A COUPLE WEEKS IN MY TEACHING (AND OTHER) LIFE

After my last post, I was flattered to receive a request for a group of teacher training students to be 'required' to read my writings as part of their curriculum.  I knew people read my blog; never dreamt it cast such a wide net!

This request also compels me to write a bit more often; perhaps, not as often as I used to, but more frequently.

Teaching has been an 'adventure' lately.  As in:

• Students with varying levels of ability in almost all my classes, which creates a challenge.  It's not a challenge I don't feel up to; however, it does require some 'thinking on my feet'.  As in, if I am going to teach a pose like vasisthasana, and know that I have more experienced students in the room -- how do I offer everyone that wonderful feeling of opening in the pose.  I begin with the knee-down variation, see how things are going; next stage would be to have both knees away from the floor (those who aren't feeling up to the challenge, remain in knee-down); then, we may move to the wall, and try the pose with our top leg in vrksasana (tree pose form).  So, it's a progression; taking into account who is in the room, and give everyone experience of the pose.

• I've offered to teach some weekend classes, also.  These classes, contrary to what I had been used to in Salt Lake, are rotated among teachers at the studio in Temecula.  So, every once in a while, it is my chance to teach people I have never seen before.  And, because it is a mixed-level or basic-intermediate, there is a good chance I'll have many levels of ability in the room.  My challenge?  To teach intelligently, but not try to 'fix' everyone.  So long as someone is not in 'danger' of tweaking a knee or otherwise hurting themselves.  Last week's class - a good example of everyone but one doing what I asked.  What did I do then?  Well, after repeating instructions for the first ¼ of the class, I just gave up.  She had experience, she wasn't going to hurt herself, she (also) was not truly experiencing the poses; but . . .  (I would describe myself as a 'control' person, especially when teaching; so, it is hard - for me - to just let it be.)

• A student requested a private, which went well.  That student then came to one of my Gentle classes.  Knowing that person's 'stuff', I kept it VERY gentle; only to have one of their hip flexors spasm. Pain, lack of ability to move (as in walk), created a sickening feeling in my stomach and a true sense of "I don't know what to do to help this person".  Gradually, the spasm released and the student made it home safely.  I went home and did a LOT of reading on hip flexors.  What movement was the person doing?  Simply moving out of a restorative pose to shift to the other side.  Made me realize it can happen anytime, anywhere, no matter how healthy they look.  

• My teaching has expanded more to Fallbrook these days.  I've sub-letted (on an hourly basis), a space in a martial arts center, along with some others who teach hip-hop, TRX, etc.  It's large and has hardwood floors.  I expanded my prop collection, bought a shelving unit for the adjacent storeroom, and put out a 'shingle'.  The classes, as do many of mine, have grown slowly.  Yesterday morning's group numbered 10 (the largest in the first 3 months of this venture).  It's fun to be close to home, to teach people who live in my community (or in nearby communities), and to get to know the people who are my neighbors.  

• Continuing with my studies with Christina Sell online.  I am currently enrolled in her and Gioconda Parker's "Alchemy Online Advanced TT", which - I believe - I've talked about before in this blog.  I am also enrolled in a shorter series, also taught by Christina, topic:  teaching beginners.  All good stuff.  

• My reading lately has been Doug Keller (always), as I've prepared for the workshop series coming to an end in July (titled "Top to Bottom", an adventure through the body, broken down into 3 individual workshops).  I've also been reading a book titled "Quiet" -- about introversion; I am enjoying reading about the qualities I have, especially since I've been criticized in the past for not being 'perky' enough.  And, a bit of fiction -- need some distraction from time-to-time.

• On a personal note, we have spent time working on yard and house.  We are planning a couple of trips, and we are enjoying Grand-Dudes and their antics.  

Hope you are having a great week, and be safe this July 4th!!!