I’m a genius.
I signed up for a two day workshop at Rising Lotus yoga this weekend. Yesterday we covered the five prana vayus. Today the class is about tantra & chakras. I got up yesterday feeling rather rundown. My sleep the previous night was on and off, and I wanted to work out since the work shop was going to be about breath. I unfortunately made the assumption the prana workshop would be a restorative class focused on the breath.
I was achy in my morning yoga class at equinox and my body only allowed me to go so far in poses I practice on a regular basis. So that’s what I could do, so that’s what I did. Pushing myself any farther would have been too hard on my whole system. After the class I ran home, ate a bowl of cereal and was off to my workshop.
When I arrived early I played a bit of solitaire on my phone. Said hi to everyone at the studio I knew, and was waiting for the class to start. In the studio the class was waiting for a white board, and the teacher announced we would have a two hour asana practice (A whole moving practice). I was very concerned for my wellness at that moment. I was already sore from the first class, and was not sure I could make it through this two hour class. Truly I was crying in my head.
I let it go, and the first hour of the class was a lecture about the different type of breath we were going to be practicing. We worked on each different breath starting with apana, then samana, prana, udana and vyana. Each vayu focuses breath and exhale into different parts of the body. You don’t literally breathe through your head, and exhale through your feet. The point is to fill the breath into different parts of the body to get better circulation.
Once the lecture stopped, and we started our practiced it became really obvious what type of breath was better for different poses. Lately in twisted postures I have noticed I am not breathing well. In the twisted postures I practiced in that class I used breath filling the lungs and upper body. I did not bother with any belly breath at all. I got deeper into my twist and it felt better to be in the posture. As the practice went on I became really fatigued. I kept my energy as high as I could, but I did have to modify back bends, and inversions. I just had no strength left from the class in the morning, and the physical aspect of the class was starting to get to me.
The instructor came over to me and asked what was up. I apologized, and told her I had already practiced earlier that day. After that she let me slack a bit, and savasana was a welcome end to a difficult physical practice. I did gain a lot of needed knowledge in this workshop, and left feeling really amazing. There was a very deep calmness in my body that has not been there since my last trip to Hawaii. Where I was sipping pina coladas and hanging with the bar tenders.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Prana
Prana
The main purpose of my transition from yoga student to yoga teacher was to deepen my understanding of meditation and prana. I knew that prana was life force through breath, and meditation was like letting it all go or something. To be truthful I had no idea if I was meditating or just pretending to meditate, or trying to meditate. The whole breath, life force, meditation thing just did not sit well with me. I wanted to know more about the idea of how these things were supposed to work within my body.
At some point in the middle of the first half of teacher training I worked on my meditation and breath. Energy that started to awaken in my body would keep me awake for days. I had to see my acupuncturist just to calm my nervous system down. In a really weird way I woke myself up, and I was seriously energized. Even though I was not sleeping I was focused, and my mind was clear. However, I really needed to sleep instead of deepening my spiritual awakening. So I spent ten to twenty minutes each day for one week breathing into what my idea of calm would be.
By the third day I was getting three to four hours of sleep a night, and after a few more days I was sleeping eight hours a night. Sleep really means a whole lot to me. Between my breathing, and a few acupuncture visits the energy vibrated through me. I got to sleep and it was good sleep, well deserved sleep! It was the first time I was given a glimpse of what it feels like to open myself up through breath. It was a really concentrated intense feeling running around inside of me. I am glad I let it go, and did not try to hold onto any of it.
I did continue to maintain my breath of calmness practice, but at times I do notice that my mind chatters a lot, but other times I can sit within myself and be calm. Before I took any training I was not sure if my mind chatter was a part of my meditation or not. In my training many other people found it hard to quiet the mind during meditation practice. We all began to realize it was part of the practice to either let the mind chatter go, and/or be able to sit in silence. My idea of meditation is letting what comes up leave just as sudden as it began.
There are days where my mind is still and nothing comes up. Then there are days when it’s the exact opposite. It is a process that you just have to breathe through. As my mediation practice continues my life is calmer day after day. It is a welcome experience.
The main purpose of my transition from yoga student to yoga teacher was to deepen my understanding of meditation and prana. I knew that prana was life force through breath, and meditation was like letting it all go or something. To be truthful I had no idea if I was meditating or just pretending to meditate, or trying to meditate. The whole breath, life force, meditation thing just did not sit well with me. I wanted to know more about the idea of how these things were supposed to work within my body.
At some point in the middle of the first half of teacher training I worked on my meditation and breath. Energy that started to awaken in my body would keep me awake for days. I had to see my acupuncturist just to calm my nervous system down. In a really weird way I woke myself up, and I was seriously energized. Even though I was not sleeping I was focused, and my mind was clear. However, I really needed to sleep instead of deepening my spiritual awakening. So I spent ten to twenty minutes each day for one week breathing into what my idea of calm would be.
By the third day I was getting three to four hours of sleep a night, and after a few more days I was sleeping eight hours a night. Sleep really means a whole lot to me. Between my breathing, and a few acupuncture visits the energy vibrated through me. I got to sleep and it was good sleep, well deserved sleep! It was the first time I was given a glimpse of what it feels like to open myself up through breath. It was a really concentrated intense feeling running around inside of me. I am glad I let it go, and did not try to hold onto any of it.
I did continue to maintain my breath of calmness practice, but at times I do notice that my mind chatters a lot, but other times I can sit within myself and be calm. Before I took any training I was not sure if my mind chatter was a part of my meditation or not. In my training many other people found it hard to quiet the mind during meditation practice. We all began to realize it was part of the practice to either let the mind chatter go, and/or be able to sit in silence. My idea of meditation is letting what comes up leave just as sudden as it began.
