I've spent this past weekend in advanced yoga teacher training (TT500). I can't believe I've been in this training for 10 months (one weekend a month). Time sure has flown, and so has my TT500 binder...or rather it has grown quite full of knowledge, my notes, drawings of asanas, sequences, anatomy, tips from some really wonderful teachers on all things yoga including restorative, yin, vinyasa, cues, chakras, reflections...oh the list goes on.

Such a vast knowledge base (my yoga encyclopedia) that will forever be a reference of mine, that it really required a bit of fun color to be added to the experience. I came home from 11 hours of training yesterday with this urgent need to art journal my binder. It will be a wonderful point in time visual reflection of my intentions in months and years to come.... and a great resource during our open book final (YIKES....I might need to study for that!)

It's funny how cutting and taping magazine clips can be so restorative, reflective and just plain fun. If you haven't tried it already....I highly recommend Art Journaling (read more here), just takes a few magazines, tape and maybe a journal or binder or calendar to decorate!

My Ah ha Moment on the Mat

My Ah ha Moment on the Mat

Have you ever lost something for days or weeks, knowing it's around someplace, but you can't pinpoint exactly where you 'placed' it for safe keeping?

This happened to me over the past few weeks. Granted it has been quite a hectic few weeks at work, which probably has something to do with me misplacing things. My mind was on many different things all at the same time.

I've rummaged through all the rooms, stacks of books, purses, bags, drawers, everywhere to find my lost item with no luck.

Fast forward a few days, and I find myself with enough time to attend a yoga class after work, I'm in the dressing room changing out of my work clothes into my yoga gear....and there it is, clear as day, in a little pocket on the inside of my bag. I wonder why at that moment I found it, as I begin to come down from the hectic-ness of a few crazy weeks at work, maybe my mind was beginning to settle before entering the yoga room, or maybe I just looked inside my bag with a fresh perspective. Regardless of why, I was very happy!

As I was on my mat in class, I couldn't stop thinking about how happy I was to have found my misplaced item. I was just beaming with smiles. As I was vinyasa-ing through to updog, I realized that yoga is often 'the moment' of finding a piece of oneself that may have been misplaced for a little while; maybe it's the attention to breath or the mindful movement of one's body; releasing control of one's day, no need to be someplace, not needing to do anything except be on the yoga mat; gives you the space to tap into your Self, your soul, your identity.

As I was coming to this realization, I noticed that the past few weeks were consumed with everything else, and taking the time for myself on the mat, was exactly what I needed to feel a bit grounded & most importantly realize that when I'm feeling lost (or even when I lose something), a yoga practice is in order!

Take a moment to notice what you find on the mat, be open to exploring the part of you that may have been misplaced for a while.

Have you had an aha moment mid vinyasa? I'd love to hear about it!

The Yoga Poster

The Yoga Poster

Another teacher recently shared a link regarding the yoga poster project; with my curiosity about anything and everything yoga related, I had to check it out. To find out, it really is such a great idea!

This couple from Portland, karoline and frank neville-hamilton decided to de-mystify yoga history, yoga poses, different types of yoga, meditation, really all things yoga related in one visual aid. I don’t know about you, but I’m a visual learner; pictures & diagrams really help send home the message.



A snippet of what the 'action' part of the poster looks like

I normally don’t give money away freely, especially for yoga related items (because I already own sooo many books from teacher trainings and because there are sooo many free resources available online. However, I thought this was such a unique approach to yoga history, and something that I’m sure I will glean tons of insight from….in addition to helping me understand and frame yoga history in a way that’s understandable and transferable to my students.

A snippet of what the 'paths' section of the poster will look like

Whether a student or a teacher….you may find this poster a super helpful resource. There is only a day left to contribute to the project via Kickstarter, if you donate today you will not only get the poster but depending on how much you donate, they have other fun gifts. If you miss the deadline to contribute via kickstarter, they will be selling the poster on theyogaposter.com. More information and a fun video about the project is on Kickstarter and a featured article in yoga journal and elephant journal.  

Advanced Teacher Training ~ The How-To Guide to Private Yoga Sessions

Advanced Teacher Training Thesis Topic ~ The How-To Guide of Private Yoga Sessions

I would love to hear from you on my thesis topic of Private Yoga sessions, If you are visiting the blog to take the survey, please click here for students and here for teachers. If you have a few minutes to read about why I've chosen this topic, I would love for you to continue to read on.....

As I've mentioned a few times since last August, I have taken my yoga teaching to a new level with Advanced Teacher Training, a 500 hour certification. To expand on what this means, it is 300 additional hours of yoga training on top of the original 200 hour training one should take to become a certified and qualified yoga teacher. It's like the Masters degree for yoga.

