The Student is the Teacher

As a teacher I, like most teachers, like to be in control.  Lately, I’ve had multiple experiences where I’ve had to let the student be the teacher and “go with the flow”. One of example of this is a student of mine with ADHD. I can give her a million different strategies that fit my idea of what works, but the reality is that I’m discovering she knows what works best for her.  I have to set boundaries and limits, but as long as she is using something as a tool, not a toy and it’s not a distraction to the other student, she gets more work done.

I’m learning this within the yoga classes as well.  I planned a class recently with every activity we were going to do. What I didn’t realize was that part of the class was going to be the set-up because one of the students had to pick out each person’s mat.  I also had to put one of the hula hoops next to his mat.  At the end of class, when we got up from Savasana, I was ready to move to a song to wrap things up and both students made it clear they were done.  I had to let it go.