“Adult Creative Movement is a fun and relaxing dance class for new or experienced movers to discover new possibilities with physical movement and creative expression. Based on principles from Modern Dance, Yoga and dance improvisation, Adult Creative Movement provides a positive, supportive and non-competitive class environment in which students can build strength and flexibility while using breathing and guided imagery to remove unnecessary tension. No previous experience necessary.”

Thursdays, July 12 – Aug 2, 2012
6:30 – 7:30 PM
$45
Call to register: 541.389.5351

Followed immediately by Adult Tap from 7:30 – 8:30 PM.
Adult Creative Movement PDF Flyer

Come move with me this summer!

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

When you are teaching a Yoga class, remember that this time is not about your personal Yoga practice. Teaching Yoga is about giving your knowledge to others, demonstrating and explaining the techniques effectively, and putting your students’ needs ahead of your own. You will probably still feel the benefits of a Yoga class, but it also might leave you yearning for more, or feeling as if you did not quite get adequate fulfillment. It is up to you, then, to find time when you are not teaching to squeeze in a personal Yoga practice, where you can accomplish a number of things.

Firstly, you will be able to satisfy your need to stretch, breathe, meditate, and relax. Secondly, this is a great opportunity to work on any techniques you may be struggling with at this point in time. Finally, you might use this practice time to explore other aspects of Yoga that you are not necessarily ready to teach, but enjoy practicing independently. Use this time for personal reflection and fulfillment. Forget about teaching Yoga for a while, and focus on your inner spirit. It might seem counterproductive, but it will actually help you grow as a Yoga teacher.

It is important for all Yoga teachers to take the time to nurture themselves. In order to be able to give so much to your students, you have to keep filling your cup. Seek out time during the week where you practice Yoga alone, or with a mentor or colleague. Explore areas of Yoga that might be too advanced for a class full of novice students, or areas that you do not have the desire to teach, but wish to practice.

Maintaining a personal practice ensures that you stay current in all aspects of Yoga that interest you most. It guarantees that your Yoga classes will remain fluid and interesting, avoiding monotony. Many students prefer a varied routine for each class, where they are learning new poses or working on different areas of the body. Students expect the teacher to be a motivator, instructing them to go a bit further, or to try something new. If you are not engaging yourself in your personal practice, you must ask yourself if you are truly presenting yourself as a positive role model to your Yoga students.

Find the time to add personal Yoga practice to your schedule today. Maybe you fit it in for 15 minutes here and there, in between scheduled classes, or you could block out larger chunks of time a  few times per week. Create a schedule that works for you, and stick with it.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

Originally posted March 15th, 2012 at Aura Wellness Center.com. Re-printed with permissions

By Faye Martins

Children’s yoga classes are a wonderful way to introduce kids to yoga poses, breathing, and philosophies. Classes can easily be modified to suit many different ages, from babies to tweens. Children can begin to feel the positive results of a yoga class, making them more likely to choose yoga as a lifelong activity. There are many different ways to keep children engaged and interested in the class. Yoga instructors can build a class around an animal theme, encouraging the children to voice animal sounds, make a game out of the poses, or create an interactive story with yoga poses incorporated throughout.

Always begin with a warm-up to get the blood flowing throughout the entire body, and to focus the mind. Develop the warm-up sequence based on the age of the children. For example, toddlers will need a series of quick, active poses. Ask them to take one or two deep breaths in, filling up their bellies like balloons, then push the air out. Older students can spend a few more minutes with focused breathing. Teach them one technique each class, such as Alternate Nostril Breathing, Lion’s Breath, or Ocean Breath. To encourage body- and self-awareness, ask children to feel the air filling up their lungs as they pull it into their body, and to feel it escaping as they push it out.

After breathing, warm up the body with a variation of the sun salutation, forward bend, or another pose that incorporates the entire body. Then you can progress to the next series of poses beginning from a seated position. Begin with the Butterfly, Cobra, Head-to-Knee, Cat-Cow, or the Bridge. Choose poses that flow easily from one to the next. After the seated poses, move to standing poses like Tree, Downward Dog, Mountain, Triangle, or Warrior.

If possible, incorporate some movement around the room during the middle of the series. Children can go from mat to mat, performing a designated pose; or play a game of “Freeze,” where they can dance around the room until the music stops, then freeze in a chosen pose until the music begins again. Keep children engaged, changing the routine as necessary if they become disinterested.

