I Teach Yoga

Yoga is good for your health.

Last night, Russ Walker, my hometeacher, asked me if I would play the role of yoga instructor for his President's Day Olympics group date. I readily accepted.

I prepared a 20-minute workout routine and some music to augment the experience. The playlist was mostly composed of New Age artists like Vangelis, Enya and Sigur Rós.

At noon today, I drove down to the RB where I met up with the three couples that were competing in the various events. I knew three of the people from BYU dance: Russ, Kristoffer, and Heather Sabin from WA. They had already finished a number of events: basketball, racquetball, paper airplane throwing, and a couple of others.

We used the empty clogging room in the RB, room number 180, for our yoga studio. I introduced myself and calmly welcomed them to couples, nude yoga. They laughed uncomfortably as I removed my shoes and socks. I realized that none of them had ever done yoga before and had no idea what to expect--that made me feel better as a first-time teacher.

Since this was a competition between each couple, I incorporated various challenges throughout the routine:

1. Flexibility. In the beginning, we loosened up with some Sun Salutations and practiced breathing and moving deeper into basic poses. This test was to see who improved their flexibility most in forward fold over 5 breaths. I'm pretty sure all the girls won.

2. Balance. For this challenge, I had everyone everyone assume a basic tree pose, balancing on one foot. Then I had them close their eyes at the same time and see who could keep their balance the longest. The results of this one were mixed.

3. Strength. In retrospect, I should have had them do a crane balance pose for this one, but we went all out with a head stand. Whoever held theirs the longest won.

We concluded with 5 minutes of relaxation. We turned the lights off and visualized the individual muscles of our bodies relaxing and melting away. We emptied our minds then, one by one, thought of people, places and things that we felt grateful for. Needless to say, we were all pretty relaxed by the end.

I gave them all free passes to a local yoga studio on their way out. I was generously thanked given a Powerbar and a Gatorade.

As an instructor, I didn't have the smoothest banter or explanations throughout the session, but I didn't mess up either. The experience was similar to performing a magic trick [illusion] for the first time in front of a live audience. I might instruct again sometime this semester for our FHE group.

Balance, Strength and Flexibility

Squirrel Twisted Chair

Seal Upward-facing Dog

If these more strenuous positions look a little too challenging for you, you may enjoy experimenting with Facial Yoga: