I just got back from a four day Children's Yoga Teacher Training in New York City. I have been teaching yoga for 9 years but only two years to kids. We were on 14th street at the perfectly delightful Karma Kids Yoga Studio. http://www.karmakidsyoga.com/ It is the cutest space that is the perfect nest for teaching kids yoga and keeping it fun and safe.
Our teacher was kundalini yoga teacher Shakta Kaur Khalsa. http://www.childrensyoga.com/ This was a 30 hour training in Radiant Child Yoga. I learned so much. Not just about poses or sequencing, but more about meeting the child as a perfect being. Seeing them as a great soul already. Of course, that also hit some buttons for me as a parent of a 7 year old and a 3 year old.
I am grateful for the opportunity to take this realization to my students (old and young!) and to really be a great and loving father. When I am out of center- to stop and regroup. Too many times have I faltered on this when it is late, I am hungry and burnt out. I want to stay centered to be at my best. After my kids came, I struggled to find the yoga matt. But now it seems simple and clear. Get up one hour earlier. Practice. Wake them up. Make breakfast, get them off to school. It is possible to have a practice that keeps me working from Source and be a householder.
The greatest part was Shakta reminded me of the Kundalini Yoga that I first practiced in Eugene, OR. at U of O. http://www.3ho.org/ I got credit for doing yoga! Anyway it is a very electromagnetic yoga that awakens quickly. I feel clear, aware and energized when I practice their style. From that place life just flows perfectly. When I am there, everything is possible. All blocks fall away. It is miraculous.
I feel gratitude to the 16 other participants. ALL WOMEN! They came from all over the world to take this training and bring yoga back the children. London, Turkey, Monaco and even New Jersey. I learned a lot from their energy and wisdom. I listened very closely to their concerns trying to learn closely what their concerns are.
Finally this was the "last" training to achieve my 500 hour Yoga Teacher certification. That journey began in March of 2002 at the Kripalu Yoga Center. www.kripalu.org What an incredible opportunity to have been able to study, laugh and learn from so many wonderful teachers. Everything from yogic sleep to Chakra Anatomy. And once again, I am reminded that it all comes down to having an active practice. Being charged up to spread love and peace and good humor is the way. I bow to all the teachers who have helped me to wake up. And my debt to them is to pass it forward.
Passing it on to children is an incredible opportunity. I teach in two days and excited to see how the new teachings meld with the kids' energy.
