The Next Generation of Yoga

Media

The last decade has seen an explosive growth in the number of yoga studios locally, but the passion for yoga is taking it far outside the traditional studio or even fitness club. Yogis and yoginis can now be found practicing pranayama in parks, teaching in schools, OMing in offices and even correcting postures in correctional institutions. In short, if yoga was a struggling actor, she has finally made it, and made it big!

Not only is yoga seeping into the most incredible places here in Pittsburgh, the next generation of people taking it there are some of the most passionate, innovative, life affirming and inspiring folks I’ve ever encountered in my yoga career. The depth and wealth of activity is simply stunning. Here is just a brief sampling.

Yoga Outdoors

For the past 5 years BYS Yoga has been taking yoga outside in the Summer. Classes are held in Tunnel Park, Southside Works and in Grandview Park on Mt. Washington. These special outdoor all-levels classes offer the opportunity to practice on green grass and under blue skies with the beautiful view of downtown Pittsburgh as the backdrop.

Kristi Rogers, owner of BYS Yoga, puts it best as she says, “our outdoor classes are a lovely way to take advantage of the beautiful Pittsburgh summers.  It is a different experience to practice outdoors - on grass, in the sun, with the breeze, in nature.  It can deepen our awareness of our connection to the earth and to its natural rhythms.  Our outdoor classes are also one way that we offer discounted or "community" classes on a regular basis.”

Yoga in Schools

Joanne Spence and her staff at Yoga In Schools is empowering students and teachers with yoga-inspired exercises to promote lifetime wellness. Yoga in Schools’ vision is to make yoga available in all schools so that students and teachers develop body-mind awareness and the ability to nurture their own well-being.

In the Yoga in Schools’ Web site it states that in 2005, their first year of programming, they reached 300 students and 48 teachers. Since then, eight professional staff and ten volunteers for Yoga In Schools have exposed approximately 6000 K-12 students to yoga programs and 1000 teachers to varying levels of Tools for Teachers trainings and Yoga Ed curriculum. This is inspiring beyond belief.

Yoga in the Workplace

More and more companies around Pittsburgh are choosing the ability to bring this ancient practice within their work environments.

Kristi Rogers and her staff have been teaching in office spaces around the city for five years. She shares her personal insight toward yoga in the cubicle world. “Coming from a corporate background, I know first hand that fitting in time for yourself during the day is a challenge. Having lunchtime yoga classes available in a corporate setting can be much more accessible than trying to fit a class in after work or on weekends when family and other commitments occur.”

I’ve had the honor of teaching yoga for BYS Yoga’s Breathe Out Program for the staff at POWER (Pennsylvania Organization of Women in Early Recovery), where I’ve observed first hand how useful and healing it is to practice in the work place. It not only creates another layer toward community building for them, but it also helps each of these ladies remember their purpose, drop into their bodies and continue to serve the women that need their greatest support.

Yoga in Medical Centers

As teachers, one of the most challenging issues regarding teaching outside of the studio is the unpredictable environment, and hospitals are probably one of the more difficult spaces. Yet, in spite of the less-than-conducive environment, the receptivity of the students is far above those that choose to come to a studio class.

Sharon Rudyk, owner of Yoga Matrika in Point Breeze, began teaching at Magee Women’s Hospital when they started offering prenatal classes for the very first time. “We had class in the waiting room on the "O" level or in meeting rooms and it was less than ideal—no control over lighting, people walking by, buzzing audio visual equipment, etc. Again, the environment was less than ideal, but I felt like the intention that we set as a group and the power of the practice itself transformed us into this creative and beautiful life force during practice so that it didn't matter where we were.  So many of my Magee students fell in love with yoga through this program.”

Upon having to have heart surgery, Kristie Lindblom had the opportunity to put all her years as a yoga practitioner into play as she dealt with her anxiety and fear. Successfully navigating through her recovery by transforming her yoga practice to align with what was necessary for her mind, body and heart, Kristie was inspired to take this power to those that needed it the most. Currently Kristie, a yoga instructor, is Stress Management Specialist at Dr Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease out of Jefferson Regional Medical Center. “These people are using the program because they are literally fighting for their lives. They are more willing to be committed to the practice.  It's a complete lifestyle change and those who embrace it do so well—even reversing their heart disease and related conditions. Their doctors have recommended it, so I think that gives some validity to the practice as well.”

Yoga for troubled youth

Imagine walking into a place that was in all forms a state penitentiary and encountered 15-17 year old young men whose common connection was having performed the worst offences toward fellow human beings—and teaching them yoga! This is what Joanne Spence has done at the Shuman Center. Each one of the young men is asked individually if they'd like to participate. Those that do choose to step into the practice, receive a wealth of tools for self exploration and self-love that they have not had the opportunity to experience in their short lives, through postures, breathing techniques and meditation. One pose particularly resonates with them: Savasana—the corpse pose—where they can finally relax and let go, even if only for a few minutes. John Silvestri, a yoga teacher that had the opportunity to observe and co-teach with Joanne, summed it up best, "The yoga had the effect on them."

Silvestri has also taken yoga to a homeless children's shelter for the Homeless Childrens Education Fund and worked with 5 to 10 year-olds, whose family life is less than optimal. In this shelter they get the opportunity to experience bits and pieces of the kind of support and love that they would get if their family life was more ideal. Silvestri shared that they are "totally unsettled in their minds," which forced him to create a way to engage and ground both their bodies and minds. This was done by reading books to them or following storyline as a form of meditation, postures, guided meditation and chanting, which the children truly loved.

The Next Generation

The unifying quality of these yoga teachers is passionate resourcefulness, sprinkled with a beginner's mind, the greatest gift of a yogi. Preconceived notions went out the window as they masterfully stepped into uncomfortable, and less than optimal situations to have a ‘proper’ yoga class. Even teachers that may not have had the opportunity to flourish or continue due to dissonant logistics, honed their teaching skills, clarifying the optimal necessities for a wholesome sustainable practice.

As more people are exposed to the power of yoga beyond the boundaries of a studio setting, pioneered by individuals that are willing to step out of their own comfort zones, the more yoga can live where it is meant to live—within everyday life. It is clear that Pittsburgh is open to grow and nurture the Next Generation of Yoga. Subscribe to Elsie’s podcasts at Yogeek on iTunes and get inspiring advice and other info from a yogic persepective.