Last week's Savasana

November 30, 2010

I just can't understand how each class keeps getting better than the last.  Tricia, Alya and I had a full group of 12 tonight.  The age ranges are still pretty vast.  5-12 years old.  Most of them around 6 or 7.  Tricia led with wonderful pranayama then a really awesome flow of asana.  We did some photos of their favorite poses, then Tricia showed them some yoga mudra.  I closed with Savasana while Alya and Tricia placed Silly Bands on their bellies.  Fun night.  Their attention was pretty good too.  Both Alya and I kept them focused on Tricia if they lost concentration.  Enjoy the photos of their favorite poses!  

Thanksgiving

My Mom and I volunteered at St. Matthews Baptist Church in South Philly where the Traveler's Aid residents were spending their Thanksgiving.  It was so much fun.  We set up the dessert table, sliced tons of bread and rolls and served at least 200 people.  We also joined them in their prayer, singing, dancing and eating.  There were only a few kids from our yoga class, but they all came running over yelling "YOGA!"  It was so awesome.

I met Stacey and she was so sweet.  The church members were also so grateful for our help and asked if I'd teach a yoga class for some of the woman of the congregation.  I'm very excited to start this class with them.  A wonderful Thanksgiving.  I'm so grateful!

November 23rd-Giving Thanks

Tonight Tricia and I had a wonderful group of 11.  The ages were 5-12 and they listened well and seemed to really enjoy themselves.  We did some breathing, twisting, passed around cards with asana names and went around the circle demonstrating and having fun.  The kids continue to amaze me with their energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of yoga.  One of our new little girls, probably 6 years old, knew downward facing dog.  So cool!  We chanted OM, relaxed in savasana feeling our breath raise our bellies and then made some Thanksgiving cards.  I was the lucky recipient of one of the beautifully made cards by a sweet boy.  One of our regulars.  I am so grateful to be in the company of these wonderful kids and teachers.  I have so much to be thankful for.

I've volunteered to help with the Thanksgiving celebration that the shelter is having.  They are actually going to a church in South Philly.  My Mom and I will join them.  I'm so excited to share the day with these sweet kids and their families.

Happy Thanksgiving

Cup cake treats

Last night was a wonderful experience.  Me, Alya and a new member of the Traveling Yogis, Patricia, taught the kids class and Janeen taught the adult/teen class.  Except for the restrictions of the small cramped room, we had a lot of fun.  The kids just love gathering in the circle and chanting OM.  We did lots of poses, let them show everyone their favorite pose, played London Bridge, and then rested with a surprise cupcake baked with love by Patricia.  What a beautiful share.  Jai Ma!

Peace, Yoga, Namaste

Crow

Back bending

Blowing in the wind Vrksasana

Little Tree

Vrksasana

Bakasana

Double Ardha Chandrasana

Natarajasana partners

Navasana

Dhanurasana

Savanasa

Urdhva Dhanurasana...beautiful

Sometimes it's just too hard to keep your eyes closed. hehe

Yoga Mudra

Brother and Sister team

Star wars yoga

Upside down

Om Yoginis

Meditating

Human wheel

Smiles

10/19/10

12-14 kids

Shawn gave us the go ahead to teach the kids in the big room. DeCarlo wasn't happy about it at first because he said he would need more help controlling them, but when we were finished he was totally happy and fine cause the class was very organized and quiet, for the most part. The kids helped us clear the tables and chairs and we set up all the mats in two rows facing the left wall where the stereo is. Alya and I had a small spot to teach from, but it was perfect. We were able to take these kids through a pretty solid 30 minute asana class leaving some pranayama and savasana till later. This got us to about 7:40 because we started a little late. Alya showed them some beautiful advanced poses that they all tried and laughed how hard they were, but she showed them ways to work toward them. Splits and advanced pigeon. We had a few girls that could do the splits. I wish I had taken pictures during this because all the kids swarmed around her as close as they could get. We then did some pictures of them posing, group photos and video and then some breathing exercises. A new boy Luis requested breathwork. Very cool. During Savasana I told them that if they kept their eyes and mouths closed, they would get a treat. It worked really well. Each week there are new and wonderful experiences. I feel very blessed to be around this incredible energy with these kids and all of you wonderful teachers. Keep your eyes open for some new pics and a video on Travelin Yogis facebook page. Namaste

10/12/10

8 kids

Oh so good. Fun poses, games, laughing and dancing. Lots of energy, but manageable. The time flew by ending with a photo-shoot of poses, Savasana and OM. Really nice flowing between Sara and me. I think it's cool to keep the kids attention by shifting the direction between the teachers. I just wish we had a bigger space and cleaner floors.