Conclude with a few relaxing floor poses, which allow kids to still the mind and the body. Corpse pose is a classic end-of-class pose. Instructors can lead the class in a visualization exercise, asking children to visualize their favorite place, a particular color, or a person they would like to send positive energy to.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

Originally published January 8th, 2012 at Aura Wellness Center.com. Re-printed with permission.

Dance Around The World Camp is suitable for both boys and girls ages 5 – 12; we will be alternating weekly with ages 6 – 8 and 9 – 12 as follows:

• Each session costs $110
• Dancers should wear comfortable dance clothes, but no footed tights, please
• Bring a water bottle and healthy snack each day!

Dance Around The World will include:

• World Jazz: Jazz-style African, Middle Eastern and Asian dance, plus folk and cultural dance-styles from around the world
• Craft activities to complement our World Exploration of Dance!
• Ballet & Modern
• Kids Yoga
• Hip-hop/ Funk
• “Free Dance” Improvisation & Dance Games

To register, please call Terpsichorean Dance Studio: 541.389.5351

Come Dance Around The World with me this summer!

By Jenny Park

Exposing children to yoga helps lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. The earlier a child is exposed to the philosophy behind yoga, the breathing and stretching associated with the poses, and its lifelong health benefits, the more apt they will be to integrate it into their daily lives as adults. Kids yoga classes do not follow the same format as typical adult yoga classes. Kids classes are geared to be more interactive, faster-paced, and generally kid-friendly. Children are not expected to hold poses for a long time, incorporate the proper breathing methods, or remain totally quiet. Trained and certified yoga instructors strive to provide a positive, welcoming environment for children to learn yoga.

There are some safety guidelines to follow concerning kids yoga classes. Parents should make sure their children are enrolled in the appropriate class. They need to consider the child’s age, ability, and prior experience with yoga. Children’s yoga classes are offered for all ages, from infants to elementary school-aged children. Classes focus on basic yoga poses, breathing, and the basic philosophy behind yoga. Each class is geared toward the age group it is offered to, with each group having a slightly different format. For example, a preschool yoga class might not be appropriate for a five or six-year-old, and the parents of a toddler might choose a “Mom and Me” type class where the child is accompanied by an adult.

Kids yoga instructors and parents should also make sure to be aware of potential muscle and joint strains or injuries. Children are naturally more flexible than adults, and might not even realize it when overextending. Yoga instructors should teach children to listen to their bodies and stop if a pose is uncomfortable, to stretch slowly and breathe deeply, and never to force a pose. Yoga should always be practiced on a safe, level surface using clean mats and bare feet to avoid slips. Children should always wear comfortable clothing that will move with their bodies. The room temperature should be kept at a lower, comfortable temperature to accommodate the natural heating of moving bodies, and to avoid over-heating.

Parents need to consider the overall health of their child before sending them to a yoga class. Children with migraines need to avoid any poses that bring extra pressure to the head. A child with asthma, bronchitis, a hernia, or other breathing difficulties may need to avoid certain breathing techniques. Most importantly, parents and instructors should work together to provide a positive yoga experience for children.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

Originally posted December 25th, 2011 at AuraWellness.com

I believe that Creative Movement should be dance, as an art form, at its most accessible. While I strive to include these elements in all of my Modern Dance classes, Creative Movement for any and all ages should include:

• Playful, pedestrian movement
• Guided improvisation
• No previous experience needed
• Building strength and flexibility while discovering the multitude of movement possibilities for the human body
• Influences from Modern Dance, Yoga, Contact Improvisation and core strength training
• Simple combinations building on improvisational exploration
• Relaxed, positive, supportive, & non-competitive setting
• A deepening of the connection between body, mind, & spirit

Creative Movement should not have an age or a gender attached to it.  As such, I plan to post Creative Movement class ideas and activities that are meant for a broader range of ages and abilities.

“Yoga improves motor skills and physical fitness in children but it also sets them on the path to the art of living well. It encompasses improvements in physical health, mental health and social skills. The mind and body working in harmony will lead to a healthy, balanced, responsible child leading to a better over-all person.”

Read the full article at:

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/2011/12/10/the-benefits-of-yoga-for-children/

If you would like more information about Modern Dance, please use the Modern Dance blog link in the navigation bar.