Let's Discuss The Pose

[yvonneyoga]

I read the newsletter today and I'm a bit confused regarding the "Let's discuss the Pose" section...

Participants were asked to comment on "constructing a solution for Harlan's problem". Many of the posts suggested the same thing and I felt most of us were on the same page with 1. what we saw in the picture and 2. our suggestions on how to help.

Sarah's response in the newsletter surprised me. It was defensive and was simply a justification of why she's having him do the pose in that manner. What was the point of asking our input if she was already satisfied with what she was instructing him to do?

The initial question implied that you were looking for input on how to help him with his problem. In the future, it might be better to be more clear on the purpose of having everyone comment. If you're not looking on ways to improve your teaching, then you might want to be more clear about what we are supposed to comment on. Or if that was the purpose, then be open to the critique given. Certainly Sarah recognizes that many of us have been teaching a long time and may have more experience, yes? And can't we all improve something about our teaching? I know I can.

Harlan's last response on the forum also surprised me. I teach mostly private lesson with people who have a full range of physical limitations. I have students who sit in Virasana (certainly not Supta Virasana) on two bolsters plus a blanket. This is truly is a better solution, and a more balanced one for the long run in solving his problem. If you really look at what he's doing, the pose in the picture is MORE extreme than Virasana because 1. there is pressure on the knee and 2. the hip flexor is more open than it would be sitting in Virasana.

And I had to make this one last comment because I saw another post that also misused the word "restorative". Because a pose is seated, or because a pose is not part of a "flow" sequence, or because several props are used does not make it "restorative". The pose in the picture is not a restorative pose.

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by yvonneyoga

Harlan's last response on the forum also surprised me. I teach mostly private lesson with people who have a full range of physical limitations. I have students who sit in Virasana (certainly not Supta Virasana) on two bolsters plus a blanket. This is truly is a better solution, and a more balanced one for the long run in solving his problem. If you really look at what he's doing, the pose in the picture is MORE extreme than Virasana because 1. there is pressure on the knee and 2. the hip flexor is more open than it would be sitting in Virasana.

My background teaches every person is as unique as their fingerprints.

What I've seen in online yoga world discussions is more of a "one size" fits all discussion.

When I was a principal, I could rapidly distinguish between a good teacher and a bad teacher.

The good teachers asked questions.

The bad teachers just lectured and expected students to fit into the boxes.

It surprised me - no it shocked me - that people didn't ask if I could do a specific pose. It was taken for granted.

Even in your post here, you assume the pose Sara put me in was more difficult than Virasana.

It's not. And that is a place to ask a question, not tell.

We really intended for this to be a discussion but what we got in response didn't seem like a discussion at all.

Not one person went to the logical next step and did the simple
and logical thing...

Ask a question.

I've been in the presence of some really well known yoga teachers.

One who is world famous grabbed my wrist and forced it into a pose without ever asking if I had any issues. When I cried out in pain, I didn't get an "I'm sorry."

He charged to another corner of the room as fast as his legs would carry him.

I've had some of the most famous yogis in the world kick my legs wider without any knowledge of limitations.

And on the other hand, I've experienced teachers like Shiva Rea who in a room of 200 people makes it a point to connect with each person there and discover what is unique about them.

Sara's question in the newsletter was:

Can you understand the logic of what the props are doing for him here? I'd like to hear your thoughts than I'll share mine.

Early posters answered the question.

Other posters gave solutions without answering the original question.

That was our focal point.

And while I'm posting let me stick my neck out here.

I'm the one who receives all of the emails for the website.

Never in a million years would I ever believe people who proudly wear the title of yoga teacher could be so downright nasty and judgmental.

If I cut and pasted some of these emails, I think most people would be saddened.

Wishing you all blessings and infinite peace.

Harlan