There are days where my mind is still and nothing comes up. Then there are days when it’s the exact opposite. It is a process that you just have to breathe through. As my mediation practice continues my life is calmer day after day. It is a welcome experience.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
A step down the hallway
A step down the hallway.
Teacher Training was really intense. Well it was for me because of the amount of focus I gave to it. I feel like I have so much free time today. I just finished my four hours of homework, and now I can just relax a bit. Maybe do some poses, maybe watch tv, and register with yoga alliance. I did make a commitment to practice on my own or at the studio. So last night I did a little on my own. I was not feeling very energetic, but I made a commitment to build my home practice.
That being said I practiced a small sequence last night. Adho Mukha Svanasana ( down ward facing dog), Prasarita Padottanasana (wide leg forward bend), Janu Sirsasana (head to knee forward bend), Ananda Balasana ( happy baby), and then I just laid in Savasana ( corps pose). I think I spent a whole twenty minutes in my practice yesterday. Tonight I am going to a studio to be in a class setting. It should be energizing especially after the day of cracking the books, and taking steps down the hallway.
I did start to register with the yoga alliance today, and found a website slandering the establishment. Or as Americans would say the “man”. http://www.yogacards.com/yoga-alliance.html. Honestly, this sight was a little retarded to me, but that is just my opinion. The yoga alliance regulates the industry standard for schools, and teachers. They are an organization, so to keep them in business they have to find a way to make money. That is why registration is only active for two years, and to renew there is a fee. Now I understand many teachers that teach yoga don’t have a 200 hour certificate. This is a relatively new certification process. Many old school yogis find it to be a cooperate overtaking of a spiritual community.
Fine, if that is how you want to look at the whole thing. Yoga is being accepted by more and more people as a form of exercise. Others are realizing the medical benefits of this practice as well. When a doctor starts to recommend yoga to a cancer patient, or an insomniac believe me there will have to be some type of uniformed teaching. Sorry super spiritual yogi things change! If you are such a yogi you would meditate on the fact you do, or do not like a circumstance, and let it all go. I’m just stating my opinion again, but in this case I think it is relevant. One of my favorite teachers is not certified, but she has the equivalent knowledge, and experience to teach yoga. Honestly its yoga not brain surgery.
I think having some sort of regulation will come in handy in the next few years. In Los Angeles a Vinyasana flow class is not the same Vinyasana flow in Vancouver. They are taught totally differently. So which style is better, or more correct? All the alliance is trying to do is create an industry standard. This standard includes ancient texts, anatomy, philosophy, history, and traditional poses. I guess I am drinking the Kool aid.
Teacher Training was really intense. Well it was for me because of the amount of focus I gave to it. I feel like I have so much free time today. I just finished my four hours of homework, and now I can just relax a bit. Maybe do some poses, maybe watch tv, and register with yoga alliance. I did make a commitment to practice on my own or at the studio. So last night I did a little on my own. I was not feeling very energetic, but I made a commitment to build my home practice.
That being said I practiced a small sequence last night. Adho Mukha Svanasana ( down ward facing dog), Prasarita Padottanasana (wide leg forward bend), Janu Sirsasana (head to knee forward bend), Ananda Balasana ( happy baby), and then I just laid in Savasana ( corps pose). I think I spent a whole twenty minutes in my practice yesterday. Tonight I am going to a studio to be in a class setting. It should be energizing especially after the day of cracking the books, and taking steps down the hallway.
I did start to register with the yoga alliance today, and found a website slandering the establishment. Or as Americans would say the “man”. http://www.yogacards.com/yoga-alliance.html. Honestly, this sight was a little retarded to me, but that is just my opinion. The yoga alliance regulates the industry standard for schools, and teachers. They are an organization, so to keep them in business they have to find a way to make money. That is why registration is only active for two years, and to renew there is a fee. Now I understand many teachers that teach yoga don’t have a 200 hour certificate. This is a relatively new certification process. Many old school yogis find it to be a cooperate overtaking of a spiritual community.
Fine, if that is how you want to look at the whole thing. Yoga is being accepted by more and more people as a form of exercise. Others are realizing the medical benefits of this practice as well. When a doctor starts to recommend yoga to a cancer patient, or an insomniac believe me there will have to be some type of uniformed teaching. Sorry super spiritual yogi things change! If you are such a yogi you would meditate on the fact you do, or do not like a circumstance, and let it all go. I’m just stating my opinion again, but in this case I think it is relevant. One of my favorite teachers is not certified, but she has the equivalent knowledge, and experience to teach yoga. Honestly its yoga not brain surgery.
I think having some sort of regulation will come in handy in the next few years. In Los Angeles a Vinyasana flow class is not the same Vinyasana flow in Vancouver. They are taught totally differently. So which style is better, or more correct? All the alliance is trying to do is create an industry standard. This standard includes ancient texts, anatomy, philosophy, history, and traditional poses. I guess I am drinking the Kool aid.
Monday, October 25, 2010
on the hallway
In the hallway…I hate the hallway.
A preacher said something about change. Paraphrasing his words, Now the door behind you closed and down the hall way is the next door to open. But that hallway can be such a pain. I love this because transitions are such a pain in the rear. Now that the teacher training has ended its time to take the next step into that hallway and get some jobs teaching. I wonder what type of teacher I will become. I am definitely really into Vinyasa Flow, so those are the classes I will teach.
On the last day of teacher training, before I bombed my test, we did a round robin teaching sequence. We each taught a segment of the class, and had to decide on the spot what pose to teach depending on the last teachers pose. There were 13 of us, and I was number 11. I had no idea what I would end up teaching at all. I will say this, I was so impressed with everyone and their ability to just get up and teach. I ended up teaching Janu Sirsasana (head to knee forward fold). I like this pose because it is a forward fold with an addition of a slight twist.
