The group was welcoming and the teaching was great -- Karen's class yesterday.
Every instructor has his/her own style of teaching, developed over years of study. Karen's style is like you're sitting in her home, over a cup of tea, but she still has you work hard. She is relaxed, yet there is no question that you are learning and studying while in her presence.
My style is still developing (and, I'm sure will always develop). But, one of the greatest compliments paid me was by Sundari. She noted that, since I have studied with a number of teachers and very frequently with John, I don't sound like anyone else -- I sound like myself.
I've never really enjoyed listening to my voice. But, I also notice when an instructor sounds like his/her teacher -- using the same verbage and intonation. That's not a criticism, just an acknowledgement that their voice has yet to develop.
Thankfully, that part of my teaching doesn't need much more work -- according to Sundari, I have my own voice. Now, I need to work on making it say the right things at the right time and inspire people. Not an easy task -- always a work in progress.
Have a good day!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
IDAHO, HERE I COME
I am up in Spokane this weekend, visiting parents (once again, husband is holding down the fort in Salt Lake City). I've been going to attorney's office, doctor's office, shopping for staples, talking really LOUD because hearing is failing in both parents -- fun stuff. Today I'll go to a class in Coeur d'alene with Karen Sprute-Francovich and let my hair down for a bit.
One of the fortunate parts of my life is that where I live, and where we regularly visit, there are Certified Anusara® instructors available. It is fun and expanding to visit other studios, experience other teaching, and other yoga communities.
Never have I understood why some people choose to limit their yoga experience to just one instructor. (That's my bias coming through.) I love to hear how other instructors phrase their instructions, how they take us into poses, how they sequence their classes, how they interpret the philosophic aspects of this practice.
I remember something from each of the instructors I have studied with. You can take a 'pearl of wisdom' from each -- even if the instructor doesn't prove to be one of your favorites (we can't like everyone). But, they all have something to offer us.
Disclaimer -- this blog is a bit scattered and hurried, because I keep getting interrupted to chat. Next time, I'll stay in my room as I write it.
Enjoy the weekend,
One of the fortunate parts of my life is that where I live, and where we regularly visit, there are Certified Anusara® instructors available. It is fun and expanding to visit other studios, experience other teaching, and other yoga communities.
Never have I understood why some people choose to limit their yoga experience to just one instructor. (That's my bias coming through.) I love to hear how other instructors phrase their instructions, how they take us into poses, how they sequence their classes, how they interpret the philosophic aspects of this practice.
I remember something from each of the instructors I have studied with. You can take a 'pearl of wisdom' from each -- even if the instructor doesn't prove to be one of your favorites (we can't like everyone). But, they all have something to offer us.
Disclaimer -- this blog is a bit scattered and hurried, because I keep getting interrupted to chat. Next time, I'll stay in my room as I write it.
Enjoy the weekend,
Thursday, May 28, 2009
HOW EASY TO FORGET
As I become enmeshed in teaching yoga to students who have done the practice for a while, I often forget the beginning.
I try (very hard) to forget that I wore my socks to the first 3-4 yoga classes I attended. Not sure what I was thinking, but I was bound and determined NOT to remove those socks!
Also, I remember worrying that EVERYONE was watching me. And, my flexibility was about nil, so - in my opinion - it would have been fun to watch!
It also took me 3-4 efforts to get to the studio and get in the door -- it's pretty daunting to endeavor to try a totally different type of activity, no matter how good people tell you it is. It can be way out of our comfort zone.
Frequently, I receive e-mails from students who want to start. They worry about just what is involved, what do they wear, do they need equipment, do they take their shoes off, and - I'm sure - many just forego the practice because they're not sure exactly what yoga is or what it involves.
It is important for me to remember all of this when meeting a new student (new to the practice, that is). I have the 'power' to make or break their experience and their future in yoga. I want them to continue, even if it's not with me as their teacher or at my studio.
Such a powerful and beneficial practice should be part of more peoples' lives. Important to remember my role in making people feel welcome and valued.
Enjoy your day,
I try (very hard) to forget that I wore my socks to the first 3-4 yoga classes I attended. Not sure what I was thinking, but I was bound and determined NOT to remove those socks!
Also, I remember worrying that EVERYONE was watching me. And, my flexibility was about nil, so - in my opinion - it would have been fun to watch!
It also took me 3-4 efforts to get to the studio and get in the door -- it's pretty daunting to endeavor to try a totally different type of activity, no matter how good people tell you it is. It can be way out of our comfort zone.
Frequently, I receive e-mails from students who want to start. They worry about just what is involved, what do they wear, do they need equipment, do they take their shoes off, and - I'm sure - many just forego the practice because they're not sure exactly what yoga is or what it involves.
It is important for me to remember all of this when meeting a new student (new to the practice, that is). I have the 'power' to make or break their experience and their future in yoga. I want them to continue, even if it's not with me as their teacher or at my studio.
Such a powerful and beneficial practice should be part of more peoples' lives. Important to remember my role in making people feel welcome and valued.
Enjoy your day,
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
REMEMBERING
Back in Salt Lake after a weekend in Driggs. Fun to be there, to watch the cranes coming back to the fields, to watch the dogs run (and run and run), to sit in front of a gentle fire and read (and read and read).
The rain kept me inside most of Sunday, however - with rain threatening but the sun peeping through on Monday - it was time to get out. Decided some yoga was in order, and - knowing YogaTejas is just a short drive away - I headed into town. Cate was subbing and her theme for this class was 'remembrance'.
I'm sure many of you who went to a class (or did your own practice) may have experienced or used a similar theme. Hence my favorite (to the right, "The Decision"). It says a lot I can apply to my life. Until yoga, I was following a similar path to my Mother (not a bad path, just not my path). Each time I came to a turn, I'd think -- 'this is eerily similar to something my Mother did'. So, I took a fork in the road -- where she turned right, I turned left.
What a difference a turn makes! Don't need to go into all the dreary details, but - suffice it to say - I am happier with myself and looking forward to continuing to age with Grace. I'm sure my parents are happy with themselves also, it's just I've chosen a different kind of 'happy'.
Back in Salt Lake -- I had planned to do the drive back today, but with husband holding down the fort in Salt Lake and work to be done, dogs and I drove back yesterday afternoon. Good drive -- traffic somewhat heavy, but not so bad as to hinder the drive.
The rain kept me inside most of Sunday, however - with rain threatening but the sun peeping through on Monday - it was time to get out. Decided some yoga was in order, and - knowing YogaTejas is just a short drive away - I headed into town. Cate was subbing and her theme for this class was 'remembrance'.
I'm sure many of you who went to a class (or did your own practice) may have experienced or used a similar theme. Hence my favorite (to the right, "The Decision"). It says a lot I can apply to my life. Until yoga, I was following a similar path to my Mother (not a bad path, just not my path). Each time I came to a turn, I'd think -- 'this is eerily similar to something my Mother did'. So, I took a fork in the road -- where she turned right, I turned left.
What a difference a turn makes! Don't need to go into all the dreary details, but - suffice it to say - I am happier with myself and looking forward to continuing to age with Grace. I'm sure my parents are happy with themselves also, it's just I've chosen a different kind of 'happy'.
Back in Salt Lake -- I had planned to do the drive back today, but with husband holding down the fort in Salt Lake and work to be done, dogs and I drove back yesterday afternoon. Good drive -- traffic somewhat heavy, but not so bad as to hinder the drive.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
BALANCE
After a productive shopping spree at the Nordstrom sale Friday night, I thought it appropriate to use the theme of balance - allowing myself to 'shop' but not spend so much I put myself in financial jeopardy. (By the way, I did find and buy a great pair of dangly earrings -- way out of my fashion comfort zone, but so much fun to wear.)
My plan was to work on different balance poses in this practice. What I realized as I sat at the end of class, was that balance goes so much further than just poses. There is balance between the energy I draw into my poses and the organic extension of the pose. I knew that, but then I took it a step further and could find balance between the work the different body parts are doing.
Think about the standing leg in Virabhadrasana III. If all or part of the rest of the body is just 'hanging out' as we move into the pose, don't you think that standing leg might get a little 'irritated', not to mention tired?
I also noticed the impact of holding a limp foot in Natarajasana -- if I'm holding on to a 'dead fish' of a foot, the energy that transmits to the rest of my body is pretty ineffective (as in nil). It is so much more effective if we give life to that foot - energize it! We worked with that thought as we did the pose a second time with an improvement in everyone's pose.
So, balance in the working of ALL parts of the body in these poses. I have often said to students, 'all parts of the body work in this pose'. But, I have never realized it so fully as yesterday. (That thought also applies to the softening aspect of poses -- because, for some of us, softening is not so easy; it's work.)
What a fun class to teach. Loved it.
Hope your Sunday is relaxing -- if not, then maybe Monday,
My plan was to work on different balance poses in this practice. What I realized as I sat at the end of class, was that balance goes so much further than just poses. There is balance between the energy I draw into my poses and the organic extension of the pose. I knew that, but then I took it a step further and could find balance between the work the different body parts are doing.
Think about the standing leg in Virabhadrasana III. If all or part of the rest of the body is just 'hanging out' as we move into the pose, don't you think that standing leg might get a little 'irritated', not to mention tired?
I also noticed the impact of holding a limp foot in Natarajasana -- if I'm holding on to a 'dead fish' of a foot, the energy that transmits to the rest of my body is pretty ineffective (as in nil). It is so much more effective if we give life to that foot - energize it! We worked with that thought as we did the pose a second time with an improvement in everyone's pose.
So, balance in the working of ALL parts of the body in these poses. I have often said to students, 'all parts of the body work in this pose'. But, I have never realized it so fully as yesterday. (That thought also applies to the softening aspect of poses -- because, for some of us, softening is not so easy; it's work.)
What a fun class to teach. Loved it.
Hope your Sunday is relaxing -- if not, then maybe Monday,
Saturday, May 23, 2009
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY
I apologize for rushing, but need to get this morning going -- have a private to teach at 7:45 am, then my regular class at 9 am. The dogs are waiting for their walk, so - needless to say - I'm feeling a bit rushed. (regardless of what this post says, it's really 6:15 am here -- not 5 something)
Just a note about blogs I follow:
Sundari - is blogging about her journey and teaching in Europe (Hooray!)
Christina - has been and continues to blog about teaching, philosophy and life with regularity.
Karen - is back. I think - after her trip and extensive blogging in India, she needed a vacation. Her blog contains info about her life, her teaching, philosophy, etc.
All are wonderful women with so much to share. And all three are connected by Grace, friendship and Anusara® yoga. We can learn so much from them, and more. I know there are a ton of blogs out there that are similar to these. Let me know your favorites.
Gotta run.
Enjoy the start of your weekend (unless you started enjoying it yesterday),
Just a note about blogs I follow:
Sundari - is blogging about her journey and teaching in Europe (Hooray!)
Christina - has been and continues to blog about teaching, philosophy and life with regularity.
Karen - is back. I think - after her trip and extensive blogging in India, she needed a vacation. Her blog contains info about her life, her teaching, philosophy, etc.
All are wonderful women with so much to share. And all three are connected by Grace, friendship and Anusara® yoga. We can learn so much from them, and more. I know there are a ton of blogs out there that are similar to these. Let me know your favorites.
Gotta run.
Enjoy the start of your weekend (unless you started enjoying it yesterday),
Friday, May 22, 2009
COMMUNICATION
This week, many of us (Anusara-Inspired™ and Certified Anusara® yoga instructors) received a wonderful e-mail from John Friend, Founder of Anusara Yoga.
I love getting any kind of communication from the 'home office'. It makes me feel like I belong, it gives me a connection, and it inspires me to keep working. Isn't it amazing how that little bit of acknowledgement (in this case, our name on an e-mail list of about 1,500 others) can motivate us, as individuals, to keep working and striving towards our goal.
His message was about the Denver Teachers' Gathering - a week-long training for Certified and about-to-be Certified instructors that is held each year; a short re-cap of the discussions there and included guidelines for Immersion and Teacher Trainings, plus birthday commentary (he's about to turn 50 -- to be older than your teacher is something for another post).
I can apply the same principle in my classes -- acknowledging everyone, from the least experienced to the most proficient. Everyone likes to feel that, to feel they are part of the group, to feel noticed.
I also notice that, when in workshops or trainings with John, it's also nice NOT to be noticed. That is an unspoken acknowledgement that I must be getting it; or at least close to getting it. But that awareness comes with years of working with him, of knowing what to expect, what his nuances in class are. Always listening. Always remembering that he is the guide, I am his passenger. Never anticipating and acting without his instruction. Sounds like I'm a robot, but that is part of the student-teacher relationship -- honoring the teacher and his/her wisdom and trusting that the instructions will take me to the most beneficial spot for me.
Enough said.
Wayne's class yesterday was excellent -- in fact, with all the details to alignment he was throwing at us, I would have thought (except for the voice) I was in a class with John. Good stuff and the fact that I understood and could incorporate the instructions into my poses is excellent! Thank you, Wayne, for the double excellent class!
Enjoy Friday and looking forward to a LONG weekend,
I love getting any kind of communication from the 'home office'. It makes me feel like I belong, it gives me a connection, and it inspires me to keep working. Isn't it amazing how that little bit of acknowledgement (in this case, our name on an e-mail list of about 1,500 others) can motivate us, as individuals, to keep working and striving towards our goal.
His message was about the Denver Teachers' Gathering - a week-long training for Certified and about-to-be Certified instructors that is held each year; a short re-cap of the discussions there and included guidelines for Immersion and Teacher Trainings, plus birthday commentary (he's about to turn 50 -- to be older than your teacher is something for another post).
I can apply the same principle in my classes -- acknowledging everyone, from the least experienced to the most proficient. Everyone likes to feel that, to feel they are part of the group, to feel noticed.
I also notice that, when in workshops or trainings with John, it's also nice NOT to be noticed. That is an unspoken acknowledgement that I must be getting it; or at least close to getting it. But that awareness comes with years of working with him, of knowing what to expect, what his nuances in class are. Always listening. Always remembering that he is the guide, I am his passenger. Never anticipating and acting without his instruction. Sounds like I'm a robot, but that is part of the student-teacher relationship -- honoring the teacher and his/her wisdom and trusting that the instructions will take me to the most beneficial spot for me.
Enough said.
Wayne's class yesterday was excellent -- in fact, with all the details to alignment he was throwing at us, I would have thought (except for the voice) I was in a class with John. Good stuff and the fact that I understood and could incorporate the instructions into my poses is excellent! Thank you, Wayne, for the double excellent class!
Enjoy Friday and looking forward to a LONG weekend,
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