RE: Older students

[Guest guest]

Dear Nirmal Kaur and Crystal,

 

Different students have different needs. I would certainly separate the

young athletic types from the seniors. The rest can hang together if you

emphasize a theme that they go for internally.

 

> I occasionally have older students, and some had practiced yoga long ago,

but they no longer can do the kriyas very well. I give them alternative

postures/positions, but I am losing them after one or two classes.

 

The older we get the more important it is to connect with our inner space,

establish a connection with the Divine and cultivate the relationship with

ourselves and with the Divine. Maybe they want this and are not getting.

(And may not even know they want it.)

 

Sometimes this occurs with younger students who also

> cannot do the kriyas very well.

 

If we are doing the kriyas as exercises then it will be discouraging. I

personally use KY for myself and my students to enhance our inner

experience, feel more alive and balanced. In this case, being able to do

the hard postures and doing exercises for grueling times is not important.

Even a few seconds of an exercise can produce a dramatic shift in energy and

a deep inner connection.

 

>I also explain that they are still receiving the benefits, even if they

cannot do the exercise very well.

 

Try to include exercises that everyone can do so everyone is included in

most of the exercises.

 

>I have a mixed group of students--young and old, and different levels of

fitness. I try to serve them all. Any suggestions?

 

Go for the experience. I start my classes out with an explanation of the

experience that we are going for, i.e. to feel the neutral, unconditional

space in the heart. Then between exercises they bring their attention to

the heart and the breath in the chest. Each exercise deepens the

experience. By the end of the class they have a shift in consciousness and

are all pleased with themselves.

 

If they can't do the exercise then they can do it internally and get the

inner movement of energy. Set inner goals and their performance won't

matter so much to them.

 

Or atleast try this approach and see how it works. And let us know.

 

Sat Nam,

 

Gururattan Kaur

[Guest guest]

Gururattan,

 

Thank you for your suggestions regarding students leaving if they cannot do

the kriyas. I always tell the students that KY is to be experienced, and one

outcome is they will become more aware of inner sensations and more aware of

their inner voice and wisdom. After each exercise, we pause and experience

the sensations. But I think I try to cater to the students who are there for

the exercise too much. As you had suggested, I will emphasize more about the

inner experience, and downplay even more the importance of being able to do

the postures/exercises.

 

In every class, we meditate for at least 11 minutes, and we do pranayama in

addition to a kriya and meditation. I usually also choose a topic for every

class, and I impart information about yogic lifestyle or philosophy.

Sometimes I read verses from Yogi Bhajan's teachings. On Valentine's Day, I

read verses about love from you, Gandhi, Kahil Gibran, and Yogi Bhajan, and

the students loved it. But, I think I need to tweak my teaching in regard to

the exercises. I appreciate your help, and I will let you know what happens.

 

 

Sat Nam,

Nirmal Kaur

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/22/02 12:40:11 PM Pacific Standard Time,

rattanak writes:

 

 

> I try to hold the space and the intent for the general theme of the class in

> myself. It is amazing what experiences people have. We go around the room

> and share briefly at the end about their experiences. This opens the heart

> even more. Everyone feels loved.

>

>

 

Wonderful idea! I will try it.

 

Blessings,

Nirmal Kaur

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Nimal and Crystal,

 

>I always tell the students that KY is to be experienced, and one outcome

is they will become more aware of inner sensations and more aware of their

inner voice and wisdom.

 

This is good. You might add that KY is for activation, to get the energy

moving, to awaken the body. So whatever they can do to feel stimulated is

good. A good stretch is stimulating no matter how far we go. That is

encouraging for the stiffer students. If they wake up even a little bit,

they are getting results.

 

Both you sound very sensitive to your students and their needs. We all keep

learning, perfecting and adjusting our teaching style.

 

I try to hold the space and the intent for the general theme of the class in

myself. It is amazing what experiences people have. We go around the room

and share briefly at the end about their experiences. This opens the heart

even more. Everyone feels loved.

 

> I will let you know what happens.

 

Yes, please do.

 

Sat Nam and Blessings,

 

Gururattan Kaur