Category Archives: Life as a School Teacher

Life as public school teacher

Teacher Travels: San Francisco Academy of Sciences

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Summer of Intentionality is really starting to kick into high gear has seriously taken on new meaning since we found out we’ll be traveling abroad in six WEEKS. Local travel and visiting museums sans baby is one of my top priorities this summer and the first really hot day in Sacramento made for an excellent escape to the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

Travel tips from Sacramento to the Academy of Sciences (many thanks to Leili for her inspiration and itinerary}:

1. Get to BART after 10am in order to park in the lot. Spots open up at 10 – don’t forget your parking spot number – and to pay $1.00 for your space after you enter the station {you can take it off your BART card if you have enough money on the card}. There is a machine before you get to the platform inside the station.

2. Get off BART at any of the downtown SF stations and take Muni -the N- Judah ($4.00 round trip) and get off at 9th Avenue and follow the signs to Golden Gate Park. It takes about 20 minutes to stroll over.

{Or stay on the train and go visit Ocean Beach. Who knew? Oh San Francisco, I love you even more than I did before.}

3. Bring your Muni card to the ticket counter for a $3.00 discount on your admission fee. {every little bit helps or it almost pays for itself}.

4. We brought a lunch and picnicked in the grove in front of the museum where my sweetheart tried to scare me with tales of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

5. Bring a jacket.

And a scarf.

And a hat.

Did I mention we were escaping the heat? 40 degrees “cooler” in SF. Otherwise known as cold.

Or awesome.

Whatevs.

6. Not a museum tip, a post tip: These photos are all straight from my camera since I have not yet mastered the art of photo editing {and I may never}. That being said, please leave really nice comments about their professional quality and the witty captions you can only see if you roll your cursor over the photo.

7. Roll you cursor over the photos and laugh. A lot. At the awesomeness.

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First stop:

Rain forests of the Americas

While I took that photo above, this was happening right behind me. {It’s because he’s so sweet}.

How cool would it be if we all had backsides like this guy?

No, not that guy.

The butterfly!

Next up:

Down to the aquarium.

Did I ever tell you about the dream I had about walking through the Shark Experience tube-thingy where it broke and suddenly I was swimming with sharks? I didn’t? Dude, it was scary.

Guess who took 10,721 pictures of the jelly fish? I shall only share one. You’re welcome.

Not only do I want a pet jelly fish so I can take its picture, I’d really like this guy.

Well, not this guy, but one of his living friends.

Birds of Prey? Yes, please!

Ever since I started teaching third grade and studying city wildlife, I’ve been noticing and appreciating birds and their adaptations.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love third grade science?

It’s true.

What about you? Do you love science? Third grade or otherwise?

Leisure Stress Defined

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Recently I’ve been plagued with a condition my dear friend has deemed Leisure Stress. It’s a rare condition suffered by those blessed with vast amounts of time away from their jobs: some {childless} teachers, people with wealthy spouses, college students still leaning on mom and dad for their funds.

Every time I think about Leisure Stress, see it, say it, or write it I crack myself up laughing at the complete ridiculousness of it.

Let’s take it apart and see just what it is, shall we?

lei·sure

–noun

1. freedom from the demands of work or duty.

stress

–noun
  1. physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension

Put them together and you’ve got people with a lot of time on their hands doing lots of pleasurable activities stressed out because they’re just.so.busy.

With their Leisure.

Do you ever stress yourself out while on vacation?

Summer of Intentionality Progress Report: To Learn

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Oh friends, this Summer of Intentionality list is proving to be the most difficult. Learning new things is challenging my brain in ways I hadn’t expected. Please send me your tips and advice!

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To Learn: The whole list

Status update:

Weightlifting 101 – my friend and I have a standing date for the gym every week day of this summer. I’ve only taken one day away {first day of my tiny cold}.

Success!

So far we’ve concentrated on the basics: actually going to the gym {make that 2 days away – our first day we ended up at the Fox and Goose for breakfast, so don’t think the getting there is too small a detail}, using the standard weight machines that run the perimeter of the room and this week even venturing into the middle of the room where the more complicated weight machines live.

What I’m learning from this weight room experience is a) I love how it feels to push myself physically b) I’m totally intimidated to be down in that manly space without my girlfriend c) In order to maintain the results and benefits from this I’m going to have to do this every damn day of my life {thanks for the reminder, Amy!}.

The good news is I have a partner in crime who has the same fitness goals and I’ve already started to brain storm ways to keep this daily physical practice going once I return to work. I’m toying with the idea of before work training sessions. Maybe not every day, but who knows?

Any advice on building fitness into your daily schedule?

Status Update:

Knitting Lesson #1

I met with my lovely knitting teacher at Temple and she patiently showed me the ropes and even made a video our lesson. Benefit of working with a technology teacher? I’m thinking so.

What I am learning:  The hard parts of actually remembering to knit a little each day (tie a piece of yarn around my finger?), not totally freaking out about what to do when I mess up and scheduling a follow-up lesson. Lessons a plenty here. Keeping the inner critics chilled out is an exercise in and of itself.

Any ideas on how to get myself to remember to practice? Have I ever mentioned how much I need to practice practicing?

Status Update:

Skype Lesson #1

A webcam has been procured and Skype been added to my computer.

What I am learning: I am so not a fan of learning. I am a fan of already being good at stuff or faking it behind the scenes until I am able to confidently fake it in front of others. Hello, perfectionist monsters!

I think making a connection or two with close friends needs to happen so I can feel more comfortable using the new setup.

Any tips for getting more comfortable with technology? Care to share your embarrassing technology stories to help me feel better?

Status Update:

Photo Editing Lesson #1

Another lesson. Can you tell I’ve been crazy busy lately?

What I am learning: Again with the hard part: practice. It looks like I might have to bust out a daily 15 minute schedule on myself. I didn’t want it to have to come to that, but stuff isn’t getting done without it. Why am I so much like my 3rd graders in this way?

Status Update:

Backyard Traveling – definitely my favorite {most comfortable} part. I’ll be posting later in a little Teacher Travels series.

What I’m learning: I really love going bye-bye. Day trips, museums, visits to the ocean? Love them all. Oh and Northern California looks a lot like Europe this time a year.

What is your favorite Northern California destination?

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The biggest lesson for me in this process is I really, really like starting new projects and I still have trouble with the small doses every day part of practicing new skills. It would seem I really enjoy the grand gesture, big picture, the newness of things and have a seriously underdeveloped practice muscle. Still I have weeks left to go before I return to work, so there are still many opportunities for learning.

Please leave me tips, advice or a progress report about what you’re learning this summer.


Summer of Intentionality Progress Report: To Read

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I’m already a huge reader during the school year, so when summer break comes along my reading habit gets kicked into overdrive.  I’ve heard rumors that one’s ability to read decreases dramatically when one has a little one roaming their home, so I better enjoy my last pre-kid summer of reading.

