Tomorrow, I’m teaching a new group of yogis….

Every week, as many of you know, I teach a mommy-and-baby yoga class. I love it, and happen to think it’s a really important “service” to offer moms, but it’s extremely challenging. Not only do I have to keep an eye on and connect with each mommy, but I also have to connect with the babies and make sure each one is as happy as possible. Sometimes baby has to lie down, sometimes baby has to be picked up, sometimes baby does actual yoga poses or gets a massage, and sometimes — and most of the mommies like this best of all — baby is SLEEPING. So, the modifications that I offer in my class our several-fold. I offer the advanced and intermediate versions of the asanas, or poses, and I offer the WITH-BABY and WITHOUT-BABY versions of the asanas. No wonder I’m exhausted after class! But, it’s awesome. I get to use my imagination and create new versions of the poses…. Check my latest concoction — I’m très proud of it:

I call it “Reclined Twist, With a Twist.” Heh. Not sure what the Sanskrit term for this pose would be. But, I can live without it if you can!

Now, as if mommy-and-baby yoga isn’t challenging enough for my sleepless brain to teach (NO, MY AFFIRMATION DID NOT WORK — LAST NIGHT WAS WORSE THAN EVER!), I’m doing something even CRAZIER tomorrow (and Friday)….

I’m teaching yoga at Monkey’s preschool…! CALL ME CRAZY. I’m teaching her preschool class for half an hour and then THE TODDLER class for half an hour. HALF AN HOUR teaching toddlers yoga? I can handle preschoolers (I think). But, TODDLERS? I must be CRAZY.

Crazy or not, I AM prepared. I’ve picked out some good songs, and an excellent book full of TONS of great ideas that I’ve modified to make my own….

Actually, the book, Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers, is good for yoga teachers and parents alike. Yoga’s EXCELLENT for children as young as — Lord help me — 18 months. It teaches them patience, coordination, body awareness, self-respect, and much more. And, it gives them strength and confidence, improves their overall health and fitness level, maintains their natural flexibility, and teaches them balance. It’s, like, a miracle elixir for tantrum-y children, too. And, supposedly, it’s helps them sleep better. Rascal’s not quite old enough for that benefit, though, or anything organized and that doesn’t involve throwing or ransacking…. Love. Anyway, I recommend this book if you want some yogic activities/routines to do with your children. But, I do NOT recommend teaching a bunch of children — unless you’re a certified and certifiably CRAZY yoga teacher!

Seriously, though, I’m so excited for tomorrow (and Friday). The mommies are really excited, too — because the children are. They are so excited, Gorgeouses! They really WANT to do Yoga. So, it’s a big day! For the kids, the monkey, and for me! WISH ME LUCK! Eeee!

Love!
xo Haley-O

No Cheaty’s Celebrity Gossip Thursday this week because I’ve done NO celebrity gossip reading this week. As promised yesterday, I’m focusing HARD on my diet and health. Reading crazy books and making crazy shakes and steaming kale….

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