Living my Yoga - Day 1

Yesterday was my first day of Teacher Training 2 (TT2) - which was amazing. In an 8 hour window we learned so much from our teachers and from the other yogi's in class (there are about 20 of us), that I am excited to share some snippets.

We talked about what Yoga is for each of us and from the historical philosophy of Yoga (the Yoga Sutras, dating back to 3000 BCE). This philosophy is really what sets 'Living my Yoga' apart from practicing the poses in a yoga class. Practicing the poses is just a drop in the bucket (although, I must admit it is my favorite part of any day).

Not to get too spiritual in this post...growing up catholic, the best way that I can describe the yoga philosophy is to compare it to the 10 commandments. The Yamas and Niyamas are guidelines to live your everyday life by. There are 10 of them:

My intention over the next 3 months of Yoga Training is to aim to live all of them to my best ability, but to truly focus on one intention per week and notice how it permeates throughout my entire life.

Samtosha, Cultivating an attitude of Contentment: In line with the 2nd Niyama, after each class I will also keep a gratitude journal, describing what I am grateful that I learned about in that class. So, here goes....

• I am a student, and to embrace the beginning of this journey. I am not an expert yet, and it's OK to make mistakes and learn from them and grow from them, as through experience I will cultivate my teaching personality

• "I may not be the yoga teacher for everyone" - WOW, I'm so excited to share yoga with everyone I come in contact with, I lost sight of the face that not everyone may be receptive to my style, and that's OK, because others will be.

• We started to talk about Meditation, how to teach it, and some mantras and tools - So I do NOT have a meditation practice currently. I can't imagine sitting still and not thinking. I am always thinking about my next TO DO, how can I do it most efficiently; what is the next fun adventure my husband and I can go on, the grocery list, and on and on......this will be a huge challenge for me, but never the less, a challenge I would like to explore.

• In line with the concept of contentment, 'Don't wish you are some where else" - Be in the now - Think about feeling your toes on the hard wood floor in your living room, or your finger tips touching the keyboard at work, when you are longing for it to be 5pm to go home. Embracing the current moment.

• We learned how to teach various types of breath work, including:
• Alternate Nostril Breathing - impacting both sides of the brain, creating balance
• 3 Part Yogic Breath - Breathing deeply through your stomach, ribs and chest
• Kapalabati - Rhythmic breath, forceful exhale

 

Adjusting Pose - Adjusting is probably one of my favorite part of yoga classes to recieve. There is something very mindful and compassionate about being adjusted, and it always helps me realize I can go a bit deeper to find my edge. This is one aspect of of yoga that I look forward to sharing as a teacher. The poses we learned today:

• Tadasana - standing pose
• Uttanasana - forward fold
• Adho Mukha Svanasana - downward facing dog