Friday, January 28, 2011

Give and Take

As yoga teachers sometimes we forget that we are first and foremost yoga students. Although teaching is very rewarding in many ways, it is a giving experience. We give our energy, our experience, our attention and love to our students. We must remember to receive as well and in order to do that we must take classes as opposed to teaching them.

My birthday is tomorrow and my present to myself will be an early morning class with my yoga person and guru Juliana. I will soak up all that Juliana has to give us and be present in class. It is the very best birthday present that I can give to myself. It's the perfect way to start my 59th year.

My 58th year was a fantastic year for me. I took my yoga teacher training, got certified by the Yoga Alliance and started teaching my own classes. Before I knew it I was subbing at the Yoga Source and then I was offered my own Sunday class and now I am also teaching at the Yoga Source on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 in place of Francie who broke her leg. This means I am teaching my own two classes at the yoga loft upstairs from Etro Salon and two classes at The Yoga Source. How could 59 be any better? Well, we never know what the universe will bring to us. :)

Our yoga teacher training graduation on the beach. Top row left to right is Wendi, Juliana, Courtney, Stacy. Bottom row left to right is me, Ruth, Hera, Veronica


Thursday, January 20, 2011

Teaching at The Yoga Source

Yesterday was a wonderful day to teach yoga. I was subbing for Joy at The Yoga Source and I had been looking forward to it ever since Joy had asked me to do it. I love teaching there so much and I'm hoping to remember to bring my camera and take pictures so you can all see this gorgeous studio that I am lucky enough to be teaching at.

The skies were gray and it looked as if it was going to rain. I really tuned into the weather before I went to teach class and I think the gray skies and slight drizzle helped me as I went along in this Wednesday morning class. I felt as if the weather was telling me to slow down and really feel the poses so that's what we did.

I was very happy to see new people in class as well as some of the regulars from Joy's Wednesday class. One of the Yoga Source teachers named Tamara was there as well. I have taken some classes with her through the years so I'm hoping she enjoyed my class yesterday.

Yes, yesterday was a wonderful day to teach yoga but then again any day is a wonderful day to teach yoga. I will be teaching today at 4:30 at The Yoga Source. Come join me as we transition from day to evening in this late afternoon hatha yoga class. :)

Friday, January 7, 2011

Yoga in nature

I stepped outside in the backyard and realized that it was really a beautiful day. I sat on my yoga mat and started breathing and slowing down. The next thing I knew I was in a full pranayama practice really feeling my breath. It seemed very natural and right. I started to lengthen my body and really filling up my lungs and feeling it maybe more than ever before.

I continued a long yoga session practicing all of my favorite standing postures. Triangles, warriors, side angles, sun salutations. Each posture really felt good. Wonderful in fact. I couldn't stop my practice. I just continued until my body told me to stop.

I ended my outside practice in savanasa on my mat on the grass. I could feel the sun on my face as I relaxed every muscle in my body. It was the best savasana I've ever experienced. I have no idea how long I stayed there but I do know that it felt right to be there. :)


Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone. I will be teaching Sunday mornings at 9:00 at the Yoga Source starting tomorrow and then at the yoga loft upstairs at Etro Salon at 11:00. Both of these classes will be gentle yoga classes. If you are interested in the 11:00 at the yoga loft please contact me (either email or cell phone) so that I can wait for you before starting class.

I will also be teaching on Tuesday nights at 6:30 at the yoga loft upstairs from Etro Salon as usual. This class is a hatha yoga level one class. It will help strengthen you, teach you body awareness and challenge you with breath work and asana. At the end my classes you can look forward to a nice long relaxation with aromatherapy for your senses.

I am looking forward to getting back to my regular classes and seeing my students from last year. I am also excited about my new classes and new students. Namaste to all!