Spoiled Yogi

There’s nothing I love more than hearing how other people got interested in the practice of yoga, their first a-ha moments, and the thing that keeps them coming back to the mat time and time again. I get little glimpses into who you and what you practice from your comments, but I want to know more! And I’m sure I’m not the only one…

So this is what I propose:

Write a story about how you came to be a yoga student. Tell us all about the fateful day that you decided to pop into a class for the first time, and why you kept coming back.

Or if you’re not the story-telling type, answer these questions:

This is my picture in one of my favorite poses. It’s only fair.

1. What made you decide to take your first yoga class? Describe the experience.

2. Tell us about one of your biggest yoga a-ha moments.

3. Besides the teacher who is supposed to teach you yoga, who or what is your best yoga teacher? (Think unconventional teachers here… nature, your dog, your kid, your dentist…)

4. Where is the craziest place you’ve ever done yoga?

5. Describe your yoga journey in 3 words. (Yes, you may answer with ONLY three words, or you’ll be hearing from me!)

Send your story or answers and a photo of you in your favorite pose to SpoiledYogi@gmail.com, and I’ll feature you in a blog entry!

I can’t wait to read your stories!

I have a lot of experience being the youngest. I am the youngest in my family. I’ve been the youngest student in my class, the youngest intern, the youngest yoga teacher trainee, the youngest teacher… Being young has its advantages and disadvantages–particularly in the yoga community. The older students might smile at the youngsters–possibly envious that we got an early start on the practice, possibly envious that our backbends are deep and effortless (though, that’s not always the case.) It’s all fine and dandy until a youngster decides he or she knows enough the practice to share it with others.

When I decided to blog about my teacher training as a sweet and innocent 22 year old, I was kind of crushed when I received a critical email from someone I’d never met who was “sick and tired of these 20-somethings” who think they can teach something to someone–anyone!–for that matter. I’m still thankful to my editor who smiled and said, “Don’t listen to them.”

When I read the criticism of fashion-model-turned-yoga-mogul Tara Stiles following her recent story in the NY Times, it all came back to me. Of course, I expected the criticism about Stiles breaking from tradition, focusing on the physical benefits/weight loss, and wearing clothes that show her model-icious body (the scandal!)… but I was a little surprised by the collective attitude toward her age. I mean, come on! She’s 29, not 16.

Image: NYtimes.com

In case you haven’t been following, here’s a sampling:


That someone so young, with so little training, but with a big megaphone due to her celebrity, is off training yoga teachers? Sounds like hubris to me. — comment on YogaDork.com

And even with a pro-yoga business plan, the emphasis on youth and beauty puts such young teachers in a position where they don’t have the time to naturally develop their practice to the place where they’re really absorbed a lot of the wisdom that’s come before and then really honestly decide that it’s time to innovate. If they take this time, they will miss their marketing moment, and the lucrative contract will go to someone else. — comment on ElephantJournal.com

Maybe one of these days a little light will shine on in her head and she’ll ‘get it.’ Probably not until she’s 40, but you never know. — comment on FlyingYogini.wordpress.com

What’s with all the age-ism when it comes to yoga teachers? Is it a jealousy thing–that they get to be young, beautiful, talented, AND successful that rubs people the wrong way? I just don’t get it. Some young yoga teachers devote years of daily practice with their teachers (hours every day) and log more time on the mat that teachers twice their age. It’s entirely possible that teachers like Tara Stiles (29), Kathryn Budig (28), and Alanna Kaivalya (30) have more experience teaching and more wisdom than older teachers, too. And thank goodness for them! And even if the younger up-and-coming yoga teachers don’t have more experience, they’re more relatable to a lot of people! I’ve studied with a lot of older, more seasoned yoga teachers … and while they have lots of experience and knowledge to offer, I can’t relate to their experiences at Woodstock or their contentious objector status during the Vietnam War. But here’s the thing…. even though I can’t relate to all of their teachings, I realize that I can still learn something from them. And I certainly don’t go around questioning their teachings. That would be disrespectful, wouldn’t it?

