Link Love

This is a short and sweet article from MindBodyGreen called Don't Try Yoga Until You Understand These 3 Things

These are definitely things I'll pass onto any of my friends and family who are thinking about getting into a yoga practice... just a heads up!

This Too Will Pass...

This has been a bit of a crazy week. Last weekend, I had Teacher Training Weekend #8. There was a lot of introspective discussion and personal growth activities to help us to look inward at the direction of our lives. For some reason, I found this to be a particularly difficult weekend to handle, and all the self-discovery really made me quite emotional. On Monday at work, we got some terrible news about a friend of a co-worker. Also, our courier informed me that his cat (whom he has had for 15 years) was in surgery and things didn't look good for the outcome. These two things, combined with my emotional state left over from the weekend, made me feel very down. All of a sudden, a good friend of mine, and former co-worker, walked through the door for a surprise visit! That was all I needed to completely break down into tears. We ended up having a nice visit, but the first day of my week was mostly not a happy one.

The week ended up getting a bit better - my husband, brother-in-law and his wife came to my Tues night class at Live With Spirit, so it was great to have some happy support there with me. I had asked the class to send out some positive and healing energy to someone who they knew who might neeed it, and my sister-in-law later informed me that she had sent hers to me! I think it worked because by the end of the class, I felt very strong and grateful.

The rest of my week went quite a bit better. I taught my 2nd private class, had a nice visit with my Grandparents, picked up a new purse, and enjoyed some unseasonably warm weather.

For anyone wondering, the private class I began teaching last week went really well, and seems like a nice group of women. I think I'll enjoy watching their practice week after week.

Here's hoping this coming week is better than the last!

Namaste, ERIN

Nerves Abound

So, I have had many new opportunities come my way since I last posted. For one, I am now teaching on a regular basis at Live With Spirit in Brooklin. Let's call it Long-Term Temporary, since the original teacher is still off recovering from an injury. I have a small class there for a Core Power Class. I am desperately trying to put all of my education to work, but still find I have plenty of nerves accompanying me to class each week. I try to be prepared, to help ward off some of the nerves that come from the unknown of teaching a class. I still can't help but wonder each week how many (if any!) will show up to my class...

Secondly, I have been offered a chance to teach a private class at a corporate office in Whitby. I know zero details as of yet, except that it will be a one-hour Power Yoga Class... and they don't like "yoga" music! So, in preparation for this week's first class, I have spent a few hours tonight creating my class plan, and also a new playlist with some modern songs, which I really hope will help to keep the students motivated and energized. I feel pretty good about both, but only time will tell.

I have such a hard time with nerves, especially when taking on something new. I have also been struggling with a lot of negative self-talk lately and that really doesn't help the whole confidence issue! I have been trying to find some useful articles and quotes to help give me a push in a positive direction, so I will just keep on reading (and re-reading) those until my first new class on Wednesday night is over!

Wish me luck!
Namaste,
ERIN

Back to Business

I want to start by apologizing profusely for my absence for the last few months! I have been spending some solo time making some changes to my life, and lots has been going on in my personal affairs, so dealing with all that has taken loads of time. The good news is that I'm back and ready for action :)

I am officially 50% done my Yoga Teacher Training, having completed my 5th of 10 weekends in January. I am so excited to become a certified RYT200 graduate, but for now, I'm working on improving my teaching skills and learning as much as I can.

I have begun to teach the women at my office for practice, some of whom have never done any yoga before! We have a 1hr class one night a week after the office closes where we all roll out our mats in the waiting area and stretch out the stresses of the day. It's really fun to share something that is not just great exercise for the body, but also helps to calm the mind. So far they all seem to be enjoying it, and everyone keeps coming back week after week, so I can only take that as a good sign :)

Also, last week for the first time, I subbed a class for Sheree (my Teacher Training instructor) at her studio, on a night she had somewhere else to be. It was my first time teaching with real students who didn't know me (and get paid for it!) The only way I can describe it is "terrifyingly awesome". I was so nervous, but well-prepared. Also, I was lucky to have a pep talk from Nancy, a recent graduate of Sheree's program, who was teaching a kid's yoga class in another part of the studio at the same time. I feel like it went really well, and am looking forward to doing another one.

