Yoga Diary

How Do You Give Thanks on Thanksgiving?

2009-11-25T00:20:35Z

Even though I love Thanksgiving for its abundance of stuffed tofurkey, candied yams, and cranberry sauce, my favorite Thanksgiving memories all involve the true spirit of the holiday: Giving Thanks.

As a yogi I try to practice karma yoga, the practice of serving others, as often as I can, but I have to admit that sometimes I lose site of helping others as I get caught up in my daily life. Thanksgiving is always that brilliant reminder to refocus, give thanks, and give back.

In my classes this past week I have tried to inspire my students to think of ways they can give thanks or give back this holiday. Some of my favorites from Thanksgivings-past are volunteering at a soup kitchen to give back to the community, teaching a free yoga class to give back to your students, going to a donation yoga class and giving back to the charity of choice, and simply telling all the people that you love why you are so thankful that they are in your lives.

Now I hope that you can inspire each other with your own favorite stories. What is your favorite way to give thanks for Thanksgiving?

Can Yoga Teachers Teach Full-Time AND Pay the Bills?

2009-11-17T23:19:53Z

Friends often ask me if it's possible to make a living as a full-time yoga teacher. I always say absolutely! But at times it can be a hard road to venture down.

As a newer teacher (under the five year mark), I feel much more secure maintaining a full-time job outside the yoga studio and teaching on the side. (I'm also lucky enough to work for Yoga Journal where I can continue feeding my yoga passion every day in a different format.)

I have other teacher friends who I can barely drag out of the studio. They teach ten to twenty classes a week and sometimes more, if the opportunity arises. They work hard and make enough to make ends meet through sheer number of classes. And they love what they do. But I'm not so sure this excess outpour of teaching energy is sustainable. I've seen it lead to burn out more than once.

And then there's the Uber-Teachers. You know the ones -- they teach four classes a week and pull in enough people to fill a stadium. They're doing well and so they should. They're great teachers, well loved, and they are getting compensated for what they do.

So my question is -- how do teachers make the jump from teaching as many classes as they CAN to make ends meet to teaching as many classes as they WANT instead? At what point and in what way does yoga teaching transform into a job that is just as monetarily sustainable as being a banker or a web designer or a school teacher for that matter?

Does Music Have a Place in Yoga Class?

2009-11-10T20:28:00Z

There appears to be an unspoken debate about using music in yoga class. Sometimes classes are accompanied by soothing melodies, devotional chanting, or even all out of rock. Other classes lean towards no music at all. It's gotten me to wondering -- is there a version that's best? Or, like most things in yoga, does it simply come down to what feels right for you?

In my own teaching I have covered all sides of the spectrum. When I started teaching, music always accompanied my words. I found that music helped to calm my new-to-teaching-nerves. It created an anchor that I could draw inspiration from to structure a class and inspire my students. Plus, some of my favorite teachers use music woven masterfully into their classes so I thought it seemed like a great idea to follow suit.

And yet, after a few years of teaching and, frankly, listening to my small selection of mixes over and over and over, I decided I needed a bit of a musical break. I'd like to say I was inspired by the desire to move towards stillness but, really, I was just tired of all my songs. I'm not a DJ and I didn't want to be one. So I turned the iPod off and just taught.

And then an interesting thing happened.

I found that, for me, turning off the music helped me to focus on the energy of the room and the rhythm of my students' breath. It allowed me to feel more in sync with my students and it felt like they were able to reach a depth of stillness that I hadn't seen before. And so it stuck.

Has this experience caused me to swear off all music in yoga? Definitely not. Sometimes it feels like the room (or maybe me) could use a bit of a musical lift and so I pull my iPod out. I also love live chanting so I weave that into the beginning and end of class as often as I can. I love going to yoga classes with music and without. So I guess I would say I am firmly planted somewhere... in the middle.

For those days that you lean more towards the musical side, visit our monthly playlists for inspiration or check out this Jivamukti sequence set to a downloadable musical track.

Do You Meditate?

