Yoga for Seniors
submitted by Jean Short,
CYT-500 from Saskatoon, Sask.
In December 2005 I bought a Yoga International magazine as a Christmas
gift for myself. I did not get past the letters to the editor as I was so
taken with a letter someone had written praising SAYCO (a non-profit yoga
teacher training for seniors in San Diego). I immediately contacted the organization
and found out there was a training happening toward the end of January and
there was space for me. I told my husband Wade that I just had to attend
this workshop. We really could not afford the flight from Halifax to San
Diego let alone the expenses while there but I really felt I had to go (I’m
sure many of you have experienced this feeling). We had enough Aeroplan
miles for the flight, and SAYCO had kept the expenses really low. So off
I went and so glad I did.
Upon my return I was encouraged by other yoga
teachers to offer trainings in “Yoga for Seniors” for teachers. I was buoyed
by their encouragement and spent most of the following summer creating a
workshop based on the SAYCO workshop and my own experiences as a yoga student
and teacher.
I was introduced to Kripalu Yoga at 40 years
of age at the West Island Women’s Centre in Pointe-Claire, QC. I had a body
that was very overweight, not flexible, not fit, with a few health issues,
and had been recently diagnosed with ADD. It did not take long for me to
benefit from the practice but I was finding it very hard to do the postures.
The teacher did not seem to know how to modify them for me. We moved to
Pomona NY and for six months I was a student of Paula Heitzner, an Iyengar
teacher who had studied many types of yoga. I attended 3-4 classes per week
and learned to appreciate how the body is truly miraculous. From there it
was a move to Halifax where I found Jody Myers, a Kripalu yoga teacher, who
was starting a yoga teacher training. I believe the Universe had a plan for
me to be a yoga teacher as I’ve been teaching for 10 years and still cannot
believe I am one. I feel so blessed to have this honour. Not long after
getting my 200-hour certification I realized I wanted to teach people for
whom yoga would be a struggle: older folks and people with overweight bodies.
Chances are that if you are reading this article
you appreciate that teaching people over 50 is not the same as teaching the
younger students, especially beginner students. Postures need to be modified
for people with osteoporosis, arthritis, hip and knee replacements, heart
disease, high blood pressure and other physical challenges. And then there
is diminished hearing, sight, mobility, and breathing to be considered.
When creating this experiential workshop a
big of chunk of time was spent modifying postures using a chair, a wall and
straps. And that is what most of “Yoga for Seniors Teacher Training” is:
modifying postures so that no matter who comes into your class, they can
fully benefit from the experience. I am always overwhelmed by the feedback
from the participants from Newfoundland to Nunavut. A yoga teacher and professor
from Acadia University wrote: "I liked the breadth and scope of this workshop
very much. I arrived feeling very nervous about teaching seniors, but am leaving
with confidence that I will be able to create classes that can help seniors
lead healthier lives. The yoga sessions were informative and helpful, and
Jean's teaching, guidance and ability to lead the class into this new territory
is wonderful. Her obvious love of what she is doing transmitted itself to
us all — this was informative, immensely helpful, and most enjoyable. I wouldn't
change a thing. P.S. I very much appreciate the wonderful manual and all
the helpful hints."
As well as learning about the physical challenges
of the older population and modifications of postures, the workshop includes
Pranayama, Laughter, Partner Yoga, Massage, Relaxation, Meditation, Visualization,
communication tips, and other helpful suggestions.
I am now a resident of Saskatoon and would
love to bring this workshop to all yoga teachers in Canada. If you would
like to know more about this 13-hour Yoga Alliance approved workshop or you
are interested in having me facilitate it in your community, I would love
to hear from you.
Jean Short, CYT-500 www.gentlepathyoga.ca email: jeanshort53@gmail.com Phone: (306)
652-1710 Summer: (506) 533-9729
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