To Read: The list:

Status update: All the books on my list have been purchased, checked out and/or borrowed. They’re all here just waiting to be read.

So what have I actually been reading?

Not what’s on my list, of course! I’m wacky that way, I guess. Plus, I have so many books to read because I’m trying to win an iPad2.

The REAL reading list {for now}:

Vegan with a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz – full of ideas for my dairy-free living.

I finished BossyPants by Tina Fey in about 2 days. I definitely recommend it, but I have to say I didn’t find it to be side-splittingly funny like people made it out to be. I found her to be smart more than funny and I’ve decided we’d be great friends should we ever meet. So if you’ve got an in with Liz Lemon, let me know.

Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe. Yes, West Wing/Hotel New Hampshire Rob Lowe. Admittedly, I got this book from the library after seeing him speak about it on Oprah. He’s still so handsome (sparkly really, in a pretty like a girl way) that I desperately wanted to know his beauty secrets. Hence, I’m reading the book. Oh yeah, and he hung out with all the actors of my generation and I probably wouldn’t mind hearing gossip about them too.

I’m only part of the way through, so I’ll have to get back to you on the beauty secrets and the celebrity gossip. Warning: If you decide to read it, either read the first chapter with a large grain of salt or skip it. It kind of sounds like a Sam Seaborne speech: earnest, longing, wistful.

The husband and I have been pecking away at What to Expect The First Year and having super funny conversations about the details of our impending parenthood.

“T” is For Trespass – don’t hate, friends. I’ve read almost all of these alphabet books. It’s been at least a decade since I’ve read one and I need a mystery for my Summer Reading Bingo card, so there you have it.

What are you reading this summer? Not your what would make you sound smart or be cool, but  your real reading list?

Summer of Intentionality Progress Report: To Do

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Summer of Intentionality 2011 is off to a great start! I’ve been ticking items of my three lists and am happy to report progress is being made on all. So much so, it’s been difficult to find time to write posts and keep up with reading my favorites.

Over all I’m happy with feeling productive and remembering that putting out effort to make things happen a) doesn’t take that much effort and b) can be loads of fun. This has come as a huge relief to me because I would hate to feel like my summer has been “wasted” on frivolous stuff. At least this summer my frivolity is planned frivolity, dammit.

{Ed. note – please click the links – there is good stuff hidden there. Such good stuff, you too, can fall down the internet rabbit hole. I’ll see you at the bottom!]

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To Do: The whole list

Status update:

Dinner with Vanessa and Jeannie in Oakland at Burma Superstar – even included a ride on the back of JP’s new scooter!

Farmer’s market last Sunday under the freeway and Wednesday’s at Chavez Park

Many fruits and veggies consumed since the beginning of the summer.

Swimming in a pool – check

Yoga class with Michelle, Madeleine and Bob all of whom I love and highly recommend.

What have I learned about myself from my To Do list?

Saying yes to fun is, not surprisingly, more fun than saying no. You can, in fact, do more than one fun thing in a day and it can be exponentially more fun. Most of you are probably shaking your head by now.

What can I say? I think I may be lazier than the average bear. The result of too many restorative yoga classes? In any case, more fun equals more fun!

Saying yes is also really tiring for those of us who don’t drink coffee or sleep well.  Grandma may just need to take more naps — why didn’t naps make this list???

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What about you? How is your summer going?

In Case You Missed It Edition! Volume 32 {Student Blogging}

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Each week I’ll give you links to posts that made me laugh, cry, think or at least raise an eyebrow. Please click the links and check out the posts. You may find something that rocks your world too.

Leave me some feedback in the form of comments below on what you liked, what you hated and what you’d like to see more of. I’m here to help you find the best of what is online.

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School is out for summer and what that really means for teachers is figuring out what we’re going to do with our classes next year. Since I started blogging with my students this year, several people have asked me for help setting up blogs for their students.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks to student blogging is just getting started. When my class set of netbooks finally arrived in late Fall, I went directly to Twitter my – PLN {personal learning network} – for help on how to get started.

{Did I mention Twitter and how ridiculously helpful the teachers on it are? Read this post Dear Teacher Who Isn’t On Twitter.}

I’m not going to lie, my biggest concern was not doing it “right” and now that I’ve had some experience, there is no right way. Just get started. Reading these links is an excellent way to get the nuts and bolts taken care of.

This week’s In Case You Missed It Edition is dedicated to student blogging.

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My Best Of…

Mrs. Ripp has written a number of helpful posts on student blogging. My favorite post, 14 Steps to Meaningful Student Blogging, includes internet safety links, lesson ideas for teaching them how to comment and write posts on paper first as well as how to get comments for your student writers. These posts were my bible in getting started and feeling confident – I highly recommend using her lessons.

One of Mrs. Ripp’s blogging tips is connecting your class with another. Here is her class blog , check it out and leave a comment or two.

What Makes A Great Blog Post – a link that came to me – 3 minutes after asking for help on student blogging this morning.

Not sure what to have your students post about? TeachFactory’s Getting Students Blogging! Students CAN do it! has some great ideas.

Pictures truly are worth a 1,000 words, but where does one find royalty free use pictures for student posts? Creating Lifelong Learners has the answer!

So what do you get comments for your students? Check out #Comments4Kids – a gold mine of ideas for student blogging.

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Speaking of this student blogs …. You know Hollee, co-author of  Good Enough is the New Perfect ? She also publishes her sons’ blog Third Grade Rocks. Stop by and show them some comment love.

If you’d like to get together and talk about Hollee’s book this weekend, It’s All Yoga is hosting a book event from 6-8pm.  You’re all invited! Hollee will talk about the book and then we’ll have a chance to ask her questions. Books will be available for sale at the studio.

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That is the In Case You Missed It Edition for this week, folks.

Remember to click the links and leave some comments. This is a conversation, you know.

In Case You Missed Edition Archives -click it to see them all.


Summer of Intentionality Part 3: What I Want to Read

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Curious about the Summer of Intentionality? Check out Part 1 :What I Want to Learn and Part 2: What I Want to Do

What I Want To Read:

I am participating in the Sacramento Public Library’s Summer Reading Program {and trying to win an iPad 2}.

You can too! If you read my books, let’s get together for tea {or online} to discuss.

My Summer 2011 Reading List

Good Enough Is the New Perfect by Hollee Schwartz Temple and Becky Beaupre Gillespie

Don’t miss It’s All Yoga’s author event with Hollee on June 25th!

Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Watch her Ted Talk – if this doesn’t make you want to read this book, I don’t even know what to say.

Beautiful You by Rosie Molinary

In addition to being an accomplished author, Rosie is also an adoptive momma. Her adoption posts are some of the best I’ve read.

What to Expect The First Year by Heidi Murkoff

Better find out what we’re getting ourselves into with Miss Ruby!

Toddler Adoption: The Weaver’s Craft by Mary Hopkins Best

One that’s been recommended by many.

