31/08/2024
I received this in my inbox yesterday and had to smile (see link at the end). There is me thinking I was such a rebel on the mat 🤪, I am always behind, never trendy, … but these are things I have been doing/ not been doing for years so it is good to see that is starting to be a thing.
In a nutshell:
1. Creating a different sequence each class.
Nope. I start a term with a plan and then play with it. Each week some element might change, week after, week after, … but there is always familiarity with something new added.
2. Requiring each cue to be anatomically accurate.
Nope. Minimal rather than overload and what makes sense to the person in front of me.
3. Adhering to old alignment rules.
Nope. What works for my body, might not feel good in your body. I don’t believe in fitting the shape/ posture but the shape/ posture needs to fit you as an individual. Your knee flexion is different than mine. Your foot turns out differently than mine. Your … Although we are aiming to create a certain shape, this shape will look different on each of us.
4. Automatically offering hands-on assists.
NOOOOOO! Your body, your practice. I demonstrate and talk you through it and usually that is enough. However, IF there is (which HARDLY EVER happens) a time where a lady still might not focus on the area that we are trying to address, then I ask for permission so simply place my hand in the area we focus on. There is an AHA moment and I walk away. I NEVER just automatically walk around and “adjust” or “deepen” a pose by pushing you into it. No! No! No!
5. Spending hours making an evocative playlist for each class.
Nope! I play the same license free stuff quietly in the background as the music is not the focus point. It is just a little bit background music which is nice to have.
6.Believing that longer practices are better than shorter ones.
Nope! For me I think consistency and sustainability are the key for my own practice. A little bit daily is better than once a week for 90 minutes. Do what you can when you can.
7. Basing my perceived value on class attendance.
Nope! I have been focusing on small classes for years. It is a completely different atmosphere. It is more social and I don’t run classes where you are just expected to keep up or modify (if you know how to). I SEE YOU and then try and give you options that work for you. Perks of small classes.
8. Shying away from mentioning mental health.
I have not really looked into these aspects too much. I don’t have the right background for that. I like to think that I offer an environment where ladies feel less anxious due to not being in large classes. It can be very overwhelming for those that consider themselves (I speak from experience) HSP, introverts, socially awkward, struggle with anxiety, … so I like to think that I try and be more supportive. Meet them where they are in body, mind and spirit. And if all you do on the mat today is – just breath – then do that.
9. Trying to teach “like everyone else”
Nope! I do my own thing on the mat and like to fuse systems that complement each other. I guess I might be considered marmite, but so is every other instructor. You just need to find the one that fits your taste. Although I have noticed that a lot of instructors fuse these days so I guess I am more like others now, but I still have my own quirks.
10. Taking Photos or videos while my students are in savasana.
Hm, I guess we all have done it probably to use them on the website, … but NEVER without permission.
11. Ending classes with “Namaste”
Nope! Never have done and never will in my classes. However, if I am taking part in a class and the teacher says Namaste then I will respond to it out of curtesy.
That was fun 😁!
After leading literally thousands of classes, these yoga teachers no longer teach or prepare in these common practices.
