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Peaceful, Present, and Prepared Birth

How to Become a Yoga Teacher

Lately I’ve been trying pretty hard to find a way to teach yoga again, which is not easy when you’re the new kid in town. I’ve been going to lots of different studios, introducing myself to the owners, requesting to be on the sub list… I’m going to be honest. It’s pretty annoying how they all say, “Our subs are members of our community that I know very well. They’ve all taken my class for YEARS.”

Well, excuse me for asking!

No, snagging a yoga teaching job is not not like getting other types of jobs. You can’t just show up, resume in hand, and expect to get the job because you’re the most qualified candidate. It really doesn’t matter if you’ve mastered Crow Pose, know the yamas and niyamas inside and out, or have tons of experience and knowledge. Most of the time, it’s about knowing the right people and being a part of the community. (Actually, maybe it’s not so different from getting other jobs after all.) Unfortunately, after three months, I still don’t know anyone here, so getting a studio owner to take a gamble on me feels like an impossible feat.

So how do you talk a studio owner who doesn’t know you well into giving you a shot? Anyone have any experience with this? Am I really going to have to wait YEARS to get a teaching job in a new town? That just doesn’t seem fair. I promise I’ll show up! And I’ll even put all the props away neatly when class is over! Do you think begging would help?

How to Find The Perfect Pair of Yoga Pants

Image: LifeandStylemag.com

There are few pieces of clothing that are as versatile as a great pair of yoga pants. When you find a pair you love, you will probably get as much wear out of them during your weekend errands and lounging around the house as you do in the yoga studio. They’re comfortable, casual, stylish, and enhance all your best features.

But with so many options out there, it can be hard to find the perfect pair. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

1.Know Your Body. When you begin your search for the perfect pair of yoga pants, it helps to know what you want the pants to emphasize and de-emphasize. Most women have something about their bodies they don’t want the world to see. The right pants will help you send you message you want to send!

  • Bigger on the bottom? Darker colors will take the emphasis away from your bottom half and make you look slimmer.
  • If your hips are a little fuller, go for a boot cut style to balance you out.
  • Want your legs to look longer? Try a style with vertical seams that elongate.
  • Want to show off your curves? Go for a fitted straight leg that will hug your curves in all the right places.

2. Know Your Style. Are you a fashionista or a comfort seeker? Do you keep up with the trends or look for classic, timeless pieces. If you’re on the trendy side, you might consider colorful fitted capris or Harem pants. If you want to stick to the classics, you can never go wrong with a basic black pant that fits like a dream.

3. Know Yourself. Yoga is all about bringing your mindfulness inward to see your inner beauty, wisdom, power, and confidence. No matter what you wear when you practice yoga, wear it with confidence and you’ll be sure to shine from the inside out!

5 Habits to Break, Right Now!

In yoga, we call the habits and patterns that we develop are called samskaras. The more you practice something a particular way, the more likely you are to do it that way again. Yoga is all about taking us out of our unhealthy habitual patterns and developing healthy ones instead. I’ll never forget the time a yoga teacher corrected my alignment in a pose–what she was asking me to do seemed impossible, my body simply would not move in that way. I stopped the class. “Wait a minute… How do you practice moving toward an action when you can’t do it even just a little bit?” She looked baffled for a moment. Then, she said something along the lines of, “You develop the awareness by just noticing, and thinking of the intention to change it.”

What works in yoga poses, typical works in life as well. So here goes. My intentions to change the unhealthy habits of my mind.

1. Negative Thoughts. You get good at the things you practice. This is what I try to remind myself every time I get lost in a haze of negativity… which is often. I want to be good at enjoying life, cultivating happiness, and sharing joy — so that’s the kind of pattern I want to establish in my mind.

2. Comparing Apples to Oranges. Suzie Q has such a deep backbend she can touch the tops of her feet to her perfectly quaffed hair do. She also has an amazing job, lots of money, and did I mention perfect hair? It is tempting to draw comparisons, and even as I do it, I know it’s dumb. There’s nothing productive about comparing yourself to others, and most of the time someone else’s life isn’t what it seems. Instead, I’m working to be grateful for the many blessings in MY life.

3. Finding a Scapegoat. YOU are responsible for your OWN happiness–YOU! Not your your spouse or your manager, not your mother or your siblings, not EVEN that jerk that cut you off during rush-hour traffic. Stop blaming other people for your stress, and take responsibility for your own actions and reactions.

