Kid's Yoga

We'll I've had one long hiatus.  But now I'm back and I have some exciting news....I just started teaching my first kid's yoga session! You can read here, here, and here about my goals to become a certified yoga teacher and my teacher training journey.  It has been a long process and has taken me a while to get things up and going (all while going through some major life events), but I feel like it was a very organic process and it came together in its own time. I don't feel like you can rush these things.  I've thought hard about all the ways I could start up my program. In the end I decided to start small and close to home by creating an after-school yoga program for 4-6 year olds at my son's school.  It's always scary taking the plunge and starting something new...wondering if it is going to be a success or a failure...if you're going to enjoy it or not...weighing the benefits against the costs and liability.  I have to say that so far the entire process has been so fulfilling and rewarding and just feels right.  I'm so excited to see where this adventure leads!!  And thank you sooo much to those, particularly my husband, who have supported me along the way! Namaste!

Happy Anniverary

Klimt Tree of Life

One year ago today I started my yoga teacher training program.  I posted about it here. It's been a wonderful experience. I've met wonderful people and learned so much from others and myself. I'm so glad I took the plunge and decided to follow my bliss even though I wasn't sure how I'd find the time.  I completed my class hours in December and this week I'll finish my observations hours.  Then it's up to me to start my own classes. I'm still not sure where this adventure is going to take me, but I'll post more about it once I have my program more firmed up. Stay tuned.

Fighting the Mat

My yoga mat is my my happy place (or one of my happy places). When I step on it I feel relaxed, tranquil, and happy.  When I started doing yoga many moons ago I did it mainly for exercise. But over time it has become so much more.  There is something about the rhythm and flow of a yoga practice that allows my body to melt away and my spirit to come alive.

Or at least that's how it is most of the time.  Then there are the days where I fight the mat...when it takes all my will power to step on that piece of rubber and I want to shove the mat in the closet and forget it exists. On the days I fight the mat, I know I'm butting up against something needs attention. I call it the issue de jour. The issue de jour can be big or small.  Ususally, it's something I'm not even aware of until I'm on my way to yoga and find myself start in the midst of an internal debate that goes something like this,

"So do you really want to go to yoga tonight? You could go shopping instead. Or you could go to the beach, or to dinner with friends. Or you could catch up on work.  Doesn't that sound so much more fun?"

No joke, I've had this conversation with myself in the yoga center parking lot.  There are some days that I turn off the car, head to class, and face the mat and whatever it holds in store for me.  Then there are days when I'm not up for a fight and I ditch class.  The mat will be there waiting for me when I'm ready.

There's not a wrong or right here.  But generally I find that Robert Frost was right when he said that "The best way out is always through." Eventually, you have to face the mat and the things in life that are difficult no matter how big or small, work through them, and learn from them.  They make us who we are.  It's just important that we have a productive means to do so.  My way is yoga.  And I for one feel much better once I step up to the mat.

Ohm Yeah!

A while back I posted about prioritizing "me time" and my list of projects that I would like accomplish this year. Not to check them off a mental list, but because I want to enjoy doing them and they make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.  Well, tomorrow I start my first in a long series of yoga instructor training classes that will take me the next seven months to complete.  This is something I've always wanted to do.  If you had asked me a year ago if I would dare to put becoming a yoga instructor on my To Do List for 2011, I would have laughed, rolled my eyes, and given you the old "Ya Right".  But here I am. Dream big and you just never know what may happen.  In my case a variety of stars aligned to get me here, but had I not had a "Life List of Things I'd Love to Do" with Yoga Instructor near the top, then I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be writing this post tonight.   I'm not sure that all this will ever lead to actually teaching yoga.  But if you don't try you never know, right?

I signed up for this first course in February and at the time it seemed soooo far away.  Now it's here and I feel like a giddy child on Christmas Eve waiting for Christmas to hurry up and arrive.  Don't get me wrong, while I can't wait to get my yoga on, it is going to be a loooong 10 days.  I'll be working half days in the morning, attending 5 hours of yoga in the afternoon, then heading home to spend time with my gracious husband (and one of the stars helping to make this happen) and amazing son, then falling into bed to do it all over again the next day. Despite all the craziness I'm still super excited!