Archive for category Yoga Community

James and I were at the recent Global Mala event in Los Angeles and we bumped into an old friend Abby Wills of the Shanti Generation.  It was a warm day, amplified by the heat coming off the tarmac but for a very enjoyable forty-five minutes, we hung out with Abby and watched a part of her new yoga DVD for kids, The Shanti Generation.  We loved it.   But it is much more than a DVD.   Here’s more on Abby and the inspiration behind it all:

What is the Shanti Generation? It is a movement to empower youth with peacemaking skills.  What we do is produce educational media that bring together ancient and modern practices to young people, with the help of young people.  We are a platform where their wisdom is heard.

How did you first become involved with yoga? I was in an Eastern Philosophy class at my freshman year at the University of South Alabama.  One of the assigned readings was from the Upanishads, which I found enthralling.  I found it matched my own innate sense of life.  From that point onward I immersed myself in Eastern thought and traditions.  I took my first yoga class in 1995 in Los Angeles and it is now part of my everyday existence.

When did you first want to teach yoga to kids and why? I first starting teaching dance to young children when I was 16 years old and continued to teach throughout my undergrad studies.   I did my first yoga teacher training at the Sivananda Yoga Vendanta Center in India in 1997 and transitioned over to teaching yoga.  In 1999, I was doing the Yoga Works teacher training and Maty Ezraty invited me to teach the children’s classes there.

I love working with children because they seem to have direct access to the spiritual aspects of yoga.  I’ve worked with many youth who have faced major troubles and trauma and seen how yoga helps them to develop their resilience.  It’s so inspiring.  My hope is that they take these skills to adulthood and allow the consciousness of yoga to permeate everywhere - in the environment, politics, finance and relationships.

What is your biggest challenge? I would have to say the sustainability and depth of programs that teach yoga to kids.  Some great programs have closed due to lack of funding or organizational structure.  Also its really hard for institutions to find qualified teachers of yoga for children.  Sometimes when a teacher leaves a program, it fades away until a replacement is found. Also many studios offer only one or two classes a week for kids and there’s a catch 22.  It’s hard for studios to add more classes when those classes are often not full.  Parents can place a higher priority on other things like soccer or dance.  It’s understandable as kids’ activities that offer opportunities for community interaction are important for families.  What’s good though is that there’s more all ages yoga events happening.  Commitment will grow as the programs grow.

What inspires you? My students.  I want to share yoga with as many young people as possible.  I decided I could reach more youth this way than driving around LA like a maniac!  With the DVD, we are offering yoga to kids who don’t have access to a yoga studio or in-school yoga programs.  I also want to share this DVD with other yoga teachers of children.  Ideally, this DVD is a ‘text-book’ so kids can practice at home.

What is your long term vision of the Shanti Generation? Ultimately, it is to contribute to social justice, equality and planetary healing by empowering youth to make choices steeped in consciousness.  We have a Youth Peacemakers Training program that teaches young people how to teach yoga to their peers.  We have an amazing list of guest teachers on board, including Dr Chris Chapple, Julie Kleinman, Felicia Tomasko, Hala Khouri with Yogaglo hosting.  We also offer facilitator’s trainings to guide teachers and parents to create Youth Peacemaker Circles in their own communities.  I jokingly say we want to be the Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts of the consciousness movement!

How can people get involved? There are a number of ways!  Buy our DVD and pass it on to young people.  If you don’t know any, buy it as a gift to a school or library.  Inspire and mentor youth to get involved in a Youth Peacemakers Training.  Be a participant in our Facilitator’s Training.  Join our team as a volunteer in admin, legal consultation, promotions or outreach.  And you can spread the word - our DVD is translated in Spanish and Japanese.  Tell your friends and ask your yoga studio to carry it.