Anything you think I should add to my list?

What’s are you reading this summer?

Summer of Intentionality Part 2: What I Want to Do

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My Summer of Intentionality List continues.

What I Want to Do:

– Visit friends. Bay Area friends especially. So close and yet I don’t see them nearly as often as I’d like.

– Visit Portland friends too. Love them and the Pacific Northwest summer weather.

– Make daily writing a habit.

– Schedule the rest of 2011’s Featured Teachers Interviews. {Are you an amazing teacher? Do you know an amazing teacher? I’m looking for more to interview for the series.}

– Visit a different farmer’s market each week.

– Eat fruit and vegetables at every meal.

– Make and photograph a meal a week from the market.

– Go swimming. In a pool. In a river. In an ocean. Seems totally doable.

– Yoga classes. As a yoga teacher, I find it a) hard to get to class and b) incredibly inspiring when I do.

What do you want to do this summer? Would you like to have an Intentional Summer? You can! Leave your list in the comments or write a post of your own and link back.

Stay tuned for 2011’s Summer Reading List.

Summer of Intentionality Part One: What I Want to Learn

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Thinking back over the summers since becoming a teacher I’ve noticed a pattern. International travel every other year and lots of hanging out not doing much the other years.

Not a bad gig, if you can get it.

But this summer is different. This summer is the summer before we become parents.

We’ve got baby things to prepare for and house projects galore. The travels of  past summers were exciting and gave me lots of cool things to talk about, but if I’m honest, a lot of that time wasn’t time spent on purpose.

The hanging out doing nothing much? Clearly, not so mindful.

This summer shall be different. This summer shall be full of intention and mindfulness.

And FUN!

Let’s not forget the FUN!

I declare summer 2011 the Summer of Intentionality.

Thanks to my Twitter friend, author Rosie Molinary, for inspiring this project.

Here’s her summer list.

What I Want to Learn:

1. How to edit photos.

I’ve downloaded Picasa and my new photos of the old 97’s show last weekend. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

2. How to Skype.

This was a Winter Break intention and yet still no webcam. I will join the 21st century this summer!

3. How to knit.

Recently I saw some women knitting at the airport looking so peaceful, I decided in that moment I wanted to become one of them. Knitting looks like quiet activity that keeps me busy, but doesn’t involve a screen.

4. How to use the weight room at the gym.

So many interesting machines and I have no idea how to use them. My thinking is I’ll better mix up my workouts and keep it fresh.

5. How to be a traveler in my own backyard.

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area was great, except for the part I never went to any of the attractions because I grew up there. This summer I plan to make a bunch of day trips back to the Bay Area to see the sights and escape the Sacramento heat.

Goals:

Ferry to San Francisco

Brush up on my science and get inspired for next school year at the Academy of Sciences.

See some of Picasso’s pieces at the DeYoung.

Take in some modern art at SFMOMA.

Stick my toes in the sand and swim in the ocean at Stinson Beach.

What is your must see/do in San Francisco?

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Stay tuned for more Summer of Intentionality goals: What I Want to Read and What I Want to Do.

Feel free to join in the fun.

Would you like to teach me how to do my stuff or learn along side me?

Would you like to come up with a list of your own?

I’d love to hear how you are spending your summer.  Leave your plans in the comments.


Books I Love…Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight In Our Busy Lives

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purchasing information

Happy Sunday!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy (end of) Teacher Appreciation Week!

I’ve been trying to write this post all week and yet between being crunched for time and technical difficulties (could be WordPress or user error – the jury is still out on that), it just hasn’t happened.

I am happy to finally be telling you about this book.

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You all know I love me some rest. In fact, I am currently enjoying a Pajama Day and I even have a Rest Manifesto.

Part of what I see as my role in life is to try to convince people to slow down and chill the hell out a bit. What is the damn hurry, anyway?

I found this book on a blog {forgive me, I have since lost the link} and when I asked the always lovely Madeleine about it, she highly recommended it.

Let’s be honest, the title alone was enough to pull me in.

I’ll admit, I cringed a bit about all the religious stuff. That’s how I knew I really loved this book, I kept reading despite the cringing. The resting suggestions are cringe-worthy if you ask me.

Here’s a little gem I shared with my Sunday Snoozers last week:

Remember the Sabbath. Rest is an essential enzyme of life, as necessary as air.

Sort of sums it up, right?

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

My life is so.much.better. when I take the time to chill out and get enough sleep. It’s better when I don’t take on every project offered or try to do everything in one day…or even all the yoga poses offered.

Having a hard time convincing yourself rest is time well spent?

Well, Wayne Muller (the author) has pulled evidence from many world religions arguing GOD wants you to rest.

Yes, you read that right: even GOD wants you to rest.

With chapters titled Rest for the Weary, The Joy of Rest and A Life Well Lived plus micro actions and poems, this is a perfect yoga book for the most non-yoga person.

I highly recommend this book.

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Poetry Break!

LET EVENING COME

Let the light of late afternoon

shine through chinks in the barn, moving

up the bales as the sun moves down.

Let the cricket take chafing

as a woman takes up her needles

and her yarn. Let evening come.

Let dew collect on the abandoned

in long grass. Let the stars appear

and the moon disclose her sliver horn.

Let the fox go back to its sandy den.

Let the wind die down. Let the shed

go black inside. Let evening come.

To the bottle in the ditch, to the scoop

in the oats, to the air in the lung

let evening come.

Let it come as it will, and don’t

be afraid. God does not leave us

comfortless, so let evening come.

–Jane Kenyon

Saturday Senses

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tasting :: apple fennel salad sans cheese

hearing :: little fingers tapping keyboards

smelling :: cupcakes {it is sweets season in elementary school}

seeing :: students blogging!

feeling :: sleepy. hey, it’s dark in the morning! my fancy dawn simulating alarm clock died.  boooooo.

wishing/hoping :: i’m hoping my little co-workers keep their high level of enthusiasm.

What about you?

What are your senses this Saturday?

Looking back, how was your week?

Leave a comment and tell me all about it.

This weekly tradition inspired by Pink of Perfection’s Five Sense Friday.

Don’t forget to click the links!

Student Blog

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Prompt: Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

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The last thing I made was a student blog.

I used kidblog.org, Mrs. Ripp‘s getting started with kidblog documents, and help from my Twitter PLN (Personal Learning Network).

We are also using new netbooks purchased by our district for our grade level. We’re piloting a mobile computer lab in primary grades.

If you are a teacher on Twitter, I’d love to connect. You can follow me at @tamihackbarth – be sure to @reply and say hi.

If your class has a blog and you’d like comments, please leave your URL and we’ll add your class to our blogroll.

Please feel free to stop by my class blog and say hi. Students will be adding their posts shortly and will need lots of comments to stay engaged.

What about you? What was the last thing you made?