I admire Stiles for saying her teacher training wasn’t up to snuff–many teacher trainings aren’t. I admire her even more for choosing not to publicly disclose what teacher training that was (just because it wasn’t what she was looking for doesn’t mean it won’t work for someone else). And I’m glad she’s a successful teacher now with the opportunity to teach every single day if she wants to–because just think about how wise and amazing she’s going to be in a few years! 

For the record, I’m 27 … and I’ve spent the last five years of my life (eight hours a day) practicing yoga, reading about yoga, writing about yoga, studying yoga, and pondering yoga. That’s about 10,000 hours if you DON’T include my nights and weekends.

Guest Post by Amy Annis, cleanspirityoga.com
 

In August of 2009, I was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer during my first regularly-scheduled mammogram. It was completely unexpected and pulled the rug out from under my world. As yoga teacher who had consistently valued and promoted good health, it was a severe blow to my emotional psyche. Part of the road to recovery included much more than the nine month process of chemo, radiation, and surgery. That was critical to my physical body of course. But after that last radiation treatment wrapped up I began the process of caring for my emotional well-being, which is where the true nature of yoga revealed itself to me.

I began teaching in 2003, understanding that it provided me the opportunity to maintain my love of the practice as well as speak to my four young children about the connection of a healthy mind and body. I adored teaching and attended trainings whenever I could fit them in to my very busy, yoga-mama world but would often feel guilty and restless when I was away from the kids.

Fast forward to the cancer diagnosis, and, admittedly, I didn’t practice throughout most of the chemo….I too sick (headaches and nausea) and too weak. I’ll never forget the first Downward Dog after the second surgery. My arms wobbled and the lack of mobility in my left shoulder from the mastectomy rendered a pretty imperfect asana. And yet, as the breathing instinctively returned, there was a feeling of relief of being on my mat, a familiar place, knowing that my recovery was ahead.

What I did next was uncharacteristic. Cancer forces you a raw glimpse of your mortality. The benefit: a renewed desire to live my life at a different level. I put aside my feelings of mama guilt (all mamma’s have it) and enrolled in a teacher training program at The Yoga Center of Minneapolis understanding that the 2 1/2 hour commute and the year of Sundays spent away from my family was a major sacrifice, both in time and in finances. Thank God for my husband, who I know thought I was a little crazy, not to mention realized pretty quickly that after a long work week he would be pulling single Daddy duty all weekend. Looking back, I think he was probably just so grateful for my survival that I could have told him I was going to India for 3 months and still received a feeble OK.

So there I was attending trainings every week and yoga became my new medicine. I would imagine that all of that chemo and drug that I reluctantly pumped into my body would release with my breath. My mentor, Monique, gently but firmly (and that’s not an oxymoron in her case) didn’t give me too many breaks or excuses why I could not do an asana. But she warned me that the emotions may present themselves during the hip openers, and sure enough I spent a few Pigeons head down weeping on my mat.

School unwittingly became an extension of my therapy. I gained a deeper appreciation for the culture and history of yoga. More than the Sutras themselves, but how they applied to my life and my practice. I’ll ever have the eloquence of some of the great teachers who guide us on the Yamas and the Niyamas, but I feel as though the understanding of them, as well as the insight of a mother and a survivor, that I can speak of them in real world words.

Oddly enough cancer was a gift. One that I never wish to receive again, mind you, but it nonetheless forced me forward on many levels. The benefits of my newly created yoga community inspired me to take some huge leaps of faith. I re-discovered my love of writing and speaking, there is a deeper appreciation for my family who won’t disintegrate in my absence, and it was the springboard to take my dreams to the next level and develop my yoga retreat business on the beautiful Madeline Island.

There is much mention lately in the news as to the benefits of yoga in cancer patients. In fact, cancer patients may want to read the book Cancer Fitness by Anna L. Schwartz; it is very good. But in my journey of recovery yoga was much more than a traditional exercise. It healed my heart.

Amy Annis has taught yoga while raising a small army understanding that her practice not only gave her balance in a hectic life but also spoke to her children about the connection of a healthy mind and body.  After a bout with crazy cancer in 2009, she decided to take her dreams to the next level and developed her yoga retreat concept on beautiful Madeline Island, WI.  She also found her writing voice and recently launched her own blog.  As a yoga mamma, wife, outdoor enthusiast, and dog lover she delights in life a little off balance.  Lately, she is very grateful for hair. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook.