spirit (light).
To start with the body, I must reflect on what we did last week; hip openers and lower body strength to improve balance. This week we will work on improving our posture through lengthening the spinal column and opening the chest. We obviously would rather not do it all at once, so I sprinkle a few chest openers in our standard warm up, like seated cow/cat pose and supported reverse plank. I proceed to add a peak pose (target pose) to our routine and think of its main benefits I am going to share. The target pose helps me to line up a few poses in the routine which prepares the group for the pose. To fulfil the need for a few counter poses, I complete the plan by adding them to the cool down phase.
The practice of the yoga poses (asanas) coupled with the breath (pranayama) helps the mind to focus on the present moment. Together with the effort exerted by the body, the mind finds stillness. I also share how some of the poses may be done at home, together with certain precautions to be observed.
What I find most important is to connect with people during class. To say their names, or make eye contact and smile makes the class special. It opens the way to the soul, or light body. The light body is also satisfied with a 10-minute guided meditation, where we express our gratitude for what we can do today and let go of the rest. Knowing that chest openers tend to light up the heart chakra, I plan to talk about qualities associated with it during meditation. The plan is now complete, and I am ready to make my short drive to the senior center.
Class is at 9 AM. A really good feeling washes over me as I climb the stairs to the third floor where we meet for yoga. There are always a few seniors there before me, so I have now come to accept I would have to arrive the evening before if I want to be there first. I am warmly greeted with smiles and a few hugs. To feel welcome with all these smiles, without having done anything yet, fills my heart. I start the class and it goes smoothly. We laugh in many poses as folks get turned around. I walk to them and demonstrate more closely if necessary. Their safety is really important, so I keep watch for alignment and if they are at ease.
We complete the class with a guided meditation, which I hear is their favorite part according to most of them.
I have taught this group for a little over a year and we are 13 strong, plus a few that come when they can. I witnessed their overall capabilities improve greatly. Some have shared with me that they sleep better on the weeks they practice. Others have said that they can't miss class, otherwise they will be achy. One student in particular, Elizabeth (Liz), has been able to avoid surgery by surprising her doctor with mobility improvements of her elbow. She went from less than 90 degree mobility at the elbow, to more than 135 degrees in 12 weeks.
Over the past year, we have done more than yoga together. I have been to pot lucks, cook outs and parades. My wife and I have participated in the health fairs as well as many other community activities with the senior group. We love being together, it is that simple. That energy is what has helped me overcome some of the challenges I first encountered. I used to feel intimidated to share wisdom during guided meditations, (after all, they have much more life experience than I.) Over time, I overcame the fear and shared with them what I have learned, and they have shown to appreciate that. I do always treat them respectfully as my elders, and in return they treat me with respect as their teacher.
In summary, working with the senior population requires a little special planning. As you learn about your members, you may also have to research special conditions that at your age you may or may not have heard about. You'll have to experiment with modifications and let go of expectations. In doing so, and staying humble, the seniors will share with you their pot of gold, which is their infinite unfiltered wisdom and warmhearted love.
I am grateful to the support of my wife, my family and friends.
I want to thank the senior center's staff for their support.
I am glad to be partners with tivity health in order to provide the silver sneakers program.
This would not have been possible without the teachings of my school, Yogafit.