tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28555295.post7782252916870504353..comments2023-09-30T07:02:42.218-05:00Comments on Grounding Thru The Sit Bones: Quick LinkBrenda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15706976926804565629noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28555295.post-56826555254462844002009-06-22T01:16:24.954-05:002009-06-22T01:16:24.954-05:00I loved this article because it gets at the heart ...I loved this article because it gets at the heart of teaching - your class is something that you create from the heart, but it is a practice FOR your students! So, you always have to pay attention to what they want or are ready for. <br /><br />As someone who came from a very un-spiritual background it took me a long time to come around to the spiritual side of my Yoga, and at first I resisted it. Looking back I realise this was a reaction to what I felt was pressure when our teacher commanded us to chant or bow our heads etc.<br /><br />So when I teach I offer the 'option' of spiritual exploration - using key phrases like "those students who would like to do so may bring the palms together in prayer pose", "if you want to, take a moment to turn your focus inwards to your emotional body". This gives students an 'opt out', so they don't feel pressured into a spiritual practice. I find that when people feel like they have freedom, they are more likely to try! I have had really good feedback about this from students who have felt pressured in other classes.<br /><br />Another trick I have learned is that every now and then when I can't help myself from introducing 'oms' into the class, I give students the option to just hum through the chant. This way those who are chanting don't feel isolated, and those who don't want to can have a little part of the experience.Yogini Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00787351711548823249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28555295.post-71368726118454454472009-06-19T21:36:11.645-05:002009-06-19T21:36:11.645-05:00Thanks for taking a look, all.
Asha, I appreciate...Thanks for taking a look, all.<br /><br />Asha, I appreciate that you commented on my implicit message. I love Donal Maccoon's research about what is essential to a yoga practice. I think way too much energy is spent trying to determine the "best" "most effective" yoga, which is such a personal choice. <br /><br />What works for you, teaching or practice-wise, is the best!Brenda P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15706976926804565629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28555295.post-8975242320312111332009-06-18T16:42:31.660-05:002009-06-18T16:42:31.660-05:00I am not a yoga teacher, but I hope to be one day....I am not a yoga teacher, but I hope to be one day. I can't imagine I would ever teach chanting because it doesn't mean much to me. In fact, I would say my only experience of chanting in yoga class has not been a good one. In one of the classes I attend, the teacher gives us a short Sanskrit chant to start the class. I have asked her what it means and she either can't or won't tell me - so I won't join in.<br /><br />I really enjoyed your article, Brenda.Anne-Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06769343406187885283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28555295.post-4850759742926301792009-06-17T21:33:28.041-05:002009-06-17T21:33:28.041-05:00I enjoyed your article especially its implicit mes...I enjoyed your article especially its implicit message that it is best to teach from one's personal experience. I mean that’s truly in the spirit of yoga isn’t it, as yoga is, at least in part, about an inward journey to one's true Self.thewellnessdistrict.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03047501024010419129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28555295.post-53222003812417826092009-06-17T10:23:39.377-05:002009-06-17T10:23:39.377-05:00I love chanting and took vedic chant classes in In...I love chanting and took vedic chant classes in India, which is truly a different experience from here, even very different from going to kirtans here, which in many ways seem too much like celebrity rock concerts to me. just a totally different vibe in India as you might expect. in India you'll see people sitting on the street chanting, spirituality is just a part of their lives, not something separate, not something that you do for 60 or 90 minutes once a week. I find chanting to be extremely potent and powerful but that's me.<br /><br />Unless it's a class with long-time students, I would never chant. I find that Americans think it's weird and are afraid of it (yes, I said afraid.) But like shinyyoga, I also fill my classes with readings and always include meditation.<br /><br />and it IS a good article, Brenda!Linda-Samahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07664989345039365084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28555295.post-61810977508706113722009-06-17T09:49:47.819-05:002009-06-17T09:49:47.819-05:00I love chanting and I want to chant in my classes ...I love chanting and I want to chant in my classes but I have had so few teachers who offer chanting that I feel too inexperienced to offer it to my students. I do lots of other stuff - like breathwork and incorporating the Yamas and Niyamas - but I'd like to get my courage up and at least do some Om-ing at some point. <br /><br />Thanks for the great article.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05922116308319001543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28555295.post-42183310141092378702009-06-16T21:13:33.330-05:002009-06-16T21:13:33.330-05:00Great, lovely article Brenda.. thanks! I rarely ch...Great, lovely article Brenda.. thanks! I rarely chant in my classes but fill them with spiritual readings, intentions and theming so it's very much still a well-rounded yogic practice.<br /><br />I find teaching in a gym setting that chanting just hasn't worked for me so far - but it doesn't mean the class is lacking.<br /><br />Interesting read : )shinyyogahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09409610128514667672noreply@blogger.com