Yoga Benefits Translate From the Mat to the Community
Posted: June 2, 2012 at 5:11 am
Abby Wills practically has me at hello. Its a no-brainer. She is about mindfulness and yoga and how it can help our youth. But as we talk in a recent phone interview, I feel myself sitting up straighter and listening more intently when the stories start coming.
She tells me of the 9-year-old whose mother was prone to yelling. The child would yell back and the situation would quickly escalate. Then one day the child came to yoga with another parent in her community. Now, a few years into it, she goes into the bathroom and does some yoga poses when her mother starts yelling. Then, when feeling calm, she opens the door and talks to her mother.
Or theres the bi-racial young woman who was being targeted by Latino and African-American gangs in her Los Angeles neighborhood because she is both. She rarely went outside over fear of being hassled and harassed. Enter yoga and a whole lot of mountain pose; learning how to be in the world with upright, confident energy to the point where it feels like protection. Now she walks her neighborhood like she belongs there and is not as frequently targeted.
Beautiful testimony.
Yoga has that effect, Wills tells me. We utilize the whole being mind, body, spirit and that translates from the mat to the community.
So many of us know this because we practice yoga and reap its benefits. But for Wills its different, deeper.
Co-founder and program director of Shanti Generation, which produces educational media experiences that bring ancient and modern practices to youth in relevant, innovative formats, Wills has gone from feeling misplaced as a youth and being bullied and pointedly telling herself at age 12 that life is not about what everybody thinks of you to having a sense of mission in adulthood. With some heavy things going on around her in childhood, she realizes in retrospect it would have been tremendously helpful to have the coping skills that yoga fosters.
Imagine something like that being available to me at every moment, she says. And free.
It was in college that she found herself drawn to philosophy and Eastern thought and it was on a return trip from an ashram in India in her early 20s when it hit her that this was her purpose. Now, at 37, living in California, Wills is steeped in experience, passion and knowledge on the topic of yoga for young people (with a focus on ages 7-16). Using her social justice and developmental education at Pacific Oaks College (Pasadena, Calif.) and more than 10 years of teaching, she has helped create a program on DVD that makes it easy for non-yoga people to use it in the classroom.
Mindful that instances of bullying are up and that these days teachers are often paying for resources from their own pockets, Shanti Generation has set up a buy one, give one program to get yoga to as many children as possible. And where Wills and Shanti Generation leave off, Leah Kalish and Move With Me Action Adventures come in with a focus on yoga for children ages 3-7 (and their own buy one, give one opportunity).
Visit link:
Yoga Benefits Translate From the Mat to the Community
- Contact [Last Updated On: December 31st, 2010] [Originally Added On: December 31st, 2010]
- Lotus Variations in Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Daylight savings time yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Multifunctional Yoga Pose - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Turtle to Crow to Headstand, Advanced Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga championships: Bendy athletes contort into impossible positions in New York - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Standing Yoga Poses: Home Practice from Yoga Journal - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Beginner Flow, Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga for Fitness (preview) - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Vinyasa Yoga - Water Dance - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Finding Comfort in Discomfort , Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Dolphin Pose to Fore arm Balance, Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga Class #83- Yoga Stories Lord of the Fish - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga by Equinox Parody - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga Class #79- Dharma - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Dragon pose, Yin Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga to get Energized -- Halasana 2 - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga By Equinox - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga for a Strong Core - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Winter Blues Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga Cat (Cat Joins in Yoga Session!) - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga: Don’t bend until you break [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Brooklyn naked yoga class gives men chance to shed their worries...and clothes [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- How Yoga Might Relieve Stress-Linked Ailments [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Male bonding! Naked yoga class for men [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Sex scandal has yoga industry tied in knots [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Garnet Hill Launches Exclusive Yoga Collection [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- NYC men's yoga class meets in the nude [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- San Fran airport yoga! - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Yoga, gardening, offered as part of Roseland Environmental Center March programs [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2012]
- Yoga stretches the benefits of exercise [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2012]
- Heron Pose or Krounchasana, Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2012]
- Yoga can help caregivers cope [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2012]
- Yoga: Separating fact from fiction [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2012]
- Catch your breath at these yoga retreats [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2012]
- For veterans, yoga can offer peace [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2012]
- Yoga studio: A new start to pure bliss [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2012]
- Hot yoga gaining steam in Billings [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2012]
- Yoga at your Desk - Video [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2012]
- Christian yoga: Trading 'om' for 'amen' [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2012]
- Workout of the week: Mommy and Me Yoga [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2012]
- New yoga studio opening in Redlands [Last Updated On: March 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 22nd, 2012]
- Yoga pants seller Lululemon 4Q net climbs 34 pct [Last Updated On: March 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 22nd, 2012]
- Yoga and positive thinking [Last Updated On: March 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 22nd, 2012]
- Chaturanga Dandasana: Home Practice from Yoga Journal - Video [Last Updated On: March 22nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 22nd, 2012]
- Lululemon hosting 500-person yoga, dance party in Copley Square [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2012]
- Yoga students send service project overseas [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2012]
- Four Yoga Poses Featured in “Couples Retreat” [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2012]
- Cape Cod teacher seeks 365 yoga poses on video [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2012]
- Yoga part of 12-step program at Kenai facility [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2012]
- BUSINESS Q&A: Woman aims at balancing mind, body and soul with yoga instruction [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2012]
- Yoga instructor stretches herself among several jobs [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2012]
- For veterans suffering from PTSD, yoga and meditation bring peace of mind [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2012]
- 'Broga' caters to guys wary of yoga [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2012]
- Yoga For Preschoolers: Oh, Puleeze! [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2012]
- YOUTHFUL LIFE: Yoga Keeps Centenarian Young [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2012]
- Yoga for Stress Relief - Wind Down with Kundalini - Video [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2012]
- Yoga enthusiasts back beach instructor as county tries to charge [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2012]
- Broga: Yoga for guys means more Radiohead, less Enya [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2012]
- Scandal contorts future of John Friend, Anusara yoga [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2012]
- An introduction to Glow Yoga [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2012]
- A scientific look at the risks and rewards of yoga [Last Updated On: March 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 30th, 2012]
- CSU students find healing, activism through yoga [Last Updated On: March 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 30th, 2012]
- Yoga amid the Laurentian hills [Last Updated On: March 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 30th, 2012]
- Fashion Industry Veterans Michele and Marc Bohbot Launch Fashion Forward Activewear Collection, Electric Yoga [Last Updated On: March 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 30th, 2012]
- Energizing Sequence, All levels Yoga - Video [Last Updated On: March 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 30th, 2012]
- Cobra Pose: Home Practice from Yoga Journal - Video [Last Updated On: March 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 30th, 2012]
- 'Yoga can cure every disease, but don't universalise' [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2012]
- Cardiac Yoga DVD Released by Heart Fit Clinic [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2012]
- Yoga routines to fix common ailments [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2012]
- Yoga: Avoid beginner's mistakes while attaining a well of happiness [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2012]
- Yoga Springs stretches to Springfield [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2012]
- Weekly Zen: Integrate yoga into your life [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2012]
- Using yoga in the fight for freedom [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2012]
- Yin Yoga: A calming and relaxing practice [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2012]
- Yoga Teacher at Age 12: A Fan's Reaction [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2012]
- Top Three Females to Watch Perform Yoga [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2012]
- Yoga used as therapy for Fort Gordon soldiers with brain injuries [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2012]
- Yoga Body Bootcamp comes to Vail [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2012]
- Fit & Fun: Tips from a pro for yoga newbies [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2012]