What is yoga? By Melissa Hansen

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.