In my teaching I was mindful of my instruction. I pretended every student in the room was a new student. Based on that assumption I demonstrated the pose, and verbalized the pose. I did give everyone a strap that needed it, but forgot to explain how to use the strap. Looking back to our round robin I am realizing the things I need to explain better. This part of teaching will be a work in progress until I get a comfortable. This is all a work in progress, and I need to be willing to see my faults, so I can improve.
I am totally comfortable teaching, and going out for job interviews. I know my training really prepared me for what’s next. Here is why. I apprenticed with two different teachers, did 200 hours of in class training, too many hours of homework, and kept up my practice. I practice four times a week in a studio, and small sequences at my house on the days I do not attend a class. This is part of the process for the program I picked. It takes dedication and love to do this for a living. I believe I will be a good instructor. Then again I don’t live my life half assed. I’m in it to win it, or not at all.
The next portion if my blog will be about the next step. What happens on interviews, my home sequencing, workshops, and private clients. The sky really is the limit. Who knows maybe my other teacher trainees will share their stories with me and I can share with you. I will say this, if you are thinking about deepening your practice, or becoming certified Rising Lotus in Sherman Oaks is a really special place to take this journey. I would hands down give this program five stars.
Now I am excited to open that door.
A preacher said something about change. Paraphrasing his words, Now the door behind you closed and down the hall way is the next door to open. But that hallway can be such a pain. I love this because transitions are such a pain in the rear. Now that the teacher training has ended its time to take the next step into that hallway and get some jobs teaching. I wonder what type of teacher I will become. I am definitely really into Vinyasa Flow, so those are the classes I will teach.
On the last day of teacher training, before I bombed my test, we did a round robin teaching sequence. We each taught a segment of the class, and had to decide on the spot what pose to teach depending on the last teachers pose. There were 13 of us, and I was number 11. I had no idea what I would end up teaching at all. I will say this, I was so impressed with everyone and their ability to just get up and teach. I ended up teaching Janu Sirsasana (head to knee forward fold). I like this pose because it is a forward fold with an addition of a slight twist.
In my teaching I was mindful of my instruction. I pretended every student in the room was a new student. Based on that assumption I demonstrated the pose, and verbalized the pose. I did give everyone a strap that needed it, but forgot to explain how to use the strap. Looking back to our round robin I am realizing the things I need to explain better. This part of teaching will be a work in progress until I get a comfortable. This is all a work in progress, and I need to be willing to see my faults, so I can improve.
I am totally comfortable teaching, and going out for job interviews. I know my training really prepared me for what’s next. Here is why. I apprenticed with two different teachers, did 200 hours of in class training, too many hours of homework, and kept up my practice. I practice four times a week in a studio, and small sequences at my house on the days I do not attend a class. This is part of the process for the program I picked. It takes dedication and love to do this for a living. I believe I will be a good instructor. Then again I don’t live my life half assed. I’m in it to win it, or not at all.
The next portion if my blog will be about the next step. What happens on interviews, my home sequencing, workshops, and private clients. The sky really is the limit. Who knows maybe my other teacher trainees will share their stories with me and I can share with you. I will say this, if you are thinking about deepening your practice, or becoming certified Rising Lotus in Sherman Oaks is a really special place to take this journey. I would hands down give this program five stars.
Now I am excited to open that door.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
not so much......
So I have been teaching again, and sometimes giving clear instruction is really difficult. I have to force myself to be bossy. For those who know me, being bossy is knida natural. Besides the teaching I am studying for my final test in yoga teacher training this weekend. The time I am spending on this certification is really digging into the time I need to study for school, and have a life. I feel ready to move forward, and try to teach my first class.
Speaking of class, I have still not attended a yoga class. Tonight I will either be attending one or practicing on my own. My body is all weirded out from not doing any yoga. I am achy in places I don’t ach, and cracking in places I don’t usually crack. I hope to whip myself back into shape. As for my meditation practice that’s out the window as well. I woke up this morning at 5am with my mind racing about everything and nothing all at once. Luckily I fell back to sleep and my alarm clock woke me later. Then like a symphony my mind went off louder than the alarm. Awesome!
I have decided to wake up and try to do a series of sun salutes. That is my goal for this week. I can sometimes force myself into a home practice, but I really like practicing at the yoga studio. I am not sure how I feel about this new resistance to practice with my teachers. I get energized when I am around other people in a yoga class. After all I am still a student. There is something new I will always learn, and my body changes every year as well. So something that felt great last year can be uncomfortable this year. Who knows I may just really start to like my own sequencing.
Speaking of class, I have still not attended a yoga class. Tonight I will either be attending one or practicing on my own. My body is all weirded out from not doing any yoga. I am achy in places I don’t ach, and cracking in places I don’t usually crack. I hope to whip myself back into shape. As for my meditation practice that’s out the window as well. I woke up this morning at 5am with my mind racing about everything and nothing all at once. Luckily I fell back to sleep and my alarm clock woke me later. Then like a symphony my mind went off louder than the alarm. Awesome!
I have decided to wake up and try to do a series of sun salutes. That is my goal for this week. I can sometimes force myself into a home practice, but I really like practicing at the yoga studio. I am not sure how I feel about this new resistance to practice with my teachers. I get energized when I am around other people in a yoga class. After all I am still a student. There is something new I will always learn, and my body changes every year as well. So something that felt great last year can be uncomfortable this year. Who knows I may just really start to like my own sequencing.
Monday, October 18, 2010
And away we go….
And away we go….