10/05/10 14 kids

This was a pretty cool class. The way we all flowed around teaching and the kids responded so well. There's always a few moments when you think it's all getting out of control, then one of us changed the course with a new idea. Floor drumming is such a crowd pleaser. So cool. I can't wait to see if "Pass the OM" works next time. So amazing! I think 3 teachers for these size groups is a good idea. Time to recruit more Traveling Yogis.....

9/28/10 20 kids

Tonight was very challenging. The age range was too great and they just wouldn't listen. OM got them in the circle and on the floor, then they just kept screaming. I made more flash cards and handed them out so they all could read a pose name and then we'd do it, but it just never got into any flow. I finally had to get Sean involved and he really helped. Kevin got them in a few lines for a little while and we did some poses, but they just kept raising the volume, hitting or kicking each other and screaming at each other to shut up. I read a story when they were in savasana. They were surprising fairly quiet. I also got out my singing bowl. They seemed to really be into this. They each got to try it. At the end, we did our OM and then Namaste with a high-five on the way out. We really do need to set the age range and limit the numbers that can be in the class. This was too many for sure. Especially for that tiny room.

9/21/10 8 kids

I think we had about 8 but definitely a good solid 6. We started with our OM circle and names. I made flash cards with poses and each kid got a card. We went around the circle and asked them to read it, then me and Mark would demonstrate and lead them through the pose. They were surprisingly into this. We even did Surya Namaskar and they really loved it. We then had them lie down in Savasana while I read a story from one of my books. It was about being nice to others. They were pretty good about keeping mostly quiet, but as soon as we were finished the story, they were not practicing being nice to each other. hehe We finished with Duck Duck Goose, London Bridge and our OM circle where we also taught them Namaste. As they left the room we said Namaste to each other with a high five.

9/14/10 15 kids

We found a bunch of kids outside and did some racing, animals, om's and then a search in the dark lit by cell phones for an earing. Lots of energy, many different kids. They started ripping out grass and throwing it and Sara told them that the grass is like the earth's hair and when pulled out, hurt the earth. Some kids stopped, but others seemed to enjoy it even more. haha There were some kids that didn't know we were outside and were looking for us in the regular kids room. I want to congratulate Mark on his first class. When we came back inside the adult class was just finishing up and the ladies all seemed very happy and relaxed. Great night for all at Traveler's Asst.

9/7/10 3 adults

I spread the word up and down the halls about the adult class. 3 or 4 seemed very interested. Dan started with 1 student and another came in for a short time. Her baby was sick and she graciously left so the other student wasn't disturbed by the crying. The 1 student that was there seemed to thoroughly enjoy her experience. She seemed very comfortable with Dan's direction and had a smile on her face the entire time. If we can put a smile on 1 person's face a night, we begin to change the world.

8/31/10 4 kids

So fun. 4 kids, Brenda's homemade hacky sack...amazing, coloring Mandalas, yoga pose kids cards and fun pictures. I'm gonna miss you Brenda.

8/24/10

Oh boy Brenda! That was amazing. I'll never forget this experience. I think the kids were ready for what you offered tonight. They responded so openly to everything we did and their participation when you asked how they felt with certain things was so incredible. I wish I had photographed the evening because when you were reading the way they gathered around you was so beautiful. You are truly gifted and we are all so lucky to work with and learn from you. I can't wait till next week. I hope I am able to carry on your beautiful energy while you are away. Namaste, Jessica

8/17/10 11 kids 1 mom 2 babies

1 Mom with one yr old twins and 11 kids btwn 5-11yrs. Wow, what a night. Alya and I had our hands full but it was amazing. With Shawn's permission, I told them at the start of class and kept reminding them, that if they listened and did the poses in class, they were going to get a little prize at the end of class (rubber bracelets). This worked a little, but of course OM worked like a charm every time. We did a nice series of fun postures, Lion, Dog/Cat, Downward Facing Dog, Tall Mountain, Tree, Dancing Shiva, Happy Baby, Boat. And Alya showed them some more challenging poses which the older kids loved. She showed them how to work toward the Splits and Pigeon. Very well received. I think Adrian and Assta will be leaving. If anyone else knows them I'm sure you'll share my mixed emotions on this. So happy for them, but I've become so fond of them in only two classes. I guess the longer you do this, the more you can keep these emotions in check. I know that they receive such positive energy from us. Some of them certainly share their love and affection whole heartedly. Thank you again for the opportunity to share this time with these kids. Om Shanti, Jessica

8/3/10

This was my first time and I'm so glad to be a part of such an awesome group. Miss Sara and Miss Brenda, thank you so much for being so welcoming to me. I was nervous since I'm so new at teaching and you made me feel at ease immediately. The kids were so sweet and energetic. I think I did hurt my back a little, but I'll just have to strengthen up. I'm so impressed with how the Om works to bring them back to attention. I've signed up for two weeks from now for Kids Asst. May be able to do the 31st too. Thanks again and I look forward to working with everyone and our dinner out soon. Namaste, Jessica

10/06/10

I am going to paste my log notes from the Traveling Yogis from my first class in August and then continue going forward.

August 31st Travelers Aid with Brenda

Tonight was Brenda's last class for a year. She'll be in India for work. She's so great with the kids not putting any restrictions or expectations on them. Tonight we had a small group. Edwin and his sister Savannah, Brion, the little 3 year old that gave me that running hug/back injury and another little boy that didn't come in the room, but kept peeking thought the window smiling. The weather was so nice I think all the parents and kids were outside playing.

So tonight I got out the Mandalas, markers and colored pencils and we did crafts. We did a few poses before Brenda arrived and also through out the night. We also took lots of pictures making funny faces, poses (tree) and Edwin did an amazing Crow. I also found out Edwin and Savannah are from Puerto Rico, live in the Shelter with their Dad and their Mother doesn't live with them and is having another baby. Edwin and Savannah told me about their trip to Puerto Rico. I shared with them how much I love Puerto Rico.

We ended class with some nice deep breathing and a bunch of OMs. Brion kept giggling so I suggested we all close our eyes. Still a few giggles, and so much fun.

My plan was to teach at Travelers Aid with the Traveling Yogis every other week, but I am really enjoying it every week and will continue until I feel differently. Next week we start the Adult Yoga class. I will be the Aid and Dan will teach. I'm looking forward to this too.

Namaste

August 24th Traveler's Aid with Brenda

It was just me and Brenda tonight. I arrived a bit early and did a Ganesh Mantra in the car and read a little from one of my Yoga books. I think this really helped me get grounded and leave my work day behind. When I entered the building, Miss Eleanor was at the front desk. She let Shawn know Yoga was about to begin and the kids started gathering. I had about 8 kids sitting cross legged in a circle when Brenda arrived and we started with our names..OM.. More kids trickled in and about 14 total came. Brenda brought a bag of fun games to play and we started with the kids closing their eyes and touching the objects that Brenda had in the bag. Most kids peeked, but they really enjoyed the game. We also did smell and sound and then Brenda red from a yoga book as we acted out the story in poses. The kids got rowdy at times, but they really enjoyed it. Taking them back to the OM always brings the energy back down. The other part of this story-time experience was observing how the children gathered closer and closer to Brenda as she read the story with such excitement. It's as if she was glowing and rising up off the ground to these wide eyed little ones trying to get closer to the magic.

Jai Ma

Brenda's good bye dinner

We gathered at Harvest in Glenn Mills. I picked up Heather (meeting for first time) at 2nd and Market and arrived with Marsha right behind us. Sara, Brenda and Dan followed and Janeen joined a little later. We talked, ate, laughed, ate, talked more and laughed. Stories were shared and 5 hours later, we realized that it was time to go home. Janeen and I are the newest to join The Traveling Yogis, but we've been welcomed so openly that I feel like I've known everyone for years. We talked about getting the facebook page going again and also a google group. By the next day I had the info on starting a google group to Dan and invitations were sent. Also, Sara got the facebook going again and we are up and running. I've sent out invitations to contact Marsha to my YOM TT grads, and I believe Mark has joined us. I'm hoping for a few more to step in too. It's such an incredible feeling to be part of a group of like-minded people sharing with those less fortunate.

