Joy of teaching yoga

Friday, October 29, 2010

I am now teaching yoga to young people three times a week. On Tuesday afternoon I teach at a private Montesorri school... one group (10) of 3-6 year olds and one group (4) of 6-9 year olds.), On Wednesday for six weeks I am teaching 10 second graders. (more about them later.) On Thursday I teach at a public Montesorri school where I am working with 2-5th graders, some of whom are in their third year with me.
The Wednesday group met for the first time this week. We are together for 75 minutes... a long time for 8 year olds. We practiced yoga for 35-40 minutes, went on a mindful walk, came back and discussed what we saw, heard, smelled, tasted and touched. Then another short yoga practice and their moms were there. I heard one mom say, "They are so much calmer than when we dropped them off." I also got a forwarded email today from one of the moms saying the girls loved yoga, much better than the 6 week art class they had done.
When I retired from teaching at risk high school students, I never thought i would recapture that wonderful feeling of doing what I was supporsed , where I was supposed to and when I was supposed to. One doesn't expect to be so blessed in more than one career.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VALERIEMAHA 11/1/2010 10:26PM

All I can say is...WOW!!! Maha Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIEJEAN43 10/30/2010 8:08PM

How wonderful for you AND for the students! Report Inappropriate Comment

RUNNER23 10/29/2010 12:37AM

I am an elementary school administrator. I was in the classroom for 12 years with mostly second graders. I loved it, but it was time for a change. I miss working with the kids, but really have no desire to go back to the typical classroom setting. I am currently taking a yoga teacher training course and look forward to doing exactly what you are doing. There are infinite benefits to yoga, and children can enjoy those benefits as much as anyone else. I can't wait to be able to open their worlds to the beauty of yoga. I enjoyed reading about your bliss in sharing such a wonderful experience. Namaste. Report Inappropriate Comment

Can't or don't want to read clearly

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Today I had a tooth pulled. It will be replaced in the next few months with an implant. The oral surgeon did a great job and although I am sore, I am feeling OK. I have a wonderful yoga class I attend on Wednesday mornings. (I am writing this on a Tuesday about 8 hours after the extraction) I have reread the directions I was given several times and then gave them to DH to read and asked, "Do you think I should go to yoga tomorrow morning or see if there is space in the evening class?" He looked at me and replied, "What is it you don't or don't want to understand about 'limiting your physical activity during the first 24 hours?'"
This exercise thing really does get to be a habit... almost an addiction. I think that's good as long as I realize it's a good habit, but doesn't need to be an addiction. I am emailing the instructor indicating I will be attending the evening class.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HSHEAJ5 10/26/2010 11:20PM

I always feel great when I work out... that IS addicting! Report Inappropriate Comment

Before Pictures

Monday, October 25, 2010

DH was going through some old pictures on his computer and called me to his office. In front of me were pictures from more that five years ago.... pictures of before... you know what I mean. Check my regular pictures for after pictures.

This was taken at Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy on our big European trip in 2004

Same place, same day, same trip.... just close-up.

This is the front desk at the great small family hotel where we stayed in Istanbul in 2004.

We went back 2 years later and visited the village my husband has served in during his Peace Corps years. All the women immediately noticed the difference.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SCREWIE 10/31/2010 12:14PM

Wow, amazing! You look lovely in all pictures but in the "after" you look younger! Well done! And thank you for bringing me a bit of home - I'm from Florence and used to sit around Boboli with class mates when we skived off school :D Report Inappropriate Comment

SYLPHINPROGRESS 10/26/2010 5:08PM

Carol Jean! The pretty face was there in 2004, but you certainly are even lovelier, healthier and more vibrant now. Isn't it something? Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERKIWI 10/26/2010 3:52PM

You look like a totally different person :-) Kris Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIEJEAN43 10/26/2010 1:23PM

Great pictures, but there has certainly been an amazing transformation! I love seeing 'before' and 'after' pictures. Thanks for sharing yours! Report Inappropriate Comment

VXWALL1942 10/26/2010 12:34PM

Great pictures! You are so photogenic. Now this is truly the before - especially the 'after' the tummy tuck! Congrats!! Report Inappropriate Comment

World Premiere of a Play

Sunday, October 24, 2010

DH and I saw the world premiere of play last night. In 1965, a group of junior and senior high kids at one of the local high school work black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War. The school has stated that any student who wore the armbands and refused to remove them would be suspended from school. Three students with the support of their parents refused. The case ended up in the US Supreme Court in 1969. The case was called "Tinker v.Des Moines and the court ruled that the civil rights of students and teachers do not end at the school house door.
Our state historical society commissioned a musical play about the events and the first performance was last night. It won't make it to Broadway, but I was in tears by the end. Also there was a panel before the play that included the attorney who argued the case, Mary Beth Tinker, one of the students, a Vietnam vet, a member of the Friends Church and the director of the Iowa branch of the American Civil Liberties Union. What an incredible evening. Prior to the premier over 2000 12 -18 year olds students had seen the first act.
It was a great reminder of how things change and stay the same.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SPARKLETHYME 10/25/2010 8:33PM

I would have loved to have seen this play! What an extraordinary evening, I'm sure. Report Inappropriate Comment

Walking with dogs

Saturday, October 23, 2010

For a few weeks, my exercise was limited to walking. Although I am back to yoga and strength training, I have found I enjoy walking. I've read about lots of folks who walk with their dogs. I love our two dogs - Brigeda is a German Short Hair Pointed and Lexie is a Vizula - both weigh about 60 lbs. There is a parochial high school close to us that has quite an extensive campus with soccer fields, tennis courts and practice football fields. So I decided to take the pair with me for a walk. We were gone about 50 minutes; while they were quite excited and pulling a bit on the leashes on the way over, they were very subdued on the way back. I just took them out prior to our going out for the evening. The poor old ladies (they are both 9 years old) were more than a little stiff and slow. I think I need to take them with me more often.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LESLIEJEAN43 10/24/2010 2:34PM

I used to love walking, but now I'm too stiff and have poor circulation to my legs, so walking has become an ordeal. I sympathize with your 'old ladies'! Report Inappropriate Comment

MONKEYSNUFFER 10/23/2010 11:03PM

I love walking, too. Report Inappropriate Comment

WANDAC2013 10/23/2010 6:16PM

Glad you're enjoying walking your girls! I take my dogs with me (a 50 lb pit and 80 lb lab) and they pull at first also...however, I'm the stiff, slow old lady at the end of it! Report Inappropriate Comment

BAILEYSMOM4 10/23/2010 6:15PM

Before long they will be all excited by you just putting on your tennis shoes! My Bailey nudges his leash when he wants to go out and walk. He loves it! Report Inappropriate Comment