Now that I have taken a week off from yoga, I will return back tonight and try a new class. One I have never taken before. I do think this will be the best idea. I had a dream about guided meditation last night and feel that it’s time to start my meditation practice as well. At times it’s good to walk away from a routine and get back to it in a week or so. Unfortunately it has been a little longer than that but who’s counting?
I mot that’s for sure! This week I am teaching my friend a class on Tuesday. We are meeting at the gym and using the yoga room to flow it out. I have been teaching a lot of private instruction, but nothing with a more advanced student in a studio. She happens to be a teacher and is going to critique me at the end. I am working my way up to an interview. You have to teach a 10-15 min class to a manager at a gym to be hired, so I figure the more time I get to practice the better.
Being realistic the yoga teacher market in Los Angeles is really saturated. I am going to focus on teaching in my neighborhood and get jobs where ever I can. Either way I am doing this as a part time job while I am in school. If this turns into more then so be it. You never know where anything can lead you. Life is strange that way.
Lately I have been noticing many of the things that are bringing about change in my life started years ago. At this time everything is just coming together right before my eyes in a very surprising way. I have good friendships, and many of these started two years ago when I walked away from some people that had become stale in my life, and vice versa. Eight years ago I met a man who is now a big part of my life, and partly responsible for bringing about a huge transition. All these things are happening very effortlessly. All the things that are now happening just feel as if they were supposed to happen. Not like last year.
Last year around this time a relationship I was in started to fall apart in a very painful way. I was not devastated when it ended, but shocked at how it ended and why. I was also really angry at myself for allowing the relationship to continue when I started to have huge doubts about the relationship itself. Now I understand that is was not the right relationship for me. The universe protected, and gave me what I have now. What I have now is a lot easier, and it feels right in a much different way. Lately life just opened up and I am excited for the change I am experiencing. I believe that my practice and meditation has brought me here, and will continue to place me on the right path If I just allow it.
Now that I have taken a week off from yoga, I will return back tonight and try a new class. One I have never taken before. I do think this will be the best idea. I had a dream about guided meditation last night and feel that it’s time to start my meditation practice as well. At times it’s good to walk away from a routine and get back to it in a week or so. Unfortunately it has been a little longer than that but who’s counting?
I mot that’s for sure! This week I am teaching my friend a class on Tuesday. We are meeting at the gym and using the yoga room to flow it out. I have been teaching a lot of private instruction, but nothing with a more advanced student in a studio. She happens to be a teacher and is going to critique me at the end. I am working my way up to an interview. You have to teach a 10-15 min class to a manager at a gym to be hired, so I figure the more time I get to practice the better.
Being realistic the yoga teacher market in Los Angeles is really saturated. I am going to focus on teaching in my neighborhood and get jobs where ever I can. Either way I am doing this as a part time job while I am in school. If this turns into more then so be it. You never know where anything can lead you. Life is strange that way.
Lately I have been noticing many of the things that are bringing about change in my life started years ago. At this time everything is just coming together right before my eyes in a very surprising way. I have good friendships, and many of these started two years ago when I walked away from some people that had become stale in my life, and vice versa. Eight years ago I met a man who is now a big part of my life, and partly responsible for bringing about a huge transition. All these things are happening very effortlessly. All the things that are now happening just feel as if they were supposed to happen. Not like last year.
Last year around this time a relationship I was in started to fall apart in a very painful way. I was not devastated when it ended, but shocked at how it ended and why. I was also really angry at myself for allowing the relationship to continue when I started to have huge doubts about the relationship itself. Now I understand that is was not the right relationship for me. The universe protected, and gave me what I have now. What I have now is a lot easier, and it feels right in a much different way. Lately life just opened up and I am excited for the change I am experiencing. I believe that my practice and meditation has brought me here, and will continue to place me on the right path If I just allow it.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
almost
Almost done!
My fellow teacher trainers and I are almost done with our certification process. Just one more week left. These past few weeks we have been teaching each other in class. The first week we were all nervous, but now we have crossed that line and everyone’s confidence is building.
Yesterday we put together a sequence in class for an easy dose it class, and we all taught a pose. Right there on the spot. Most of us would not have been able to do that in the first week of teacher training. I was really impressed with everyone’s ability to have their voice and “just do it”. I was impressed that I could do it. Maybe I was not the best, maybe my instructions weren’t perfect, but I could get up and do it.
The best part was there were no jittery nerves to calm down. I just went with it. The class was a lot of fun and I am taking all the criticism I can get to become a better teacher. I like our safe environment, because of the feedback we are receiving. Not just from the teachers, but each other as well. It is really giving us the ability to go on interviews, and we will be able to teach in a clear manner if we just work on our teaching.
It is easier for me to teach people who have no idea how to do a pose, because I am really focused on giving specific instruction. Working in the studio with my fellow teacher trainers is harder, because they know the poses, and know what I am trying to say, but beginners don’t. My instructions are more through when I am working with new students. I take nothing for granted. I really need to work on that in my teaching.
I am excited to get a few jobs and teach in general. I want to work. There is nothing better than doing something you love, and getting to share it with another person. I am going to fill the yoga studios with love and energy to make it all happen.
This is a really exciting time, and I have worked hard to get to this point. All my fellow teacher trainers have as well. In general I am really proud to have been a part of this group of people. This last leg of training was more relaxed, and more fun than the first part. I am going to miss this a bit.
What I won’t miss is the lack of a social life. I have become such a hermit because of all this weekend work. Today I went for a bike ride, and it was so nice to have that time off. I went to a party this week, and will feel free to go to more without having to look at my watch to make sure I get enough sleep for the long week ahead. Times like these I look forward to not having so much responsibility.
