My plan is to use the outlines given in the SMTT manual to design and deliver a 4-week (8 hour) program called "Yoga for Stress Management" for a group of 6-12 people at the Bayside Recreation Center in Virginia Beach. I will report on the facilitation and results of Week 1: What is the Stress Response? (SMTT Manual, pp. 22-28)

Week 1 Lecture and discussion: What is the Stress Response?
S = lecture on the stress response
M = based on SMTT Manual, pp. 22-28
A = easily attainable, yes
R = relevant to clients, yes
T = covered in one session

The 2-hour session will also include centering, asana, deep relaxation, pranayama, and guided meditation.

This will be a group session for adults aged 18+. Each person will complete an intake form to assess perceived levels of stress, current physical and/or mental illnesses, and reasons/goals for attending the Stress Management program.

I used the outlines given in the Stress Management Teacher Training manual to design and deliver a four-session (8 hour) program called "Yoga for Stress Management" for a group of seven people at the Bayside Recreation Center in Virginia Beach. I am reporting on the facilitation and results of Session 1: What is the Stress Response? (SMTT Manual, pp. 22-28)
The 2-hour session also included centering, asana, deep relaxation, pranayama, and guided meditation. I used the teachings and techniques of Yoga to help participants design their own tool kit for managing stress in their daily lives.

I used Raja Yoga as mastery of the mind for stress management. Specifically, I used Hatha Yoga in the practices of asana, pranayama, and meditation. In this way, participants learned actual techniques they can use to help themselves feel better. This enabled people to feel empowered. They learned there are simple practices they can use instead of reaching for substances such as alcohol, sugar, or over-the-counter medications.

There were seven people (five women and two men) who participated in the class with me on December 2nd. They ranged in age from 28-67. On their intake forms, they mentioned dealing with conditions such as endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis, hypertension, diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Everyone mentioned either depression or anxiety. Everyone mentioned moderate to high levels of stress. I presented the material on the stress response via a PowerPoint presentation that lasted sixty minutes. The students remained interested and engaged in the topic by making comments and asking questions. After a short break, I taught them an adaptive yoga class (some students using chairs and some being on the floor), including centering, asana, deep relaxation, pranayama, and guided meditation.

I made sure everyone understood their options for using the techniques I taught them. For example, I explained how to use the practices in "bite-sized" amounts as needed in daily life. People tend to think they need to do a whole hour of yoga practices to be effective. I demonstrated how to do one back-bending pose, one forward bending pose, one inversion, and one twist (the absolute basics of an asana practice); I showed them how this could be done standing, sitting, or lying down depending on what's needed and how much space is available in the moment. I demonstrated the simplicity of centering practices, pranayama, and meditation, and reminded them they can do these as stand-alone practices that take very little time.

Yes, I applied the intended plan, and I found that it worked very well. We met in a relatively small room that felt cozy for the small group of people. I was able to explain the stress response and teach stress management techniques in ways that the students could easily understand and imitate for themselves. They felt that what I offered was relevant to their lives and attainable for them.

Overall, I followed my intended plan and it worked quite well. The combination of lecture with questions followed by practices seemed to be just right. The only thing I specifically added was teaching one back-bending pose, one forward bending pose, one inversion, and one twist in three different positions (standing, sitting, and lying down). I did this because I realized in the moment that this would be useful information for the students. I learned I can trust myself to intuit what needs to be done in the moment depending on the needs of clients.

I definitely want to teach this type of group program again, particularly at the recreation centers in Virginia Beach because they are well organized, they handle the marketing (which is not one of my strengths), and I know there are plenty of potential students who can be helped with this information. There are seven recreation centers in the area, so I can move the program from location to location. I feel inspired to continue offering programs like this because many people never learn that Yoga is more than just stretching. I love empowering people to take charge of their own health and well-being to whatever degree they can! I also really enjoy teaching groups since my background is teaching group fitness classes since 1985.