Yogi Chronicles: ... 8.20.15

*You're right...today is not the 20th*

There was a 5-day period earlier this month during which I taught four classes. I was a sub for 3 of them, and 1 was taught as a part of birthday festivities. Nothing like the waves crashing against the rocks in the background being your music for class. I enjoyed teaching the classes and got some great feedback. But, what I learned in that 5-day period is though I'm guiding others through a practice, it doesn't mean that I should stop attending class for myself.

Can't stop. Won't stop. Take that. Take that.

The last two classes I taught in that 5-day class were back-to-back. I had a 15 minute break in between the classes. Also, I had to work my full-time job before heading to the studio to teach. I was t-i-red after that last class. But a good tired.

What exactly is a good tired? Like, after sex? Is that a good tired? It's been so long, I can't...

Where was I? Tired.

Right.

During my class, at the end, I guide students through Savasana, pointing out parts of the body to relax from toe to the top of the heads. As I was guiding the students in Savasana, I was actually getting relaxed myself. Maybe that's what it was...I was extra relaxed. Lord knows I wanted to come into Savasana with them, but the class isn't about me. It's about them. That's something else I'm learning as I teach more. I've become very of observant of students' as they move into different poses. So, while I'm teaching others, I'm learning, as well.

Bazinga!

Speaking of Instagram, I have over 100 followers, yet average 12 likes per posts. And some of the likes are from folk who don't even follow my page; they search hashtags. And I'm OK with that. I can't get caught up in the likes and followers. I post because I want to share with others my knowledge, and at the same time, getting some practice on how I give instruction. And if what I posts makes one person go "Let me try that," then I've succeeded.

K to the...

Yogi Chronicles: The Hoopin' Yogi

“One door closes, another opens. You never know who is watching you…and seeing a skill in you that you definitely didn’t see in yourself. That’s a dope feeling.”

I posted this status on August 30th, 2014 (Facebook Timeline is good for something) after having a nice, lengthy conversation with my yoga instructor. Before she excused us from class on this day, she told the class that she would be teaching a certification class and she had flyers for those who would be interested. I go to get a flyer…just to be nosy. As I grabbed the flyer, she looked up and said, “So, you’re ready to start teaching?”

*scratches record* What?

Though I had been taking a more advanced class for about a year, in addition to her class…I didn’t feel I was “experienced” enough to guide others. But, she saw something that I didn’t see in myself. I told her I would think about it and get back to her. It took less than a week to decide to go through with it.

And I'm glad I did.

This past Saturday, I received my certificate of completion. I celebrated by taking a nap (Because...32), then popping the finest Italian bubbly with the peeps that put me on to it. I still have some ongoing training to do (subbing so I can get used to teaching), but there is a good chance I'll have my own beginners' yoga class by the end of the summer.

The class will more than likely be at the gym I go to...which I joined thanks to an ex...who is the reason I started taking yoga. Ain't life funny?

I had created an Instagram page, but I didn’t want to share the information with anyone until I was officially done. I'm not sure where I want to go with the page, but in the meantime...gon’ ‘head and follow TheHoopinYogi. :-)

Namaste.

K to the...

Yogi Chronicles

I've noticed that I don't write much about this "yogi" life of which I am 'bout! Well, let me sauté ON today.

I attended my first hatha yoga class in November 2011. Pure. Struggle. After the first downward dog, I thought "What did I sign up for?" I hated that pose. My instructor, Joanna, said the poses that you hate the most are usually the ones you need. And that pose was the one I needed. My strength has always been, mainly, in my legs. But, now...

*kisses guns*

In September 2012, thanks to a suggestion from a classmate, I signed up for the power yoga (advanced) class. I was skeptical because I didn't want to feel as if I was getting ahead of myself. She saw how I was progressing in hatha and figured I could do it. Though my arms felt like noodles the first 3 weeks of the class, I was glad that I did sign up. 

As of today, I still attend those two classes...err week. In addition to feeling the results of the practice (better breathing, better posture, listening to the body, etc.) I've seen the results. 

Also, being able to hold poses I never thought I'd be able to do is dope, as well.

Not even a horrid Bears game in the background could break my concentration. Swank!

So yeah. My name is K.D.. I am a yogi. I'm 'bout dat life. And hope to be 'bout dat life until I'm 86 like one of my Saturday morning classmates.

Namaste.

K to the...