When I ask my students to define and describe yoga we discuss words
like breathing, poses, exercise, and stretching. But to me, that talk
we were having is just as important as any movement or breath.
Teaching my students yoga also means teaching them to be thoughtful
people. We discuss respect as much as we do good posture. We practice
kindness as often as downward dog. The lessons we learn about
self-control and self-esteem are carried off our mat and into our
classrooms, homes, and community. I listen to the kids at least as
much as I lecture them. If you ever walk by a class I am leading and
see us talking instead of moving, please know the yoga we are
practicing at that moment is just as important as when we do our sun
salutation.