2009-10-23T16:31:34Z

If you are anything like me then when you practice yoga you focus on the asana -- poses that stretch the body (and often the mind). You know that meditation is an important part of the practice and you might sneak in a minute or two of stillness at the beginning or end of your asana fiesta.

Or maybe you sit and meditate for five, ten, twenty minutes a day.

Or maybe you think you should. And you don't.

At one time or another I have fallen into all of these categories. When I began yoga it was hard for me to sit for ten seconds. I was so used to moving and doing and multi-tasking that I'd completely forgotten how to get still. As I became more involved with my asana practice I gradually started to unravel and could proudly hit the ten second mark without even a flinch. From there my endurance grew so that now, ten years later, I can sit for ten minutes straight and not run screaming from my zafu.

Doesn't sound like much, does it? Well, for me, ten minutes feels like a huge victory. (Even then, I go in and out of my meditation practice more often than I would like to admit.) But I know that every time I meditate I feel like I want (need) to do it more.

Where do you sit on meditation? Or do you sit at all?

Looking to learn more about meditation? Check out our collection of meditation articles.

Why Do You Do Yoga?

2009-10-21T17:46:06Z

I was recently watching Yoga Journal's latest DVD: Yoga For Strength and Toning with Flow teacher Stephanie Snyder. (Full disclosure: Stephanie is my main teacher so I am thrilled that she just released this brand new DVD.) Strength and toning seems like a great reason to do yoga but it got me thinking: I wonder how many different reasons there are that people practice yoga?

Some super-busy students of mine do yoga to de-stress; others to stay in shape. Some sporty students do yoga to stretch out after their workout. I do yoga for different reasons on different days but mostly because it makes me feel good: mind, body, and soul. (And sometimes I joke that I do yoga because it makes me a little bit less crazy.)

I know my students do yoga for some many reasons. What are those reasons for you? What brings you to the mat?

Sharing Wisdom through An Offering of Leaves

2009-10-13T20:00:00Z

Recently I came across An Offering of Leaves by Jivamukti yoga teacher Ruth Lauer-Manenti. This new book is a collection of "'dharma talks' -- stories from her life that accompany her classes and represent the yogic commitments to ahimsa (non-violence), compassion, and service."

Usually when I pick up books based on yoga philosophy, all full of enthusiasm to absorb some yogic wisdom, I get lost after three pages and end up abandoning ship. Thankfully, this book was a very welcome exception.

Ruth writes with such simplicity, humor and authenticity that I was immediately drawn into each story. It was easy to see the connection to the Sanskrit verse with which the story began. By the end I felt like I had delved into the ancient texts of The Yoga Sutras and The Bhagavad Gita in a way I never had before and in a way that made sense to me. I'm hoping I can bring this new-found knowledge into my days and to my students.

What other books have helped you deepen your understanding of yoga philosophy in an easy and accessible way?

Beginner's Mind

2009-10-06T23:55:45Z

This weekend I had the pleasure of teaching an Intro to Yoga workshop to a shiny, new crop of yogis. Some of them had never done yoga. Others had done yoga a bit but had never gotten the basics. And yet they all had one thing in common: they were super-eager to learn.

It was as if just by signing up for a workshop called "Intro" they had taken on the "Beginner's Mind" and embraced it. And oh what a wonderful thing that was.

In case you're not familiar, we often refer to a "Beginner's Mind" in yoga as that space where you examine everything as if it were new. By opening ourselves up to the possibility that there is always something new to learn (even when you have done the "same" downward facing dog a thousand times) all kinds of things can shift and change and evolve.

I found myself inspired by my beginners. Not only were they discovering yoga with all of its possibilities but they were so open and receptive to everything I (and yoga) had to offer. I found myself wanting to give as much of myself as I possibly could. I wanted to learn more and absorb with the same openness and fearlessness that they were exhibiting.

And so, my beginners, for this I thank you. And I ask you, my readers, where could you benefit from applying your Beginner's Mind?

The Secret to Adjusting

2009-10-01T22:58:57Z

Since I began teaching I've been on a quest to learn the secret to adjusting. Until last weekend, it hadn't gone so well.

I've been down many avenues on this quest: I learned a bit in teacher training ("adjusting basics", which I then promptly forgot in favor of pose names and sequences); I've bought "adjusting" books (its hard to learn hands-on from a sheet of paper); I've attended short "adjusting" trainings (they didn't quite get into what I was seeking); I've assisted other teachers (I was free to give all the adjustments I wanted but I was never quite sure what those should be). None of them measured up to what I was hoping to learn.

And then last weekend I had the pleasure of attending a Thai Yoga Massage workshop led by Jonas Westring, (Anusara Yoga Instructor, Therapeutic Bodyworker, and owner of Shantaya Yoga and Bodywork School).

I have to admit, when I signed up I thought the workshop would be informative but have very little to do with my yoga teaching. It was obvious from the first sequence that I was dead wrong. Turns out I had discovered the secret to all of those fantastic, deep, yummy adjustments that I have been longing to learn.

After just one day with Jonas I left equipped with clear insight into how to adjust the body, be sensitive to what is going on with my students' bodies, and to take care of myself while I'm adjusting. It was an invaluable experience that left me feeling like I had finally found a practice that could deeply change not only the way I adjust but how I interact with my students and their practice. I can't wait to learn more.

To get a taste of some Thai Yoga Massage adjustments check out Saul David Raye's article: Get in Touch.

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-09-27T22:08:08Z

I'm sitting in the airport in Denver reflecting on my trip to the magical Estes Park for the Yoga Journal Conference. I had an amazing time! It's impossible to sum up the experience in a series of short blogs, but I'd like to share with you the highlights of the trip for me.

1. I learned SO much from the presenters! My most notable ah-ha moment came in Rod Stryker's class when he explained the importance of pranayama and bandhas. I'd never really felt like I understood it, but now I'm inspired to start a more regular practice.

2. Mountains, sunshine, fresh air, grazing elk, starry nights ... Even though I didn't have much time to get out and enjoy it, being surrounded by nature is an amazing feeling. It really puts things into perspective.

3. The shuttle ride from the airport to the Estes Park YMCA where the conference was held. I met several sweet yogis who were absolutely glowing they were so thrilled to be spending their weekend immersed in yoga. I felt postive vibes from all the yoga students I met in every workshop I took. Warm fuzzies.

4. Amy Ippoliti shared her secret to a fabulous yoga butt--thighs back, inner spiral, and "inner thigh tone-age is your best friend!" I'll keep working on it.

5. Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Judith Lasater inspired me to embrace the goddess within during the Women in Yoga panel. We are so lucky to strong, confident, caring, compassionate women like them in the yoga community. I'd say I want to be like them when I grow up, but I know they'd say to embrace who I am instead.

6. The fabulous yoga marketplace. Usually I avoid this place like the plague because I have too much yoga stuff as it is, and I need to watch my spending. But this time things were super affordable (even free) and the atmosphere was fun and friendly. I got a free headband from Alo, a free vegan cupcake from Lucy, and even found a steal on a top from Zobha for only $15. What a treat!

7. I learned that Gary Kraftsow is my neighbor. Really. The bus I ride to work passes his house every since day (twice!).

8. There was a real effort this year to tread lightly on the earth. The Green Yoga Association was very prominent all week giving out re-usable water bottles and reminding people to recycle. Plus, they took away my boss's old PVC mat and put it on display in the marketplace! (They gave her a replacement Eco mat.)

9. Yogis are becoming more and more technologically advanced these days. I loved sharing Tweets with other conference attendees and getting a glimpse into their experiences. (Search for #YJEstes and #YJEstes to see the Tweets and read other conference attendee blogs at ElephantJournal.com and Desertisland.com.

10. In my last class there was a lady in her 80s who didn't look a day over 60. She has been doing Anusara yoga for more than 10 years and she had a firm grasp on the asana and seemed to be enjoying herself. Many people her age have a hard time even walking. I was SO impressed, and I hope when I'm in my 80s I'll still be practicing. What an inspiration!

