Guiding a Diverse community

When I look around the studio before class and see all the people, I feel both challenge and excitement! When I was a new teacher, this diversity in any given class used to create extreme anxiety in me. So much so, that I have a distinct memory of feeling like I might either pass out or once, I even fantasized about running out of the room and into the woods behind the building. 

Here's what happened. I learned to truly embody in myself the practice of yoga. When you believe fully that this practice is more than the postures and that it is a life long opportunity to simply learn about yourself, you can then, teach this to other practitioners. Here are some ways, as teachers, we can support our students so that everybody and EVERY BODY can practice yoga.

I remind myself every day that I am a student. Over the years, I have continued my study by accumulating over 800 hours of certified continuous education. My continuous education has helped me to gain knowledge to know how to offer modifications and variations.

I highlight the significance of various yoga poses and introduce props to ensure that individuals of all abilities and body shapes can participate and benefit from the practice.
 
I learned to be mindful with my language and the way I communicate. I strive to make every effort for everyone to feel seen and valued and I avoid making assumptions about someone's abilities or limitations based on their appearance.

I remind students to practice self-compassion and self-acceptance throughout their practice and encourage listening to the body. I remind practitioners to gently honor limitations without judgment. I consistently tell student to feel. Listen to your body.

We celebrate a growth mindset at LAM where students celebrate their progress and achievements, no matter how small. Remind students that it is not about the destination but to be present to enjoy the journey. Be in the now.

Highlight the benefits of creating community! We support and lift each other up! Durning Covid, we often gathered online or outside and this was an important time. Feeling alone can have negative effects on our emotional health!! That time taught me so much about the importance of community. (more on this later!)

Lastly, I'll say that I like to encourage folks to study what interests them. If I mention Chakras in class and someone asks me what I mean, I try to recommend helpful resources so they can study on their own! 

This practice is so rich and it would truly take lifetimes to study. This is why we call it a practice. I am so grateful to my teachers. A good teacher will applaud life long learning. A good teacher learns from their students. 

Thank you for teaching me. I am forever grateful to you.