Yoga in Schools-Preeti’s Story Part 1: Sharing with Students
Preeti Girisha, PT, PYT-C, is a recent graduate of the Professional Yoga Therapist program. Over the past couple months, she was invited to conduct yoga sessions at Starwood Montessori School in Frisco, Texas. She had the opportunity to teach students from toddlers to 14-year-olds and, on a different date, the teachers.
The following is her account of teaching the students and their reactions to the course. We want to thank her for her willingness to share Medical Therapeutic Yoga with people of all ages. We know this has a huge impact in our schools!
Having a background as a Physical Therapist and trained in PYT methods, application of PYT techniques is like Union of “Prana” with the “movement”. This makes any movement to “come to life”. This is what I learnt from Ginger in PYT program. This unique integrative and holistic approach has given me a personal growth and professional rebirth. Being born and raised in India, I was always passionate about Yoga but PYT program has given me the tools to use that authentic practice with confidence and it is very humbling to see the acceptance by my patients.
My unique background in PT and PYT will help children in many ways than just Yoga.
- The 15 percepts of PYT application creates a very safe and effective method to use Yoga as medicine on children population. TwitterPinterestGmailPrintFacebookLinkedInPercept 6 that is based on the 7 evidence based physiological principles that empowers my Physical Therapy background by using specific Body screening sheet and PYT movement analysis as an effective tool to assess osteokinematics and arthrokinemetic joint range of motion. Yoga postures applied with understanding of the unique needs of each child will lead to long term benefits and prevention of injuries that they may encounter during their sport specific activities or everyday strain from sitting in the classrooms and carrying heavy loads of backpacks on their shoulders.
- By incorporating PYT foundation poses with focus on the stability of the spine at the pelvis (spinal neutral) and scapular stabilization (arm spiral) along with TATD breath will not only create a strong foundation and good posture but also sustainable foundation to grow and thrive in children.
- Children in school undergo a lot of stress and anxiety due to the increasing demands on them to perform well academically. Conceptual Pentagon of wellness model will help boost the children’s confidence, increase self-worth, healthy body image and helps with stress management.
I am honored to be invited as a peace messenger for “International Peace Week” at a school in my city, Frisco, TX. It was one of the remarkable days of my life as I guided and taught Yoga to school kids from toddlers (who were 18 months) to adolescents. There was lot of positive energy created and each student left the session feeling calm and peaceful. Over 300+ children experienced the transformative magic of Yoga.
Feedback from children and teacher (I asked the children age 10 and up about their experience after Yoga session).
- “Dear Ms. Girisha, Today I learnt new stuff it was awesome, I would like to do it again a lot more Yoga. My favorite part is when I laid down and closed my eyes and you were playing the instrument. It felt like I was in a calm forest and imagining it just like a dream”.
- “Dear Ms. Girisha, Thank you so much. I had so much stress in me and now it’s all gone. If I did that every day I would love it. My favorite was the end (don’t know what it was called)”.
- “Incredible, beautiful, relaxing workout. It mixes sweat with calm. I loved it and want to do it again. So relaxing. Thank you Ms. Girisha”.
- “I enjoyed the Yoga! I felt much better after and it was very peaceful throughout the whole class. Thank You! It makes me want to do more Yoga”.
Teachers Feedback
- “Your explanation of the poses and the origin of the word “Yoga” was great! It was a child friendly session enjoyed by the guides as well! Thank You! Namaste!”
- “Thank you for taking the time to share the benefits of Yoga with us. It was beautiful, calming and peaceful experience. We truly appreciate it. Thank You!”
About the Author
“Having born and raised in India, I have been surrounded by the essence of Yoga, whole food culture and lifestyle. I have always turned to natural methods of healing when needed. My journey about understanding the power of healing through Yoga came from a personal experience. That led a shift in my outlook about life and our true purpose in life.
I graduated in 2001 from J N Medical College (Belgaum, India) in Physical Therapy program with a bachelor’s degree. I started my career at renowned HOSMAT hospital in Bangalore that specializes in orthopedic injuries, Sports injuries, Neuro rehabilitation and Post-operative PT for Polytrauma.
After coming to the US, I pursued my PT career by completing the PT licensing board exams. I currently hold PT license for Texas State and Michigan State.
I have been practicing Physical Therapy in State of Texas since 2006 and have strong experience in treating patients of multiple age groups and multiple diagnosis. I have worked in various settings from Hospitals, Acute care rehabilitation, long term rehabilitation to skilled nursing facilities in and around Dallas metroplex.
I have completed my 200 hr Yoga Teachers training from Namah Shivaya Yoga studio Dallas TX
True Self Therapy was born in 2014 during my PYT certification program. I was convinced that the true healing comes from addressing the bio-psycho social aspect of a person and not merely treating the symptom with my conventional PT approach.
PYT program and its evidence base approach of yoga as medicine has given me tools to practice. Become an advocate for patient’s and guide them to achieve optimal health.”
