Top Tips For Teaching Yoga In Schools - Tip #52: Joy Is Messy...Make Space For It

Welcome back!

This week’s tip is simple, but it’s such an important reminder! Please remember to leave a comment below if you find it helpful.

As a teacher, it’s easy to get bogged down in all of the tasks, in classroom structure, in doing things in a structured and regimented way.

But making space for joy is so important too!

Back in September of 2021, I took my students outside one day to do yoga so we had more space and could take our masks off. But our transition outside was MESSY! And when we got outside, I had kids facing every which way, and kids who had set up way far away. The perfectionist in me, the structured and regimented part of me, wasn’t happy. I wanted to have us transition again, and set up in rows so everyone could see or hear me. 

As I was thinking this, I started teaching yoga, and when I looked out at the faces of my students, I saw pure joy. Joy in being outside on a beautiful Friday. Joy in moving their bodies. Joy in the mess. 

That’s when it hit me that joy is messy, and that the closer I get to perfection and structure and order, the further I get away from joy. Don’t get me wrong, routines and procedures are important in a classroom. But every moment doesn’t have to go as planned (and it won’t). Every class doesn’t have to involve everyone participating, or being silent, or sharing. 

Creating space for joy in class is SO important in the classroom - it allows kids to be kids, and to be engaged in new and different ways.

Prioritize joy over perfection and structure this week, and see what happens. 

Tip Takeaway: Joy is messy. As you teach your classes this week, see if you can let go of the small things that as adults, we feel are important, but that may be hindering joy for you, and your students. Notice any shifts in attitudes or behaviors that come about as a result!