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Author: Gretchen Rubin
The Happiness Project
@gretchenrubin

Interrupting Your Regularly Scheduled Life – A little Rant and A BIG plea

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Starting the school year out on crutches was a huge lesson in letting go of what you have planned to do and dealing with the situation at hand.

Lesson learned:

Be flexible and let go of expectations of how things “should” be or at least how I’ve always done them.

Got it.

See, this yoga thing is working….

Or so I thought.

Then I caught the Worst.  Cold.  EVER.

Exactly what life lesson is there to be learned from the cold that I think is going to kill me?

Last week I wrote about being sick. Convinced that if I just stayed home and took really good care of myself, I’d get healthy faster and be able to return to my regularly scheduled life of anniversary dinners (missed it), birthday parties (stayed home instead) and yoga classes (who wants old misses tissue-stuffed-up-her-nose on the next mat?)

When I finally called the doctor on Day 7 (because I seemed to be getting worse, not better) – he said this round of cold viruses is particularly nasty. Feels more like a flu than a cold (blah, blah, blah)…  and really does run the entire 7-10 days of feeling completely like crap. Not 7-10 until recovery. 7-10 days of being actively sick.

Boo.

Since I’m still sick (day 10!) now I’m wondering if it was worth taking all that time off work and doubting whether self-care really does anything.

And I have noticed I seem to get sick more often and longer than other teachers. What is up with that?

Not just this year. Every year.

About this time every year I start to hesitate in making plans because I’m not sure if I’ll be sick or not.

Thanksgiving? Just a quick drive to the Bay Area for dinner and back – I hope.

Christmas? Fingers crossed!

New Year’s Eve? Probably not going to happen.

I am tired of being sick all the time.

I want to make plans to have some fun and be able to keep them.

Not coughing?

Yes, please.

Remember last fall when I got sick? When catching the flu during yoga teacher training almost sent me to the nervous  hospital?

Who had infected me?

When would I get better?

Didn’t those damn germs know I had THINGS to do?

So what do I do?

Start wearing one of these all the time?

I can’t help but wonder what I’m doing wrong.

So dear readers, tell me what to do. I’m all ears.

Teacher Tips: What To Do After You’ve Caught What Seems to Be The Plague

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You’ve read all the tips on how to stay healthy and not get the latest virus going around. You’ve washed your hands and taught your little friends about coughing and sneezing into their sleeves.

But what do you do when your plan to avoid the plague has failed?

Inevitably most people will get some sort of seasonal cold or flu each year. Even teachers.

In fact, teachers get sick more often than most.

No really, I googled it.

When you think about it, it’s not surprising.

We’re surrounded by the little people in confined spaces who are not quite as adept at keeping their germs to themselves nor staying home when they are under the weather. Plus they tend to pick their noses and then touch our stuff – like doorknobs and pencils.

Well, this week is finally my week.

I’ve had little brushes with practice viruses that came in and out of my life so fast I now wonder if I was ever really sick at all. {Maybe it really was just allergies}

There is no question this time though.

Sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, body aches, congestion, muddy headed thoughts {ie I’ve been really slow lately} and the worst part – a sort of productive cough.

So what is a sick teacher to do?

1. Stay home.

I know writing sub plans is a pain. I know letting a stranger in your classroom is stressful. I know kids learn best from their regular teacher.

But really, it’s for the best.

Really.

For you and your students.

No one is going to die from having a sub teacher, but you all may feel like dying if you don’t get better.

And your adult co-workers will thank you for keeping your germy self out of the staff room. Remember they are fighting their own germ battles in their classrooms, so there is no need to bring it in the staff room too.

2. Rest.

Now that you are home, rest.

You don’t have to sleep, but there is no reason to get out of bed until you feel better.

You can:

–  Invest in a little screen time – Netflix watch instantly for your favorite old movies or TV shows

–   Catch up on your blog reading.

–   Read a novel (a novel idea, I know!)

–   Peruse your back catalog of magazines you haven’t had time to read since school started.

–   Do a little yoga in bed.

–   Make a fort on the couch or in your bed and staying there until you feel better – doesn’t that sound nice?

3. Shower

The steam from the shower can help clear up some of the mucus (sounds gross even when you type it) and the warm water can also soothe your achy muscles.

4. Drink lots of fluids

Filtered water and weak teas have been my go to list. Add some lemon and honey – you are already working on homemade feel better remedies.

Sip all day – even if you aren’t thirsty. The liquid can help thin out the mucus and help you avoid dehydration.

5. Eat what makes you feel better

For me, I crave burritos the size of my head when I’m sick. No, I don’t eat it all at once. I do love the spiciness and how it helps clear out my nose.

Also, brothy pho and ramen hit the spot when I’m not feeling well.

6. Leave the cough medicine at the store

Try drinking grape juice (1 cup) and honey (1 tsp)

Try some thyme (1 tsp dried crushed) steeped for 10 minutes in hot filtered water – add honey – and sip.

Try mixing a 1/2 tsp of turmeric with honey and swallow.

Or make your own cough medicine at home.

Here’s to hoping we all feel better sooner than later…. Did I leave anything out? Please leave me your go-to get healthy quick remedies. 

 

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It’s Not Just For Students

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As a life-long learner as well as a teacher, I found this graphic to be accurate.

Honestly, I spend way more time between frustration and hopelessness than I would like.

I hope epiphanies and comprehension are close at hand.

How true is this graphic for you or your students?

Teacher Tips: From the Yoga Mat to the Classroom

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half-moons2

Tip #1  – Yoga Can Help Teach You Patience

School teachers need an abundance of patience. Dealing with classroom disruptions, endless meetings, the bureaucratic nature of our jobs. And let’s not forget the endless repetition of hearing your own name thousands of times a day.

Since most of us need much more patience than we naturally have, I would venture to say one would make an absolute fortune should one find a way to bottle and sell patience.

Yoga can teach you patience.

Let me rephrase that: yoga has taught me to have much more patience and I think it can help you too.

Here’s an example of how yoga has let me practice learning patience:  learning a new yoga pose gives me lots of opportunities to practice patience.

First, I have to come to grips with the physical and mental limitations of my body at the time.

My arms seem to suddenly be shorter than necessary.

My legs seem impossibly long (not in the good way).

My wrists are delicate little things when what is required is strength and flexibility.

My personal favorite: I’m tired.

Face it, some poses are just out of my reach right now.

I could get all caught up in the striving – must.do.it.now – or I can relax and understand with practice and yes, patience, I may find that pose becomes easier over time.

Tip #2 – Yoga Can Heighten Your Sense of Patterns and Deepen Your Awareness

In my first few years of teaching, I pretty much abandoned all activities that weren’t directly related to school.

Big mistake.

I thought by creating a laser-like focus on my job, I’d somehow skip over the learning process of becoming a teacher. Mostly, I just burnt myself out.

Since I started practicing yoga on a regular basis, my teaching has dramatically improved.

By stepping away from the classroom, I’ve been able to notice patterns of behavior – mine and theirs.

