Tag: learning
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Why I Appreciate Solo Travel
Last summer, I was walking my dog in Kitsilano when I stopped short. What a surprise! An assortment of travel books lay on a grassy boulevard, neatly arranged around a tree. It was exhilarating just to see the place names. Two weeks later, guess what. A new batch of travel…
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Why Silence Matters in Yoga Class
From January to March, I taught the “wall stand” in every class, every week. As my students stood, I navigated the room, giving group instructions and individualized corrections. I was constantly moving, constantly speaking. In contrast, when doing my daily wall stand, I was alone at home—often in pre-dawn darkness,…
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Yoga Books: A Confession about What I Read (and Don’t Read)
“Could you recommend a yoga book?” a new student, Margot, recently asked. She wanted a basic book to refresh her memory on poses and their names. I immediately recommended my very first yoga book, Yoga: The Iyengar Way, by Silva, Mira, and Shyam Mehta. As a beginner, I liked the…
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Constant Vigilance
For six years now, I’ve gone on daily walks with Stella, a Giant Schnauzer / Labrador Retriever. We’re out for an hour or two and it never fails: At some point, a phrase from Harry Potter springs to mind: Constant vigilance. CONSTANT VIGILANCE! I’m always glancing around, scanning our surroundings…
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Note-Taking During Yoga Class
One day, I noticed my student Nicole jotting handwritten notes during class. She hadn’t previously done so. I steered her back to the pose, without directly addressing her note-taking. Later, she revealed that she has trouble with attention. She thought that taking notes might enhance her learning and retention. Interestingly,…
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What Students Really Think about Demos
Part 3 of a three-part series I have my own take on demos. But what about others? I was especially curious about students’ preferences—namely, those who aren’t teachers. So, I surveyed 20 or 25 of my own students. They vary in age, gender, and experience. I included those who are…
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Teaching Style: Further Thoughts on Demos and Pace
Part 2 of a three-part series Some argue that the demo method turns off younger students because it’s slower paced. Occasionally I hear “directives” from Iyengar yoga associations that teaching should be more dynamic—more jumping around and tricky poses—to attract young people. On one hand, this idea makes sense. Twentysomethings…
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The Demo Method
Part 1 of a three-part series Ever taken an Iyengar yoga class? If yes, you’re probably watched a yoga “demo,” short for demonstration. Teacher performs pose, step-by-step, with verbal instructions. Students watch and then try the pose themselves. What’s your opinion of the demo method of teaching? Last year, I…
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The Inner Game of Yoga
I don’t play golf, but I recently read W Timothy Gallwey‘s The Inner Game of Golf (1981). A few years ago, I read his classic The Inner Game of Tennis (1974), a favorite among top coaches including Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll. I don’t play tennis either, but I’m interested in Gallwey’s…
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Learning on your own
I bumped into an old friend during my holiday trip to California. “Dylan” has always been an athlete, so I wasn’t surprised that he’s still avidly into hockey, skiing, and other sports. But I didn’t expect him to say, “And here’s one for you. I’m learning to play bluegrass banjo.” What? Is Dylan even musical? Anyway,…
Yoga Spy 