One of the exciting and yet also nerve recking, nail biting aspects of advanced teacher training is a THESIS!!! I have to admit, I don't think I have ever actually done an official THESIS! It's kind of ironic actually because I've spent most of my life going to school or studying for something (high school, college, CPA, MBA, Yoga teacher training..etc..)....and yet I've mostly done reports or group projects but never anything titled THESIS.

Picture Credit: wikispaces.com

OK, so you can probably tell, I'm a bit freaked out about this. Putting such a serious name to a project that is suppose to culminate in my knowing *ALL* things yoga related with a hopeful graduation from ATT 500 (Advanced Teacher Training 500 hours) had me in complete panic mode.

Part of me really wanted to have a thoughtful, tear jerking, super insightful thesis which would be inspiring, jaw dropping, full of intention setting, heart impacting material.  BUT, those of you who know me, or if you don't you might have guessed from my *how I love checklists* post, that I am a very practical person.

So, I decided I wanted to spend my time and effort learning something that I can incorporate into my yoga career, something that I could take with me, weave into my practice and have a purposeful and positive impact on other yogis or soon-to-be yogis in a practical manner......

~The How-To Guide of Private Yoga Sessions ~

As a yoga student, I have taken both group and private classes. I truly believe the private yoga classes catapulted my yoga practice both on a physical (hello headstand!) and spiritual level.  So, when I decided to become a yoga teacher, I fully anticipated that I would teach private yoga classes. However, I quickly learned after completing my 200 hour certification, that I did not feel equipped to run out into the world and take on private yoga students.

The purpose of my thesis (also presented in workshop form) is to consider the history of private yoga sessions, why students may consider (or may not like to) working with a teacher via a private/one-on-one client or semi-private group; benefits from the student and teacher perspective; from the first interactions (how does a teacher get a private client student base?) to the exiting process; identifying the needs (goal) of the student; setting clear expectation of both the student and the teacher role; the teachers skill level for working with various private client relationships, including injury and  the ethical framework of private client relationships.

As I begin the research of private yoga sessions, I would love to hear from you about your thoughts on taking and teaching private yoga classes. Even if you've never taken or taught a private yoga session, your insight would be especially helpful. Below are links to brief (10 questions) surveys. I would be most grateful for all of your insights.

Picture credit: Online Survey

For students who have or haven't taken private yoga: click here for survey

For teachers who have or haven't taught private yoga: click here for survey

I look forward to sharing the survey results as well as private yoga tidbits with you along the journey of this Thesis!

Review of Outside Yoga on the National Mall

Yesterday was such a beautiful day for yoga outside. Initially I thought it was going to be a bit chilly, but as the sky was clear and full of sunshine we heated up pretty quickly, layers shedding after each Surya A!

The event was sponsored by Lululemon and hosted on the National Mall with the backdrop of an amazingly blue sky, the sun and of course the Washington Monument.

What was interesting about the practice in addition to being outside, which is a unique way of practicing yoga in itself, was the music. BlueBrain Music, which I had never heard of until this event, met with the teacher,
Alison Adams, in advance to prepare the unique music for this event. She had a heart rate monitor attached to her as she practiced the class she had planned for the event. The music played by Blue Brain was centered around this heart beat, sometimes it was simply her heart beat and then at other times it was combined with other elements of music for a faster or slower tempo. Coming from the not-so-musically-inclined person, I really enjoyed this experience and thought it was an excellent way to combine yoga with another form of creative expression for a beautiful outcome.

There is something fun about a city-wide event which draws similar like minded people together that may otherwise have never been at the same place at the same time. As we walked down the mall to the event I was excited when I started seeing other yogis carrying their yoga mats to the event. Something about the energy of a large group of people practicing together, you can't help but get excited.

Featured --> is @bigblueyogamat, meet my husband's yoga mat, the yoga mat larger than life and with an attitude. I can't believe I actually got him out to a yoga class, outside and on his birthday!! That's love.

The one thing about practicing outside is you never know exactly what your surroundings will be, so you may need to adapt your practice a bit and be open to new experiences. For example, practicing outside in a public place is not the most 'peaceful' experience, especially during full-on 100th cherry blossom celebration, tourists were everywhere, passing by snapping pictures, giggling, gawking, proclaiming 'wow', etc. Being able to move into a more centered place may not be possible. PLUS, I have to admit I am completely distracted by my surroundings, I enjoy taking in the sights and experiences. What a unique way of becoming familiar with nature, feeling the blue sky, moving into a standing back-bend watching your arms extend towards the sky with the sun in your view is an amazing feeling, tilting just enough to see the Washington monument behind me. WOW! That's amazing. Featured above is the view behind me of the monument and yogis, while we are in Uttanasana (forward fold).