Women in Yoga Panel

2009-09-25T21:45:16Z

There's bound to be a great conversation when four of the most influential women in yoga today sit down at a table together. And that's exactly what happened today when Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Judith Lasater, and YJ's Editor-in-Chief Kaitlin Quistgaard came together to talk about the power of women in yoga. It's a vast topic and the discussion touched on many different things so I'll give you a taste of a few of the topics that I found most interesting.

Note: The following are memorable paraphrases, not direct quotes from the panelists.

Q: If yoga is all about embracing your true self, why do women in the yoga community still wear make up and color their hair?

Shiva Rea: For me it's about adornment. It's something I do as an expression for myself, not for anyone else. I was born as a pixie blonde. I feel like the blond hair is an expression of who I am.

Judith Lasater: There's kind of a spectrum. Plastic surgery might be on one end and brushing your teeth on the other.

Q: Why do the pictures we see in YJ and other media outlets portray yoginis as thin and flexible when we come in all different shapes and sizes?

Kaitlin Quistgaard: I can't speak for other outlets, but for Yoga Journal we're always looking for diversity in models, keeping in mind the integrity of alignment. It takes a lot of stamina and hard work to be a model, so we have to find people who can hold poses all day long. For our covers, we're trying to appeal to people who have never picked up the magazine before.

Seane Corn: I hear people place blame so much, and it's like nails on a chalkboard for me. Instead of villifying others and talking about what they should be doing differently, we need to think about what WE can do in our communities to shape the perception for our daughters.

Q: What can we, as women yoga students, do to get more men interested in yoga?

Seane Corn: I don't think we should be doing anything. Do your own practice and trust that they'll come to it when they're supposed to if it's their karma. Plus, there's nothing more annoying than a woman nagging, telling others what they should do to make changes in their lives.

The Power of Pranayama

2009-09-25T21:17:12Z

I've always liked pranayama. I like the high feeling you get after I do it for a while. I like how it seems to clear my nostrils and sinuses and makes it easier to breathe. But I have to admit, all the talk about how it moves energy ... I never really understood all of that. Until now.

After a morning class with Deskichar on how the breath affects your whole being and another class with Rod Stryker about how the bandhas relate to all of it, I think I'm finally starting to get it.

Stryker explained that you could think of the body as a container of energy. In meditation, the mind goes where the energy, or prana, is. If you haven't prepared properly your energy is all over the place--moving out of your container. (This is why when you sit down to meditate your mind wanders.) According to Stryker, the purpose of asana is to remove blockages so your energy inside can move more freely. Then, pranayama collects more energy from around you and brings in inside of you so you have MORE prana in that container. Bhandas focus that prana and hold it in. It all works together to help your meditation practice--which is the whole point of yoga in the first place! Ah ha! There's my light bulb moment!

Fired Up! Ready to Go!

2009-09-24T20:14:36Z

The last time I came to the Estes Park Yoga Journal conference two years ago, I was NOT prepared. Other YJ Conferences I had been to were in hotels. You roll out of bed, walk downstairs, and take class... but Estes Park is different. You have to go outside and walk around a campus to find your classes. And sometimes it SNOWS in September. Let's just say my yoga clothes, sweatshirt, and flip flops were not sufficient. This year, I brought warm clothes (and socks!) and I can't WAIT to get outside and do some exploring tomorrow.

Tomorrow's itinerary:
--Desikachar: The Yoga of Breath and Mind
--Rod Styker: ParaYoga: Theory and Application of Bandha
--Twitter Yogis Spontaneous Yoga 1pm (outside the admin building)
--Panel Discussion "The Power of Women in Yoga"
--Podcasting 101: Expanding Your Message Beyond Studio Walls
--Seane Corn: Anahata Flow: Love, Compassion, and Forgiveness

Your Yoga Teacher's Headshot: Is it Up to Snuff?

2009-09-24T18:24:39Z

As a yogi I try to keep my crankiness to a minimum. But I have to say, nothing puts me on the cranky-train faster than a poorly done yoga teacher headshot.

You know the ones - where your favorite yoga teacher (who is cute as a button and radiates sunshine) looks like a blurred-out, fuzzy mess who quite possibly has just finished an all night bar crawl with her ten closest friends (who are of course whooping it up in the background of the tiny image.)