My fellow teacher trainers and I are almost done with our certification process. Just one more week left. These past few weeks we have been teaching each other in class. The first week we were all nervous, but now we have crossed that line and everyone’s confidence is building.
Yesterday we put together a sequence in class for an easy dose it class, and we all taught a pose. Right there on the spot. Most of us would not have been able to do that in the first week of teacher training. I was really impressed with everyone’s ability to have their voice and “just do it”. I was impressed that I could do it. Maybe I was not the best, maybe my instructions weren’t perfect, but I could get up and do it.
The best part was there were no jittery nerves to calm down. I just went with it. The class was a lot of fun and I am taking all the criticism I can get to become a better teacher. I like our safe environment, because of the feedback we are receiving. Not just from the teachers, but each other as well. It is really giving us the ability to go on interviews, and we will be able to teach in a clear manner if we just work on our teaching.
It is easier for me to teach people who have no idea how to do a pose, because I am really focused on giving specific instruction. Working in the studio with my fellow teacher trainers is harder, because they know the poses, and know what I am trying to say, but beginners don’t. My instructions are more through when I am working with new students. I take nothing for granted. I really need to work on that in my teaching.
I am excited to get a few jobs and teach in general. I want to work. There is nothing better than doing something you love, and getting to share it with another person. I am going to fill the yoga studios with love and energy to make it all happen.
This is a really exciting time, and I have worked hard to get to this point. All my fellow teacher trainers have as well. In general I am really proud to have been a part of this group of people. This last leg of training was more relaxed, and more fun than the first part. I am going to miss this a bit.
What I won’t miss is the lack of a social life. I have become such a hermit because of all this weekend work. Today I went for a bike ride, and it was so nice to have that time off. I went to a party this week, and will feel free to go to more without having to look at my watch to make sure I get enough sleep for the long week ahead. Times like these I look forward to not having so much responsibility.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
You cannot make me!
You cannot make me!
Last week was the week that was. I could not even talk myself into a yoga class to save my life. The only type of exercise I could get myself to do was on the cardio machine. Weird! Well at times you have to just roll with it. This week is the second to last week of teacher training. I have to say I am relieved that it is almost over. It is a lot of work when you are a full time student, and studying is a full time profession.
I think my general exhaustion has to do with the amount of time I have spent going, and going, and going, and studying. Last weekend was the first two days off I have taken in three weeks. I did not teach a private yoga class, I did not take a yoga class, and did not do anything related to yoga. This includes my meditation time. In exchange I have been Grumpy Mc Grumpster. I don’t know if these two things go hand in hand, but it is an observation just the same.
This general feeling of yuck has also spilled into my social life. I have gone practically nowhere. The last week and a half I have gone to an engagement party and that was the extent of my excitement. I do have a party this week, and possibly a second party on Sunday. At times I would just rather be a hermit and not leave my homework.
I have to call the looser police on myself this time. I have to get up and go even though it got up and went. In my twenty’s this energy that I am lacking would never have been a problem. Tomorrow I will start my regiment of yoga 4 times a week, and I will add the cardio machine 2-3 times a week. During the summer I spent a lot of time on a bicycle in the crisp ocean air, and I believe I am craving that type of heart racing action.
On an unrelated topic I learned something this week. Years ago I would say math was not my strongest subject. Being back in school you have to take a math class to get your degree, so I have no choice but to take math. Last semester I repeated algebra. When I say repeated let me explain that I did not remember any algebra from the fifteen year break I have taken from school. So I re-taught myself how to do the problems. Long story short I did well in the class.
This semester I am in statistics. It is math mixed with logic, and I am doing well. We just had an in class test and I aced it. I was the only one who even knew how to do the problems. Let’s just say the teacher was impressed that I knew what I was doing and made an example out of me. I learned that math is a lot easier when you are older mostly, because you have the patience to do the work slowly, and ask for help appropriately. I am actually enjoying math so I am going to take more classes on line. We will see where this leads.
Last week was the week that was. I could not even talk myself into a yoga class to save my life. The only type of exercise I could get myself to do was on the cardio machine. Weird! Well at times you have to just roll with it. This week is the second to last week of teacher training. I have to say I am relieved that it is almost over. It is a lot of work when you are a full time student, and studying is a full time profession.
I think my general exhaustion has to do with the amount of time I have spent going, and going, and going, and studying. Last weekend was the first two days off I have taken in three weeks. I did not teach a private yoga class, I did not take a yoga class, and did not do anything related to yoga. This includes my meditation time. In exchange I have been Grumpy Mc Grumpster. I don’t know if these two things go hand in hand, but it is an observation just the same.
This general feeling of yuck has also spilled into my social life. I have gone practically nowhere. The last week and a half I have gone to an engagement party and that was the extent of my excitement. I do have a party this week, and possibly a second party on Sunday. At times I would just rather be a hermit and not leave my homework.
I have to call the looser police on myself this time. I have to get up and go even though it got up and went. In my twenty’s this energy that I am lacking would never have been a problem. Tomorrow I will start my regiment of yoga 4 times a week, and I will add the cardio machine 2-3 times a week. During the summer I spent a lot of time on a bicycle in the crisp ocean air, and I believe I am craving that type of heart racing action.
On an unrelated topic I learned something this week. Years ago I would say math was not my strongest subject. Being back in school you have to take a math class to get your degree, so I have no choice but to take math. Last semester I repeated algebra. When I say repeated let me explain that I did not remember any algebra from the fifteen year break I have taken from school. So I re-taught myself how to do the problems. Long story short I did well in the class.
