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“Migi–right, Hidari–left, Sute–Inhale, Haitte–Exhale”…    As the training winds down to its final weekend, I thought I would describe the elaborate system we devised for processing the homework.  In addition, to communicating through a live translator, we had to take things a step further.  A big component of the Yogaworks Teacher Training is the homework–written essays, sequences and reading assignments.  I was told that there wouldn’t be anyone to translate the homework and many of the other teachers had the students do this as a class assignment.  However, I remember how much I gained from receiving personal feedback on these assignments and felt that I had to figure out a way to give these students the same. One teacher who previously taught one of these trainings, Eka Ekong, said that she pasted the assignments into Google Translator—it took a lot of time but at least she could tell what the students where doing.  The translation is awkward and fragmented and sometimes not an accurate description of what someone is saying, but at least you know get an understanding  of what is said and if the student is getting the assignments. The first time I did this it was a humongous undertaking, twenty-eight teaching scripts written in Japanese flooded my inbox and I tediously cut and past each one into Google Translator and sent them back.  Finally, I had them  translate their assignments through Google translator paste it into the document under their Japanese version, and send it to me.  I would then read and type responses in red in the document and then send  it back to them.  This takes a long time and I spent most of my  free time during the week keeping up with this project.  However, the pay off was beneficial, I was able to offer advice and most of all, it really helped me to remember their names.

Sample of teaching script:

これからTrikonasanaのポーズに入ります。ブロックの2個使います。

両手と両足を広げ、足首が手首の下にあることを確認してください。ブロックはかかとの後ろに1つずつ置きます。

右足を90度外側に、左足は45度内側に向けます。左足の土ふまずが右足のかかとと一直線上にあることを確認します。足の四隅で地面をしっかり踏み、太ももに力を入れて立ちましょう。両手を広げ肩をリラックスさせます。息を吸いながら上半身の両側を伸ばし、息を吐きながら上体を右側に倒します。右手はブロックの上に、左手はまっすぐ天井に向けます。

(Google Translator)

Now goes into Trikonasana pose. Use two of the block.

Hands and feet spread out, please make sure that the bottom of the wrist and ankles. Place one block behind the heel.

90 degrees outside right foot, left foot 45 degrees toward the inside. Make sure that it is on the line with the heel of the right foot first Sat of the left foot Fu. Stepping firmly on the ground in the four corners of the foot, let’s start focusing on the thighs. The shoulder is relaxed with open arms. Both sides of the upper body while stretching breath, and pivot to the right the upper body while exhaling. Right hand on top of the block, left hand is straight up towards the ceiling.

Segment of Sequencing Assignment:

シークエンス（後屈、ツイスト）

シャバーサナ（ブロックを頭、胸椎の下に置く）

セツバンダ（呼吸と連動させて、手も上げ下げする）（ブロックを腿に挟む）

エカ・パダ・アパナーサナ

テーブルトップ

ＣＡＴ／ＣＯＷ

エクステンドチャイルド

ダウンドッグ→プランク→ダウンドッグ

（足を手元へステップ）ウッタナーサナ→タダーサナ

太陽礼拝Ｃ（プランク、ダウンドッグ）×2

太陽礼拝Ａ×3

English translation…

Savasana (Block under the head and thoracic)

Setu Bandhasana (in conjunction with breathing / Sandwich the block in thighs)

Eka Pada Apanasana

Table Top Pose

Cat/Cow

Extended Child Pose

AMS→Plank→AMS

(Step Forward) Uttanasana→Tadasana

Surya NamasukarC (Plank/AMS)×2

Surya NamasukarA×3

Everyone took their final exam today and a couple had the option of looking at an english version. I marvel at the ability we all had to communicate such complex topics, learn a common language–Sanskirt, and flourish over the past 11 weeks.

I’ve also included additional images of  students who weren’t included the photo essay from “The Teacher Training: Weeks 5 & 6.”