When I started telling people that I was training to be a yoga instructor, I thought that statement would be self-explanatory. But instead I was asked, what kind of yoga? (This happened primarily at my high school reunion in Ohio--nobody here in the DC area asks me that. Not sure why the regional difference.) So I would mutter, you know, yoga, or say Hatha Yoga because I'd heard of that (without really knowing what it meant). Then I would explain that I wanted to focus my teaching practice with people who are struggling with mental health issues. Such as depression and anxiety. I even found someone at the reunion who also focuses on this population. But as far as I can tell that kind of focus doesn't have a name, unless you consider it therapeutic yoga.
So now that I'm in a yoga teacher training program, I'm paying more attention to the different kinds of yoga. There are so many, and it's so confusing, that people have written articles about the different types (and often who's associated with them).
With that in mind, I went through the Fall 2010 yoga schedule at my local yoga studio and cross-referenced the names to descriptions from a couple of articles. "My" yoga studio says "...we believe in a holistic approach to the study of yoga...bringing in teachers with an eclectic background of yoga". So that explains why I study yoga, just yoga. Level 1, 2, 3 and 4. But the studio also offers Anusara Yoga (that's John Friend's--he was written up in the NYT magazine in a less-than-favorable light. The Yoga Mogul. Anusara seems to be a type of reformed Iyengar. Iyengar, which I hear much about, seems to be very rigorous, with people staying in poses for a long time. Several minutes maybe. And during that time they're making adjustments to perfect their technique. Iyengar teacher sometimes referred to as the yoga Nazi. I've been afraid to take the class. Although the devotees apparently love it.
Then there's integral yoga, founded by someone named Dr. Dean Ornish, which our studio describes as "a holistic approach to yoga that incorporates a complete hatha routine, deep relaxation, pranayama, chanting and a short meditation". But that describes many of the no-name yoga classes I take, so I'm not sure what the difference is. And Kripalu-inspired yoga; Kripalu yoga founded by Amfit Desai, named after his teacher Sri Kripalvananda who according to one article founded Kundalini yoga. Not sure founded is the correct word. Anyway, Kripalu "focuses on listening to your mind, body and spirit," according to the class description. And Kundalini is a "unique yoga practice integrating hand positions, breath, posture, sound and motion". Then there's Vinyasa yoga, which kind of sounds like Ashtanga, which was founded, discovered, invented, by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois--oh, the Astanga.com web site says Jois "transmitted [Ashtanga] to the modern world". So Jois transmitted Ashtanga, which "involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs," according to Ashtanga.com
Ashtanga sounds a little like hot yoga, but it's not--they don't turn up the heat. In fact we're always asking them to turn on the a/c in the studio. So our studio doesn't offer hot yoga. Which also is called Bikram. But if you call it that, apparently Bikram will sue. Bikram yoga was developed by Bikram Choudhury from Hatha Yoga, according to bikramyoga.com. Bikram studios are heated to 104 degrees F. Again, according to bikramyoga.com. Then there's power yoga, which we also don't do. At least I don't think so--I haven't looked it up. Well, I just did--apparently this can be another name for Ashtanga yoga. You know, the yoga transmitted to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
Given all these different yogas, I figure I'll come up with a sanskrit-y name to describe my practice--and/or come up with a new first name. Cindy Yoga won't get very far, I suspect. I've got several months to come up with something. But I read recently that Indians are getting annoyed with all the people who are copywriting their own versions of yoga, and a move is afoot to "...try to block anyone from cornering the market on the 5,000-year-old discipline of stretching, breathing and meditating..." (See USAToday article from 2006.) So maybe we'll go back to doing yoga. Just yoga.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Meditation is so hard...