Love and Light to all

August 17th 2nd class

I missed work Wednesday and Thursday the 4th and 5th due to the pain in my back. I went to Abington Hospital's emergency room and all they did was give me Valium and pain meds. They said I had a Lumbosacral strain. This was a tearing within my muscles of the low back. After being released from hospital, we went straight to my friend Lisa's wellness center. http://gatewaybodyworks.com/ She worked me over pretty good. Myofascial Release...I screamed and cried and after two days of this and some distance Reiki sent from Scott at http://www.earthspeak.net/index.htm I was feeling great by the end of the weekend. I've taken some time off from my personal yoga practice to let my back heal. I also started reading Back RX by Dr. Vijay Vad. http://www.vijayvad.com/ I'm looking forward to incorporating his 15 minute yoga/pilates practice into my daily practice.

So onto Traveling Yogis class 2. I shared my experience of the first class with Alya, a coworker who is also a certified yoga teacher and she was interested in joining. Introductions with Alya via email to the Traveling Yogis and we were set to be Teacher's Aids for Tuesday August 17th. Sara was unable to join us as the Teacher so I stepped in for my first "Teacher" roll for Traveling Yogis. I reviewed my plans for some kid's asana poses and printed Mandalas to color in case we had time or needed something to help calm. Alya and I arrived and introduced ourselves to Shawn and he took us around the building with more introductions. We let some kids know yoga class was going to start soon. Some thought Alya was Sara from a distance. "sisters" Aida, one of the little girls that seemed to like me from my first class, came running at me with open arms. Wow, this was just amazing to feel the love and to know that I touched this little girl two weeks ago enough for her to remember me.

So our class started with a few kids and quickly built to 14. Three of the 14 were a Mom with her 1 year old twin daughters. They were precious. (I suggest a Mommy and me class) We used OM and introductions happened often as new kids arrived. We did lots of fun poses and when they started getting unruly, I let them know that if they were good and participated in the class, that there would be a treat at the end for everyone. (I brought those little rubber bracelets and with Shawn's permission, was going to give them out at the end of class) This helped some, but the OM continues to bring them back. Alya showed them the Splits and Pigeon and the older kids loved this. Depending on the size of the group, it may be a good idea to separate the kids by age if there are enough of them. My goal is to be able to get mostly through the hour with some pranayama, asana and a little meditation (coloring, reading poems or stories, or just lying in shavasana) I will try to enter each class with an open heart and an open mind and not get stuck with what "I want" or think should be happening. This is an opportunity for the teachers and the students to learn so much from each other.

Before we left Aida and Adrian let us know that they were going to be leaving the shelter. This is wonderful news, but I felt a heavy heart knowing that I would not see them next class. A lesson for me and practice letting go is sure to be a big part of this experience. I'm looking forward to my next class. Stay tuned. OM Shanti Shanti Shanti

My first Experience with The Traveling Yogis/August 3, 2010

It was August 3rd at 7pm that I participated in my first Traveling Yogis yoga class. I was the 2nd Aid with Sara as the main Teacher and Brenda as the first Aid. I arrived early and sat on a bench with the stray kitties. I was waiting in the wrong area, but soon found the yoga room and yogis. Sara and Brenda welcomed me with such pure kindness so I immediately felt comfortable. This was my first ever teaching experience outside of YOM teacher training. Brenda showed me around the building and introduced me to all the guards. We are currently giving our time to a place called Travelers Aid. This is a shelter in West Philadelphia for families. As we walked through the halls, children ran up to Brenda with open arms and just hugged her with such love. She made announcements to everyone that kids yoga was about to begin. We gathered a few more kids and went back to the yoga room. Sara was already doing some things with a few kids and when we joined, we all sat in a circle, hands at heart center in prayer pose and chanted OM after we said each of our names. The kids really enjoyed this and throughout the class anytime the energy and noise level raised too high, we chanted OM and the kids immediately sat down and joined us. WOW! This is absolutely amazing....So as we showed them different fun postures, did some drumming on the floor, walked around the room in circles as different animals, the chaos of energy was there, but the joy and the knowing of what we were doing was right at the front of my thoughts. I was sitting taking this all in at one point, and a new little 3 year old came running into the room and slammed right into me with a big giant love hug. I was surprised and joyful, but unfortunately, this injured my low back which would cause me to have to visit the hospital the next morning. A little pain meds, some body work from my friend Lisa and R & R, I was good as new by the weekend. So after the class ended, I shared a few moments with Sara and Brenda about my experience and was surprisingly in control of my emotions. I had anticipated having a very strong reaction to the children and their situation. Well, in the car on my way home, the emotions began to flow as well as the tears. I think the entire experience and my nervousness leading up to my first teaching experience just needed to release. I am so blessed to have finally found my way to the path of this life. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti