This Is Where the Healing Begins

When you come to passionately believe that the lifestyle you’ve discovered could benefit each and every person you care about, it’s hard not to endorse your product. I’ve been trying to get my mom to start a yoga practice for years now. I don’t want to force it on her, but I suspect that she’d […]

It’s been awhile since I took class at my training studio. I’ve been preoccupied, and a little reluctant. Among other things, I’ve been struggling with feeling rejected since I wasn’t asked to teach right after graduation. But I’ve had some time to reflect, and to take responsibility for my perspective. Today I felt ready to […]

It’s cliche, I know, but it’s also true: Where there’s a will there’s a way. I’m seeing this more clearly than ever before, particularly now that I understand the will won’t always necessarily be my own. I’ve talked about isvara recently–the 5th niyama that refers to surrender. But last night while reading Emotional Yoga I […]

I love teaching yoga! I think I’ve expressed that sentiment before, and I’m pleased/relieved it hasn’t changed. What has changed, however (and thank goodness) is my anxiety about teaching yoga. Near the end of my 200-hour training I realized one aspect of isvara–I surrendered my will and decided to accept my yoga fate. I stopped […]

I’m starting a new training tonight, to get my certification in kids yoga, and I’m sure it will be unlike anything I’ve learned before. (Well, not entirely unlike anything I’ve learned before, since the training is being led by the same person who introduced me to kid yoga during my 200-hour training. But that was […]

I just took a short workshop on how to teach beginners yoga and I am now in an advanced state of overwhelmed. Deep breath. And another. Okay. That’s a bit better. I had semianticipated a reaction like this which is why I was planning to immediately head over to the studio where I did my […]

Over and done and just begun–that’s how I feel about the conclusion of teacher training, which really just marked the start of a lifelong journey of learning, healing, and sharing. I can’t quite bring myself to say something ended, even though I know it did. I know that next weekend, I won’t be spending nineteen […]

I was all but certain I would complete a full class last night: The only thing that could have stopped me was myself, and lately I’ve been careful to keep out of my own way. So I wasn’t really surprised to be ringing the Tibetan singing bowl at the end of class. But I was […]

Graduation is in four days, and if I don’t successfully teach a complete class tomorrow, I’ll have to return my diploma after the ceremony. And it will be okay. Take that, my Type A personality traits! I’ve chosen santosha (aka contentment) and isvara (aka surrender) over fear and anxiety, and it is a blessed relief. […]

Such a simple question, and the answer means so much. We had a quiz on the sutras today, and I didn’t have much time to study: Last night I spent ten minutes reviewing class handouts and notes while I ate dinner, this morning I looked up a couple websites while waiting for the bus, and […]

“Take the class through a collective breath, and then I’m going to take over.” The voice was gentle and kind, and yet I almost had to choke back tears as I did as I was told, asking everyone to take a full, rich inhale and heading toward the back of the room as I haaaaaaaahed […]

I’m writing this post primarily to document two events of personal interest that transpired in the last twenty-four hours. So please forgive the lack of structure or theme. (Or don’t read any further.) Firstly, chair pose: I have no problem doing it but have been really struggling to teach it. In the sequence I must […]

I’ve been unusually aware of the fleeting present, lately. This past weekend of yoga training was painful and sad, in the best of ways–if that makes any sense. Early a.m. Bikram led by one of Bikram’s longtime colleagues was definitely one source of sorrow and sweet, sweet release. Plenty of students in my training are […]

I saw a play tonight that I really enjoyed. The theater was small, and I gained renewed appreciation for the bravery of an actor: making the choice to expose your soul, if you are any good. To share your heart and voice with a group of strangers and friends. Communicating takes courage. Tomorrow night’s training […]

So I’m teaching again in a couple of days, and I’m taking tonight to study. Some time to reflect, refresh, and restore. Because for a practicing yogi, I haven’t felt very relaxed recently. But, thankfully, tonight I’ve reached a turning point. I knew it would come; they always do. But being patient isn’t always easy. […]

I.   LOVE.   YOGA! That sentiment should be beyond evident if you’ve ever read a word of my blog, but it’s never felt truer than tonight. I taught a full (half) class! All by myself! I’m actually glad I didn’t get through the whole thing–I knew I wouldn’t, such is the structure of tandem […]

I woke up today like a kid on Christmas morning, eagerly checking the training calendar to see if I’d been scheduled to teach. And I squealed just like a child when I saw I was on the roster: As of 10 p.m. tomorrow, I’ll have made the transition from trainee to teacher!!! Well, technically I’ll […]

I just did my very first set of at-home sun salutations and I sincerely hope I have the discipline to make it a daily practice. For one thing, it only took about five minutes. And for another thing, I feel amazing! Equally amazing is that in all my years of yoga, it was not until […]

It’s a good thing I’m so interested in learning about kids, because on Sunday I certainly acted like one. And I’m glad, because I felt my feelings and released them and once I’d been counseled I was filled with absolute calm. It was a peaceful catharsis and I am grateful for it. But still. I’m […]

I don’t want to be too dramatic, but I miiight have found my calling. I learned about kiddie yoga at a training session this weekend and I loved every minute of it. Of course I can’t know for sure until I actually work with some children, but pretty much everything about this aspect of yoga […]