My 20-minute meditations continue to be a chore--something I almost dread. Not exactly what I'm supposed to be saying, right? But I can't be the only person whose mind gets more, rather than less, active. Because it has nothing else to do except sit there, so it wanders all over the place. Today I decided to try to keep track of the kinds of thoughts that go through my head in 20 minutes. Again, not what I''m supposed to be striving for...Some decent portion of the time, I'm trying to decide how much time has elapsed. I try to wait to open my eyes and look at the clock until I think it's close to 20 minutes. I've only once hit it at exactly 20 minutes--the worst I've done recently was 8 minutes off. More frequently, I'm 4-5 minutes short when I take my first peek. Then I end up looking about 4 more times before I reach 20 minutes. So anyway, in addition to wondering fairly frequently how much time has elapsed, and whether it's anywhere close to 20 minutes so I can stop, I also fretted over Michigan having no defense, and Denard Robinson carrying too heavy a load, and now that they'll have to face strong teams he may get injured and one guy can't possibly score enough points to make up for a nonexistent defense. I guess that's because it's Monday and the Saturday games are fresh in my mind. And wondering if my foot will fall asleep before I reach 20 minutes and maybe I should switch the cross of my legs. And trying to adjust so I'm sitting up straight, but not focusing too much on that because it could take away from the meditation. And keeping my throat and neck soft, because that helps with singing. And every once in a while I hear me saying my mantra. Then the worries and concerns about my son--and then trying to suppress them.
Are my 20 minutes up yet?
Are my 20 minutes up yet?
Weekend Warrior (I and II)
My yoga teacher training group had its second (in a row) intensive weekend session. I felt a bit like I was going to work again, because I had to drive into town on Thursday and Fridays--the sessions went from 9-4:30 (with a 1 1/2 hour break for lunch). The sessions were quite rigorous, and made me realize I'm not as in good a shape as I thought. The instructors at our studio are all very careful to remind people to know their limits and to what's comfortable. But while this out-of-town instructor said we should do that as instructors, I didn't feel that the workshop was run in quite as tolerant a fashion. So I pushed myself harder than I should have, and had a very sore left quad the next day. Very sore. Probably compensated in some fashion for the fact that my right quad is weak from injury. And I was just generally sore and worn out. I made it through the Friday session; I think he may have backed off a bit based on how many of us looked on Thursday. At one point on Thurs, he said he was modifying his plan because we didn't look so hot (he didn't say it that way, but that's how I took it). He had someone come around and "adjust" what we were doing--which can be fine, but often what he was pushing for was a more intense version of specific poses. So the less intense approaches aren't wrong (they won't cause injury). But if we tried to back off a bit, he or his helper would try to get us to readjust to be more intense.
So I learned first-hand what it's like when one is in an environment where she feels pressure to keep up, even when it may not be good for them. Yes, it was how I interpreted what was going on, but I think as instructor one has to be especially careful not to do anything that would prompt people to push it too much. I read an article on the growing numbers of yoga injuries (from the on-line version of Yoga Journal), and it seems like the biggest cause is overzealous teachers (combined with inexperience). So the "go at your own pace" message can't just be words spoken at the beginning of a session--the sentiment needs to permeate the practice. It's so easy for many, including me, to start making comparisons with others; to want to feel like we can do everything at the maximum level. The full yoga practice--including breathing and meditation--should help calm the yogini and ennable her to focus on deepening her practice in ways that are consistent with her physical (and mental) condition.
So I learned first-hand what it's like when one is in an environment where she feels pressure to keep up, even when it may not be good for them. Yes, it was how I interpreted what was going on, but I think as instructor one has to be especially careful not to do anything that would prompt people to push it too much. I read an article on the growing numbers of yoga injuries (from the on-line version of Yoga Journal), and it seems like the biggest cause is overzealous teachers (combined with inexperience). So the "go at your own pace" message can't just be words spoken at the beginning of a session--the sentiment needs to permeate the practice. It's so easy for many, including me, to start making comparisons with others; to want to feel like we can do everything at the maximum level. The full yoga practice--including breathing and meditation--should help calm the yogini and ennable her to focus on deepening her practice in ways that are consistent with her physical (and mental) condition.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
trigger finger surgery update
I had my surgery 4+ weeks ago (that's more than 4 but less than 4 1/2--4 and 2 days) and my trigger finger is very stiff and swollen. I've put ice on my hand (also swollen where they did the surgery) and taken Aleve. They helped some. But my finger is so puffy and stiff it's scary. Could be that I overdid my downward facing dogs and other poses at the intensive weekend yoga workshop. But I have 2 more full days of yoga workshops starting tomorrow, so I can't lay off yet. After Friday I'll take it easy...I don't really want to go back to the doctor; maybe this is (somewhat) normal recovery process.
Speaking of dogs (quite a segway), ours is peeing in her sleep again--sbe pees on the chair she sleeps on and on her LL Bean dog bed. The bed cover washed fine, but the "memory foam dog bed insert" was ruined--I left it outside all day and it still stunk. So I've ordered a new insert--not cheap at $90 for a large. It's for the therapeutic dog bed, which is designed for older dogs. Which ours is at 10 yrs. and two joint surgeries. I asked LLB if they have make a plastic covering for the insert--they don't. I'm hoping it comes in plastic wrap--if so I'll just leave the plastic on. It's too big otherwise to find plastic that will fit--the dry cleaner bags are too flimsy. The order said the it could take 3-4 weeks for delivery, but I got an email from LLB today saying the product had been shipped. I just ordered it yesterday! They do have good service and good products. I almost also ordered the "fleece lined flannel shirt (in bright Navy plaid)--the shirt I had seen at the store recently and really liked. I couldn't find it on the web site initially, but it's now in the catalogue. So I knew what it was called, and thus could pull it up on the web site.
I will say I have trouble finding things on the LLBean web site if I don't have the exact name. I searched on therapeutic dog bed mattress, for example, and got nothing. You have to know that the mattress is called a memory foam insert--who calls it that? I think they could make it easier for people to find a replacement insert by linking the product to the dog bed--almost looks like they want people to buy the whole bed (including the cover) if they need a replacement. But the bed (cover and insert) costs $139, so getting just the insert is a savings. I can't have the only do who's peed on her dog bed. In fact, she had gone on the old bed and I didn't realize it--I tossed the whole bed because it wasn't "therapeutic".
She does love these dog beds--we have two; one in our family room and one in our hallway. We're upping the medication she takes to prevent the urinate-while-you-sleep problem. I wonder if they make doggie diapers...
Speaking of dogs (quite a segway), ours is peeing in her sleep again--sbe pees on the chair she sleeps on and on her LL Bean dog bed. The bed cover washed fine, but the "memory foam dog bed insert" was ruined--I left it outside all day and it still stunk. So I've ordered a new insert--not cheap at $90 for a large. It's for the therapeutic dog bed, which is designed for older dogs. Which ours is at 10 yrs. and two joint surgeries. I asked LLB if they have make a plastic covering for the insert--they don't. I'm hoping it comes in plastic wrap--if so I'll just leave the plastic on. It's too big otherwise to find plastic that will fit--the dry cleaner bags are too flimsy. The order said the it could take 3-4 weeks for delivery, but I got an email from LLB today saying the product had been shipped. I just ordered it yesterday! They do have good service and good products. I almost also ordered the "fleece lined flannel shirt (in bright Navy plaid)--the shirt I had seen at the store recently and really liked. I couldn't find it on the web site initially, but it's now in the catalogue. So I knew what it was called, and thus could pull it up on the web site.
I will say I have trouble finding things on the LLBean web site if I don't have the exact name. I searched on therapeutic dog bed mattress, for example, and got nothing. You have to know that the mattress is called a memory foam insert--who calls it that? I think they could make it easier for people to find a replacement insert by linking the product to the dog bed--almost looks like they want people to buy the whole bed (including the cover) if they need a replacement. But the bed (cover and insert) costs $139, so getting just the insert is a savings. I can't have the only do who's peed on her dog bed. In fact, she had gone on the old bed and I didn't realize it--I tossed the whole bed because it wasn't "therapeutic".
She does love these dog beds--we have two; one in our family room and one in our hallway. We're upping the medication she takes to prevent the urinate-while-you-sleep problem. I wonder if they make doggie diapers...
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
YogaNotes
Whew! I made it through our first intensive yoga training weekend--2 hrs. Friday, 7 hrs. Sat, 3 hrs Sun for a total of 12 hours. But it wasn't all asanas--quite a bit of lecture, including 2 hours of anatomy; a discussion of the origins of yoga. Also meditation and breathing. I felt good about being able to keep up; although I feel more tired 2 days later than I did yesterday. And I have a yoga class this morning. I considered skipping it to rest a bit, but probably won't. I'll tell myself to take it easy during the class, but I'm usually not able to do that--feels like cheating.
I'm starting to read Desikachar's book, The Heart of Yoga. Makes me wish I had started reading yoga texts earlier. But his description of how "there are many ways of practicing yoga, and gradually the interest in one path will lead to another" (p. 7) is really what's happened to me. He cites doing asanas (the physical poses), studying yoga texts, meditating, and feeling the breath (pranayama) as the four paths. So if you look at me, I started doing yoga poses after ordering a book of yoga poses (from an ad in a Sunday magazine). I wish I had kept the book, but I think I threw it out in one of my moves. Then in the early (or mid?) '80s, I took the transcendental meditation (TM) training--back when it cost a few hundred dollars. I thought about doing a refresher course a couple of years ago, only to find to my horror that the cost had gone way up--over a thousand dollars, I believe. And all I remember from my TM training is my mantra. I literally remember nothing else. Except that I went to some fraying but elegant brownstone with pink interior walls and lots of candles for the sessions. Because I've studied voice, I'm more aware of breathing techniques than a lot of people might be. And some of the breathing exercises I'm currently doing to try to strengthen my voice (which wears out quickly) are very similar to those we do in yoga. In fact, one exercise we did this weekend--where one inhales in three phases--lower, middle and upper segments of the breathing apparatus--was exactly like one I'm currently doing. The main difference is that in yoga, we breathe through the nostrils; in singing one breathes through the mouth. I got back into "yoga practice" (the asanas, or poses, that some people may think constitutes the whole of yoga) after we moved within walking distance of a yoga studio 8 years ago.
And now I'm beginning to read yoga texts as part of the teacher training/in-depth yoga study program. So Desikachar's words about interest in one path leading to another ring true to me.
And the reasons why I pursued each path differed--but even there I see a confluence of interests and motivation. I think I was initially attracted to the yoga poses because I'm naturally limber--very limber back--and probably thought I could do them. (I was one of those kids who could touch her toes to her nose with no trouble. That and my perfect pitch were my claims to fame as a child.) And I struggled with weight (binge eating disorder) into my early 30s, and I used some yoga poses from the book as part of my exercise routine.
I just looked this up. I'm not positive, but pretty sure, the yogini was Lilias Folan--back when she had a long braid. She had a PBS yoga program in the '70s (Lilias Yoga and You), which I watched occasionally. i see she's still around (no more braid!) and now has a book entitled Lilias: Yoga Gets Better with Age.
But I digress...so I used a few yoga poses as part of my exercise plan. I sought out the meditation in an attempt to calm myself and cope with depression. Back then as now, I had trouble meditating for even 20 minutes (let alone 20 minutes twice a day, which is what they taught us in TM--so I learned something else!). I'd try to meditate after I got home from work, and my cat would come in and bother me. Fast foward to today, when I'm trying once again to sustain a meditative practice. It seems like such a chore--I have to meditate; I haven't meditated yet...I don't feel that way about the asanas or the breathing or the reading;. I think it's because my mind doesn't quiet down--it speeds up when I meditate. So I think I almost dread the 20 minutes--it can seem like an excruciatingly long time.
Like now--I'm supposed to meditate around this time of day (that's my plan, anyway), but I turned to the blog/diary because I hadn't written in a few days. It's 8:11am and I still haven't taken a shower and I have a yoga class at 10 and I want to get coffee before that...maybe I'll meditate this afternoon..but I also need to practice my vocal exercises before my son gets home (he doesn't like to listen to it, and I don't like having people around while I'm practicing), and I don't know how late he will stay at school...See how I approach meditation? The less worn path of yoga...
