I have long been an advocate of adapting each pose to each student, each day. Further, over time, I've learned how to adapt breathing exercises, also. But, this week, for the first time, it occurred to me that the mental focus must be adapted to each student.
But how can a teacher do that in a room full of students? The workings of the mind, the regulation of the nervous system is not easily visible to the teacher, despite some clues.
In Sutra II.50, Patanjali explains that the breath cycles can be counted. This helps one develop a sensitive self awareness and focus one's mind.
So, now I plan on teaching my students not only how to adapt the poses to their physical level of ability for each day and each stage of life---but also how to adapt for the times that they need more tools for mental focus.
Next time you are in triangle pose and find yourself getting bored, try counting five breaths of equal length of inhale and exhale. If that tool of mental focus works for you, keep on applying it and adapting it whenever you find your mind wandering.
But how can a teacher do that in a room full of students? The workings of the mind, the regulation of the nervous system is not easily visible to the teacher, despite some clues.
In Sutra II.50, Patanjali explains that the breath cycles can be counted. This helps one develop a sensitive self awareness and focus one's mind.
So, now I plan on teaching my students not only how to adapt the poses to their physical level of ability for each day and each stage of life---but also how to adapt for the times that they need more tools for mental focus.
Next time you are in triangle pose and find yourself getting bored, try counting five breaths of equal length of inhale and exhale. If that tool of mental focus works for you, keep on applying it and adapting it whenever you find your mind wandering.
