Entries by derik

Bringing Yoga to the Classroom: The Evolution

During the next week, I worked to return to my original intention: to pair the time in tree pose with a visualization/lesson on trees to encourage students to think beyond themselves. I realized that the third graders were reading about the life cycle of a plant in social studies. I quickly adapted our short time […]

Yoga and Reading in Elementary School: Conclusion

At first, I felt suspicious of books on yoga for children. I initially felt that incorporating too many elements, like music, acting, costume, puppetry, shouldn’t dilute yoga. However, as I reviewed why I thought yoga for children might be important – to provide them with tools to know and interact with their own bodies – […]

Student Experiments with Sequence Creation

As part of Denver’s Axis Yoga teacher training, aspiring teacher’s hone in on their skills by designing personal experiments using yogic philosophy.  In wanting to work on her sequencing skills as well as increasing her knowledge for using yoga as medicine, this student chose to create asana sequences that catered to healing particular ailments. She carried out […]

Creating Sequences for Specific Ailments

The idea came to me while meditating in class about mid-October.  As I was fighting myself to focus on the white light resonating from the middle of my head, it came to me. I wanted to make sequences for my friends. Specifically for my friends with ailments. Thus unfolded my four part (sequencing, ailment understanding, […]

Jason’s Sequence

**Designed for lower back pain, weak knees, stress, anxiety, weight loss** NOTE All poses should be done vigorously and held for an extended period of time. Modifications are available if needed for your knees. I’ve provided a longer meditation period for grounding and relaxation. Dandasana-Staff Baddhakonasana-Bound Angle Bhardavajasana I-Bhardavaja’s Twist Cat/Cow Suptabadhakonasana -Reclined Bound Angle […]

Nicholas’ Sequence

**Designed for relaxation, concentration, and back and shoulder stiffness**  NOTE This will be a twist sequence to loosen up your back. The warmup and cool down, along with the forward folds should loosen your shoulders. Focus on the poses and hold them for extended amounts of time. The important emphasis for relaxation and concentration will […]

Emily’s Sequence

**Designed for slight asthma, wrist pain, weak ankles, stiff knees** NOTE Hold each pose for as long as is comfortable. Do NOT continue if you have pain. You can work up to extended length of the poses.  Virasana (Hero’s Pose). If you need a modification to make it more comfortable, sit on a block or […]

Rachel’s Sequence

**Designed for anxiety, headaches, and asthma, with an emphasis on relaxation**  NOTE Hold each pose for as long as is comfortable. Do NOT continue if you have pain. You can work up to extended length of the poses. Virasana (sitting on your knees) or Sukhasana (cross legged) Cat/Cow Pose. Tadasana (Mountain) Uttasana (standing forward fold) […]

Student Experiments with Teaching Yoga to Kids

As part of Denver’s Axis Yoga teacher training program, students engage in final student experiments that incorporate what they have learned in the 3-month training into their daily lives. As someone who works with at-risk youth, this student chose to bring her knowledge of yoga to the kids she works with. She had to change […]

Thoughts on Teaching Yoga to Kids

As I prepare to conclude my yoga teacher training and move out into the world as an instructor I would like to bring yoga to those people who may otherwise not have access or afford to practice yoga. One population in particular, with whom I already work, is inner city youth. In my role as […]