As with many women my age, I did aerobics when I was a yuppie (remember that term?). I kept it up until I got married, at which time my husband and I both gave up our gym memberships. Fast forward to 8 years ago, when we moved about a mile from our previous house--to a newly built home. New neighborhood is closer to commercial strip which includes a yoga studio, Sun and Moon Yoga. Prompted my to think again about "doing yoga"--the "physical level" as Desikachar calls it. At that point I had just turned 50 and thinking more about how to maintain some semblance of the flexibility that I took for granted when I was younger. I could no longer touch my toes to my nose--not even close. But on the other hand I rarely get lower back pain. So yoga seemed like a good practice for an aging flexible-but-not-as-flexible-as-before boomer. And I could walk to the studio! Having to get into a car to go exercise is a huge barrier to me, after working all day.
The breathing comes more easily since I have the foundation (although not a very firm one) from singing. That nearly lifelong struggle (singing) is another story... But I'm hoping that the pranayamas will help with my effort to expand my breathing capacity and control my breathing--which in turn will, I hope, help my singing.
So the divergent paths and interests are beginning to coalesce; the readings will add depth and appeal to the lifelong learner in me. I'm one of those people who never really wanted to have to worry about making money--when I was in college I said if I had the resources, I would spend my life traveling and learning. Luckily, I had a job that allowed me to do those things and get paid. So now, post job, I'm creating my own program--just haven't figured out how to get paid...
I'm starting to read Desikachar's book, The Heart of Yoga. Makes me wish I had started reading yoga texts earlier. But his description of how "there are many ways of practicing yoga, and gradually the interest in one path will lead to another" (p. 7) is really what's happened to me. He cites doing asanas (the physical poses), studying yoga texts, meditating, and feeling the breath (pranayama) as the four paths. So if you look at me, I started doing yoga poses after ordering a book of yoga poses (from an ad in a Sunday magazine). I wish I had kept the book, but I think I threw it out in one of my moves. Then in the early (or mid?) '80s, I took the transcendental meditation (TM) training--back when it cost a few hundred dollars. I thought about doing a refresher course a couple of years ago, only to find to my horror that the cost had gone way up--over a thousand dollars, I believe. And all I remember from my TM training is my mantra. I literally remember nothing else. Except that I went to some fraying but elegant brownstone with pink interior walls and lots of candles for the sessions. Because I've studied voice, I'm more aware of breathing techniques than a lot of people might be. And some of the breathing exercises I'm currently doing to try to strengthen my voice (which wears out quickly) are very similar to those we do in yoga. In fact, one exercise we did this weekend--where one inhales in three phases--lower, middle and upper segments of the breathing apparatus--was exactly like one I'm currently doing. The main difference is that in yoga, we breathe through the nostrils; in singing one breathes through the mouth. I got back into "yoga practice" (the asanas, or poses, that some people may think constitutes the whole of yoga) after we moved within walking distance of a yoga studio 8 years ago.
And now I'm beginning to read yoga texts as part of the teacher training/in-depth yoga study program. So Desikachar's words about interest in one path leading to another ring true to me.
And the reasons why I pursued each path differed--but even there I see a confluence of interests and motivation. I think I was initially attracted to the yoga poses because I'm naturally limber--very limber back--and probably thought I could do them. (I was one of those kids who could touch her toes to her nose with no trouble. That and my perfect pitch were my claims to fame as a child.) And I struggled with weight (binge eating disorder) into my early 30s, and I used some yoga poses from the book as part of my exercise routine.
I just looked this up. I'm not positive, but pretty sure, the yogini was Lilias Folan--back when she had a long braid. She had a PBS yoga program in the '70s (Lilias Yoga and You), which I watched occasionally. i see she's still around (no more braid!) and now has a book entitled Lilias: Yoga Gets Better with Age.
