Planning Your Class: Anusara Yoga Template

In the words of the great philosopher Winnie the Pooh …

“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.”

Why do we plan for our yoga class? We plan because we have something valuable to offer. We plan because we aspire to be yoga TEACHERS, not exercise class leaders. We plan because our students are worth it!

Recently, I posted a template to develop a heart oriented theme for an Anusara Yoga class that I created using the software application Inspiration. I also put together a template to plan a yoga class ~ from theme development to sequencing. My apologies if it looks BIG on your screen and overlaps other text; it displays really nice on some monitors and totally goofy on others. (I’m still working out the finer details of blogging.) At the end of this post, there is a link to download the diagram which may be easier to view.

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UPDATE: 10/7/08 ~ Since the Yoga Journal Conference & Grand Gathering at Estes Park, this particular post has had a lot of activity. Big Brother is watching YOU! I’ve been excited to see so many visits, but would love your thoughts too!  Besides, the life of a blogger is a lonely one and I LIKE COMMENTS!  Seriously, I would REALLY appreciate any feedback for improving this idea. I’d like to make this a very workable tool.  Maybe a “fill-in-the-blank” format? What would YOU like to see? ~ Pammy

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Anusara Yoga Class Plan

Using the Anusara Teacher Manual, our Immersion Booklet, and my notes from teacher training, I compiled the following summary to assist me with the class planning process. Please let me know if you see any mistakes or missteps. (I did this on that dang road trip with Mom & Dad, so who knows!)

OVERALL GOAL: For students to leave class feeling better about themselves, empowered by the revelation of own Divine nature; highest intention of practicing Anusara Yoga (AY) is to align with the Divine. Our highest intention is to see and experience the universal everywhere, within and without in the full range of diversity.

* Because this is really long, I’m using the nifty “Read More” link below for the first time. And even if you don’t want to read more, don’t miss the photos at the end! Woo-Hoo!

I. Theme Development ~ Poem, Personal Story, Anecdote, Lyrics, Heart Quality/Characteristic

A. Anusara Yoga Philosophy ~ how theme relates to AY philosophy; life affirming, body is sacred instrument of alignment & reunion w/ Divine, poses are prayers, offerings, celebrations, diverse forms of spiritual art which glorify divine, kula, (inclusive, life affirming, & evolving), Intrinsic Goodness, to unveil our innate goodness, worthiness & supreme nature, build & empower self-esteem, inspiring light-heartedness, playfulness, and joyful creativity within yoga practice; Tantric view ~ freedom by aligning with Divine flow simultaneous within physical experience. The philosophy serves as the vision by which all energy of the practice is directed in both quality and magnitude of mind and heart. Choosing that which is life enhancing. (Refer to Immersion booklet p. 5 – 9.)

B. Chit Ananda ~ How theme relates to the two Main Purposes for Practicing AY

1. Self-Knowledge (Chit) ~ Awakening, recognition, remembrance, self-realization, enlightenment, discovering the bliss of being. Because we are part of the Divine ~ a microcosm ~ knowledge of ourselves IS knowledge of the Divine (pure consciousness).

2. Delight of creative expression (Ananda) ~ To enjoy the freedom of being. To make beauty, to love, to exult in the goodness of life, to celebrate the Supreme through art/music, to serve by adding more joy & laughter to life (Shakti principle)

II. Teaching Objectives ~ What specifically do I want my students to learn or get out of this class? Which UPA’s and loops will I focus on in my teaching?

A. Universal Principles of Alignment (UPAs) ~ Go with the Flow: Alignment in Anusara by John Friend

1. Open to Grace ~ Invoking grace, softening outer boundary, releasing limiting definition of oneself, emptying out in order to be filled up with the universal. Remembering the universal. We start by opening up to something bigger.

2. Muscular Energy ~ Draws energy from the periphery to the focal point circumferentially

3. Inner (Expanding) Spiral ~ Widening the back body, both in the hips and the upper back/shoulders. Broadening the back connects us to the universal (Shins in, thighs out, stick your butt out!)

4. Outer (Contracting) Spiral ~ Narrowing the back body, both in hips and the upper back/shoulders. Narrowing the back pushes us into the front body ~ individual

5. ACTIVE Organic Energy ~ Descend to ascend (root to rise); Always extends down first. When focal point is pelvis, pelvis & tail bone move down, sacrum and rest of spine move upward.

B. Loops

1. Ankle ~ Organic energy helps to initiate

2. Shin ~ Muscular energy helps to initiate

3. Thigh ~ Inner spiral relates to

4. Pelvic ~ Outer spiral relates to

5. Kidney ~ Opening to Grace helps establish

6. Shoulder ~ Muscular energy helps to initiate

7. Skull ~ Organic energy helps to initiate

C. Scope or Energetic Effect ~ What do I want to do or accomplish? Backbends, Inversions, Arm Balances, Hip Openers, Forward Bends, Twists, Full Spectrum, Energy enhancing, Soothing/Cooling, Restorative (PMS headache relief); Check Immersion booklet p. 41 – 45.

III. Yoga Class Plan ~ How am I going to do this?

A. Opening

1. Invocation/Centering ~ Devotional recognition of the grace bestowing power of the Universal spirit within and around us;

“I offer myself to the Light, the Auspicious One, who is the True Teacher within and without ~ the teacher of all teachers ~ Who assumes the forms of Reality, Consciousness and Bliss, Who is ever present and full of peace, Independent in its existence, the vital essence of illumination.”

Christina’s interpretation & discussion of the Anusara invocation

2. Pranayama ~ If teaching, what technique & why; Breath is the medium between attitude & action.

3. Warm-Up ~ Dynamic in coordination w/breath

B. Asana Practice (as based around a peak pose format) ~ Teach SANSKRIT names!

1. PEAK Pose ~ What is it going to be? Interesting details, story about origin; Refer to syllabus breakdown in back of Immersion Booklet by pose category.

*Consider the common misalignments likely to be seen in students for each pose. How will I work with that? What modifications or forms of the pose might be needed; (i.e. Bus stops!)

2. Poses Before ~ What do we need to open/prep?

3. Poses After ~ How we will counter, cool down or round out practice?

a. Savasana ~ Regular or any type of restorative?

C. Closing ~ Bringing it full circle, meditation, closing thought, taking it off the mat

IV. Supplies Needed ~ Things to bring or to make sure that I have available …

A. Media & Supplies ~ music, boombox, books for any readings, photos of poses, etc.

B. Props

V. Don’t forget to mention …

A. Reminders & Promos ~ upcoming events, workshops, class schedule changes

B. Class Etiquette

C. Etc. ~ kula news, acknowledgments, miscellaneous

VI. Post Class Reflection ~ How did the class flow? Any changes needed to the sequence? Insights, discoveries, additional work needed, ideas for further development?

* Keep a record of each class plan in a notebook for future reference!

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DOWNLOAD: To download the diagram and outline as a PDF document, just click here: anusara-yoga-class-planning-tool. Please share any thoughts or ideas for improving this yoga class planning tool in the comments below or feel free to email me directly. After all …

Inspiring Minds Want to Know,

Pamela your Yogi Tech Chick

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Christina at Work

With grateful acknowledgment and credit to my teacher ~ Christina Sell ~ as the ideas expressed here come from my ongoing studies with her. You are a gift!

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called “truth.” ~ Dan Rather

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True to the Method!

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Draw your shoulder blades onto your back!

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Hollow your groins (a near impossibility for me!)

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Extend organic energy down!

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Activate Shoulder Loop

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