TIME OUT FOR YOGA
If you are a yoga instructor, one thing is for sure: Yoga is taken seriously with “Ethical Discipline.” This means that you expect a class to respect the time they devote to the practice and vice-versa.
Let’s start with giving enough time to get to class, set up and settle onto the mat. It shows respect toward others and balances the energy in the room. Lateness is an imbalance to the environment, especially when class is small in number. Those individuals who accomplish this practice tend to interrupt their ethics to assist those who do not, which is not an acceptable Yoga experience.
Next is using breath to settle into a pose and awakening the Third Eye Chakra with a slow inhale to imagine receiving the healing energies of love and peace. Exhale longer to let go of anything that is bothering you physically, emotionally or mentally. The next breath is where the mind-body connection begins with inhales that lift the heart chakra, and exhales where the pelvis tilts as you lock the belly bandha (aka Uddiyanaa Bandha). The number of breaths depends upon the energy in the room overall. Sometimes just three will do it if the entire class is present and settled. Take the time to assess it.
Many participants enjoy listening to music during class. Sound is healing energy that enhances the auditory system in the following ways: It is a therapeutic approach to calm the Central Nervous System. Music can be a stimulant to enhance movement with flow Yoga.
Music is a way to “time” the classes by using melodies that add up to the time limit for the class. Take the time to change the music to create a variety for everyone in the class.
Preparing for a Monday class the day before is time well spent.
The glorious Savanna – the Resting Pose is 5 minutes of stillness after an hour of movement. Think of an image, place, state of being such as floating on a cloud of your favorite color. This is a meditative state of being that transcends the mind. It clears away lingering thoughts that have been causing havoc.
Nurse’s Note:
Understand that time is not the goal, but a means to achieve balance in life.
Road Blocks can get in the way causing occasional tardiness. If this happens let someone know if you are going to be late so that your area is set up with your space when you arrive.
Plan ahead, get a routine that gets you to your class at least 15 minutes before it starts.
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Judith Ann Beaulieu, RN, BSN, MIS, CHC, RYI, HTCP