4. Creating Unnecessary Tension. I am a master at inflicting undue stress and tension upon myself. I regularly let my mind run rampant with “what if’s” to the point that I can’t think about anything else. I don’t even notice it until I feel my shoulders creep up toward my ears and notice my breath is shallow and hurried. Sure, I could do some stretches to alleviate the physical symptoms of stress, but it would be a lot easier not to let my mind go there to begin with. So instead of stressing about things that may or may not even happen, my intention is to relax in the moment and stress ONLY when there’s a reason to stress. Prevention is worth a pound of cure.

5. Putting Other Things Before My Health. I hate watching other people choose to work when they really need to slow down and take a breath. And yet, I find myself doing exactly that–even though I know better. Whether your job is taking care of an infant or a Fortune 500 company you’ll be better at it if you eat right and get plenty of exercise and sleep. Duh!

Slow Down!

My life has been busy and chaotic recently. In the last week, I celebrated my second wedding anniversary and my sister had a baby. A few weeks, ago someone close to my family had a terrible accident and has been in a coma. Of course, my job has added plenty to worry and stress about. I’ve had a good balance of happy, sad, anxious, and scary moments recently. And yet, I don’t feel balanced at all.

I’ve heard many great yoga teachers say that when you feel like you don’t have time for yoga that’s when you need it the most. I can’t think of a truer statement. It’s been hard to unroll my mat when there are so many other important, life-changing events happening all around me.

While I haven’t felt like practicing my usual routine of arm balances and backbends, I’ve still been practicing. Lots of slow breathing, Legs-Up-the-Wall, and Child’s Pose have been my attempts at grounding and bringing my mind back into the present moment. I can’t say that these poses are always successful at lulling back into a state of calmness, but they work better than most other things I’ve tried.

What do you practice when your life feels like chaos?

5 Things Football and Yoga Have in Common

Image source: Dailylobo.com

Let me just begin this blog by saying, I don’t get football.. No matter how hard I try to sit down and watch—no matter how determined I am to pay attention and get into it—my mind wanders and I daydream about baking cupcakes or jumping on a trampoline.. you know, more important things. When my husband has it on (like right now) I usually find something else to do while I wait for it to be over. For example, I try to watch, but end up writing a blog instead.

Regardless, I like to think I can come up with a way to relate yoga to anything… even something as mysterious (and loud) as football. So here goes.

5 Things Football and Yoga Have in Common

1. Community. Both football and yoga are about community. Football fans cheer together; yogis breathe together. It’s the same thing, really.

2. Training for Stressful Situations. Football players have to keep their cool under TONS of pressure. Honestly, I don’t know how they handle it. Yoga students practice keeping calm in difficult poses so we can stay calm in stressful life situations.

3. Coaches. In yoga we call them teachers. They are our guides, our leaders, and our strategists. They help us find our edge and encourage us to do things we never thought were possible.

4. Cheerleaders. It might be the same thing as community, but we yoga students are cheerleaders for each other. We believe that by supporting each other, we’re supporting ourselves and vice verse. That’s what we mean when we say Namaste, isn’t it? It’s the yoga equivalent of, “Go Team!!”

5. Sweat, Spandex, and Spirit!

I know there have to be more similarities… help me out here, football fans!

In other news, my favorite part of football has always been the commercials. I LOVE this one.. and now I’d really like a pet polar bear. I already have a white cat and almost white dog… why not a big white bear, too?

How to Choose a Yoga Teacher

Once again, I find myself looking for a teacher. Someone who I can get to know, who knows my practice well enough to know when I’m slacking during core work and who can look at my poses and say, “Erica, you’re hyper-extending again…”

It’s hard to build a relationship with a yoga teacher when the only time you can make it to a studio is Saturday morning when it’s so crowded it’s a miracle if you can even get close enough to the teacher to mutter a “Thanks” on your way out. And while I’ve been maintaining my practice through videos online lately, I know the importance of face time with a teacher who knows you well enough to give individual instruction.

Finding a yoga teacher is a lot like finding a life partner–chemistry is important. And the only real way of knowing if you have the right chemistry with a teacher is to actually experience the teachings in all their glory. One class is not enough. You have to commit to that teacher for long enough for her to know you well enough to offer adjustments specific to you. Unfortunately, some teachers don’t do that no matter how well they know you… Sigh. I’m afraid it’s going to take me a LOOONG time to find a teacher.

The last time I moved (which was not so long ago) I wrote this personal ad for a yoga teacher. I’m seriously considering posting it on Craigslist.

In addition I would like to add the following:

 – Must give adjustments. (Especially the one where I get traction on my spine during Down Dog.)

– Oh, and no creepy, floppy-fish-hands adjustments. Isn’t that Yoga Teacher Training 101? I’m shocked by how many soft, stroking adjustments I’ve been getting lately…

– Must be able to see that I’m bored in his class for beginners and offer ways to help me amp it up.