The time away has given me insights into how my mood, stress level and attitude is reflected in my students. I was able to see that I get back what I put out there.

Time on the mat has also freed up space in my brain to see behavior triggers and stop them before they become an issue.

It’s not that I’m spending all this time on my mat thinking about work either.

It’s like when you are working, working, working on a problem and then you get up to take a walk. You clear your mind and suddenly the answer comes to you while you’re walking. That happens all the time on my mat.

One last lesson I’ve learned from yoga about patterns:

Everything changes.

The good things are temporary.

The impossible-to-stand-for-even-a-second-longers are also temporary.

Tip #3 – Breathing Is A Good Thing

One of the many things I’ve been reminded of over and over during my Fred Jones Classroom Management training this year is the importance of two relaxing breaths.

Pausing to take two relaxing breaths before you take on any teaching situation can help everything (including you!) stay calmer.

According to Fred Jones, “Calm is strength.”

How has yoga or another activity helped you at work?

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Don’t Take It Personally

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It’s kinda says it all, doesn’t it?

Who are we to let others define who we are?

According to Don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements – if we take what others say about us personally, then we must believe what others say about us. When in fact, what people say about us is really about them.

In other words:

Don’t take it personally.

Not the good stuff.

Not the bad stuff.

Nothing is personal.

Each year I come up with a New School Year Resolution. I’m now in my seventh year with my own class and I think this one will help most with my (what seems to be up until now) suffering:

Don’t. Take. It. Personally.

{I thought it was worth repeating}.

What mantras help you get through the stressful times in your life? What are words you live by?

For a little background about my previous suffering – take a look at this post: The Good, The Bad and Sick of All the BS.

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Back to School Is the Perfect Time for Resolutions

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It’s that time again… back to school.

Back to school for kids means buying new school supplies, daydreaming about their new teacher and getting up early. For teachers it can be a perfect time to renew and refresh your teacher tool belt.

Every year I make new school year resolutions and this year is no different.

This year I have decided to work on my classroom management.

My goal for this year:

Work from the positive, reinforce appropriate student behavior, and help students struggling with appropriate behavior make better choices.

In other words:

I don’t want to be such a grouch, I want to enjoy my well-behaved kids and stop the knucklehead behaviors in their tracks,  preferably before they start.

Oh and I want to do this without raising my blood pressure.

Tall order I know.

Reflecting on what has worked well in previous years and what needs refinement, I’ve decided to brush up on tried and true methods for classroom management and student discipline.

Today I participated in a brush-up course on the methods taught in Tools for Teaching by Fred Jones. After the training I was inspired to dig out my copy from the bag I’d stashed it in back in June {Apparently, this new-school-year resolution was on my mind when I left my classroom for the summer}.

With chapters like “Being Consistent”, “Staying Calm” and “Keeping It Positive, Keeping It Cheap” this book is a treasure trove of simple to implement lessons to teach and reinforce appropriate classroom behavior.

My favorite parts of the keeping calm are the deep breathing exercises. What a great reminder of how you can incorporate your yoga practice {or start one!} right in your classroom.

If you’ve never read Tools for Teaching, please stop what you are doing {ok, finish this post first} and order yourself a copy or check it out here for free. Be sure to check out the illustration on page 176. I may or may not have been the model.

Do you have any classroom management tips that consistently work with your class? How do you keep your sanity during the school year?

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Please leave me a comment and let me in on your secrets.

Teacher Goes Back To School Takes A Trip!

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Housesitters have keys and long, teacher-written “sub” plans.

Bags are almost packed and pets are now taken care of.

First stop is to the Bay Area.

We leave early tomorrow morning for Philly, then to Munich.

We land in Munich and then fly to a small island off of Spain.

We fly to Valenica, spend the night and then travel by train to Alicante where our lovely British hostess, JojosUK, drives us to our 2 week summer home.

{Can someone please get Planes, Trains and Automobiles out of my head now?}

We’ll be swimming, going to the beach, eating, sunbathing, sightseeing and enjoying spending time with our favorite British family for 2 glorious weeks.

The Hick-Stewarts take on Sacramento!

 

I’ll be known as “Her” and J will be “the other Daddy” and we’ll get to hang out with these two awesome toddlers.

Summer Al eating Sophie's head last summer in Sacramento

 

We will bid them farewell and fly back to Munich for 7 days in the city, but not before trying to capture another excellent “Two Daddies” photo.

The Two Daddies

 

TGBTS will return in early August, rested and ready to bring you more tips on how to best care for yourself so you can care for others.

Last tip: Taking a break can sometimes be the best thing for you!

Tell me about your summer vacation adventures – near and far – I can’t wait to read about how you cared for yourself this summer!

Rewards, Punishments and Motivation – Something for Teachers (and Employers) to Ponder

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Via @gwenbell.

As a teacher, I’m in the motivation business. Most of my students are motivated to do their work and to reach whatever bar has been set for them. They work hard and love the rewards that their hard work bring.

But then there are the students that aren’t motivated.

What about them?

Watch the video. I feel like there is something there to help me help my students, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe you can help.

Did this challenge or reinforce your beliefs about rewards, punishment and motivation?

How do you motivate your students/employees?

How can I help motivate mine?

Catching Up with the Runaway Train

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School years are like cross-country train journeys.

Both follow a particular route, on a schedule at a fairly predictable pace. 

The typical school year looks like this: 

183 days of work {180 with kids}

New students every August {who you hardly recognize until January}

Professional development trainings {with varying degrees of usefulness}

Staff meetings {no comment}

Refining best practices {making the already good teaching better that is kind of painful in the process, but worth the effort}

A bunch of fun activities at the end-of-the-year {well, fun for the students}

Post high stakes testing, both students and teachers exhale.

Then we continue the job of teaching and learning at a much more relaxed pace until the last bell rings on the final day of school much like a train finally chugging into the last depot at the end of a long journey.

By mid-May, we’re starting to look toward closing out the year:

Completing report cards

Adding some ink to the permanent records 

Spending some time outside {go egg drop, field day, track meet, water play day!}

 Finally learning some science and maybe even doing some art.

I start talking more about how long we’ve been together and how much they’re going to miss me I’m going to miss them when they move to fourth grade.

Except this year was different.

Instead of winding down and closing up shop, we experienced a lot of changes, mostly at the administrative level.

Serious stuff.

Stuff one needed to pay attention to, but I can’t help but feel a bit like my long journey on my predictable train was hijacked my the time bandits and my even-paced end-of-the-year calendar filled up with meeting after important meeting.

I was left feeling quite disoriented.

Today is finally the last day of our long journey.

I’m looking forward to the downtime and battery recharging so necessary at the end of each stressful year. This summer will be filled with some stay-at-home relaxing, some thoughts of how to improve next school year, some traveling with friends and of course, lots and lots of yoga.

How will you recharge your batteries this summer? What will you do to take care of yourself so you can make sure your train stays on the track?

