After class a student approached me and said 'I feel really relaxed and safe and not embarassed when you are teaching the class, you put everyone at ease' It made me realise what I enjoy about teaching and what motivates me. Making people feel safe in their yoga class is so important, not just physically but mentally safe and safe in their exploration of postures - knowing they are in a nurturing, non-judgmental environment so that they can challenge themselves if that feels appropriate for them.
In part I think this comes from my teaching of seniors - some with serious health problems, I recognise that people have to feel cared for in their yoga class, not judged and certainly not pressured to do anything that makes them feel vulnerable in any way. So this carries across into my other classes and hopefully people do get a sense of freedom in the classes, that I do not 'expect' anything of them.
I also taught some 3 and 4 year olds this week and have been reflecting on how important it is for children to feel safe and secure when in a yoga class. It really is what we all need and deserve in our classes - an environment of compassion, tolerance and safety.........
