Yoga Theme: TRANSITIONS
✨ Theme 1: Transitions✨
Inspiration for yoga teachers to elevate your yoga classes
Here’s a summary in bullet points.
Pick and choose what resonates with you, to create your own classes. Remember: keep it simple: it’s better to talk less and give the students more time for reflection, than to try and squeeze in as much as information as possible. The inspiration below can be a good starting point for several classes if you want! 🙂
I’m always here if you want some help.
Love,
Jennie
P.S. Would you also like a nidra and a yin class focusing on Transitions? I could write an outline for you?
TRANSITIONS
Part 1: Brainstorm your theme
Reflection
An important starting point:
Take a moment to reflect upon what you associate with this theme. Is there anything in particular that sparks your interest? How can you make this theme relevant and interesting for your students?
Background
– Did you know that sometimes when people get injured in yoga classes it’s not because of the pose itself – it’s when they get OUT of the pose! Why? Usually because the mind is already focusing on the next pose… Making the transitions as important as the poses themselves!
– It might be a bit of a cliche by now but it’s a good metaphor, seeing our yoga practice as a pearl necklace: each pose is a pearl, and the transitions are what holds the pearls together.
– Talk about transitions and comfort zone: not knowing what comes next can be really challenging. Yoga can be a safe space to find some calm – especially when we practice together as a group: a reminder that we can get support from each other.
– Talk about transitions between seasons: how natural it is that it happens. Can this inspire us to view transitions in life with more gentleness?
Everyday life
Things for the students to reflect upon:
- How do you handle transitions? It doesn’t have to be big changes in life: focus on everyday life instead if you want. Getting from point A to point B: are you in a hurry? Or can you enjoy the journey? Transitions remind us that the journey is just as important as the destination. Talk about being so focused on our goals that we forget to enjoy the present moment… Talk about safe space within you to rest in when the world feels uncertain (yoga nidra for example)
- Talk about being ok with being “in between”. Something good is “cooking”‘
- Talk about outgrowing our old habits: they probably served a purpose – but do we need them nowadays? To create space for something new, we have to let go of something old – and we need to pause to be able to be aware of those patterns.
Yoga Philosophy
1. Impermanence (Anicca):
Impermanence is a core principle in many Eastern philosophies, including yoga. It emphasizes the impermanent nature of all things. Life itself is a series of transitions – just as yoga poses are impermanent states that flow into one another. Understanding and accepting impermanence can lead to a deeper appreciation of each moment and a reduced sense of attachment.
2. Abhyasa and Vairagya:
These principles come from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and can help us with navigating transitions.
Abhyasa (practice) encourages us to cultivate consistency in our efforts.
Vairagya (non-attachment) encourages us to let go of expectations, desires, and attachments.
Do your practice – but without expectations.
If you let go of expectations and focus on curiosity – in real life as well as on your yoga mat, it can ease the challenges often associated with transitions.
3. Santosha (Contentment):
Santosha focuses on finding contentment in the present moment. It’s not about getting lazy or accepting things that are bad for us: rather, focusing on not always striving for more or wanting clarity in each situation.
Transitions are challenging because they take us out of our comfort zones. Practicing contentment, tuning into safe spaces within us during these shifts helps us to remain calm and centred, even as circumstances change.
Embody your theme: asanas & physical
- Are there any poses that fit with your theme? If you’re feeling wobbly in a balance such as tree pose – can that be part of the pose itself?
- Focus on the transition between poses. Are you in a hurry?
- Feeling into the sensation of stillness after movement: feeling the after effect.
Resting in Child’s pose or standing in tadasana several times during the class – tuning in to the space in between poses - Focus on the pauses between breaths
- Pranayama: sama vritti or box breathing
Poems and quotes
(Unfortunately I don’t know the names of the authors of some of these quotes. If you do, please let me know so that I can give them credit.)
- Transitions are the bridges that lead to transformation.
With each transition, we step into the unknown, inviting growth and transformation.
Transitions mirror life’s changes. Embrace them with the same curiosity and openness.
Transitions teach us that strength is found in the process of change.
Just as the sun rises and sets, transitions remind us of the cyclical nature of life.
With each transition, allow yourself to release what no longer serves you and welcome what’s to come.
- Transitions teach us the art of letting go.
- Transitions: where endings become beginnings.
- In the space between what was and what will be, there is magic.
- Change is the heartbeat of growth.
- When shifts and transitions shake you to the core, see that as a sign of greatness that’s about to occur.
“It is when we are in transition that we are most completely alive.”
– William BridgesWithout a transition, a change is just a rearrangement of the furniture. Unless transition happens, the change won’t work.”
-William Bridges
Part 2: Write down keywords
Guidelines
– In dynamic poses: keep the instructions short and energising.
– In long holds or yin poses: give them something to reflect upon, followed by a moment of silence.
– Choose a few poses – or time in stillness AFTER a pose – where you can remind them of the theme. For example: transitions in sun salutations because it often happens on autopilot if they’ve done it many times before. “Can you focus on the transitions between each pose today? Slow it down?”
Template
Here’s a basic and efficient template to get started. It works great no matter which yoga style you teach.
In the Theming Course you’ll get ready made templates to print, and more information.
Introduction
Focus on motivating the students
Beginning of class
Food for thought + silence
Asking one or two questions is a great method: “Have you ever felt…?” “When was the last time you…?” “What do you associate with the word transition…?”
Choose a pose
…to remind them of the theme
Choose a pose
…to remind them of the theme
Choose a pose
…to remind them of the theme
Finishing poses
Short reminder or silence. Less talking in general.
After Shavasana
How can they take this theme off the mat, into the world? Note: just a few sentences and try to avoid yoga cliches… 🙂