One of my favorite classes to teach during December is “Shine YOUR Light.” The focus of this class is to discuss the importance of the inner light we all have and what makes us shine bright. I also teach the importance of light and the symbolism in Diwali, Hanukkah, Kawanza and Christmas.
One year when I taught this class, I had a little girl that was maybe seven or eight stand up in front of a group of 12-5 students. She confidently and proudly taught them ALL of them about Hanukkah. Her knowledge of the Holiday and the importance in her family was fascinating to her peers. I was equally impressed.
Props & Prep
I like to use these electric votives in this class and have the room dimly lit. We use the candles as drishtis and it helps set the tone of peace with my students.
I start class with a simple, quick discussion about how each of us are different and have different strengths within us. Sometimes, the students are immediately willing and wanting to share their “light” and I encourage them to hold on to their light, to let it shine quietly and give them an opportunity to share at the end of class.
Breathing Technique
Candle breath! I have the children pretend to hold a candle out in front of them. Then, take a big breath in and a breath out to blow out the candle. We do that a few times and then practice breathing in all different ways to make their “flame” wiggle.
Poses
This is a class with a bunch of heart openers: reverse lunge, camel, floor bow, dancer, locust. We practice different poses of star (standing, side & fallen) and how we shine bright as individuals, similar to stars in the sky. I use electric votives as drishtis and end class with restorative candlestick pose. I encourage the students to imagine their light soaring out of their body and being shared with others. Through out class, I weave in the following facts about the Festival of Lights in different cultures.
Fun Facts about Holiday Lights
Light is used to celebrate Holidays all across the world.
- Diwali – Diwali is the Festival of Lights in India. During this Holiday, light represents the victory of light over dark, wisdom over ignorance, and the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.
- Hanukkah– is the Jewish Festival of Lights. This Holiday lasts for eight days and nights and honors a miracle in which light won over darkness. Hanukahh is celebrated with a menorah, a candelabrum with nine branches.
- Kwanzaa– a secular festival of lights for African American culture celebrating history, family, values, community, and culture over the course of a few days.
- Christmas– a Christian celebration that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Lights are used on Christmas trees and candles and votives are used in luminaries to light the path for guests to find their destination.
I would love to hear the themes/classes you teach during December!! I’ve taught many variations of the above over the past few years and each one gives me so much joy.