Key Teaching: Sutra 1.2 - Yogas cittas vrtttis nrodhah - Yoga is the control of the mental modifications of the mind. When we have learned to master the mind, we are free. When we learn to tap into our True Nature, we can start to work from a discerning mind rather than a reactive mind.

The goal with this client will be to teach Sutra 1.2 to my student using stories, examples and visual aids in order to gain understanding of the Sutras meaning as well as be able to apply it to my students daily life. The plan will be to work with this client 2x/week for 30 min, using words, examples and visual aids.

Description: 13y old female (7th grade) Medical History: None Medications: none Symptoms: none Current Treatment and Plan of Care: none

I envisioned working with this client 2x/week for 2 weeks (30 min sessions) and breaking each session down as follows.
3-5 min guided centering
10-12 min Basic asana w/ Sutra explanation (keeping things basic as my client is a 13y old girl)
10-12 min examples and visual leaning (using visual aids such as a rock in water and using food coloring to give the example of seeing the true Self and then being clouded by external stimuli)
5-7 min wrap up (Q&A)

The branches of Yoga I used included Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga. Raja Yoga supported my goal and related to the key teaching in the sense that my key teaching was directly about Sutra 1.2 and using this Sutra to teach my client about the definition of Yoga as well as how to discern between the True Self and seeing oneself clearly, versus seeing oneself from a reactive mind and allowing things from the external world to cloud our judgment, alter our reactions and/or not see ourself in our True Nature.

The branch of Hatha Yoga was used as well, in order to combine movement along with the teachings to keep the sessions more dynamic and to use asana to ground the client and keep her engaged.

This client is a 13y old girl with no prior knowledge of Yoga Sutras but a few years of experience practicing Hatha Yoga. She has a keen interest in learning more about the teachings of yoga beyond just movement and the Hatha branch. She was engaged, willing to listen and seemed to grasp the concepts of Sutra 1.2.

I think using visual aids, especially with someone at this age, is a great and effective way to teach the concepts of the second Sutra and moving forward I would approach these lessons in the same manner. I also find it to be important for children/teens to learn these concepts before moving into adulthood as these teachings are great tools to grow up having. I found my client to be very open to these concepts and am confident they will be with her for her lifetime.

Follow up suggestions for my client includes continuing to re-read Sutra 1.2 to remind oneself of it's meaning and to continue down her practice of yoga with that Sutra in her toolkit. I also encouraged my client to continue reading through the Sutras and learning their meaning as part of her yoga practice and journey.

I recommended several books for my client on easier reading/interpretations of the Sutra that are age/comprehension appropriate to add to her her reading list and library.

Yes I was able to implement my intended plan with my client. I do feel that the goal as achieved as evidenced by her understanding at our last session together. She was able to articulate the meaning of the second Sutra and was able to clearly explain the meaning of Yoga through the lens of the Sutras, the second Sutra in particular.

Examples and visual aids used in order to clearly define the meaning of this Sutra included:
Session 1: rock in water/food coloring to cloud to the water (representing being able to see oneself clearly anymore)
Session 2: Using a mirror to represent the True Self and what the mirror reflects back if it's cracked
Session 3: A clear lake, then throwing a rock into it w/ the ripples representing the fluctuations of the mind
Session 4: Q&A

I did not have to adapt much in my plan, though sometimes our timeline was a little off and Sutra explanation and visual aid usage took longer than expected.

Lessons learned included realizing that children can benefit greatly from the teachings of the Sutras especially in the tween/teen years in order to better navigate through those formative years. I think putting together a series of classes along this realm, but for a group of teens would be greatly beneficial.

Yes, I would definitely approach the same situation again in the same way, and I feel that the way I arranged and planned the lessons was appropriate for the age group of my client. I think all the lessons went well.

I don't think there is much I would have changed though I would have liked to have added in a few more Sutras into the program as my client was able to quickly grasp the concept and meaning of Sutra 1.2 well.