This semester I am in statistics. It is math mixed with logic, and I am doing well. We just had an in class test and I aced it. I was the only one who even knew how to do the problems. Let’s just say the teacher was impressed that I knew what I was doing and made an example out of me. I learned that math is a lot easier when you are older mostly, because you have the patience to do the work slowly, and ask for help appropriately. I am actually enjoying math so I am going to take more classes on line. We will see where this leads.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Too tired.
Calling it a day!
Tuesday night I went to my normal yoga class. I knew I was a bit tired, but that can be normal after almost three weeks of school and yoga teacher training on the weekend. I underestimated my fatigue and could not keep up with the class. My practice was sluggish and lame. Since then I have not been in the mood to exercise. I’m not even interested in practicing on my own either.
I attribute this feeling of blah to the weather shift in the city. It was raining on Tuesday and today the high was 80 degrees and sunny. It’s more abnormal to have rain then it is to have sunny blue skys in Los Angeles, but our weather is all over the place the last few weeks. It has left my body with a complete lack of energy. Tonight I was trying to motivate myself to go to a class, but I just could not do it.
The idea of leaving my house, driving to the gym, and then taking a class made me long for food. It was all I wanted. Granted this may have also been because I did not eat lunch, and by 4pm I was beyond hungry. Either way I am still glad I did not go to the gym. I hate to say it but sometimes I just give into that inner voice. The one that says stay home, eat, watch TV, and go to sleep. I think it was the best decision I made today. I am off to eat, sleep and watch TV. Not in that order. I have an episode of fringe I can’t wait to watch.
Tuesday night I went to my normal yoga class. I knew I was a bit tired, but that can be normal after almost three weeks of school and yoga teacher training on the weekend. I underestimated my fatigue and could not keep up with the class. My practice was sluggish and lame. Since then I have not been in the mood to exercise. I’m not even interested in practicing on my own either.
I attribute this feeling of blah to the weather shift in the city. It was raining on Tuesday and today the high was 80 degrees and sunny. It’s more abnormal to have rain then it is to have sunny blue skys in Los Angeles, but our weather is all over the place the last few weeks. It has left my body with a complete lack of energy. Tonight I was trying to motivate myself to go to a class, but I just could not do it.
The idea of leaving my house, driving to the gym, and then taking a class made me long for food. It was all I wanted. Granted this may have also been because I did not eat lunch, and by 4pm I was beyond hungry. Either way I am still glad I did not go to the gym. I hate to say it but sometimes I just give into that inner voice. The one that says stay home, eat, watch TV, and go to sleep. I think it was the best decision I made today. I am off to eat, sleep and watch TV. Not in that order. I have an episode of fringe I can’t wait to watch.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
SRB Yoga: Found myself here.
SRB Yoga: Found myself here.: "Found myself here...... Yesterday I was apprenticing for a teacher at Rising lotus in Sherman Oaks. I usually apprentice for Sarah but she ..."
Found myself here.
Found myself here......
Yesterday I was apprenticing for a teacher at Rising lotus in Sherman Oaks. I usually apprentice for Sarah but she had a sub. I was excited to be with a different teacher to observe and apprentice in her level one class. Every teacher is different and you can learn from anyone if you are paying attention.
At about 9 am she still had not arrived to the class, and I started to wonder if I should just start the warm up. I was about to get up and ask if I should start when the person in the office came to me and asked me to start the class in twists.
This is no problem in my head. Until I started to wonder what this teacher actually wanted, because I had never met her and never taken her class. I was used to Sarah’s instruction and would know how to begin her class easily. She has a specific teaching style that I have observed many times. In her class we never started in twists.
I did not panic, but at the same time I did not know when the teacher would be able to get there. She was in a car accident, and in LA these things could take a while. I just pulled it together and started in an easy seat and did some breath work, then an easy twist. I followed by having everyone lay on their backs for another twist. If she still was not there I was going to work downward facing dog.
She arrived there just as I was teaching the second side of the twist and took charge. It was kinda a relief. I did not want to teach for 30 minutes and then have another teacher come in. Especially because I had no idea what she was going to teach. Her style was extremely different from Sarah’s so if I had taught for 30 minutes it would have been very different from the vinyasa flow the sub taught. All in all it was a really cool experience.
There was no safety net A.K.A a teacher there to tell me what to do. It was just me and I did alright under the circumstances. I was also a little more hands on in the class yesterday with adjustments only because I felt the sub needed an extra hand. Her day started off with a literal bang. It was a really cool experience and I was so happy when I left the studio. The feeling followed me all day long. It feels really good to know that what I am doing right now makes me feel good.
Yesterday I was apprenticing for a teacher at Rising lotus in Sherman Oaks. I usually apprentice for Sarah but she had a sub. I was excited to be with a different teacher to observe and apprentice in her level one class. Every teacher is different and you can learn from anyone if you are paying attention.
At about 9 am she still had not arrived to the class, and I started to wonder if I should just start the warm up. I was about to get up and ask if I should start when the person in the office came to me and asked me to start the class in twists.
This is no problem in my head. Until I started to wonder what this teacher actually wanted, because I had never met her and never taken her class. I was used to Sarah’s instruction and would know how to begin her class easily. She has a specific teaching style that I have observed many times. In her class we never started in twists.
I did not panic, but at the same time I did not know when the teacher would be able to get there. She was in a car accident, and in LA these things could take a while. I just pulled it together and started in an easy seat and did some breath work, then an easy twist. I followed by having everyone lay on their backs for another twist. If she still was not there I was going to work downward facing dog.
She arrived there just as I was teaching the second side of the twist and took charge. It was kinda a relief. I did not want to teach for 30 minutes and then have another teacher come in. Especially because I had no idea what she was going to teach. Her style was extremely different from Sarah’s so if I had taught for 30 minutes it would have been very different from the vinyasa flow the sub taught. All in all it was a really cool experience.
