Workshop Presentation.1 The Venue

Fall Winter 09-10 044Tucked away in the long stretches of pasture outside of Tulsa Oklahoma there is a small retreat/resort center called the Canebrake. The Canebrake is unique to this part of the world in that it is build on principles of environmental sustainability, features a gourmet restaurant and is home to the area’s only yoga studio –The Yoga Barn.

The owner of the studio, Lisa Bracken, invited me to come and teach a workshop at The Barn in 2008 and then most recently in April of 2010. Having taught a number of workshops in different parts of the country, I accepted her invitation with a mixture of confidence and apprehension. I felt confident that I could do a great job but nervous as to how I was going to pull it off. How I pulled it off is the subject of this paper.

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Workshop Presentation.2 Preparation

The difference between my 2008 experience and the classes I taught in 2010 could be summarized in one word – Preparation. From the broadest perspective, I felt as though the workshop was a kind of testing ground for my 20 years of study. It was an opportunity to synthesize everything I knew as a teacher into a format that would help expand my identity as an instructor and serve the students more completely.

Enrollment for the event was far less than what we had anticipated or hoped for, given the large turn out in 2008. There were between 7-12 people in each class. Part of the low attendance might be attributed to conducting the program just two days after taxes were due, April 16th. While the low numbers may have been detracting from a business perspective, I did not let it dampen my enthusiasm for teaching. On the plus side, each student would get more attention.

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Workshop Presentation.3 Rebuilding Your Practice

I also saw this as an opportunity to develop a curriculum that could be applied in other studio settings. The theme for the weekend was appropriately titled, “Rebuilding Your Practice,” and featured four distinct classes:

  • The Practice –Gave an overview of all the themes we would be visiting
  • The Core of the Pose –Used the central axis as a reference point in the poses
  • Poses that Soothe the Nervous System – A restorative and inversion(’)s class
  • The Nature of the Pose –Gave an intro to the gunas, and how they relate to poses  (This class was something of a wild card and was remarkably well received)

Each of these classes built successively upon one another with interrelated material. As a simple example; we started with a more detailed understanding of dog pose as preparation for head stand on the final day.

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Workshop Presentation.4 Practice and Reflection

Early on in the preparation process, the question that loomed largest in my mind was, “How am I going to teach a three-hour yoga class?” Much of this concern stemmed from the fact that my own practice consisted of an hour of mediation and only one hour of asana practice. What I began to notice, through the development of the curriculum, was that my asana routine had become very rushed and familiar.

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Workshop Presentation.5 The Sequnce

After a mild period of hesitation, I began working with my chosen subject matter, about six weeks from the début. I began by brainstorming every possible theory and practice that could support each theme-based class. From this basic platform, I constructed sequences and drew together key points. In the process of assembling the sequences, I noted which poses needed to be work-shopped, which poses would be enhanced by partner work and which postures would be done simply based on their own merit as they related to the overall theme.

Intertwined within this process was my personal, physical experimentation. This, by far, was the most significant part of the preparation. As a result of this exploration, my own practice slowed down and I came to accept that regardless of how much I got done, it would be complete. I also began to extend the duration of my asana sessions, for up to two hours in length. Gradually, through the process of ongoing revision, the practices began to assemble themselves.

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Workshop Presentation.6 Creating Balance

Having taught once already at the Canebrake was a huge plus. Despite being particularly nervous during my first class, I really felt in my element, in no small part due to the gracious support and hosting I received from Lisa and her husband Sam, the owners of the establishment.

I was especially mindful of monitoring my own energy; eating correctly, getting adequate rest, studying as needed, taking anti-vata herbs and most importantly, doing my own practices. I was sure to drink plenty of water as I taught and regulated how much I said or didn’t say.

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Workshop Presentation.7 Personal Energy

Still, I noticed that I gradually became worn down over the weekend and came home with less energy than when I left. I think some of this is to be expected. Two suggestions come to mind as to how to address waning energy. The first is practice – I could teach longer venues/workshops more often to increase my endurance (my ytt is a really good outlet for that already). The second suggestion would be to experiment with what ever that green drink is that you use. Is the recipe available to forward on?

The classes were comprised of a mixture of pranayama, meditation, theory, humor, and both active and more restful postures. Not only was this beneficial to the overall construction of the weekend, but it also allowed me to exercise different parts of my being without overtaxing any one skill set.

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Workshop Presentation.8 Formless Form

All of the preparatory work I had done was fundamental to the success of the weekend. While having a rehearsed sequence was invaluable, at times it drew me away from the immediate needs and skill levels of the students. As the workshop progressed I felt more confident peeling away from the game plan and being more spontaneous. Yoga is an ongoing dance between form and formlessness.

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Workshop Presentation.9 A Sound Synopsis

Another change I would make would be to increase the volume of my own voice.  I found myself dipping into a low auditory range more than once and have gotten similar feedback from students in the past. Do you have any suggestions as to how to cultivate this skill?

On another auditory note: the music (as I discussed) had both its ups and downs. Overall, the music complemented what I was doing, however, at times it pushed the class in a direction that did not resonate with what I was trying to create. I gradually learned to work with this, though it meant hovering over the mp3 player at times and drawing my attention away from the class. Overall, I’d consider using it again, selectively.

Based on my own perception and the majority of the response I received, the workshop went exceptionally well. A real highlight for me was getting to know the students, a few of whom had attended my first presentation at the Canebrake. Inwardly, I was very satisfied and felt that my abilities as a teacher really expanded as a result of this experience. I look forward to offering it again and will have the opportunity to do so in Dallas this fall.  As they say at the Yoga Barn, “Namaste Ya’ll.”

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Donation Class Sat. May 15th

Dear Yoga Students,

This is Derik from Axis Yoga Trainings. I want to announce and invite you to our  ongoing, donation only, classes.  These classes are held once a month and are an ideal opportunity to deepen your practice and view yoga from a totally new perspective!

Each class will focus on a specific theme and is open to everyone.

Next Sat, May 15th will feature Meditation and Postures for the Spring Season.  Yoga practices can be constructed to suite any constitution, season or phase of life.  Come and experience a spring time session.  Derik will be teaching.

Saturday, May 15th 9:00-11:00am

Consulate Healing Center.

750 E. 9th Ave –Cross St. is 9th and Clarkson.
Convenient Capitol Hill Location.

Donation Only!
Look forward to seeing you there!

Peace,
Derik

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