Teaching and letting it flow

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ManitobaYogi	Teaching and letting it flow	Lead	[-]
Posts: 3 (03/10/09 20:18:32) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Hello everyone: First time tonight where I put my notes aside and just let the class flow. It was funny how I felt words and direction coming from I don't know where. But I let people enjoy the experience more than anything. I should really teach like this more often. I always have a theme when I teach and this helps me direct the flow of the class. But tonight was the last class of a 10 week session at a community centre where I taught with freedom. I also went around the room and chatted with people on how they felt about the class in the last 10 weeks. This really seems to set a different tone to the room and people were glad to share. Look forward to chatting. Hugs, Linda
lightdancer		#1	[-]
Posts: 10361 (03/11/09 05:28:38) Asst. Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Cool, Linda! That's how I teach all my classes now. But it took years of detailed notes to give me the confidence to ditch the notes. I have a big notebook filled with details of many years of classes. I spent hours planning all my classes. I liked doing it because it helped me have something definite to teach, for one, but mostly it helped me begin to learn about sequencing. I began to learn which poses were great for neck tension, or for splits prep, for example. But something really interesting started to happen. The more confident I became in my teaching, when I wasn't just concerned anymore with getting the verbiage right and getting through the class, and when I really started relating to people (like you said you've been doing) I noticed something. Often people weren't so into what I had planned. Maybe I'd plan a big backbending class, get in there to teach, and find that people were stressed out and wiped out from the day and needed something different, more soothing, less energizing. Then I'd discover that often I wouldn't end up feeling like doing what I'd planned in advance. So I would have to deviate what I did slightly...or greatly. Then I'd go home and notate the deviation in my notebook. Pretty soon, the deviation list was growing. And what would come through, live, would be way better than what I had planned ahead of time. Often, brand new sequences that I've never done before come through when I'm teaching, which is really fun for me, as a teacher. I don't plan anything now. That sounds like a cop-out, but it's the more intelligent way for me to teach and it's better for me and those in the class. Now, I ask people what they feel like doing and weave the class from their requests. Rather than a pre-plan, it requires all of us to tune in and see where we're tight, where we need some attention, ask for guidance. I love teaching like this. The classes are always exactly what everyone needs. And, yes, the words and directions always come. It's awesome, actually. A practice in itself. peace, Carie
yogini db		#2	[-]
Posts: 4606 (03/11/09 06:30:46) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	hi linda! glad to hear you had such a fulfilling experience! i love it when that happens i agree with carie... as a teacher, you have to be able to throw the "plans" out the window, and accommodate the students needs. we're certainly not there for our OWN benefit. here are a few thoughts i have on having prepared plans.... i do believe that "plans" can be beneficial when teaching beginner classes. i teach two beginner classes now (8 weeks sessions), and most everyone that comes to these classes have never done yoga in their life. so, i believe it's important to provide a solid structure to the class. we have to think about how people "learn" as well. personally, i believe people new to yoga (or anyone for that matter) learn better if there are clearly defined "steps"... like a gradual increase in information and difficulty. yes, one certainly can teach "freestyle" here... without notes, but what if i'm having an off day and i leave out some poses, or whatever... it may not be so clear to the student (all because i wanted to teach without notes). so, i usually start with a plan and go from there. i think it's about getting really good at modifying, changing, backing up, etc. another reason i think notes can be helpful when teaching beginners is, often times students will say, "you know that pose we did in the 2nd class...." and, well... my memory isn't what it used to be. BUT, i can always refer to my notes.... so, notes are good to have. i DO love teaching without notes.... just getting up there and letting it flow.... i have a few classes where i usually have something in mind, but always end up changing, once i ask them what they want to do. these classes are advanced beginners to intermediate level students. keep flowing! sit down before facts like a child, and be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abysses nature leads, or you shall learn nothing. - thomas huxley
mugwagilly		#3	[-]
Posts: 529 (03/11/09 08:24:41) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I could've written Carie's post word for word..... cheers, kelly
yogini db		#4	[-]
Posts: 4607 (03/11/09 10:18:15) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	linda, i wanted to add... it's not really about the notes/plan in my opinion. use notes, don't use notes. a teacher can decide not to use notes and feel like they are having a "freeing experience," and also be a really bad teacher. likewise, a teacher can use notes, and be a really bad teacher. so, the way i see it is, being able to teach without (or with) notes does not make you a "better" teacher. seems like it is more about doing whatever it takes to make sure you are sharing what you're able to share in the best way possible. again, i'm glad you had a good experience! that's awesome. sit down before facts like a child, and be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abysses nature leads, or you shall learn nothing. - thomas huxley Last Edited By: yogini db 03/11/09 10:41:51. Edited 1 times.
