Happy 2022, folks. It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone. And what a year it was: never mind, what a decade it’s been so far. The 2020s have been a cold splash of water on the world’s face, forcing us to reckon with some of the bigger existential threats.
How to carry on in this long tense season? How do we look after ourselves, and keep well enough to do the important work that the world needs us to focus on?
Pondering these questions made me think of our own Nikki Ying, who has spent the last several years studying the art and science of Yoga Therapy. I wanted to talk to Nikki, who always has a fresh perspective on traditional wellness, and staying healthy and happy in times of stress and uncertainty. Not only that: Nikki has adapted the traditional modality of yoga therapy so she can work specifically with children. She is one of the world’s pioneers in the field.
TYB: Nikki, you are a person with truly eclectic talents and skills. What would you say about yourself if you were playing "three truths and a lie?" Please give details!
NY: I can fly an airplane ~TRUE from 2008-2013 I was working on my private pilot's license and learned to fly a single engine aircraft. I worked in the aviation industry in Calgary, starting at WestJet's call center and then moving into a Sr. Admin role for a charter company, North Cariboo Air (yes, that's how it's spelled :)).
I love to run! ~ FALSE I actually do not enjoy the jostling that happens in my body while running. I much prefer to increase my heart rate and mindfully move my body through either hot yoga or playing with my dog or the Yoga Buggy students.
I have 4 Post-Secondary Diplomas ~ TRUE from 2004-2005 I attended CDI College where I studied to be a Professional Legal Assistant. In 2013-2016 I attended fashion school and graduated as a Couturiere in Montreal. I graduated from Vancouver Film school and studied Make-Up Design in 2017. And finally in 2020 I graduated as a Certified Yoga Therapist. I worked in all these fields, nothing feeds my soul like yoga therapy and teaching kids group yoga.
TYB: You are venturing out on a fascinating career path. Can you tell us a little about Yoga Therapy for Children? What is it? How is it different from teaching Yoga to Children?
NY: To me, the main difference between Yoga Therapy and a Public Yoga Class is the client-centered education that is curated to your unique situation. During a one-on-one Yoga Therapy session, we first conduct an intake, just like you would at a doctor's office or a physiotherapist’s office. We conduct a palpated (I use my hands to feel your bones), physical assessment and ask inquisitive questions regarding your concerns. We hear strengths and stories within symptoms presented and we use those strengths to address the root cause and learn to manage and master the consequences of personal and social experiences. Bridging Western medical biology and Eastern energetics, we curate body-based tools (breath, movement, meditation, mantra (words and phrases), mudra (hand yoga) and reflection) that align with your unique lifestyle. Yoga Therapists teach you when and how to implement those tools into your life. This education piece helps move kids (big and little) towards improved health goals daily, with autonomy, empowerment and care, creating confidence that allows kids to live their best lives. Offering public kids class is very general and broad and I may not always connect to all the kids if it’s a large group and I sometimes feel like I didn’t offer much help to them in their off-the-mat yoga practice (life).
TYB: If you could tell people one important thing about yoga for children, what would it be?
NY: Consider what Yoga means and empty yourself of expectations. Yoga doesn't just mean postures/poses/shapes/asana. It can mean anything that yokes or brings together the mind, body, soul and spirit through breathwork, movement and meditation. If you arrive full of expectations, there is no room to play and grow. Kid’s yoga may not necessarily reflect the public class adults participate in. Play is transformative and powerful, kids (big and little) learn 400 times faster through play then through lecture. It's about learning and understanding practical somatic tools, empowering them to use their own bodies as their number one resource to regulate their nervous systems, movements to help the body feel and stay strong in mobility, helping to create ideal conditions for healthy, informative decision making humans. Sports teach us how to play the game, yoga helps us decide which team to play for.
TYB: You had a pet who was a really special friend to you. What can you share with us about the bond between humans and animals?
NY: Animals are really great to have around. They teach you how to listen and understand non-verbal and other forms of communication through your energy or visualization. They remind you how important it is to keep a routine, to keep your space clean, anything on the floor is fair game! They remind you to get outside multiple times a day, and play in the grass or rest in the sun and not take everything so seriously as you make time to play! Animals are amazing for co-regulation, allowing your heart beats to sync and your nervous systems to play follow-the-leader, calming your pup down when they're stressed, just as they do for you when you're upset generates endless cuddles. Relentless lessons of learning within yourself how to forgive and not stay in your anger. These moments really help put everything into perspective when you realize, it's just stuff or a schedule that and the only thing that matters is your pup's health and happiness. To live your life with the constant consideration of you two as a team ensures you'll always come home to a wagging tail (or whole bottom!) and unconditional love with endless cuddles. Experiencing a lifetime of pure endless joy, until they pass and your heart feels like it will never mend from the millions of pieces it is broken into after they depart. That kind of hurt is from a deep kind of love only a familiar (pet) can bring and it is worth it! There is no love like that of an animal, did I mention the endless cuddles? It's a serious commitment to befriend an animal, they expect you to hold up your end of the bargain as they will hold to theirs. It’s very important to be mindful of your own Self-care and to take it seriously, as they are always ready to go and humans are so needy. We need shoes, coats, mits, hats, poo bags, treats, the leash and our keys, they just need us to open the door so they can take care of themselves. Animals are free, they have personality and intelligence all their own and they bring lots of reminders how important it is to play! When you meet one that is on your vibe, there is a lot more magic in the world.~
“Happiness is a warm puppy” ~Charles M. Schultz (author of Charlie Brown and the Peanut Gang)
TYB: What would you like to share with new/aspiring kids' yoga teachers?
NY: Come to work to play and move! Share your knowledge and embrace the chaos. It is part of the jam. Moving from chaos to stillness to chaos again through play is the most impactful and rewarding learning environment for both me and the kids. Learn to let go and let go of needing to always be in control, knowing everything, of the notion we know better than the kids. Have a plan and then be prepared to throw it out. As you go with the flow, co-creating and inspiring kids through play will make the experience fun, beneficial and rewarding for everyone. Education doesn’t necessarily mean sitting quietly while an adult lectures.
How can people reach you if they'd like to learn more about your work?
Feel free to visit my site www.missnikkinyx.com.
Reach out and connect with me through:
email at missnikki.nyx@gmail.com
Facebook NYX Yoga Therapy
Insta @missnikki.nyx
or offering public kids classes through The Yoga Buggy Assn. in local Vancouver schools :-)
