WO2009117776A2

WO2009117776A2 - A method of conducting a yoga class and apparatus therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2009117776A2
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000346
Authority: WO
Inventors: Debra Mccormick
Original assignee: Debra Mccormick
Priority date: 2008-03-27
Filing date: 2009-03-27
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Also published as: AU2009227989A1

Description

A METHOD OF CONDUCTING A YOGA CLASS AND APPARATUS

THEREFOR

Technical Field The present invention relates to a method of conducting a yoga class and an apparatus for use in the class. The invention has particular application to teaching yoga to young people.

Summary In a first aspect there is provided an apparatus for use in practising yoga including: a generally planar body; a number of representations are provided on the body; wherein the representations represent yoga poses.

The representations may be of characters and the characters are represented adopting yoga poses. The name of the pose may correspond with the name of the character.

The character may be any one of an animal, human or mythical character. The representations may be of a parent and infant performing a yoga pose together.

The apparatus may further include formations at or along one or more edges of the apparatus that allows the apparatus to be interlocked to another similar apparatus.

In a second aspect there is provided a method of conducting a yoga class including the steps of: providing a number of costumes; directing a member of the class to select and wear one of the costumes; and directing the member of the class to adopt a yoga pose relating to their selected costume. The method may further include the step of providing an apparatus according to the first aspect and wherein the costumes correspond to characters in the representations and may further include the step of directing the class member to adopt a yoga pose adopted in the representation of the character corresponding to their selected costume.

In a third aspect there is provided a kit of parts including an apparatus according to the first aspect, and instructions to conduct a method according to the second aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure l is a plan view of an embodiment of an apparatus for use in practising yoga;

Figures 2 to 5 are enlarged views of the series of representations on the apparatus of figure 1.

Detailed Description

Referring to figure 1, an apparatus 10 for use in practicing yoga is shown including a generally planar body in the form of a mat 11 of dense foam or other compressible material. A number of series of representations of characters are provided on the body being of a sunflower character 20, a monkey 30, a turtle 40 and a rooster 50.

The series of characters 20, 30, 40 & 50 are provided towards either end of the mat. A region 60 of the mat is where a child adopting yoga poses will generally be situated. The mat further includes a region 62 which may be used for recording the name of the child who regularly uses the mat.

The mat may be provided in a colour that corresponds to the colour of a chakra as follows: Base Chakra - Red, Sacral Chakra - Orange, Solar Plexus Chakra - Yellow, Heart Chakra - Green, Throat Chakra - Indigo, Third Eye Chakra - Dark Blue, or Crown - Purple or Gold.

The characters are represented adopting yoga poses. Referring to figure 2, in the case of series 20, the sunflower character is shown adopting the following poses: Kneeling Pose 21, Sunflower/Volcano 22, Cat Flexes (Marjaryasana) 23, Snake 24, Cobra (Bhujangasana) 25, Down Dog (Advo MukhaSvansana) 26, Childs Pose (Balasana) 27 and another Kneeling Pose 28.

Referring to figure 3, in the case of series 30, the monkey character is shown adopting the following poses: Butterfly with Eagle Arms (Buddha Konasana legs with Garudasana arms) 31, Seated Twist Pose (Marichyasana) 32, Monkey Squat (Malasana) 33, Cat Body Stretch 34, Monkey Grip 35, Dog Variation (Donkey Pose) 36, Wide Leg Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana) 37 and Tree 38 (Vrksasana) 38.

Referring to figure 4, in the case of series 40, the turtle character is shown adopting the following poses: Dead Bug Pose 41, Flower Pose 42, Boat Pose (Paripurna Navisana) 43, Shoulders Stand (Salamba Sarvangasana) 44, Turtle Tuck 45, Seated Side Bend (Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana) 46, Wide Leg Seated Forward Bend (Upavistha Konasana) 47 and Turtle Pose (Kurmasana) 48.

Referring to figure 5, in the case of series 50, the rooster character is shown adopting the following poses: Shoulder Stand (Salamba Sarvangaasana) 51, Resting Rooster 52, Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I) 53, Warrior Pose III (Virabhadrasana III) 54, Standing Spine Twist (Utthita Parsvakonasana) 55, Half Moon (Ardha Chandrasana) 56, Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) 57 and Rabbit Pose/Snail (Sasangasana) 58. It can be seen that at least one of the poses in each series has a name which corresponds with the name of the character. This assists the child in remembering the pose and allows the child to become involved in the activity by identifying with the characters. A method of conducting a yoga class using the mat 11 will now be described.