simpleyogini		#5	[-]
Posts: 5159 (03/11/09 19:54:30) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	yeah I go along with carie too... words are difficult for me...but when I started teaching I had my notes...and sequences all on paper....to help me along...but after a year I didn;t need them anymore... like carie said...I would come in and had all this and that planned out....but after talking to the girls....I found they had different issues they wanted to work on and requests so I just let it flow to fit with their needs instead of MY plan. helped me build more confidence in myself too....also it helps me with wording when I practice the asana with them at the same time....and then while they are taking a few breaths in the pose...I eye them or get up and offer any help or adjustment I like notes...cause I forget things...just me. i know many teachers that bring note books to class... which is fine with me. I taught for about 6 years....first year or so with notes....I don;t teach now....am on sabbatical.... i don;t think its a cop-out to not use notes....or a plan....we do what we gotta do... have fun with it! sandy We do not need to be the same, or think the same But we can hold hands as fellow travelers in this life. Last Edited By: simpleyogini 03/11/09 19:56:53. Edited 1 times.
yogini db		#6	[-]
Posts: 4608 (03/12/09 03:49:22) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	at the end of the day... we do what we gotta do sit down before facts like a child, and be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abysses nature leads, or you shall learn nothing. - thomas huxley
purnayoga		#7	[-]
Posts: 339 (03/20/09 23:36:41) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Which hopefully is SLEEP.
yogini db		#8	[-]
Posts: 4643 (03/21/09 14:18:32) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	sit down before facts like a child, and be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abysses nature leads, or you shall learn nothing. - thomas huxley
manitobafitness	Teaching and letting it flow	#9	[-]
Posts: 130 (03/22/09 11:02:39) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hello everyone: Thanks so much for all the comments. I think I will slowly get away from using notes and concentrate on having my students feel the experience of Yoga. My notes may be brought to class and that is okey either way. Sometimes I wonder if I should work towards a 10 week theme, where each class covers a section. eg. hip openers, back care, shoulder opener, leg strengthener, standing poses, core etc. This is normally how I approach a session and by the last class we have covered quite a bit. Thoughts?
aystam		#10	[-]
Posts: 38 (03/22/09 11:18:24) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I personally think themes are better for workshops, something the student specifically chooses to go to based on their needs, and it's best for each regular class to be "well rounded." If I've been in a class with too much of a theme, I'll come away feeling that part of me was overworked and other things were neglected, and just not feeling too balanced.
yogini db		#11	[-]
Posts: 4645 (03/22/09 11:20:46) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	are your students in the class, new students every 10 weeks? or are these students that you've had for a while that take the class over and over? i teach a few beginner classes (8-week sessions)... each new session, many of these students are brand new to yoga, with exception of a few that take the class over and over. i think it's important to teach the fundamentals of asana, and allow it to gently progress each class. if it is a "beginner" yoga class. i also have a continuous class that is advanced beginners to intermediate level students. they've been with me for about a year now. i don't feel the need to "progress" with this class, because they have the basics down. so, i feel a little more freedom. one week i may do a backbend series.... the next week may be more of a restorative practice.... depending on what they want/need. i find that many students like "theme" classes. you may want to get some feedback from your students. sit down before facts like a child, and be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abysses nature leads, or you shall learn nothing. - thomas huxley
Suzanne LaForest		#12	[-]
Posts: 10350 (03/23/09 18:55:44) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	When I first started teaching I did the theme idea and it was good for me as a teacher because I got to teach every kind of asana. I don't think the students cared. Still, it provided a good foundation for me as a teacher over the years to have thought through those classes my first time teaching. I would say that if you want to be more responsive to the students and not be teaching off a preset list of poses, you will find that throwing that idea out the window is a good idea. It's too limiting to walk into class with an idea in mind of what you want to do and then look around and try to feel what the students need. I feel like they come into conflict when I do that and then I either have to dare to throw out my preconceived idea of the class or I ended up shoving it down their throats anyway. Be the realized teacher.
KimTX		#13	[-]
Posts: 57 (05/10/09 14:53:39) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I did notes for about 3 years but stopped using them several months ago. I got way swamped with training (I started my 500 ryt in Feb, really a 300 to top off the 200) and simply didn't have the time. And I was taking so many classes that I had (and still have) yoga on the brain non-stop, that stopping and writing things down was uneccesary. It became more that I had to shove some of the yoga out to even teach! But, in that process, i found that I truly love teaching without notes. However, I only gave them up when it was time. And, it was time. If you're ready to give them up, then give them up with a happy heart and give love to the notes that served you for so long.
Lillylulu		#14	[-]
Posts: 3427 (05/10/09 16:35:40) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	recently i returned to mapping out a class. i find that if i'm listening for what to teach for the up-coming week, i fall into an idea deeply... i have learned to trust that this is the way i should go and i'm finding that those who show up are the ones who are silently vibing in this direction also. i think i moved in this direction while studying Kundalini yoga which is very specific in what to teach. Although i'm not currently teaching KY, it does spill over into my practice and therefore, into my teaching. So at the moment, i don't feel like teaching without notes or a map is something to get over...i have a feeling that with or without is something that will constantly change... i haven't yet felt that this gets in the way of relating to the class and i'm finding that many are wanting so much more than just moving thru specific postures. i could very easily teach from memory, but in order to grow in my practice i am finding that falling into an idea deeply and allowing a class map to come alive is providing something that even goes beyond me... it's difficult to explain. i am finding i don't need to wait until i get to class to see who shows up to know what i will be sharing... the Creative Force can be accessed any moment so that even the notes/map become part of the design flowing from the Universe... a beautiful spontaneity flows in the way it is all shared... tomorrow may be different, however...

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