Teacher Talk Tuesday: Yoga is Necessary for Survival

Teaching is a stressful job. I would go out on a limb and say it's the most stressful job in the world. However, I've never been, say, a doctor, or a nurse, or a stripper, so I guess you can call me a little biased. I'm sure sliding down a pole and whipping your hair to and fro can be hard on the spinal cord.

Let me just give you a taste of some of the most stressful times that has happened during my 7 year teaching career...that qualifies as a legit time frame, by the way.

1. Once while I was teaching first grade, a student broke his fall by hitting his desk.....with his mouth. Imagine if you will, a 6 year old with blood gushing out of his mouth because his teeth were rammed into his gums. Too graphic for ya? Yeah, me too. Did I mention that was during my first year of teaching?

2. First grader throws up all over the carpet. That's not the start of a joke. This happens at least once a year and if you're lucky five times!

3. High Schoolers...'nuff said.

4. Learning the hard truth about your students. I had a student who was neglected at home, one who was slapped and beaten, one who was left to their own devices, one who was arrested for drug possession and grand theft auto, and one who slept on the floor of a garage with their brothers and sisters. I take these stories home with me and worry myself to sleep.

5. Oh, and I have to create and teach lessons, prepare students for state tests, get all my students proficient in all subjects, deal with backlash from parents, administrators, and the public, and make sure no child is left behind.

Holy. Crap.

Can you see why I need Yoga in my life? More importantly, I think the KIDS really need yoga. They go through some SHIZ!

Here are some of my favorite stress relieving poses:
1. Child's pose- Once that forehead hits the mat, shit gets real. Real good.

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2. Happy Baby pose- This one makes me feel all kinds of open and vulnerable. I feel unsexy in this pose because I'm pretty much spread eagle. But I feel happy, and that's all that matters.
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3. Pigeon pose- My yoga instructor says you hold all of your stress in your hips. This pose will rip that right out of you. Hips, don't, lie. Right Shakira?
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4. Airplane pose- Nothing clears your mind like thinking you're going to face plant. You're so busy concentrating on not falling, that the stresses of your life takes a back seat.
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5. Savasana- They should just call this pose "Go to sleep now." It's minutes of just lying there, clearing your mind, and relaxing every particle of your being. If memory serves me right, I'm pretty sure that's called sleeping, but TomAto, Tomato.
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This is exactly what I look like, tongue out and all. 
In all seriousness, school is a stressful environment for all parties involved. Yoga is just something to ease the blow of all the craziness that ensues. Yoga keeps me sane for a few hours a week. Take a chance and try it out. Namaste, my friends.

6 comments:

  1. i love yoga + actually used to teach yoga to elementary school children - too fun! glad you've found a method to destress from your everyday school life - some of those stories were heavy!

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  2. Teachers are the real heroes in life. Seriously, you all should get paid just as much (if not more) than those lazy schmucks on Wall Street.

    Glad you've found a way to decompress!

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  3. I've definitely warmed up to pigeon! And the simple cat/cow one...

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  4. NAMASTE! I actually teach a yoga club in on Friday's at my school and it's becoming a sought after club! I'm teaching teachers how to do stretches that the state tests deem "appropriate movements" during test breaks. Ugh. Testing. It's all a big fat mess. Teachers unite! Together we will be the good memories in our students mind, the difference that propelled them to success.

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  5. So funny that you posted this...yoga has become my saving grace. I still prefer a beginner/gentle class for more relaxation and stretching.

    I've been doing our beginner class every Monday, and I'm looking to get a dvd so I can start my day with it. I love it!

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  6. Teachers really do have one of the hardest and most stressful jobs there is. I can't imagine all of the things you have to deal with. However, I have been child #1 (had my two front teeth knocked out in kindergarten in a playground accident) and #2 (I am an easy vomiter). Yep, my mo got the occasional call from the school to come pick her child up and take her to the dr/dentist. I actually had another accident in high school where I got my two front teeth knocked out again. I am very protective of my mouth these days;)

    *Erin

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