I love yoga. I’ve been practicing yoga for well over a decade. I have practiced many different styles, ranging from Bikram to Hot Vinyasa to Ashtanga. I thoroughly enjoy how yoga impacts my life. I feel stronger, calmer and more present with my life. I am so passionate about it that last year I graduated from a 300-hour intensive yoga teacher-training program.  

Ironically, I had no desire to teach yoga. Instead, my intention was to immerse myself in the practice and to learn more about it. I knew that there was a lot more to yoga than just a Downward-Facing Dog. My training required me to teach community classes. I was amazed to discover that I actually enjoyed teaching. A new chapter in my life started; I began teaching vinyasa yoga classes. As some yogis say, I decided to go with the flow.

When I began searching for a training program, I shared my ambition with my daughters, aged 6 and 8. I’ve encouraged my daughters to try yoga and we’ve taken family yoga classes. My 8 year old, Sofia, much prefers sports like soccer and karate. She takes after her father. My 6 year old, Alessandra, is more like me. She asked why I didn’t learn to teach children’s yoga. The thought had never occurred to me. She begged me to teach yoga for her birthday party.

I found that I also had fun teaching children’s yoga. Who would have thought? Not me. I got certified in children’s yoga. Since Alessandra’s birthday in June, I have been teaching various children’s yoga classes around the community. I am so thankful that parents are wise enough to see how yoga can benefit their children.  For both adults and children, yoga helps to balance the mind and body, increase strength and flexibility, build self-esteem and teaches techniques to help build focus and attention.  Who can’t use more of that?  I teach to a group of children who have severe behavioral issues. One afternoon, a child told me he taught his grandmother one of the yoga songs he had learned in my class. The aide and I looked at each other. We both had tears in our eyes.

Of course, my children’s classes look very different than my adult classes.  When the kids are in Warrior II pose, I have them say “I am smart! I am strong! I can do anything!” Sometimes I wish I could do the same in my adult classes.  Maybe one day I will. I also lead the children in an exercise I call “Eat Like A Yogi.”  They are doing a mindful eating technique, but they don’t know that. Maybe it will stick with them and as adults they won’t eat their lunch in front of the computer.

When Shakti Yoga had their free children’s and teen open house earlier this week, my children’s yoga class drew 18 students, plus my two daughters. I had never managed such a large group. I had to put my yoga into practice. I took a deep breath and we all had fun. After class, one of the parents approached me.  Her son has a speech delay.  She told me that his physical therapist commented to her that she noticed an increase in his core since November. That’s when he started taking my class.  She signed him up for the Winter session.

In one of my recent adult classes, my students were able to do an asana, aka, yoga pose that they have never been able to do previously.  Their smiles were contagious.  I know better than to get attached to these situations, but I appreciate them nevertheless.  I also know that I am just beginning my yoga teaching journey. I continue my education by taking classes, workshops and studying.  My learning will never cease.

I feel so lucky to live in an area where there are many different types of yoga, teachers and classes. I encourage everyone to explore what is available.  You’ll be glad you did.

Judie Hurtado has been practicing various styles of yoga for over 13 years but has always been particularly drawn to vinyasa. She has studied with many teachers, including Jennifer Kohl at Lotus Yoga in Montclair, where she completed her 300-hour yoga teacher-training program. She received her Kids Yoga Certification through Karma Kids.  She is also a Reiki practitioner and a Health and Wellness writer.  She can be reached at judie.hurtado@gmail.com. She also blogs about her health and spiritual adventures at www.judiesjuice.wordpress.com.