I will be the first to admit that this age group used to scare me a bit. Not because I didn’t know how to teach them, but because I know how important it is to be teaching this age group. While yoga with the little ones is pretty much all fun and play, this age group is so impressionable. They have opinions, thoughts, views on everything and what I say and do with them will make a huge impact. They are self-conscious, shy, outspoken, obnoxious and thoughtful. It’s an age group I’ve started diving into full force as opportunities to teach these kids keep coming up. It’s like I’m supposed to be teaching this population because there are so many eager tweens asking for it! The age range I teach is a little wider then some tween classes you may find- my classes range from 7-12yrs with most kids falling… Read More »
Ahimsa and Self Care
This week has been a particularly challenging one for me. I started the week at a local prep school teaching six 30-40 min classes in the course of a morning, then 2 more classes in the afternoon at different schools. By the time the day ended, I was exhausted and re-thinking my chosen profession. I taught lots of classes of kids who just weren’t responding in a way that made teaching fun for me. Was it me? Was it them? Probably a bit of both. Mid week, I had to leave super early to get to the Bronx where I’ve been teaching at a school where my friend is the Assistant Principal. I was slated to teach six 30 min classes in a row to be able to leave by noon so I can get back in time to teach my local classes. The 2 1/2 hour drive to get there… Read More »
Peace in the New Year
When I was a first grade teacher working in the inner city in Brooklyn, teaching about Martin Luther King filled me with extreme emotion every time. I would always cry reading my favorite book – My Dream of Martin Luther King by Faith Ringgold. The kids would always ask me “Why are you crying Ms. Rosen?” Such an important life cut short, especially in the way that he died, just tore me apart. He lost his life to the violence that he was speaking out about. I would read this story to the children, knowing they were living in an environment that was as opposite of peace as it gets. They lived in a world filled with guns, drugs, violence & fear. It was one of my favorite lessons of the year. How can we become more peaceful in our thoughts, words & actions? That was over 12 years ago.… Read More »
