Friday, August 07, 2009

Speaking of Fishing...

I'm working on a new set of pitches (article ideas) for Yoga Journal's My Yoga Mentor, newsletter for teachers. (If you teach, you might like to subscribe...there are often some useful ideas and suggestions. And it's free!) However, I'm feeling a bit idea-less. Any suggestions for something you've been wondering about and would like some one else to do the research on? Issues that ought to be addressed?

A couple of ideas I've had are teaching yoga to boys, and creating an online yoga class. But I'd like to have a few more possibilities. Any thoughts?

5 comments:

Eco Yogini said...

I know I'm not an instructor, but as a professional who works with children with Autism as well as a Yogi, I get asked a lot about teaching yoga with children with Autism. I'd be interested in finding out if there's research on this (I'm thinking probably not...). Also, I'd assume there are a lot of legal issues that instructors should be aware of (parents of children with Autism are really good at advocating for their children, and are more likely to initiate legal action if their child is hurt), along with special training regarding sensory issues, visual schedules to help with asana transitions, lighting, personal space concerns and expressive and receptive language skills.
Just a thought :)

Gisella said...

How about discussing exercises that can be done at different degrees of 'difficulty', ie those you can build up to as you progress? I would find it very interesting to try out the beginner's way of doing an exercise and then over time progressing through the other variations of the exercise/posture... and know what to show a friend who only just started! (so as to not put her off Yoga for the rest of her life...)

Anonymous said...

hi
what about teaching to students with muscolo-skeletal disorders and back pain which is the most reported health problem at the workplace in Europe (and I guess the US as well).
many students do not even tolerate moderate backbends..and come to class after 8 hours spent sitting in front of a PC...
good luck and keep up with the good work as a mum, teacher and blogger!!

Brenda P. said...

Thanks, guys for the suggestions! I used the idea for working with special-needs kids, since there was nothing on the website about that topic.

Francella, and Anon: those are good ideas, too, but the YJ site has a comprehensive pose index that discusses modifications in depth. (http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/browse_index) I use it all the time as a resource and maybe it would help you figure out ways to deal with challenging poses.

I really appreciate the input and will let you know what the next project is!

Bapsy Jain said...

Teaching Yoga is a good thought, as most of the people are ignorant of this ancient Indian practice and imagine it to be a series of poses where people either stand on their heads or on one leg, with arms folded and eyes closed.