Joanne's Story
Today, I spend much of my professional life teaching yoga to children and helping teachers learn how to use yoga tools in the classroom for self-care and self-awareness. Eleven years ago, however, I had never been to a yoga class and didn’t know anyone who had—it just was not on my radar screen. Then, the health club where I taught water aerobics invited me to participate in a weekend yoga training. Two years before, I had been in a serious car accident, and I was still struggling with chronic pain. I had smashed my knee and had severe whiplash. The knee was healed, but the rest of me was not, and I was slowly sinking into depression. At some level, I sensed that stretching would be good for me. With that in mind, I went through the weekend, surprised, overwhelmed, and a little bit humbled by the difficulty of the training. With some hand-holding from the trainer, I made it through. Just three days later, I woke up with no pain for the first time in two years. I felt like I had my life back.

It takes a lot of energy—physical and mental—to be with young children all day! How do we keep going? How can we remain fully present for ourselves and our students? Several years ago, I discovered the Yoga Ed. curriculum, which includes tools that enables teachers to reduce their stress, shift their state, and ultimately be more effective teachers. Other components of the curriculum include yoga-based activities, such as breathing, simple poses, games, visualizations, and relaxation, all of which may be incorporated into your daily schedules to enhance children’s focus, self-discipline, creativity, and achievement.

I truly believe anyone can do yoga. If you can breathe, you can do yoga. When we model self-care and self- awareness, we can accomplish much. Yoga helps develop coordination, strength and balance, playfully integrating mind and body and enhancing well-being. Transitions are smoother, and the learning environment more peaceful. Before a plane takes off, flight attendants urge passengers to follow these familiar instructions: “In the event of an emergency, oxygen masks will descend; secure your mask before assisting others.” In other words, make sure you’re able and breathing first. The same goes for teachers. In order to encourage our children’s flight, we must first support ourselves: we must manage our own stress by practices such as yoga, by being positive, by saying kind things to ourselves. The point is starting. When we do this daily, our light can shine more brightly.

It’s as simple as linking your breath and movement, breathing from your diaphragm, being mindful. Yes, it’s simple, but not easy, or we’d all be doing it, right? I like to think that a good yoga teacher helps her students bridge the gap between knowing and doing. We all know what is good for us; if only we had time, money—you fill in the blank. I’ve heard most excuses. Investing in yourself, however, pays dividends for the children with whom you work. I encourage you to start today, even by turning off the TV, computer, phone, pager—it takes a little longer to unplug these days—and just sitting in silence, following your breath for three minutes. Stop thinking. Every time you become aware of thoughts or distractions, notice them, but come back to your breath. Do this as many times as needed. Over time, the thoughts and distractions will decrease, and you’ll be amazed at the clarity you achieve. As with anything new, start slowly, and listen to your body—it never lies and is always present. Have some fun while you are at it, and notice how you feel. You are doing yoga. Now that’s something children can emulate!

Joanne's 2011 Schedule