Over the last few years I have demonstrated an asana or two in class, (in particular standing postures or twists) on my less than open side. For example, I’ll demonstrate Ardha Chandrasana, and discuss where my body needs to move in the pose. Then I’ll move to the wall to show how the wall helps connect the mind to the body bringing awareness and understanding of how the body needs to work in the pose. This has prompted comments from some teachers. Most interestingly, “Why would you show imperfect poses to your students?”
As teachers we are tempted to demonstrate poses on the side that comes easiest to us. However if we continue to demonstrate poses on the same side, over and over again, in time we will create or increase imbalances in our own bodies.
Many teachers have students volunteer to demonstrate poses. This is ideal. You can have students of varying levels of ability demonstrating variations of the pose. I do this in class on occasion. However, I find that most students do not want to be the center of attention in class.
Additionally, I have had students say: “Oh you can do anything”, “Your practice is perfect”, “Everything comes easily for you and I’ll never be able to do that.” I want students to understand that no one is perfect. We all have things we need to work on and strive toward in our practice and in our daily lives. We are, and should be, in a continuous dance of evolution and involution.
Pattabhi Jois said it best: “Yoga is an internal practice. The rest is just a circus.”
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About EssentialYoga Studio
Roberta Dell'Anno E-RYT 500, Certified Yoga for Scoliosis Trainer
Owner EssentialYoga Studio.
Roberta has been practicing yoga since 1988 and teaching yoga since 2004. She has studied extensively under master yoga teachers Patricia Walden, Zoë Stewart, Sri Arun H.S., Elise Browning Miller, and others. She completed a two year Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training program with Sr. Iyengar Teacher, Peentz Dubble in June 2017.
Roberta has studied yoga at the Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Memorial Institute in Pune, India during June 2011, February 2014, attended Abhijata's 2-week intensive in Pune, India, December 2016 and BKS Iyengar's Centenary 10-day intensive taught by Prashantji & Geetaji, December 2018.
She completed training and certification with Elise Browning Miller as a 'Yoga for Scoliosis' instructor in 2014, completed a 500 hour Hatha Yoga Certification program with AURA Wellness Center in 2005 and is registered with Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT 500. She has been a Certified Meditation Teacher since June 2007 and an Usui Reiki Practitioner since 1989.
The studio provides individual & specialized privates, semi-privates, group private sessions, and yoga workshops. Roberta conducts local and out of town workshops. She specializes in yoga for scoliosis and back care. She uses props to help students and teachers of all levels transform their backbends, twists, standing and seated postures, as well as inversions like sarvangasana (shoulderstand).
She also works with individuals who have physical challenges, specifically individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, CMT, Parkinson's Disease, scoliosis, and amputees in private, semi-private and group sessions.
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