I've just gotten home from teaching at the office tonight, and we had a great class. I didn't have time to prepare a class for tonight, so I had to wing it, and it went great! We had a lot of fun, and (shockingly) my timing was right-on... which I find to be one of the hardest parts of doing a class for me! I feel really positive, optimistic, and grateful tonight, and I just wanted to send some of that love and good energy out into the universe to you all!

Thanks for reading, and I promise to be back soon!

Namaste, ERIN

Link Love

It's been a while since my last post. As is true in life, there are ebbs and flows of energy and motivation, and I have been lacking in the inspiration department over the last month or so. Anyway, I found my way back to my mat last week, and it felt good. My husband and I had a discussion about the whole thing and he (observantly) noted: "You're way happier when you're doing yoga twice a week!" I can't be offended, since it's true :) So, last weekend was my 2nd Yoga Teacher Training weekend, and we focused on Anatomy. We also had a talk from Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Donna Wiggers, who is also a student in the program. I have been thinking a lot about proper nutrition lately, especially about finding the energy and fuel my body needs to be at it's best, both mentally and physically. I came across this article today and it combines a few simple but important practices that we could all use more of in our lives. Read and enjoy: The 5 Keys to Good Health

Namaste, ERIN

Link Love

This article came to me today at a time when I really needed a reminder to breathe. I have found it hard to find any time for yoga over the last two weeks and my body can tell. I feel tight and stressed... and while you do have to have a bit of free time to roll out your mat, this article reminded me that I don't need any free time to just relax and breathe. I can do it while I'm standing in line at the grocery store, while I'm brushing my teeth and while I'm lying in bed trying to fall asleep. Have a read, and then give it a try yourself.

On a side note: My brother- and sister-in-law welcomed their second child into the world today. A cute little baby girl named Maicie. My second niece, and little sister to Makhyla. Everyone is happy and healthy, and so excited to finally meet her!

Namaste, ERIN

Om-ing with Elton

I'm doing a 2-part post today. Here goes...

Part One:
I did the second day of my Teacher Training on Sunday. It started off with a 90 min Power Vinyasa class. At 9:30 in the morning. Before I'd had time to sufficiently wake up. Fun? But of course :) After that, we worked on more alignment, and that basically took up the rest of the day. I have come to a number of conclusions during my first weekend, and the main one is that I need to do more yoga! I have been trying to make it out to a studio twice a week, but that's not enough. I have to increase my home practice, hopefully to four or five times a week. In the summer, I did yoga a few times out in my backyard, and it was possibly the most freeing thing I've ever done. The poses take on a whole new meaning when the sun is shining on you and the breeze is blowing through your hair. Unfortunately, I won't be able to practice outside for much longer (Oh, Canada...) but that doesn't mean I can't work on my home practice in my home. The next Training weekend is in October and we'll be focusing on anatomy. I'm not sure if that's up my alley or not, but I guess I'll find out soon enough!

Part Two:
I am taking an 8-week class with Eva (whom I met at Eternal Hot Yoga) on Monday nights. Tonight was the first night and it was so much fun! It was like a little yoga slumber party with all the girls and the laughter. We had a great time trying out supported headstand, and crow, and also some pose where you make an upside down L-shape with your hands on the floor, and your feet up on a wall (don't know the name, can't hold it very long!) She also has the best music... hence the name of the post. We were listening to Rocket Man when it came time to OM. During her classes, we work through the book The Four Agreements, and she has everyone choose an intention from a set of cards that are based on the book. I got the perfect one tonight: "Honor the woman that you are. Take the risk to express your dream. Taking action is about living fully and expressing what you are." Love it. This will be my intention for the rest of the week, and needless to say, I can't wait until next week's class!

Namaste, ERIN