February 8, 2009

CHEETAH GIRLZ YOGA CLUB

Looks like we're under way!  

A, A & B all met today to form the yoga club, discover a little yoga, do some crafts and eat some birthday cupcakes.

We started the hour & 1/2 with a simple experiment:  what happens if you cover a candle with an air-tight jar?

Even though the 6th graders knew, it was a really good demonstration of how the flame needs oxygen, and just like the flame, we need oxygen too.

And even though we breath and move all the time without thinking about it, if you begin to think about breathing and moving together, in concert, you are beginning to practice yoga!

Then we all thought of a name to call our club--4 names later, we managed to use one word from each of us!  Amazing!

I gave A markers and paper and we all contributed "rules" for the club; they are as follows.

1. Do not hurt anyone.

2. a.  Do not yell & b. Do not yell while others are working.

3.  Do not tease.

4.  Turn cell phones off.

5.  Have fun.

We started in Tadasana, inhaled our arms, exhaled down.  Inhaled shoulders up, exhaled back and down.  

Then we got very involved in Tree pose, both alone and in pairs.  Every partner permutation had to be attempted, for fairness sake. Otherwise there would be hurt feelings.

We exhaled down to Utanasana, then into Table Top, where we did a few Scairdy cats/Happy cats, with hissing/meowing.  

Exhaled into Rock.  I went around and touched their backs lightly, to feel their breath.  A said she couldn't feel it, but the others did.

Then inhaled up to Table Top and into Down Dog, which B already knew how to do.  She showed us how to wag our tails (bent legs).

Then we took turns going under one another's Down Dog, with much falling and laughter.

Back to the Rock, then I directed A & B in Rock/Backbend.  They each served as the Rock and we all practiced with one another.  They really liked this!

Then we did the craft project: filling pre-sewn fabric with lavender scented rice, then hand sewing the final opening, for eye pillows.  (I used dog print fleece, because I was going to do a guided meditation about my dog)

Total focus and cooperation!  We listened to some tunes I had downloaded that I thought they might like.

Then I lead them through a savasana and guided meditation, but it didn't take long for A (who has ADHD) to pop up and ask questions.....I told them after every yoga session it was important to do Savasana.  When they asked why, I explained that it was good for the body to deeply rest.

Hahaha, blank looks.

As we were sitting, A started to do a forward seated stretch, and when I asked her to show us how, she directed us.  On the opposite leg, she said,"Ow! That hurts!"

I said, "What's our first rule?"

They all said, "Don't hurt anyone."

I said, "That also means yourself."  They thought that was hysterical.

Then we celebrated A's birthday and left the room as spotless as we could.

I think for a first try, it was a success.

A is "in charge" of our next club meeting, and she decided it would center around her cats Smokey & Tigger.  And she will direct us in asanas as well.  She was very excited about the idea.

I hope she doesn't make me do a split!

We did a quick "what did you/didn't you like" discussion.  A said she liked everything but the yoga (hahaha), B said she liked everything, and A said she did too.  Then A said, "well, if everyone liked all of it, I did too."

We'll see what happens next time we meet!  I know we'll be making "more eye pillows with purple cats!"  They all said they wanted a collection.... 

Go Cheetah Girlz!