yoga for life

I have to admit, I was nervous at the thought of tonight's volunteer teaching - a gym full of people at a (semi) local University's Relay for Life.

Of course, once I got there and in teaching mode all my nervousness left me. It was so casual, some people still wearing their shoes (although I can't blame them, who knows with gym floors!) and no yoga mats. I took them through a modified Moksha class, kept it simple and light, and had to have a second go at the "Namaste" at the end of class to get any responses! I snapped this photo after I guided them through final Savasana.

It was a really cool event. Another gym was set up as the "campsite" with tents, but I couldn't figure out how to get to the outdoor track to check it out. It was a lot of fun, and a nice way to bring the yoga experience to some people who might not have tried it out otherwise!

Have you ever taught or practiced in an unconventional setting?

Namaste,
Callah
article and personal photos copyright of Callah at callahyoga.blogspot.com

snowstorm - in photos

I feel like the 2011 mantra for many yoga bloggers is "blog less". I know I've been living up to that one for sure!

Anyways, I thought I would share some snaps I took last week. We had a predicted "snowmaggedon" (seriously, that's what the media was calling it) and the expected 30mm was only 15mm of snow. Enough for a snow day for all! I ended up teaching a triple for another teacher in the evening (after a double practice in the a.m.) so this photo walk ended up being a nice break in a day literally full of yoga.

This guy actually made the front page news in my town... it's just down the street from my house. He is slowly slumping forward... and about 10 feet tall!

I tied the snow into my classes that evening... suggesting of taking the cue for intentions from the roads outside and slowing down the movements for practice.

Does the weather affect your state of mind during a practice?

Namaste,

Callah

article and personal photos copyright of Callah at callahyoga.blogspot.com

smiling yogis

So, I've been so crazy busy these past few weeks, between my maid of honour duties (for my sister) and actually having somewhat of a social life, I have been internetting a lot less frequently. And I'm kind of loving it!

I took a class last week where the instructor (whom I know) kept making me smile. When I looked too serious, she would creep up behind me and make eye contact in the mirror- and I'd laugh. And I loved it!

So, yesterday I introduced the intention of having fun with the practice. A lot of students still retained the serious yoga face (and I'm totally guilty of that one, just check out the pictures on my banner!). When we got to the balancing series though, I noticed this one woman just beaming. After class, I commented on how much I loved her amazing smile in class. She said, "There is one woman who always practices with the most radiant smile. I made sure I always set up my mat right behind her. Then, one day, I realized I could just start smiling myself! Besides, it's the only way I can keep from getting mad at myself when I lose my balance in the 6am class".

(old, smiley dancer's pose)

I thought that was such an amazing story, and it truly made my morning! I'm going to commit to finding the joy - and the smiles! - in my yoga practice.

Are you a happy or a serious yogi/ni when you practice?

Namaste,
Callah
article and personal photos copyright of Callah at callahyoga.blogspot.com

happy holidays... don't lose your shit!

This video is doing the rounds with my facebook yogi friends, and it definitely seems appropriate to share here. I won't lie, I've got a few gifts waiting for me under the tree (wrapped in re-used packing paper, though!). But, I've cut my gift-giving to a minimum, eliminated paper holiday cards, and hand-made gifts for my friends. I haven't forgot about the "giving" part of the season, either. All in moderation and balance, right?



I hope everyone has an amazingly wonderful holiday, whatever you celebrate (or don't). Enjoy any time off you may have, and like I said in one of my classes this morning... remember any calm energy you cultivate in your asana practice, and take it with you... whenever you are feeling stressed out, remember that feeling... and BREATHE!

Happy holidays :) 

Namaste,
Callah
article and personal photos copyright of Callah at callahyoga.blogspot.com

flowing it out

This isn't an informative post or anything, I just wanted to share my excitement with my amazing readers. After intermittent classes throughout September, I have been lucky enough to be scheduled FOUR classes this weekend! (I still have one more to go in an hour- breaking at Starbucks to do some homework!)

It's amazing how teaching a bit more frequently really makes all the difference in the world in your comfort level. I finally seem to be conquering the challenge that is my monotone voice (although I'm not sure how students perceive it, it sounds a lot more varied to me anyways!). I even managed to keep my cool as I attempted to get a spider out of the hot room today. Normally, I hate spiders, but I was so focused on "saving" the class (and not killing the spider, since that would be a poor example of ahimsa!), that I was attempting to pick it up with my hands! Luckily, the student whose mat spidey was visiting was an energy exchanger with no fear of spiders. The guy did NOT want to be picked up so she shooed him out of class, where he was brought outdoors by another fearless energy exchanger. Normally my eradicating spiders involves paper and a cup- never my hands! Crazy. I was just so focused!

Also, I taught my very first "flow" class today! The regular Moksha series, if you've never done it, is 40 poses, starting with a standing series, then a middle savasana, ending with the floor series- there are a few vinyasa flows introduced in the second half of class. The flow class incorporates sun sals between all of the standing poses in the first half of class. I'm sure it's run of the mill for most experienced teachers, but I was definitely a little nervous going in! With a few minor hiccups, I think I rocked it! Great feedback from our regulars as well. I feel a lot more confident going into the next one, knowing what I need to tweak.

So, basically... I'm feeling good! I know I have a long way to go, but it is great to realize that I can do this!

source

If you teach, when did you realize that it was meant to be?

Namaste,
Callah
article and personal photos copyright of Callah at callahyoga.blogspot.com

finding balance with yoga - article

I was so excited when one of my friends told me her sister wanted to interview me for her college newspaper. (Is that silly? Oh well!)

Anyways, it turned out to be a great article directed towards students who haven't tried yoga before, complete with photos! You can read the article here. Or, just click the image below to enlarge it! (yes, the photos were staged lol!)

Hope you enjoy :)

Namaste,
Callah

article and personal photos copyright of Callah at callahyoga.blogspot.com

my first practice teach!

Yesterday, I survived my very first 60 minute practice teaching class post-training!

I had 7 students, of which half were brand new or fairly new to yoga. It definitely changes the experience beyond words from all the practice teaching with very experienced trainees! Overall, I'd say it was a success, I didn't screw up noticeably (I forgot one pose, oops!) and I got some great feedback. My studio doesn't officially run community classes, so rather than making it free I asked for donations to the Africa Yoga Project. I'll do one big donation at the end of the month and the end of my practice classes!

What I need to work on:
-still pushing the class through tough poses while making adjustments
-not assuming new students know what "comfortable" or "good" is supposed to feel like in class
-not getting flustered at the VERY END of class and forgetting to explain what "Namaste" means to new students!
and the big one for me... varying the tone of my voice!

That last one is challenging because that is how I speak, very evenly without much variation. It can be good, as I've had lots of complements on how soothing and laid back my voice is, but that might not be what the students want during a 60 second dancers pose!! I'll keep pushing away at it.

 

Just a little drawing I made in Kids Yoga this past weekend!

If you teach, what were your struggles when you first started?

(Don't forget to enter the Ultima Giveaway... last chance to enter tomorrow! )

Namaste, Callah
  article and personal photos copyright of Callah at callahyoga.blogspot.com