okay, so it's been awhile!
I've got some good excuses - my dialup account went belly-up so now I have to pay more than double for broadband (on the bright side, it's faster most of the time, on the dim side it goes out every time it rains...); I've been busy trying to find new places to teach (in a down economy, so many give up what can keep them calm and focused because it seems expensive - but how expensive is failing physical and/or emotional health?).
I have been steadily acquiring private clients - those who not only have the money to invest in their personal well-being but the dedication to practice what they are taught on their own between sessions. Unlike many who take a group class one or more times per week, these folks are learning to really "listen" to their bodies and pay attention to what happens when they practice. This leads to a greater understanding of their "routine" beyond mere memorization.
One of my most recent clients, a young mother whose fitness had declined after birth (happens so many times, as personal desires are sublimated to the needs of the child) has begun to realize that her nature is to push too hard and this is what leads to injury. Coming to this insight on her own is much more meaningful than having anyone simply tell her about it or suggesting that she back off. Now she KNOWS because she has learned to observe her self in action. Now comes the struggle to learn to control her impulses before she goes too far. Since she is highly motivated to do this she should master self-control fairly quickly. She has already gained a great deal of strength over a mere five weeks of training!
A new development is in the works - adding classes for credit at another local university. I have very much enjoyed teaching my two for credit sections at the University of Maryland Baltimore County twice per year. The students may not come to class with yoga experience (some do) or a high level of fitness (some are very fit, others not so much) but they do come with alot of enthusiasm (though I did hear one young woman say after an early class (she thought she was out of my earshot) "that was SOOOO boring!"
My approach to these classes is to start from the very beginning (and slowly - it's not easy recovering from a 2 or 3 hour class!) and give them just enough to begin practicing on their own. Since each section meets twice per week, the students are asked to practice an additional 4 times, just the first sun salutation, until it's fairly easy. I make sure to add that this will make them less sore, since we add on to the routine very quickly.
Some students have reported losing weight during these classes - most recently, one student said she lost 7 pounds in the first three weeks of class! Since I also discuss proper diet (cutting out processed and refined foods in favor of natural whole foods, etc) and good sleep habits even those who don't lose weight report building strength, endurance, flexibility, clearer thinking, calmer demeanor, and deeper sleep.
In a world seemingly falling apart, it is important to practice "inner cultivation", as my Qigong master Zhongxian Wu says. Those who learn to keep their own lives together will be the ones to put the world back together again once the mindless masses figure out that their mindless attachments to material gain and power over others are not working out for anyone...
I have been steadily acquiring private clients - those who not only have the money to invest in their personal well-being but the dedication to practice what they are taught on their own between sessions. Unlike many who take a group class one or more times per week, these folks are learning to really "listen" to their bodies and pay attention to what happens when they practice. This leads to a greater understanding of their "routine" beyond mere memorization.
One of my most recent clients, a young mother whose fitness had declined after birth (happens so many times, as personal desires are sublimated to the needs of the child) has begun to realize that her nature is to push too hard and this is what leads to injury. Coming to this insight on her own is much more meaningful than having anyone simply tell her about it or suggesting that she back off. Now she KNOWS because she has learned to observe her self in action. Now comes the struggle to learn to control her impulses before she goes too far. Since she is highly motivated to do this she should master self-control fairly quickly. She has already gained a great deal of strength over a mere five weeks of training!
A new development is in the works - adding classes for credit at another local university. I have very much enjoyed teaching my two for credit sections at the University of Maryland Baltimore County twice per year. The students may not come to class with yoga experience (some do) or a high level of fitness (some are very fit, others not so much) but they do come with alot of enthusiasm (though I did hear one young woman say after an early class (she thought she was out of my earshot) "that was SOOOO boring!"
My approach to these classes is to start from the very beginning (and slowly - it's not easy recovering from a 2 or 3 hour class!) and give them just enough to begin practicing on their own. Since each section meets twice per week, the students are asked to practice an additional 4 times, just the first sun salutation, until it's fairly easy. I make sure to add that this will make them less sore, since we add on to the routine very quickly.
Some students have reported losing weight during these classes - most recently, one student said she lost 7 pounds in the first three weeks of class! Since I also discuss proper diet (cutting out processed and refined foods in favor of natural whole foods, etc) and good sleep habits even those who don't lose weight report building strength, endurance, flexibility, clearer thinking, calmer demeanor, and deeper sleep.
In a world seemingly falling apart, it is important to practice "inner cultivation", as my Qigong master Zhongxian Wu says. Those who learn to keep their own lives together will be the ones to put the world back together again once the mindless masses figure out that their mindless attachments to material gain and power over others are not working out for anyone...
Labels: control, fitness, inner cultivation, mindless, proper diet, university, yoga
posted by peacenicked at 8:40 PM
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