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Yoga in Many Languages

Paloma Chavez

DarsanaSo often, we find ourselves wanting to introduce yoga to other communities whose first language is not English. Most of us can probably remember how intimidating it was to attend our first yoga class and not understand many of the teacher’s instructions or yoga terms. So imagine how hard it must be for people of diverse cultures who can’t converse fluently in English.

Within the San Gabriel Valley, there are significant Asian Pacific and Latino communities who are more confident speaking in their native language than in English. The Yoga Darsana Studio in California has recognized these communities and is offering to teach them the benefits of yoga in their own languages. Every Wednesday and Thursday, beginning yoga students now have the opportunity to enjoy yoga classes taught in either Chinese or Spanish.

Throughout the rest of the week, the Studio offers an array of Iyengar yoga classes. These classes range from beginning and gentle yoga to Levels 1 and 2 that offer a “deeper study of asanas; shoulder stand, head balance and backbends.” In addition, a children’s yoga class is offered every Saturday and is geared towards helping children experience yoga in a fun and non-competitive atmosphere.

[tags]yoga in multiple languages, yoga in Chinese, yoga in Spanish, Iyengar classes, Asian Pacific and Latino communities, children’s yoga[/tags]

One Response to “Yoga in Many Languages”

  1. Yoga - I says:

    I personally have attended many yoga classes in Hebrew, before I understood more than 10 words of the language – it was a challenge for sure, but it was also interesting just how much I *did* understand from observing the class, and a little bit of translation from a very friendly teacher.

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