There was no safety net A.K.A a teacher there to tell me what to do. It was just me and I did alright under the circumstances. I was also a little more hands on in the class yesterday with adjustments only because I felt the sub needed an extra hand. Her day started off with a literal bang. It was a really cool experience and I was so happy when I left the studio. The feeling followed me all day long. It feels really good to know that what I am doing right now makes me feel good.
Monday, October 4, 2010
irony!
Irony!
So last Thursday something fell on my back windshield just right and it shattered. Now the window did not fall into my car but I could not drive my car either. At first I was really trying to figure out how this whole thing went down. After twenty minutes I just said well at least I was not in the car when this whole thing happened. (That would have scared me to death). My mom and I went to a yoga class and then I called my insurance company. Unfortunately it was going to take two business days to get the window. I was then out of a car until today Monday, or tomorrow.
That was fine I sent an email to my fellow teacher trainers asking for a ride and two offered to help out. My weekend was fun and full of new learning experiences. There was nothing to complain about and my life was really unaffected by the car being out of commission. The only hard day was today.
Today was a bit tricky because I needed to attend class, but had no car. My father luckily works nearby. I took him to work, came home and got ready, went to class, picked him up and he dropped me off at home, because he is going out of town so he needed his car. This would seem like a great plan right? It was except of one tiny mishap that has nothing to do with the car schedule.
Today of all days is the lovely beginning of actual fall. I am very happy about this even though there is a heavy sprinkle. Either way there is precipitation of sorts today in Los Angeles where there is usually none. It is awesome as far as I am concerned. However; I needed my parking pass from my car. I got the pass out of the car and as I closed the car door the glass from the rear windshield fell into the back seat of my car. So now not only do I need to leave, but tons of moisture was falling onto my leather seats.
The shattered glass that has with stood heat and cold fell in to my car because e I opened and closed the driver side door. A friend of my parents is staying with us and she covered the hole with a trash bag so my car would be free from moisture. I laughed all the way to school. What else was there to do?
So last Thursday something fell on my back windshield just right and it shattered. Now the window did not fall into my car but I could not drive my car either. At first I was really trying to figure out how this whole thing went down. After twenty minutes I just said well at least I was not in the car when this whole thing happened. (That would have scared me to death). My mom and I went to a yoga class and then I called my insurance company. Unfortunately it was going to take two business days to get the window. I was then out of a car until today Monday, or tomorrow.
That was fine I sent an email to my fellow teacher trainers asking for a ride and two offered to help out. My weekend was fun and full of new learning experiences. There was nothing to complain about and my life was really unaffected by the car being out of commission. The only hard day was today.
Today was a bit tricky because I needed to attend class, but had no car. My father luckily works nearby. I took him to work, came home and got ready, went to class, picked him up and he dropped me off at home, because he is going out of town so he needed his car. This would seem like a great plan right? It was except of one tiny mishap that has nothing to do with the car schedule.
Today of all days is the lovely beginning of actual fall. I am very happy about this even though there is a heavy sprinkle. Either way there is precipitation of sorts today in Los Angeles where there is usually none. It is awesome as far as I am concerned. However; I needed my parking pass from my car. I got the pass out of the car and as I closed the car door the glass from the rear windshield fell into the back seat of my car. So now not only do I need to leave, but tons of moisture was falling onto my leather seats.
The shattered glass that has with stood heat and cold fell in to my car because e I opened and closed the driver side door. A friend of my parents is staying with us and she covered the hole with a trash bag so my car would be free from moisture. I laughed all the way to school. What else was there to do?
Teaching and the Brain.
Teaching and the Brain.
I often find myself lost in my thoughts. I am a philosophy major so this idea should not surprise anyone. This week I am teaching a small segment to my teacher trainers, and Teacher X suggested I teach her while we were a little tipsy last night in my buildings parking lot. I did oblige and I noticed how my brain got overloaded with information. Teacher X also noticed my dumbfounded bewilderment with a tinge of information overload look across my face. So she said just simply tell me what to do without over thinking it.
I really have to snap out of my brain daze. I have to be able to teach a small segment to get a job. This idea only adds to my mental overload. I try to think of not over thinking. Please, that is just not going to work. I told my boyfriend this morning how I was getting into this predicament and he suggested to just not think about anything at all until I have to teach. Both Teacher X and Boyfriend are correct, so why won’t my brain compute?
Well I don’t know why or how it happened but my brain worked it all out. I taught well, and I got out of my head except for one part of my instruction. I taught a segment at the wall. Now I have been to classes like this and it seemed easy, but it was not. Teaching and looking out at people is visually normal for me, but to place everyone against a wall really spreads out a class. You cannot see everyone at the same time at the wall. I went into overload but somehow no one noticed, and I kept it together by focusing on just giving directions.
I made it through and the teachers liked what I brought to the class especially because I used the wall as a prop effectively. I gave good instructions they were clear and landed. Somehow I did notice some people making mistakes and verbally corrected them. I did not talk too much, but had a good control over the class. Before I knew it the segment was over like a flash of lightning. I was in no way perfect but I am getting better every day.
I often find myself lost in my thoughts. I am a philosophy major so this idea should not surprise anyone. This week I am teaching a small segment to my teacher trainers, and Teacher X suggested I teach her while we were a little tipsy last night in my buildings parking lot. I did oblige and I noticed how my brain got overloaded with information. Teacher X also noticed my dumbfounded bewilderment with a tinge of information overload look across my face. So she said just simply tell me what to do without over thinking it.
