Here's a recap of our very first class this year.
We began with a brief meditation, setting a calm and focused tone. Then it was time to get to know each other!
We played an ice-breaker game where everyone picked a number from a box. Each number corresponded to a fun question about themselves from a list.
The questions ranged from favorite music genres to the weirdest thing they've ever eaten! We laughed, giggled, and chuckled over some answers, while a few were downright inspiring—or delightfully goofy.
We discovered that someone had eaten a crayon, another wanted to be an aeronautical engineer, one loved Dexter, and another had read (or pretended to read) an economics book. One student dreamed of flying like a bird, while another would happily eat their favorite food every day rather than give it up. One was called a "genius" by friends, and another showcased the impressive skill of bending fingers in any direction. You get the picture! Overall, it was a fun class, full of laughter, connection, and the first steps toward deeper conversations as we explore the teachings of the Geeta.
Next, each student wrote down three questions they hope to have answered by the end of the year. We collected their questions and will address them throughout the year. We even started with a popular question: What is Karma Yoga? This served as a perfect segue because, by then, parents had come to visit our class. We shared our plans for the year—learning about Karma Yoga through the Bhagavad Gita.
This year, we will also be learning to chant Chapters 15 and 12 of the Gita. To make this possible, we will practice chanting from the very first class until the last. So, we started with the first verse of Chapter 15.
Finally, we went to the auditorium, where our JCHYKs led the aarati and pledge for everyone.
Rashmi and Jacqueline.