{click image for source}

 

The Good, The Bad and the Sick of the BS

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I am:

a) a teacher – unable to motivate, inspire, or educate students

b) a teacher – committed to high expectations for academic achievement and behavior for all students

c) a teacher – exhausted by all the external bs at work

Depending on who you ask this week, I’m either choice a or choice b.

I’ve heard both messages loud and clear.

Both blasted and lauded in the same week.

The real answer of course, is c.

Needless to say I’ve felt really high and really low this week depending on which opinion of me was being thrown around at the time.

And you know what?

I’m tired of it.

Every year I set a goal, make a resolution or to use yoga-talk, set an intention for the year. Something to keep myself focused on throughout the year.

 This year’s intention was to be more flexible, to find some space in areas I had previously held on tightly to – like homework coming back unfinished (thus causing much suffering) – and to listen more.

Next year’s resolution?

To not believe the hype about me: good or bad.

I’ve read that some musicians, artists and actors refuse to read reviews about their work because it interferes with their creativity and performance. Other people’s  opinions about them (it always comes down to people judging you as a person rather than your work) got in the way of the joy in their work.

Let’s be real, some also are honest enough to admit that criticism (which is so rarely constructive especially in print) just plain hurts their feelings.

I feel the same way.

I would like to not get attached to the compliments or to get caught up in the negativity.

It’s not to say that I’m going to shut people out and not listen to how to refine practices, I’m going to try to feel less defined as a professional by other people’s opinions.

I’m not exactly sure how I’ll make this happen.

I think having this intention is good place to start.

So dear readers, how do you keep other people’s compliments and criticisms in perspective? Any tips for dealing with the critics? And fans?

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In Case You Missed It Edition! Volume 4 – Teacher Appreciation

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I’ve recently discovered the wonderful world of blogs, Twitter and the idea of creating community online. I am aware I am late to the party, however it’s better to be late than never arrive.

Who knew the Internet was full of such wonderful, caring, compassionate people?

Occasionally, I’ll post my favorite posts from other people here.

The In Case You Missed It Edition!

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, today’s In Case You Missed It Edition! is dedicated to some fellow teachers as well as some posts I greatly appreciate as a teacher. Please take a few minutes to click on the links, read their blogs and see how teachers spend their time when they’re out of their classrooms.

If you like what you see,  leave them a comment or subscribe to their blog.

@francisojenna at Adventures of a 21st Century Family provides you with enviable armchair travel, amazing travel photos (complete with name that location quizzes for geography and travel whizzes!) and helpful hints for traveling with little ones.

Alicia over at Spirit House Designs features her beautiful handmade scarves and talks about how she and her husband are working to creatively fund their Thai adoption.

Authors of the upcoming book “Good Enough is the New Perfect” blog over at BeckyandHollee, recently asked Is Teaching A Great Career for a Mom? 

 

Meet Alot and others over at Hyperbole and a Half. Warning: you may spend your whole day reading every post.

Finally, from Seth’s Blog: Bad behavior Something to ponder next time there is a naughty student sitting in your room.

If you have a favorite blog that you’d want everyone to read if you were in charge of the universe, please let me know about it here. Leave me a comment about your favorites and maybe I’ll start reading them too.

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Yoga Teaching Update:

FREE Fridays at 4:30 with the new It’s All Yoga teachers (21st and X in Sacramento) – you’ve got to sign up online www.itsallyoga.com. 

These classes are for every body – level 1/2. Bring your friends!

I’m teaching with Donna – May 14th!

I’m also teaching with Erin – May 28th! (PS – Erin’s also teaching a Free Community Class this Sunday from 3-4pm. All are welcome there too. )

 

YogaNap+Milk&Cookies Update! (My Evil Plan is Coming Together – mwahahaha)

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Saturday I had the distinct pleasure in welcoming 16 school teachers – ranging from Kindergarten to college –  to the wonderful world of restorative yoga.   

What’s restorative yoga you ask?  

The long answer: fully supported yoga positions using props so that every muscle in your body can relax.  

The short answer: a yoga nap.  

Why teachers?  

There are so many reasons….  

1. This week begins National Teacher Appreciation Week.  

2. Teachers work really, really hard taking care of people.  I should know, I am one!  

3. The studio where I work (It’s All Yoga) truly appreciates the hard work and dedication of school teachers so we decided to celebrate by having a FREE class to say thank you.  

4. Plus restorative yoga is a little slice of DELICIOUSNESS (well, if you can turn off your teacher talk brain)  

Most teacher I know don’t do yoga, so I decided I needed a hook.  

I invited them to my special yoga den and lured them there with the promise of a nap and milk and cookies.  

Here are some of my lovely teachers post-practice (oh, and some cookies brought by Erin and Amanda!)  

who is that joker?

 

happy teachers all the way from loomis

 

post practice lounge

 

representing galt and west sacramento!

 

west sacramento again!

 

mmmm, cookies....

 

What’s my evil plan?   

Stay tuned to find out…  

 
  
 

   

 

  

 

Teacher Keeps Going Back to “School”

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Do you ever find yourself really excited about something new? Do you find yourself sleeping less and yet functioning just fine because you are hyper-focused on your new thing?

That’s me.

A lot of the time.

I find something I’m interested in and I dive in head first.

I try to find out as much as I can about whatever I’m interested in as quickly as possible.

All that being said, I’ve got lots of projects I’m working on – both on and off-line that are taking up loads of time.

In a good way.

Here are some of the highlights of studio projects I’m working on that are taking place in real life in the near future:

Swap-Asana! A women’s clothing swap being held at It’s All Yoga – 21st and X in Midtown Sacramento – April 24th. 

o.m.g! I went to my first swap this weekend and let’s just say this may be one of the most exciting events EVER. I’ll dedicate a whole post to it later.

Yoga Nap + Milk and Cookies! A free yoga class in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week – May 1st.

Book Worms! – LovingKindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness – May 23rd.

If you live in Sacramento and any of those strike your fancy, come join me!

What in-real-life projects are you working on? What’s keeping you busy these days? How are you spending your time?

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The other projects I’m working on are more behind the scenes type of things.

Some highlights:

Reading some of Seth Godin’s marketing books.

Tribes is totally speaking to my inner cheerleader right now.

The Unconventional Guide to the Web – Using Social Media As A Force for Good with Gwen Bell and Chris Guillebeau. So much good stuff to take in and use.

Making some connections with more yogis through  Twitter  and Facebook.

Through all of this,  learning social media is about having a conversation. – which sounds a lot like teaching….

How do you use social media to help your projects reach your right people? How do you connect and converse with the people who would love your product, project or service if they just knew about it?

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Yoga+Music(notquite)365 (day95)

Today’s yoga brought to me by ME at It’s All Yoga in Sacramento. I’m subbing for Michelle tonight.

Today’s music is Consolers of the Lonely by The Raconteurs.

