To digress from my latest subject on teaching large classes (I will get back to it), did anyone see Obama’s speech to Congress? I have to admit, I’m hooked on Obama! I love to watch him as a public speaker, see how he moves, what words he uses to create a picture, and also how much he pauses in his speeches to let those words sink in.
As a kids’ teacher, Obama is worth learning from. When he addressed congress I was captivated. But when he talked about the grade eight girl who had written to him asking him to help fix her school – well, I was truly moved.
(picture from CNN)
For me it shows the power of listening. The girl felt that Obama would listen so she decided to write him a letter. She had never done this before. Suddenly she is at the speech sitting beside the first lady and her issues are being taken seriously by the President. A President who is probably her hero. A President who has time to listen.
In your classes do you listen?
This week I started a new training class and when we all introduced ourselves I was amazed at what people said about why they were there. Underlying many of the answers, I felt a true longing to connect with kids and help them be happy. Yoga has been a powerful tool for us to find more happiness and contentment and now we want to pass it on.
One comment that stuck with me was from a school teacher of 20 years who said if she doesn’t start feeling she is teaching something meaningful to the kids, she doesn’t think she can go on. This feeling was echoed by many of the teachers in the group. She is looking for more than barking like a dog and visiting the zoo for kids yoga. And she was happy that this program is based on meaningful themes and not just an exercise program.
When I heard this, it put into words for me what had been in my heart. The reason I developed this program was to use yoga as a way for kids to examine the true meaning of Union, feeling the Divine within us, true happiness, awakening hope, finding our true purpose, and dreaming.
Hi Tania – thanks for the comment and sharing your insight on how special teaching children is.
- Aruna
Teaching children with special needs has taught me not to take things for granted. Simply lifting a foot is a victory for some. The special kids have taught me how special life really is.