Teaching Yoga

So, for those of you that wondered, I am an "off the books" yoga teacher.  I do not have my yoga teaching certificate, but have been practicing it myself for almost 5 years.  I told you a bit about this here.  I believe in the whole practice of yoga and don't just do it on the mat for two hours, I try to live it every day.  I like doing it and I like teaching it; if I didn't, I wouldn't (that's just the kind of person I am).  Before we started the class at school almost 5 years ago, there was nothing like this for our kids who were interested in being active, but weren't interested in competetive sports. 

I continue to teach yoga to teenagers becuase I think it helps with patience, anger management, self-esteem, obesity (and tons of other things), and gives our students something to do after school.  We teach in an inner-city school and a lot of our students stay at school becuase they don't want to go home.  So, giving them something productive to do is fun, despite if I get paid for it or not (which I don't).

Teaching yoga offers me something that teaching English doesn't.  I can be myself, instead of a "teacher" and wear comfy clothes and interact with the kids in a completely different way.  I stay after school until 6pm one night a week from October to February because I think it is fun and important for the students.  I like that they get to know me outside of school and that we get to connect on another level.  It gives me peace and makes me happy.  Even if I am feeling tired and drained (like I did yesterday) - when I see those kids walk in and work their butts off, it picks me up.  These are the moments a teacher dreams of.

If I could just be a yoga teacher that would be awesome.  Imagine basically wearing pjs all day at school, getting paid the same, not having to grade papers, working out 5 hours a day and being barefoot while you do it.  Amazing.  I actually brought this up with our Principal, about offering a yoga class for elective credit next year, and she told me she'd "think about it" (which means no).  Other schools in our district do it so it is already in the handbook, but adopting a class is a lot of hoops to jump through, so we'll see.  I told her just to offer it one hour to start, or two, and then we will see what happens.  I'm crossing my fingers!

This year, my husband has stepped in and helped me get ready for each session and teach each week.  I am so glad he's there, along with our other teacher friends, because soon I won't be able to do much and will rely on all of them to help the students.  Next year, I will be back to school after fall break and hope to contiue to teach yoga, but am worried we will not have a space (we never do, I fight for a room) or that I will not be able to do it because of the baby.  I may just have to take next year off, I always commit to too much (it's the life of a teacher!).  But, that stuff will sort itself out.

For now, I have some pics to share from last night.  We only had about 20 students come out (it always fizzles after the first semester), but it was fun none-the-less.  To get ready, I took a nap behind my desk becuase I knew I'd be at school until 6pm and would miss my daily nap.  So, I put a sign on my door that said "Do not disturb.  Please call (my extension) before unlocking my door."  That way, no one would just bust in but instead call me first.  I am the Department Chair for the English department and sometimes people need me, and since we share the same key (in our hallway), they just come in.  Weird.  Once I tell everyone I'm pregnant, hopefully this will change, but for now, they get the "do not disturb" sign.  :)  I keep thinking about next year when I may have to pump in my classroom (I know, TMI), and I just can't have people walking in when I'm all hooked up!  So, I'm hoping people give me a little more privacy after the news is out.

Took the best nap behind my desk on my yoga mat.  Slept for 40 minutes I'd guess, the bell woke me up (0ne of the perks of teaching!).  I am lucky because I have three hours off in the middle of the day so if I need a nap, I can take one.  It's just not very comfy on the floor (I need to get a couch!) but it will do.

(Tried to capture it in the dark so you could get the full effect.)

Anyway, we had a great work out yesterday (was worried I did too much, was SO tired last night and am SO sore today) and had a lot of fun.  Glad there were only a few students, it's so hard to teach 80 - you wouldn't believe it!  Here are some of my kiddos (and yes, they all signed internet release forms):

(Ms. Iadevaia is there in the front, a friend not a student.)

(This guy could not do this back in October.)

(He has been doing yoga with me for 2 years now and is part of my Recycling Club, he works his butt off!)

(Love the girl in glasses, she's been with me two years too and is an incredible dancer!)

(The girl in front, who you can't see, has also been practicing for two years.)

(Ah, rest!)

For more Fit Club yoga pictures (that's the name of our club, we had to name it in order to do it), visit our Facebook page and "like" us!

Oh and on a totally unrelated note, we made the most amazing veggie pizzas on Monday.  Spinach, mozzarella, green peppers, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms and garlic spaghetti sauce (Ragu of course) on a whole wheat pita.  Sooooo good, tasted gourmet!