Theming with Intention: Creating Magic in the Classroom | Small Group Mentoring with Beth Filla

Have you ever wondered how some of your favorite teachers integrate movement, philosophy, music, and a topical theme into a class that makes you feel like the world makes more sense?

Learning how to teach yoga well is a process.  Depending on what was covered in your teacher training, you may have learned mostly asana. If you learned other aspects of the practice, it may have been disconnected from the physical, and it may seem intimidating (or maybe just impractical) to bring them together. At some point, you might find yourself craving the support of a group or a teacher who can guide you in your quest to bring it all together.

Beth formed this mentoring circle because, in her experience, teaching yoga has been a practice of digesting, embodying, and sharing a living philosophy. Since 2005, she planned each class according to a theme from a seminal text. The focus of the class dictates the asanas chosen, the mantras and breathwork incorporated, and the energetic cues given. The music on the playlist and the volume of the music and the level of the lighting supports the theme. Every single thing is integrated, creating a container for students’ experience (and my own!) to expand beyond what would have otherwise been possible.

She wants to help you learn how to do this because teaching yoga this way has been a great source of joy and an outstanding way for me to learn and deeply understand yoga philosophy. Selfishly, she's leading this mentoring circle because these are the kind of yoga classes she wants to take, and she wants you to teach her.

You’ll meet online, once a week, for the whole summer. She’ll model teaching by theme by using frameworks like the koshas and the kleshas to help you explore concrete ways to incorporate philosophy in class. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice what you’re learning in manageable ways. You’ll get a ton of support from me and the other members of the group.

She's so excited to do this. Let’s go!

The flow of the program will be: group formation-- intention setting -- what experience do you have with this/struggles/fears

• addressing concerns about cultural appropriation
• personal reflection: when have you felt connection to something more than physical in class?
• practice theming components of a class (choosing asana, mantra, pranayama, etc) using raga and dvesha
• where do good themes come from? How long should you work with the same theme?
• using the model of the koshas to support integrating themes
• Supported practice developing a class plan incorporating a theme, using concept of koshas to deepen students' experience-- I will read between sessions and give feedback.
• Possibly (if time allows), practice teaching each other and giving feedback on choice of theme, degree of integration, presentation/embodiment of theme in teaching.
• Reflection, ideas for ongoing support and encouragement. Group Closure.

SCHEDULE and SUPPORT

• You will be meeting every Friday from 9:30-10:30a for a live virtual session with Beth and your small group.
• Each of those sessions will be recorded and listed in your course within 72 hours.
• You will have access to the course and our community until September 15th.

WHAT YOU GET BEYOND THE MENTORING GROUP

In addition to your small group mentoring with Beth you will have access to our entire community and all of our offerings which include:

• 30+ live events per month: classes, workshops, lectures, community discussions, and special series.
• Our Video Learning Library with has around 200 videos of previous events.
• Our Meditation Challenge Series
• All of our Communtiy Circles - virtual spaces where you can connect with linkminded teachers on focused topics. 
• Our daily inspirations and engements
• and the communtiy of peers to connect and collaborate with.

We cannot wait to learn and grow together!