Yoga Inspiration: Surprising Source Material for Self-Discovery

Do you like to read poetry or share inspiring texts during your yoga classes?

Some yoga teachers are all about the playlist, but I prefer a good reading in a quiet yoga room any day.

I'm very particular about what and when I read during a yoga class since part of the practice is quieting the mind and learning to find peace in those moments of stillness and silence.

However, readings in a yoga class can be great teaching tools too.

• They can enhance a lesson or workshop by evoking a specific reason or feeling for gathering together in yoga practice.

• Readings can help students focus an intention for practice.

• They can aide teachers in highlighting a theme for the class

Here are a few favorites readings I've used in my yoga classes:

Winnie-the-Pooh

I cant recall what led me to to the "silly old bear," but my students still fondly remember the Yin Yoga class where every reading was from Winnie-the-Pooh's Little Book of Wisdom by A A Milne.

I always like to remind my students that we can take our yoga very seriously yet still have fun. Winne-the-Pooh seemed to help us all do just that, imparting his unique wisdom during intense moments of Yin stretching.

The Invitation by Oriah

Rajashree Choudhury read this poem during final savasana on the second morning of my Bikram Yoga training in the fall of 2003. I'll never forget the sound of her voice and the rhythm of the words as I lay in a sweaty heap, eyes closed, on my yoga mat.

She gifted us all a copy of the poem which was The Invitation by Oriah.

Years later, I read it during class on a New Year's Day to offer guidance and inspiration to anyone on the mat who may need it.

Students were so moved that not just one student, but two, later gifted me Oriah's book of the same name in which she dissects each stanza of the poem as a meditation to help the reader better understand the power of the words and how to apply the lessons in real life.

During the pandemic when our studio was shut down and every day was rife with anxiety and the unknown, I reached for the book from my shelf. It brought me great comfort during those unsettled times.

Sufi Poetry

Even after all this time the Sun never says to the Earth "You owe me." Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the Whole Sky.

- Hafiz

The Sufi poets like Hafiz and Rumi have wonderful poetry for yoga class. They vary in length, are open to personal interpretation, and are filled with love.

In Closing

While teachers should never fear silence during a class or final savasana, appropriate readings can enhance the yoga student experience. Readings can spark conversations after class and inspire social media posts which help unite your class community.

Like everything you do in your yoga studio and yoga classes, what you choose to read creates your studio culture, so choose wisely from texts and authors that reflect your core values and mission.

As I always hope for this blog to become a conversation, please share your favorite readings in the comments.

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Namaste,

Lara

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