Birthlight Forums

Something that has been on my mind for a long time, and I hope to get opinions back from yoga pregnancy teachers and/or pregnant ladies.

What do you think about letting pregnant women help clearing up the yoga materials at the end of the yoga class? And of course I am especially talking about rolling up the mat at the end of the class. (just after we have come up after finishing the class).

See to me this doesn't make any sense, however, if you have a big group, you might have a different opinion about this subject.

I would like to have some input, so I can decide what to do with my yoga pregnancy classes.

Your help is highly appreciated,

Love,

Luz Verkiel

I personally like to pamper the ladies.  I always clear up after them.  As far as I am concerned this is their night out, time for self etc.

--------they will have plenty of time for tidying up after baby is born!

Liz

Hi Liz,

Thank you for your comment. I agree totally with you and I am happy to see that some one else shares my opinion.

Love,

Luz

 

My Swami taught that you should always encourage your students to help clear up at the end of class as it helps them to feel part of the group experience and also not to take you for granted! So I dont hesitate to ask my ladies at the end of my first class to put their blocks and cushions ready for the postnatal ladies and babies and to rearrange the mats if necessary. I also usually get one of them to make the tea while I deal with various questions or settle postnatal ladies who are coming in. And then, at the end of the postnatal class I used to ask them to help, but now I tend to put the the bags that the mats etc go in out in the centre of the room and see what happens while I do the washing up. Mostly I find they put things away, but if they dont, hey ho. I have never had anyone sigh or look put out. They are always happy to help. I suppose what I am saying is that I dont find it an issue. I just follow my own teaching and go with the flow!

I agree with you. I do encourage my students to help put the props away at the end of the class. But I do set up myself, always having the props ready at the side of the room for when they arrive, so they feel welcome and looked after. Likewise when the class is running see my role as helping them in every which way I can. I am also readily available to speak with them between sessions, beyond the class times. I see their helping me as quite important: firstly as very much as part of the bonding process ( and students don't appear to mind at all). It is a small antidote to the fact that we live in a consumer world, where they are used to 'paying for a service'. I like the idea of going beyond that usual paradigm. It's about basic humanity and citizenship; they don't 'have to', but what do they 'chose' to do? to watch their teacher dragging loads of bags, or to step in and share the load? With 10 - 14 in the group, it takes less than 5 minutes for everyone to club together and put them away. (Otherwise I would be travelling down the corridor 5 or 6 times dragging bolsters and blocks for 15 people, which is how it used to be before I questioned it, and reviewed my policy).

Hello ladies,

 Thank you for your comments and they helped me to find my way in dealing with clearing up after class.

It probably comes down to choice isn't it?

Thanks,

Love,

Luz