Sunday, February 15, 2009

Bad Karma

Ariticle from Self Magazine on some interesting injuries...

http://www.self.com/health/2008/06/yoga-related-injuries

Great Progress.

We have had a great couple of weeks in teacher training! I have enjoyed this journey very much and I am grateful to be sharing it with you.

In the next couple of weeks I would like for you to observer a led primary series class. As an observer, take some time to watch the students as well as the teacher. Enjoy the dance, the energy created as a room of people move to the same breath! It is a glorious sight.

For Alex and Jeff, we will be moving into some anatomy study. Please send me an email of your anatomy studies today. Do you feel like you have a strong anatomical understanding? What do you think will best serve you as a teacher: 1) In depth knowledge of muscles; 2) Practical application and understanding of the body; 3) endocrinological applications; 4) subtle bodies. Go on line, look up chakra.

For Anat and Cris, next week begins Teaching Methodology. We will be touching on the qualities of a teacher, styles, principles of deomonstrating and more. I would like for you to take some time this week and think about your teachers, yoga and otherwise. Best and worst teachers, how would you do things differently, what to expect to gain from teaching yoga?

Please send me your thoughts, research, questions, and observations by Thursday.

Have a great week! Peace, Linda

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Fundamentals of Teaching I - Assignment 2/3/2009

Welcome to the Urban Ashtanga Teacher Training Blog!

As you can see, we posted some information on the blog during the last session. Going forward, all of your homework assignments will be posted here and I would encourage you to post comments and questions here as well. The teachers from the shala are also watching and participating in this blog, who themselves have been through teacher trainings, have a wealth of knowledge and may have some constructive input that you will enjoy. Use this media to open dialog about your classes and studies.

Assignment #2
Do some research on Ashtanga Yoga. What are the key elements of the practice? What is “vinyasa?” What is the breath? What are bandhas? How do these combine to make up the Ashtanga Vinyasa system as we know it? There is a lot of information on the web, there are many books in the shala, starting with Yoga Mala. Spend some time with these words and their meanings.

Take a look at this video clip of Guruji talking about Ashtanga.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQGRq00xqbI
Go to the Shri K Pattabhi Jois website at www.kpjayi.org.
Spend some time getting to know the man who brought this practice to us.