If you love guitar-based music, you also may want to check out the documentary on the electric guitar called It Might Get LOUD – featuring Jack White (The White Stripes and The Raconteurs), The Edge (U2) and Jimmy Paige (Led Zeppelin).

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Yoga Teaching Update:

FREE Fridays at 4:30 with the new It’s All Yoga teachers (21st and X in Sacramento) – you’ve got to sign up online www.itsallyoga.com. 

I’m sub-teaching TODAY– for Michelle at 5:45. Level 1-2, so every body is welcome.

Free class for School Teachers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week – May 1st. Yoga Nap+Milk and Cookies.

BTSA – Yoga Sequence #2

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Welcome New Teachers and anyone else looking for a relaxing easy-to-do-at-work yoga sequence!

Inspired by: Office Yoga: Simple Stretches for Busy People 

Constructive rest – laying on your back, feet hip width, knees bent, feet flat on the floor, knees leaning toward each other.

Breathe.

{From now on, know that I’m only reminding you to EXHALE. That’s the part we all seem to have trouble with!}

Knees to chest.

Roll to one side, use your arm as a pillow and pause before you use the strength of your arms to come to a seat.

Breathe.

Foot massage!

Leg massage!

Supta P (Supta Padangusthasana) with strap – both legs.

Come to stand in Mountain. Close your eyes and breathe.

Downward dog with hands on the desk.

Come back to stand in Mountain pose. Close your eyes and breathe.

Come down to the floor by the wall for Legs Up the Wall Pose.

Stay put for a few breath cycles.

Release  by bending the knees, rolling to one side and pausing on your side using your arm as a pillow.

Pause.

Breathe.

Come to lie flat on your back, soles of feet together – Reclining Bound Angle Pose tucking rolled towels under the knees for support.

Breathe.

Bring the hands to the outside of the legs and help them together. Pausing for a moment with your feet on the floor.

Final relaxation!

Corpse/Savasana

Teacher Appreciation = Yoga Nap + Milk and Cookies!

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Dear School Teacher,

I’m going to go out on a limb here.

It’s been a really hard school year.

I know, I’m a public school teacher too.

Are you tired and looking forward to the end of the school year?

Do you work really hard taking care of your students?

Wouldn’t it be nice for someone to take care of you?

Maybe rub your shoulders and temples while you rest in a warm little nest.

And serve you cookies and milk when you finish.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week and in thanks for all that you do:

A FREE class just for you!

No yoga experience needed.

We (meaning me, Amanda from Urban Almanac and Erin from The Search Begins) will pamper and support you.

You will leave refreshed.

Think Yoga Nap.

With milk and cookies.

(No, really.)

May 1st, 3-4:30 pm.

www.itsallyoga.com to register (under workshops)

BTSA – Yoga Class Sequence #1

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Welcome New Teachers and anyone else looking for a relaxing easy to do at work yoga sequence!

Constructive rest – laying on your back, feet hip width, knees bent, feet flat on the floor, knees leaning toward each other.

Ideas for this class are from Office Yoga: Simple Stretches for Busy People 

Come up slowly and find your chair.

Sit up tall, feet flat on the floor, pelvis slightly tipped forward, spine tall – head floating up like a helium balloon.

Neck stretches:

Moving with the breath.

Ear to shoulder – both sides

Ear to shoulder – both sides – gentle press on shoulder – making space in the neck.

Nose pointing toward shoulder and gently looking down – both sides. Gently moving the head to find the tender spots to breathe into. Moving the jaw around to loosen the grip.

Breathing through all movement.

Shoulder rolls: up to ears, back and bring the blades down to rest in the back pockets. 3 times.

Easy seated twists: come sit toward the front of the chair. Left hand, right knee – right hand tucked into seatback. Inhale – sit up tall and gentle twist – like your spine is a barber pole — breathing. Full breath cycle 2 or 3 times. Release on exhale and slowly return to neutral.

Breathe.

Right hand, left knee – left hand tucked into seatback. Inhale – sit up tall and gentle twist. Full breath cycle 2 or 3 times. Release on exhale and slowly return to neutral.

Breathe.

Come to all 4s on the floor, blanket under the knees – Cat/Cow.

Sit in Easy seat, Hero or stand.

 

Raise arms straight above head in preparation for Cow Face Pose arms with a strap. Both sides. Creating space in the neck and shoulders.

Come to stand in Mountain pose. Close your eyes and breathe.

Big bear hug in preparation for Eagle arms. Spread arms wide, right arm on top, big bear hug, trying to reach fingers around to touch. Breathing. Release on exhale and do other side.

Big bear hug and wrapping arms into Eagle. Release on exhale. Other side.

Shake it out.

Come down to the floor by the wall for Legs Up the Wall Pose.

Release  by bending the knees, rolling to one side and pausing on your side using your arm as a pillow.

Final relaxation!

Corpse/Savasana

WWTD?

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What would Tami do?

The “old” Tami would scrap the whole Yoga+Music365 project completely because it’s been a couple weeks since she’s posted anything and because she’s having a really hard time keeping up with the overly ambitious music schedule.

Good thing the “old” Tami has been quietly noticing her patterns and has come up with a new “plan”.

The daily music was INSANE. However, I’ve enjoyed finding new music. I’m still going to post about music, just not every day or every week. I’ll do it when the mood strikes me.

The “old” Tami would cry in her beer because she failed to keep up with even a one-pose-a-day yoga home practice when she was sick knowing legs up the wall can pretty much cure anything.

The daily yoga really does feel good. It also keeps me thinking about self-care on a daily basis. I’m going to get back to it.

The “old” Tami would wish that she would have never gone public with her blog and would have felt like a failure because she didn’t realize her goals.

As it turns out, a daily blog project is pretty ambitious. Probably too ambitious for someone with a full-time teaching job and bonus yoga teaching job etc.

The “old” Tami would feel bad about herself because she got sick despite taking really good care of herself.

What can I say? I don’t mess around when I get sick. I don’t know why I seem to get sicker and stay sick longer than others, but I do. I’m going to try to stop freaking out about getting sick and maybe I won’t so often. Who knows? I’m exhausted by it all.

The “old” Tami would be embarrassed that she isn’t going to do the half-marathon after all.

Getting sick made me reevaluate my purpose for the half-marathon training: to do cardio exercise on a regular basis. Check! Plus I met some truly wonderful women in the process that have expressed an interest in continuing to walk together. Bonus.

The “old” Tami would have brushed off the epic hormonal meltdown last month and not called her doctor – AGAIN.

My hormones make me feel like an angry teenager sometimes. Did I mention the ANGER? Yeah, so I called my doctor and I’m going to try some pills to make my hormones behave more civilly.

The “old” Tami would have not reached out to friends, but turned inward until she felt better.

I have really, really amazing friends. Thanks for all the support and love.

Yoga+Music365 (day55) – Outer South by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – The Negatron Edition

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Let’s just say the grumpy teacher has been visiting my classroom this week.