The class uses a number of mats 11 and also some additional equipment in the form of a variety of animal or character costumes. At the beginning of the class, the members of the class are directed to select and wear one of the costumes. At various stages during the class, they are directed to adopt a yoga pose corresponding to their selected costume. The representations on the mat 11 serve as a guide to the child to assist them in remembering and adopting yoga poses.

Throughout the class each child has the ability to either be one animal for the class or many animals by use of a costume. For example, a child may elect to wear a butterfly costume. They are then a butterfly for the class and do all the other poses but when it comes to the butterfly pose they come out in front of the class and tell the class how they want them to do the butterfly pose for that day. Similarly, a child wearing a ballerina costume may demonstrate how they want the class to do the balance pose that day. A child wearing a tiger costume may show the class how they are going to pretend to walk through the jungle. The mat 11 is referred to throughout the class. It can be used to introduce the poses for that class. Periodically each child is asked to either pick a pose from the mat and do that pose or choose another costume from the wall and go into that animals pose.

The class ends with Savasana or resting pose where the names of each of the animals used in that class are recited in a guided meditation. When teaching young people such as children about yoga, it has been found to be useful to combine the imagination of the child with the various yoga asanas (poses/positions). Throughout the yoga class the child is introduced to the various asanas by reference various animals. E.g. Childs Pose could be renamed Mouse Pose. This interaction stimulates creativity within the child. It also teaches them that its ok to have something different to someone else. E.g. it's okay to like a butterfly and have one other person like a dog.

The mat 11 may be taken home by the child so the child can practice yoga at home. As well as mats, the same principle may be applied to other planar articles such as doona covers, rugs and pillow cases. The representations assist the child in practising yoga outside of organised classes by assisting them to remember the various poses.

In other embodiments, the mat may include representations of mythical characters such as elves, fairies or unicorns and the like. In some embodiments, the mat includes representations of people performing the yoga poses.

In another embodiment, the mat features representations of parents and infants adopting yoga poses. Such a mat is intended for use in mother and baby yoga classes. The "Mum and Baby" yoga mat provides an opportunity for the mother and child to connect. The Yoga poses, asanas, provide an opportunity for the mother to regain strength and flexibility.

Wherever the mat is used, the parent has the option of involving their baby in the movements, by holding him or her, or by having the baby close by. The mat features a series of poses that can be performed in the sequence or any variation. These poses are featured on one side of the mat and are around the border of the mat. An example of such a mat is shown schematically in figure 2.

Special attention is placed on developing correct posture to combat the stress on the body and back caused by poor posture during the feeding, lifting and carrying whilst caring for the baby. This includes a particular emphasis on strengthening the back, abdomen and pelvic floor, as well as relieving tension in areas such as the neck, shoulders and back.

In some embodiments, the mat may include formations at or along one or more edges of the mat that allows the mat to be interlocked to another similar mat. These formations can be similar in appearance to jig-saw type pieces. In some embodiments, a number of small mat sections are provided which can be interlocked together to provide a larger mat. These embodiments are typically formed from thicker and stiffer expanded foam than used for more conventional yoga mat construction. Some embodiments of this type may include push-out portions. For instance, the representations of yoga poses may be provided as a push out portion, or printed on a push out portion.

Embodiments of the apparatus may be formed from various materials including fabric, textiles, foam or rubber.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for use in practising yoga including: a generally planar body; a number of representations are provided on the body; wherein the representations represent yoga poses.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the representations are of characters and the characters are represented adopting yoga poses.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the name of the pose corresponds with the name of the character.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the character is one of an animal, human or mythical character.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the representations are of a parent and infant performing a yoga pose together.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further including formations at or along one or more edges of the apparatus that allows the apparatus to be interlocked to another similar apparatus

7. A method of conducting a yoga class including the steps of: providing a number of costumes; directing a member of the class to select and wear one of the costumes; and directing the member of the class to adopt a yoga pose relating to their selected costume.

8. A method according to claim 7 further including the step of providing an apparatus according to claim 2 and wherein the costumes correspond to characters in the representations and further including the step of directing the class member to adopt the yoga pose adopted in the representation of the character corresponding to their selected costume.

9. A kit of parts including an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and instructions to conduct a method according to any one of claims 7 or 8.