School's in session

I've blogged a couple of times for students building a yoga practice, the importance exploring other teachers and other styles of yoga, to cultivate the appreciation of the vast knowledge that yoga can give us. It's also important for teachers to continue on in some capacity of continuing their education whether through workshops, trainings, or even picking up a new yoga text. At least for me, taking other styles or teachers keeps my own practice fresh and allows me to create new sessions for my students.

As some of you know, I've decided to take that next step and go back to school for massage therapy. What I'm hoping to gain besides skills for a new career, is experience and knowledge that I can bring to teaching yoga to my students. Because yoga is so much about the body, I am so excited to learn more about anatomy and physiology and healing techniques. I will still be teaching my normal classes (just on different days) but I can't wait to bridge the gap of what I don't know and apply it to what I do. And best of all, my students will be the beneficiaries of that knowledge and those healing techniques.

If you are in the area, I will be teaching Monday nights at Meadowland Chiropractic (6-7:15 pm) in Alexandria, KY.

http://www.meadowlandchiropractic.com/

And Wednesday nights at Yogahome Bellevue (6-7:15 pm) http://www.yogahome.net/

I hope to still see you on the mat.

Blessings for a wonderful weekend,

Susan

Usually at the end of my yoga classes, I will remind my students to drink plenty of water. And talking with one of my students after class, who is also a nurse, she pointed out that yoga teachers need to emphasize more to their students to drink water. Our bodies make up 70% of the stuff, but are we putting back in what we lose? Doubtful.

When you take a yoga class, no matter how gentle or vigorous or how hot the class is, you are getting rid of lots of toxins...through your sweat, and by moving in the poses, through the muscles as you stretch or contract them and through drainage of the lymph system. Water is the fastest and purest way of flushing out your system to move those toxins on.

There is a caveat, however to drinking water during a yoga class. In yoga, we work with the breath and with the postures to build heat in the body and create subtle body energy or prana to flow freely. When you drink water during a yoga class, you douse the fire it was taking you through that class to build. And on a subtle level, you can change the energetics of the class. Of course, let common sense be your guide. I'm not the water police. If you are taking a hot class or doing round after round of vigorous Sun Salutations, then yes, you may need to drink some water to stay hydrated. Just try to drink the rest of it after class and more throughout your day.

Blessings,

Susan