Nobody likes when she is around.

In reflecting on my (ugh, I mean her) general state of prickly-ness, it dawned on me why the shift in attitude.

We just started our MONEY unit at school. Kids earn classroom money for doing work and behaving and pay fines for not. I’ve noticed I’m back to focusing on the behavior I don’t want to see and levying fines instead of looking for students that are earning their keep.

Must change focus – today.

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Today’s yoga brought to you by the home practice! It’s a staff meeting today. You know you’re jealous.

Today’s music is Outer South by Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band.

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Don’t forget FREE Fridays at 4:30 with the new It’s All Yoga teachers (21st and X in Sacramento) – you’ve got to sign up online www.itsallyoga.com. 

I’m teaching 3/5/10 – so mark your calendar.

Yoga+Music365 (day51) – Closer to the Bone by Kris Kristofferson – Mrs. Pricklepants Edition

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February seems like a good idea on paper. It’s got at least two school holidays, daylight is getting longer, and there are only three and a half more months of school.

And yet, I’ve been kind of grumpy all month. Go figure.

Instead of leaving a trail of complaints why February sucks, the following is a short list of things about February that don’t.

  • We started the Money unit at school and students LOVE earning money for their hard work. They are decidedly less enthusiastic about paying for not working, however motivation is at an all time high right now.
  • I love teaching yoga! Who knew that something that scared me so much so recently could turn out to be so fulfilling?
  • My amazing sweetheart surprised me with a very sweet valentine – a little certificate for lunch and a foot massage – by hiding it in the cat food bag while he was away and I actually found it on Valentine’s Day.
  • Acro-yoga was super fun, even when working with a complete stranger. We met during the middle of the class and managed to laugh all afternoon. She’s the one I’m helping into handstand in the photo.
  • One of my best friends is moving into a house with a SWIMMING POOL!  Fishes like me, love them some swimming pools!
  • Three Feet High and Rising.
  • One of my other friends took me to her very fancy gym this week for a spa day. Steam, sauna, and soak – with towel service.  
  • The movie Crazy Heart.
  • Massage!
  • Seeing Rhett Miller play and being in the front row.
  • Reading the Fluent Self and other excellent blogs make me happy.
  • Yoga
  • Possibility of summer road trips with friends for more yoga and general all around fun times.
  • Anticipating seeing my amazingly wonderful friends from junior high over Zachary’s Pizza and a cocktail or two.

What about YOUR February isn’t sucking? Remind me why this month doesn’t totally blow. (That’s your clue to leave me a comment, so I don’t feel like I’m talking to myself.)

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Today’s yoga brought to you by the home practice! It’s a half-marathon training day.

Today’s music is Closer to the Bone by Kris Kristofferson.

Don’t forget FREE Fridays at 4:30 with the new It’s All Yoga teachers (21st and X in Sacramento) – you’ve got to sign up online www.itsallyoga.com. 

I’m teaching 3/5/10 – so mark your calendar.

For the month of February, I’m teaching a Level 1/2 on Mondays at 5:45. Come join me.

Yoga+Music365 (day48) – The Greatest by Cat Power – Handstand Heimlich Edition!

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Handstand HeimlichJust a little something I learned at yoga teacher school.

Photo credit: Allie Hall

Yoga+Music365 (day41) – The Con by Tegan and Sara – Refinements Edition

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This week I’ve thought a lot about this Yoga+Music365 project.

I’ve reached the 40 day milestone, people in real life have talked to me about it (which is such an amazing feeling) and I simply feel different from when I started.

I feel lighter, more clear-headed, more fun.

Maybe it’s the daily yoga.

The biggest indicator that things are shifting in my life came to me yesterday. At school we give HUGE assessments every six weeks and a week or two later get together to discuss the results. We’re looking at data to see how well our instruction is reaching each student and then make a plan how to refine said instruction before the next set of exams.

In the past, testing week was hell. I was very crabby and only worried about results. My stress and results driven ego would essentially ruin everyone’s week.

This time I decided to change my perspective. I would face the assessment results with a sense of curiosity.

Did this last round of instructional refinements make a difference in outcome? Can everyone survive testing week intact?

While testing week isn’t over yet, I am happy to report I have felt a definite lightness in myself. I’ve also seen that lightness translate into encouragement for students working hard and seeing them relax more.

The biggest growth I’ve seen in my students are from my two that struggle the most. I’ve been watching them take their tests this week. Instead of giving up and guessing, each of them is spending time trying to sound out each word and giving their all.

It’s been one big proud teacher moment all week with these two.

So has the refinement in instruction worked?

I would say so.

Has the daily yoga helped me be a better teacher?

Definitely.

+++++++ 

Today’s yoga brought to you by Kim at It’s All Yoga in Sacramento.

Today’s music is The Con by Tegan and Sara.

Don’t forget FREE Fridays at 4:30 with the new It’s All Yoga teachers (21st and X in Sacramento) – you’ve got to sign up online www.itsallyoga.com. 

I’m teaching 3/5/10 – so mark your calendar.

For the month of February, I’m teaching a Level 1/2 on Mondays at 5:45. Come join me.

Yoga+Music365 (day35) – Live A Little by Pernice Brothers

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I have a confession.

I never understood why yoga teachers thank their students for sharing their practice with them. I honestly just thought it was something that they say to end a class. Or they wanted to be polite or whatever. In any case, I just didn’t get it.

Then at the end of my first class, with everyone smiling at me, I felt it.

Gratitude.

Like that welling up, spilling over, where the hell did this come from – gratitude.

They (gulp! WE) truly are humbled and grateful for you sharing your practice.

I thought you’d like to know… we aren’t faking it.

++++++

Today’s yoga brought to you by Madeleine at It’s All Yoga.

Today’s music is Live A Little by Pernice Brothers.

Don’t forget FREE Fridays at 4:30 with the new It’s All Yoga teachers (21st and X in Sacramento) – you’ve got to sign up online www.itsallyoga.com. 

I’m teaching 3/5/10 – so mark your calendar.

For the month of February, I’m teaching a Level 1/2 on Mondays at 5:45. Come join me.

Yoga+Music365 (day34) – Human Like a House by The Finches – My First Class Edition

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Monday night I taught my very first solo yoga class.

Despite all my hand wringing nervousness before the class, I absolutely loved it!

It finally clicked why I wanted to do this in the first place: to share something I love with people.

The following is from Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living by Pema Chodron:

We already have everything we need. There is no need for self-improvement.

These words sum up why I love yoga.

Oh yeah, I also really like the laying down with your eyes closed part too!

+++++

Don’t forget FREE Fridays at 4:30 with the new It’s All Yoga teachers (21st and X in Sacramento) – you’ve got to sign up online www.itsallyoga.com. 

I’m teaching 3/5/10 – so mark your calendar.

For the month of February, I’m teaching a Level 1/2 on Mondays at 5:45. Come join me.