Family visiting us for Adam's birthday
and Easter weekend! It was lovely for them to
join us for some yoga on the mall :)

The other aspect of this outside practice is the practice itself. It was a very challenging class, the teacher is a power yoga teacher, but it wasn't so much her style, it was the fact that the hill was downward sloping. I know it seems like an excuse, but WOW, all of my muscles needed to be engaged in different ways to stay balanced and aligned properly. And boy did my wrists hurt after this practice...a bit too much weight tilting forward.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience, Music was good, practice was good (and I'm sore the next day from it, so I'm thinking my body needed it), beautiful weather, fun family bonding....good times.

If you are thinking yoga outside might be for you, and are in the DC area, the next event I know of is Saturday, May 19th sponsored by DC Yoga Week. Maybe we'll bump into each other there :)

Some more fun pics from the lovely event.......

Cherry Blossom Yoga on the Mall TODAY

Cherry Blossom Yoga on the Mall TODAY!

I'm excited for yoga outside today, I've been looking forward to it all week.....BUT I really have to admit the sun is deceiving, it's going to be COLD on the mall. 57 degrees. So, I'm hoping for some warming sun salutations!

Wishing you a beautiful Saturday....hoping you can find a little bit of yoga in your day ~ on or off the mat!

P.S. (Happy Birthday to my Hubby today!)

Love Your April

Happy April to you!

Growing up in the Midwest, usually April is the month that the sun brings warmer days allowing us to shed layers, flowers begin to sprout and generally a spring-time feeling is in the air. Living in Washington, D.C. the past 2 years has been quite a different experience, because everything seems to happen just a little bit earlier. So today, I'm really feeling settled into spring as a season and fully embracing it. Take a moment to reflect on your spring-time obsessions, have you made an effort to enjoy each moment of nature's growing process?

As for many of us, especially those who are accountants, April will be a VERY BUSY month. Although I am an accountant, I am not a tax accountant, so my busy-ness is not related to the dreaded Tax Time, instead for me it's related to preparing for quarterly regulatory requirements. That being said, I have to adjust for my goals this month, as I will be working long hours as well as taking on a new role at work.

Remember, adjusting for the cycles in your life is completely appropriate, both on and off the yoga mat. You want to set yourself up for success, not failure and at the same time push yourself to an appropriate edge of learning and self-discovery.

My top priorities this month:

• Finish my TAXES - for an accountant, I have no excuse!

• #PHOTADAYAPRIL ~ I love the idea of expressing creativity through the lens, capturing a moment you find beautiful ~ Join in with me! The photo challenge is coordinated by @fatmumslim.

• Continue reading Real Happiness. The book is designed to be a 28 day guide through meditation broken into 4 weeks. WELL, let's just say I'm a slow reader. Really, I don't find the value in rushing through it. So I've been focusing on the first style of meditation focused on breathing techniques, as I feel ready I will move onto to the next chapter. I do highly recommend the book if you are interested in learning about meditation ~ especially about how to not beat yourself up over 'thinking'.
 
 
• I picked my Stained Glass project!! It is going to be the symbol OM in glass! My goal is not to complete the project this month, but to begin in it, cutting out the pattern and picking the colors
 
• Advanced Teacher Training Thesis Exploration - I can't believe there is only 3 months left of the advanced teacher training (TT500) program I am in at Tranquil Space! Which means I ONLY have 3 months to work on my thesis!! This month I want to focus on"
• Conducting remaining interviews of teachers/students
• Provide 4 free private lessons to 2-3 people
• Start writing the body of my paper
 
• 1/2 Marathon Training - this actually started the last week in March, but it will continue on until mid June!
 
• Cherry Blossom Yoga on the Mall ~ how I love yoga outside! 4/7/12 at 10am

• The Way of the Woman workshop at Tranquil Space with Sara Avant

• Family visit over Easter weekend ~ Lots of fun spring festivities to plan
 
• How can I forget all of the lovely habits I started to implement in March, including hydrating, choosing to move (hello yoga and walking!), connecting with nature, the power of touch, meditation and choosing vegan options.
 
• Lastly, but definitely not least, as I mentioned in the beginning is finding balance with my career, growing into a new role at work as well as completing all of our corporate tasks timely!

Have you thought about what your spring-time will bring you? Maybe take a few moments to write down your top 3 to 5 things you want to complete this month.

Happy Springing!