Or the one where your teacher is twisted up so far into a pretzel that you are not sure where her legs end and her head begins and you just want to look away because, frankly, that looks like it hurts and you just don't want that to happen to you because you quite possibly will get stuck. Forever.

Come on folks. Let's get our headshots together.

Often a yoga teacher's headshot is the first thing that you will see when deciding if you want to take your class. Wouldn't a happy, meditative, in-focus yogi convince you to take a class more than a lot of the pictures out there?

I beg of you - if you are a student and your yoga teacher's headshot is just not up to par, let them know. Take a snapshot yourself if you must. You'll be helping them, I promise.

And if you are a teacher - take a quick look. What is your headshot saying about you?

For articles with some lovely headshots check out our Yoga Mentor Experts.

Autumn Day

2009-09-23T04:36:30Z

Today while deleting the no longer useful off of my snail of a laptop I came across a file in which I had saved a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke. One of my favorite poets, Rilke had an astonishing ability to put into words those emotions you thought couldn't be described. I found it quite fitting the poem I happened upon on today's Autumnal Equinox was called Autumn Day, and perfectly mirrored my own melancholy mood:

Lord: it is time. The summer was immense.
Lay your shadow on the sundials
and let loose the wind in the fields.

Bid the last fruits to be full;
give them another two more southerly days,
press them to ripeness, and chase
the last sweetness into the heavy wine.

Whoever has no house now will not build one
anymore.
Whoever is alone now will remain so for a long
time,
will stay up, read, write long letters,
and wander the avenues, up and down,
restlessly, while the leaves are blowing.

The last of the peaches and strawberries, the darkening skies, the descent from summer's high. I bristle with resistance and struggle with acceptance. We need this retreat, my mind tells me, to unwind, decompress, recharge. But I'm not done basking in the sun!

I will take this time to stay up, read, write long letters, and maybe restlessly wander a few avenues. I have quite a collection of yoga books beckoning to me from the shelves. I aim to read a few and share with you my thoughts. I will also be taking some Ayurvedic courses with Pratichi Mathur at Vedika Gurukula, and will be attending the first workshop in CIIS's new Certificate in Yoga course, taught by none other than T. K. V. Desikachar! What was I complaining about earlier?

May blessings ride upon these winds of change~

Where to Teach

2009-09-22T19:55:07Z

Recently a friend and newly anointed yoga teacher asked me for advice on how to pick a yoga studio to teach at. I thought it was a great question from a newbie since I see so many new teachers salivate over ANY class they can call their own, even if it's at 4:30am AND 20 miles outside of town AND they have to pay for cleaning AND the list goes on...

After several years of trial and error I think the best way to ensure success is to make sure you consider all aspects of any teaching opportunity:

Do you like the studio & its students? A studio you teach at should be a place you feel at home in and you would want to practice there yourself. Every studio has a very different personality so some will fit and some just won't.

Do you like the owner? The owner/management has so much influence on a studio and your experience in it. Make sure your personalities mesh before committing to a class

Do people like working there? Talk to other teachers and get their experience.

Are you going to get a time slot that works well? While it can be good experience when you're starting out to get any slot (especially at a studio you really want to teach at), it can also be a real bummer to show up and have just a few students (or none at all some days). Figure out what attendance that slot currently gets and what you are willing to live with.

What don't you know yet? Do you get paid per student or a flat-fee? Is there a minimum you will be paid or if you show up and no-one else does do you go home empty-handed? Do they take anything out of your pay per month (like insurance or a cleaning fee)? Are you required to have liability insurance on your own? How often are you paid? Do they have front desk people working or do you have to sign people in? How early are you expected to be there for your class? Are you responsible for getting your own subs? Is there a sub list or can you get anyone to sub? What is the process? Are there any other things you will be expected to do?

For those more seasoned teachers out there—what else do you consider before committing to a new studio or new class?

Need ideas on how to get your chosen studio to notice you? Learn how to catch a studio's attention.