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Keep the Interest of 13-Year-Old Girls

November 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I have been teaching yoga to a soccer team of 13-year-old girls every other week for one hour. The coach’s goal is to build their core strength, prevent injury, and introduce healthy lifestyle to his budding athletes. The girls have been great fun as we explore poses of yoga and their effects together.

I want to pass on one simple teaching technique that builds a strong class bond, gets the students 100% engaged, and ensures that each student’s yoga experience will have lasting effect. Invite individual students to lead the class on their own.

To read more on this topic, pick up a copy of Teaching Teens Yoga eBook, Vol. 2
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Filed Under: Blog, Managing the Teen Classroom, Tools for Teachers, Yoga Poses for Teens Tagged With: , , , , , ,

30 Minutes to Teach- How to Make it Effective

October 11, 2009 By 1 Comment

This season, I am teaching yoga to a high school girls cross country track team. The coach has hired me to come in twice a week for 4 months. When I first received the request to teach, I accepted without hesitation. Teaching teenagers is fun and rewarding for me. What I’ve gained teaching in this unique environment is greater adaptability in my teaching.

To read more on this topic, pick up a copy of Teaching Teens Yoga eBook, Vol. 2
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Filed Under: Blog, Managing the Teen Classroom, Tools for Teachers Tagged With: , , , ,

A Handy Teaching Aid

September 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Sharon attended the YogaMinded Yoga 4 Teens training, August 2009.  When we  began sharing and exploring yoga philosophy for teens, she brought out her index cards which were hole-punched and bound together by key rings.  While  incorporating philosophy and good inquiries in class is essential, it is often difficult to stay on track without notes.  Notes are usually cumbersome, but Sharon had addressed that.  We were all amazed at the handiness of her idea and motivated to do the same for ourselves.  Thanks, Sharon!

Sharon Spiers

Sharon holding her index cards hole-punched with metal key ring

Sharon Spiers is the yoga teacher at San Juan Hills High School in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

To read more on this topic, pick up a copy of Teaching Teens Yoga eBook, Vol. 2
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Managing the Teen Classroom, Tools for Teachers

Y4T Training, August ’09

September 7, 2009 By 1 Comment

Teaching yoga to teenagers is a niche and a passion that distinguishes many of us across the world who are committed to bringing this useful practice into the lives of young people. YogaMinded’s Yoga 4 Teens teacher trainings are undoubtedly meaningful for everyone who attends.

The August 28-29, 2009 training in San Juan Capistrano, CA was no different.
We represented the far corners of the United States: from New Jersey to Washington state to Texas and Southern California, yet our raison d’etre (as they say in French) was the same.

Peggy Dial, Tricia Hurley, Judy Levin, Anne Petersen Mauk, Sharon Spiers and myself, Christy Brock, grew and learned so much from each other in our time together.

Christy Brock with Teachers Tricia Hurley, Peggy Dial, Anne Petersen Mauk (pictured above), Sharon Spiers, and Judy Levin

Christy Brock with Teachers Trica Hurley, Peggy Dial, Anne Petersen Mauk (pictured above), Sharon Spiers, and Judy Levin

We began with a simulated teen yoga class. Discussions on adolescence, powerful teachers, and the benefits of yoga for teens followed. With input and verification from our own experiences, we delved into the principles and practicalities of teaching teens, as they are outlined in Yoga 4 Teens, An Instructors’ Guide to Teaching Yoga to Teenagers.

As a group, we brought forth translations of yoga philosophy that would be helpful for our teen students. We had seven high schoolers show up for a teen yoga class that I taught to get the first hand experience of real live teens. Each of the participants taught simulated teen yoga classes with feedback and critique afterwards. We shared what was happening in our own teen yoga classes and greatly benefited from learning about each other.

All in all, it was a very moving two days. My take away: these trainings need to be longer! There’s too much good stuff happening to condense it to 15 hours only.

One participant described her experience:

You have such a beautiful and amazing passion for teens and it truly comes out in the way you presented yourself to all of us. I especially appreciated how you spoke from experience and the heart (as opposed to just re-stating what’s already in your book). I felt like all of the discussions were relevant and worthwhile. I feel like a I got the most out of observing the teen class and our discussion of bringing the yamas/niyamas down to the teen’s level.

This weekend gave me extra a huge amount of motivation to keep up the momentum in pursuing places to get things going for my girls. I just can’t say enough about how your energy and passion are truly admired and appreciated. From the bottom of my heart – Thank you!

Filed Under: Blog, Events, Tools for Teachers, YogaMinded Offerings Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Next Training is August 28-29: How to Teach Teens Yoga

June 16, 2009 By 2 Comments

Our training August 28-29, 2009, is sure to be a good one.  Seriously, it never cease to amaze me how wonderful it is to gather around the purpose of teaching teens yoga.  Whether you have a lot or very little experience teaching teens yoga, the training seems to be gratifying for all who attend.

Yoga 4 Teens Teacher Training with Christy Brock
August 28-29, 2009

San Juan Capistrano, CA

Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: TBA to participants, private location

The training is held in a relaxing and wholesome environment, half-way between San Diego and Los Angeles.

The YogaMinded Y4T Teacher Training is designed for yoga practitioners who want to build and strengthen their skills for teaching teenagers yoga. The focus is on developing skills to inspire, engage and connect to teens.

Participants will be invited to consider their approach with teenagers, including classroom manner, setting objectives, and sequencing. Observation of teen classes and individual practice teaching will also be part of our time together.

This course is based on the book: Yoga 4 Teens, An Instructor’s Guide to Teaching Yoga to Teenagers, a separate purchase required for the training.

Topics covered include:
. Why yoga for teens
. Setting objectives and identifying with teens
. Principles and practicalities for managing teens in the yoga classroom
. How to engage teens in the yoga classroom
. Yoga philosophy in teen terms
. Classroom space and props for teaching
. What poses to emphasize with teens
. Sequencing poses for an effective class . Cautions and safety recommendations . Language and dress considerations . Appropriate partner poses for teens

The training’s purpose for new teachers is to build an effective approach to properly relate to teens. The training’s purpose for experienced teachers is to provide an environment of reflection and facilitate further growth and improved teaching skills.

Participants will receive a YogaMinded certificate and hours count towards Yoga Alliance general training hours.

“I would highly recommend Christy Brock, YogaMinded, and the Yoga 4 Teens Program to any organization working with youth. The benefits for young people are amazing.”
Carol Carlson, Director – CSP Youth Shelter, Laguna Beach

What Previous Participants say:

“This workshop is a must if you are thinking of teaching teens.”

“I would emphatically recommend this training. Christy is a gifted and wonderful teacher. I learned a great deal from the material we covered and even more from just being around her for a couple of days. Very inspiring!”

“This training is top notch.”

“I loved this workshop and found all of it useful. I definitely recommend it. A fabulous experience that can even enhance teaching skills to adults”

“Seeing Christy in action with her sense of humor and experience was very beneficial. She believes strongly in the work and can impart the knowledge to others.”

“This workshop definitely met my expectations. It has given me the confidence I needed to explore and look for opportunities to teach teens.”

Previous attendants of the Y4T training receive a $100 discount.

No refunds less than 15 days before event. Refunds will be given up to 15 days before event, less an administrative fee of $75.

Learn to teach yoga to teens!

Filed Under: Events, Tools for Teachers, YogaMinded Offerings Tagged With: , , , ,