But I digress...so I used a few yoga poses as part of my exercise plan. I sought out the meditation in an attempt to calm myself and cope with depression. Back then as now, I had trouble meditating for even 20 minutes (let alone 20 minutes twice a day, which is what they taught us in TM--so I learned something else!). I'd try to meditate after I got home from work, and my cat would come in and bother me. Fast foward to today, when I'm trying once again to sustain a meditative practice. It seems like such a chore--I have to meditate; I haven't meditated yet...I don't feel that way about the asanas or the breathing or the reading;. I think it's because my mind doesn't quiet down--it speeds up when I meditate. So I think I almost dread the 20 minutes--it can seem like an excruciatingly long time.
Like now--I'm supposed to meditate around this time of day (that's my plan, anyway), but I turned to the blog/diary because I hadn't written in a few days. It's 8:11am and I still haven't taken a shower and I have a yoga class at 10 and I want to get coffee before that...maybe I'll meditate this afternoon..but I also need to practice my vocal exercises before my son gets home (he doesn't like to listen to it, and I don't like having people around while I'm practicing), and I don't know how late he will stay at school...See how I approach meditation? The less worn path of yoga...
As with many women my age, I did aerobics when I was a yuppie (remember that term?). I kept it up until I got married, at which time my husband and I both gave up our gym memberships. Fast forward to 8 years ago, when we moved about a mile from our previous house--to a newly built home. New neighborhood is closer to commercial strip which includes a yoga studio, Sun and Moon Yoga. Prompted my to think again about "doing yoga"--the "physical level" as Desikachar calls it. At that point I had just turned 50 and thinking more about how to maintain some semblance of the flexibility that I took for granted when I was younger. I could no longer touch my toes to my nose--not even close. But on the other hand I rarely get lower back pain. So yoga seemed like a good practice for an aging flexible-but-not-as-flexible-as-before boomer. And I could walk to the studio! Having to get into a car to go exercise is a huge barrier to me, after working all day.
The breathing comes more easily since I have the foundation (although not a very firm one) from singing. That nearly lifelong struggle (singing) is another story... But I'm hoping that the pranayamas will help with my effort to expand my breathing capacity and control my breathing--which in turn will, I hope, help my singing.
So the divergent paths and interests are beginning to coalesce; the readings will add depth and appeal to the lifelong learner in me. I'm one of those people who never really wanted to have to worry about making money--when I was in college I said if I had the resources, I would spend my life traveling and learning. Luckily, I had a job that allowed me to do those things and get paid. So now, post job, I'm creating my own program--just haven't figured out how to get paid...
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Doggie accessories shopping
Our dog needed a new leash--she's nearly chewed through her current one, and we're out of replacements. We buy 2-ply leashes, because they're sturdier (although obviously nor chew-proof). I couln't find any store around here that sells double thick leashes, so went hunting on line. I did order one, but since it hasn't arrived yet I can't say anything about it or the web site. I ordered the Dura-Ruff leash (they use the British term "lead") from the Drs. Foster and Smith website on Sept. 15 and paid $5.99 for shipping. I decided to also get her a new collar--we use a special Martingale-style collar that was recommended to us by the shelter when we got our dog 10 years ago. She still has her original collar. So I went on line and found a number of companies that sell these collars on line. The brand is Lupine--they seem to be the only company that makes these special collars. (Good for dogs that back out of their collars and/or need perennial training.) I purchased one collar in bling bonz (cute silver skull and crossbones on a black collar)--placed the order on Sept. 16 and paid $5 for shipping. But while the leash still hasn't arrived, the collar came in yesterday's mail! So the company, Four Your Paws Only, gets my vote! They also included dog treats and a kitchen magnet (in the shape of a dog bone, of course) with the company's info on it. The web site is www.fouryourpawsonly.com
Lupine collars come with a guaranty--here's what Lupine says on its web site:
I know, we need the Dog Whisperer so she won't chew her leash at all...
Lupine collars come with a guaranty--here's what Lupine says on its web site:
Should anything happen to accidentally damage your Lupine product - including chewing mistakes -
you can try contacting any local Lupine retailers to see if they are able to replace the item for you. Not all retailers offer in-store exchange.
