I feel compelled to explain what I teach
currently in my classes and my teaching approach. To do so, let’s start with a
little backstory for some perspective.
In the Beginning of my Yoga Journey
I started attending regular yoga classes in
the summer of 1995. My first teacher was knowledgeable in a variety of
disciplines. We were both in our mid-20’s, the teacher and I (I cannot account
for the other students) so the class was at the pace and difficulty I enjoyed.
(And the yoga space was a small, old church converted into her home - it was gorgeous.) I left those
Saturday morning yoga classes feeling energized and revitalized. I was hooked.
Later, I was introduced to a wonderful
Iyengar yoga teacher who took me deeper into the practice. Everything taught
was asana based (yoga postures) with some gentle pranayama (breathing
exercises) introduced at the end of the class (during Savasana – or the ending
relaxation pose).
After four years of attending yoga classes
regularly and practicing every day at home or with a friend – I received an
exciting opportunity to teach! What a gift and challenge. Anyone who has
embarked on the path of teaching understands what I am saying. Comprehension of
the material being taught must be at the highest level due to the fact that not
everyone learns the same way or at the same pace. It was and is a challenge I
am eternally grateful for having.
When I first discovered ayurvedic medicine in
2001 (which is a sister science to yoga), a new chapter in my life appeared. I
will say that I did become confused on how to incorporate this important
historical body of work into my regular yoga classes. Not such an easy task, to
be sure.
My initial approach was to attempt to
distill some of ayurveda’s vast knowledge of the body and its relationship to
the cosmos (essentially everything else) and to then teach that to my students.
I think that was received with mild success. I was hoping that my students
would be able to grasp this new language of the body, enabling the class to
progress. Like with any language, repetition and emersion help considerably. At
that time there weren’t a lot of articles freely available to the general
populace to support what was being taught in class. I am thankful that my
students were so kind to indulge me in those early days.
To Recap
I started practicing yoga in the
summer of 1995. Discovered and loved the discipline of Iyengar yoga in 1997.
Started teaching in August of 1999. Was introduced to ayurvedic medicine in
2001. The first ten years, or so, I attended primarily senior level Iyengar
teachers. After attending my first Judith H. Lasater class, I had found my
primary teacher that I would spend another 10 years studying with when I
attended her annual workshops, but that is for another essay.
Of Course, Life Happens
This is just a quick
overview of a life lived. Nothing, as you know, is really that simple. Stumble
here..pause there….move on and hopefully grow along the way. It’s an adventure,
for sure.
When a problem arises, if the student searches long enough the answer
is revealed.
About 4 years ago I started teaching at a new
location. A problem arose when I discovered that my new students weren’t able
to do most of the asanas (yoga postures) or what one might call a “traditional”
yoga class. A new approach needed to be devised to accommodate the needs of my
students.
I was attending a yoga workshop and discussed
with a fellow yoga teacher my dilemma. She suggested the work of the
biomechanist Katy Bowman, which was a perfect answer for what we all needed.
Now I had some excellent exercises and stretches that most anyone can do. Yay!!
What Do I Teach?
I have taken the work of senior level
teachers Judith H. Lasaster and Doug Keller, the biomechanist Katy Bowman, and
the “Roll Model” teacher Jill Miller and have fashioned a class that most
anyone will enjoy.
My goal is to teach stretches and strengthening exercises that anyone
can do at any time, no special equipment needed. I want everyone to be able to take care of their body every day,
not just once a week when they attend class.
With only one and half hours of time allotted
to the class, I do make sure to have at least twenty minutes, if not more,
dedicated to several relaxation postures. That I do know. After that, it
depends. Since I taught two workshops recently, one on the feet and the other
on the knee, I do try to incorporate lots of follow up work from those
workshops. Most classes start of with the basic calf stretch, followed by top
of the foot stretch. If we do it every week, its an important stretch.
Short answer: I suppose the real answer would
be, “It’s complicated.”
I am currently realigning my own body, which
means that the information I am gaining through my own practice will be brought
into the classroom.
Does that help? I hope so.
Like with any new exercise, if you are seeing
a doctor about an ailment or are on any kind of medications, I would highly
recommend that you talk to your doctor first before attending one of my classes. While
I do a lot of research and study the body’s functions, I am not a doctor. Seek
their advice.
Questions? yoginiofoz@gmail.com
Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you
on the mat!