I really have to snap out of my brain daze. I have to be able to teach a small segment to get a job. This idea only adds to my mental overload. I try to think of not over thinking. Please, that is just not going to work. I told my boyfriend this morning how I was getting into this predicament and he suggested to just not think about anything at all until I have to teach. Both Teacher X and Boyfriend are correct, so why won’t my brain compute?
Well I don’t know why or how it happened but my brain worked it all out. I taught well, and I got out of my head except for one part of my instruction. I taught a segment at the wall. Now I have been to classes like this and it seemed easy, but it was not. Teaching and looking out at people is visually normal for me, but to place everyone against a wall really spreads out a class. You cannot see everyone at the same time at the wall. I went into overload but somehow no one noticed, and I kept it together by focusing on just giving directions.
I made it through and the teachers liked what I brought to the class especially because I used the wall as a prop effectively. I gave good instructions they were clear and landed. Somehow I did notice some people making mistakes and verbally corrected them. I did not talk too much, but had a good control over the class. Before I knew it the segment was over like a flash of lightning. I was in no way perfect but I am getting better every day.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
happy times
Happy times.
After popping my cherry last week in my teacher training another wonderful experience made me more comfortable teaching. Teacher X let me demo a pose in class. I was really excited to do so. She asked me if I was nervous, and I wasn’t. I already know most of the class, because I am a regular. Since they all know me it was rather painless. It was fun. She added some direction and after told me its better not to use certain statements when you make verbal corrections. I am sure in time these things will become second nature, but until then I must be focused at the task at hand.
Most all of the teachers that have taught me are really supportive, but Teacher X is the most supportive. I am glad to have Teacher x in my life. Tonight I am accompanying Teacher X to a gathering in Calabasas. Unfortunately this is the only outing I have planned in the last two weeks. All I have been doing is homework, teacher training, and exercising. This week my yoga practice was really weird. On Wednesday night I practiced on my own.
The weird part is I usually like to leave the house to practice yoga. At home I generally become distracted by the littlest thing. For some reason I was focused and energized that night. I had a great time all by myself! This is dangerous for me. In general I am social. At times I have plans most nights and on the weekends. When I have a project like school I generally delegate my day to studying like it’s a job. This makes me rather introverted. If I like to stay at home for practice then I may become a hermit and not leave. I will become that weird old lady children run from when I finally leave the house. I am no where near that old but you never know. But that is off topic. I brought up my practice because of strange coincidence.
Here it is, on Thursday I went to my favorite afternoon class and we practically did the same exact sequence I had done the night before. The only difference was the abdominal work aka yogi sit-ups at the end of class. For the record sit-ups are my kryptonite. On Wednesday I did at least 50 sun salutes. (I am trying to work my way up to do 54 in one practice per week. We will see if I get there. Baby steps ). Then 12 hours later I did the same sequencing again. I was so tired by the time I got to one particular pose I just could not find the strength to hold myself up. My teacher came over to me and asked why I was on the floor. I told him I was too tired to keep myself up. I think he was a little surprised.
The floor has never felt so good. I am a firm believer that if you need to rest you should. For whatever reason I just hit a wall in class yesterday or should I say floor. Oh floor where you have been all my life? You are my sunshine in the rain, you are all that is good in the world oh floor you are there to hold me up when I need you. Anyways I still enjoyed that class and left feeling good. This weekend is filled with teacher trainers and teaching sequences to each other. Can’t wait for fun tomorrow!
After popping my cherry last week in my teacher training another wonderful experience made me more comfortable teaching. Teacher X let me demo a pose in class. I was really excited to do so. She asked me if I was nervous, and I wasn’t. I already know most of the class, because I am a regular. Since they all know me it was rather painless. It was fun. She added some direction and after told me its better not to use certain statements when you make verbal corrections. I am sure in time these things will become second nature, but until then I must be focused at the task at hand.
Most all of the teachers that have taught me are really supportive, but Teacher X is the most supportive. I am glad to have Teacher x in my life. Tonight I am accompanying Teacher X to a gathering in Calabasas. Unfortunately this is the only outing I have planned in the last two weeks. All I have been doing is homework, teacher training, and exercising. This week my yoga practice was really weird. On Wednesday night I practiced on my own.
The weird part is I usually like to leave the house to practice yoga. At home I generally become distracted by the littlest thing. For some reason I was focused and energized that night. I had a great time all by myself! This is dangerous for me. In general I am social. At times I have plans most nights and on the weekends. When I have a project like school I generally delegate my day to studying like it’s a job. This makes me rather introverted. If I like to stay at home for practice then I may become a hermit and not leave. I will become that weird old lady children run from when I finally leave the house. I am no where near that old but you never know. But that is off topic. I brought up my practice because of strange coincidence.
Here it is, on Thursday I went to my favorite afternoon class and we practically did the same exact sequence I had done the night before. The only difference was the abdominal work aka yogi sit-ups at the end of class. For the record sit-ups are my kryptonite. On Wednesday I did at least 50 sun salutes. (I am trying to work my way up to do 54 in one practice per week. We will see if I get there. Baby steps ). Then 12 hours later I did the same sequencing again. I was so tired by the time I got to one particular pose I just could not find the strength to hold myself up. My teacher came over to me and asked why I was on the floor. I told him I was too tired to keep myself up. I think he was a little surprised.
The floor has never felt so good. I am a firm believer that if you need to rest you should. For whatever reason I just hit a wall in class yesterday or should I say floor. Oh floor where you have been all my life? You are my sunshine in the rain, you are all that is good in the world oh floor you are there to hold me up when I need you. Anyways I still enjoyed that class and left feeling good. This weekend is filled with teacher trainers and teaching sequences to each other. Can’t wait for fun tomorrow!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)