For a Dealer Locator by ZIP code, please go here.
Or simply mail the item to us:
Lupine Returns
PO Box 1600
Conway, NH 03818
Include your name, mail address & email or phone number.
you can try contacting any local Lupine retailers to see if they are able to replace the item for you. Not all retailers offer in-store exchange.
For a Dealer Locator by ZIP code, please go here.
Or simply mail the item to us:
Lupine Returns
PO Box 1600
Conway, NH 03818
Include your name, mail address & email or phone number.
Your replacement goes back in the mail the next business day after the damaged item is received.
There's no need to send the original receipt or our cost for the return postage.
Too bad Lupine doesn't make double thick leashes. Maybe I'll buy one of their leashes--sounds like they would replace it if she chews her new one. But I'm afraid she'd chew right through a leash with only single thickness.
I know, we need the Dog Whisperer so she won't chew her leash at all...
Monday, September 20, 2010
Yoga Journey
We had our official teacher training introductory session yesterday. About 25 people have signed up to take the year-long program. An interesting mix of people--with what I would guess is a bell curve of ages--a few people just starting out, perhaps half a dozen of us retired from one career searching another, and the remainder people in their 30s/40s. All but two are women, but that's true overall of our yoga studio (Sun and Moon Yoga)--mostly women.
I'm excited and nervous about possibly becoming a yoga teacher--I don't know whether I'll make a good teacher; that is to say, that I'll like teaching. And people get so attached to specific instructors; I don't know whether I'll be able to "break in" somewhere. I do want to start getting an idea of the types of places where that might be receptive to a new instructor. And since I'm especially interested in yoga as a tool to help those with mental health challenges, I'll look at hospitals and wellness programs as well as the "usual suspects"--studios, Ys, and community rec programs.
So I'll be chronicling my yoga teacher training journey in this blog in the coming months. We have some intensive weekend workshops coming up--two weekends in a row. So add to the excitement the guilt of not being with my family when they're more likely to be home--evenings and weekends. In fact, it's starting to feel like I live in an opposite world. My volunteer work--nonprofit boards, choirs--and the yoga teacher training all rely on evening and weekend hours, since so many people involved work for pay during the day. So I exercise and write and study during the day, and attend meetings and rehearsals and workshops evenings and weekends.
That means my goal of cooking family dinners more often is harder to achieve--I often have to leave for a meeting, rehearsal or workshop/class before my husband gets home from work. I need to find meals that I can cook in advance and have available. Looks like my slow cooker, which I purchased with much fanfare (and web-based research) last spring, needs to come out of the cupboard. If I can remember where I put it...
I'm excited and nervous about possibly becoming a yoga teacher--I don't know whether I'll make a good teacher; that is to say, that I'll like teaching. And people get so attached to specific instructors; I don't know whether I'll be able to "break in" somewhere. I do want to start getting an idea of the types of places where that might be receptive to a new instructor. And since I'm especially interested in yoga as a tool to help those with mental health challenges, I'll look at hospitals and wellness programs as well as the "usual suspects"--studios, Ys, and community rec programs.
So I'll be chronicling my yoga teacher training journey in this blog in the coming months. We have some intensive weekend workshops coming up--two weekends in a row. So add to the excitement the guilt of not being with my family when they're more likely to be home--evenings and weekends. In fact, it's starting to feel like I live in an opposite world. My volunteer work--nonprofit boards, choirs--and the yoga teacher training all rely on evening and weekend hours, since so many people involved work for pay during the day. So I exercise and write and study during the day, and attend meetings and rehearsals and workshops evenings and weekends.
That means my goal of cooking family dinners more often is harder to achieve--I often have to leave for a meeting, rehearsal or workshop/class before my husband gets home from work. I need to find meals that I can cook in advance and have available. Looks like my slow cooker, which I purchased with much fanfare (and web-based research) last spring, needs to come out of the cupboard. If I can remember where I put it...
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