– Must be able to recognize my face and know my name … Actually, scratch that, she doesn’t have to KNOW my name after a handful of classes, but it would be nice if she’d at least ASK me what it is!

That’s really all. Is that too much to ask?

I need advice. How did you find “the one”?

Another Ah-Ha Moment

I love my new home–I love the people, the atmosphere… I’m even getting used to the weather. I haven’t, however, gotten into my yoga groove here yet. The yoga studios here are adorable, the communities are thriving,  and the teachers are sweet and knowledgeable, the classes are … well… not as challenging as I’m used to. I’m sure eventually I’ll find the right class, but until then, I’m amazed at all the great things I’m learning through online videos. I’ve been able to keep up my daily practice through challenging classes through online services like YogaGlo.

But I was shocked that I had a legitimate yogic break-through by watching a short video on Youtube! All my other ah-ha moments have come with the direct guidance of a teacher who knows my practice and gives me individual attention. The fact that I could simply be a fly on the wall in a studio and “get” the nuances to a technique I’ve never quite understood makes me giddy! It opens up a whole world!

Oh, here’s the video! After watching it I tried jumping through and jumping back and I DID IT!! (Who knew something as simple as crossing your legs at the shins instead of your ankles could make such a difference?)

Have you ever had an ah-ha moment that came from teachings in a video?

5 Ways to Get Yoga for FREE!

I LOVE free stuff. From buy-one-get-one-free coupons to free food samples at the grocery store, almost nothing makes me happier than feeling like I got a little something for nothing! As someone who loves free stuff and is also maybe a little obsessed with yoga, September is the equivalent of the feeling I had when I was five years old on Christmas morning. National Yoga Month is here!! And that means free or cheap yoga classes at studios all over the country!

In honor of National Yoga Month, I thought I’d put together a few tips I’ve learned to get yoga for free or cheap all year round!

1. Enroll in Teacher Training. Do you want a lifetime of free yoga classes? One of the best investments you can make is in a teacher training program. Many studios offer free classes to their regular teachers, subs, and even classroom assistants. But you DO have to have finished a 200-hour teacher training first. Yes, those can be very expensive, but think about all the money you could save on classes after you’re a YTT graduate!

2. Seek Out a Work Study Program. Your studio might need help sweeping floors, putting props away, or manning their front desks. Ask around and see if there’s a work study program, if not off your help in exchange for a free class every now and then!

3. Help Your Teacher. If your studio doesn’t have a work exchange program, maybe your teacher will! Being a yoga teacher is a business and many of would be happy to work out a trade with you if you have skills that can help their businesses grow! Can you build a web page? Savvy with online marketing? Are you a great writer or artist? Offer it up!

4. Get a Scholarship. They might be hard to find, but they’re out there if you know where to look! A quick Google search pulled up scholarships from Kripalu, YogaBasics.com, YogaAngel.com, and this blog post I wrote about yoga scholarships a year ago!

5. Let the Internet Be Your Guide. Youtube, podcasts, subscription services, oh my! There are free yoga resources all OVER the Internet. So if you’re looking for a great option for free, it’s right at your fingertips anytime you’re in the mood!

Another note: If you really can’t afford yoga, let your teacher and/or studio know. Most are more than happy to work something out with you because, after all, they’re in the yoga business because they LOVE sharing yoga. They probably don’t want to turn anyone away! So be creative, and get on the mat!

Speaking of freebies … Congratulations to the Spoiled Yogi & Beebliss giveaway winner, Kimberly Parrish! I’ll send you a message to get your size and get your shirt shipped to you right away! A big thanks to everyone who participated! Stay tuned, I hope to offer another giveaway soon!

5 More Things Your Teacher Wants You to Know

Image: www.discoveryyoga.com

1. When your teacher says it’s OK to take care of yourself–rest in Child’s Pose, modify a difficult pose to make it better suit your body’s needs for the day, etc.–she actually means it!

2. While it might be somewhat rude to come into class a few minutes late, it’s preferable to not coming at all. You have to practice to get the benefits of yoga and your teacher knows sometimes the traffic doesn’t cooperate.

3. It’s the ultimate compliment to your teacher when you have an emotional break-through and shed a tear during class. It’s OK! It means you released some emotion you were holding in your body!

4. Your teacher is probably not a mind reader. If he does something that makes you feel bad–whether it’s an adjustment that pushes you too far or a comment that embarrasses you in front of the class–tell him! He really wants to give you the best experience possible!

5. You know how the perfect yoga class for your mood and energy level makes your entire day? Hearing that the class she led made her students day better will make your yoga teacher’s day better. Just as you like to hear positive feedback when your poses are improving, your teacher would probably like to hear feedback about her teaching. (BTW, showing up to class regularly is an excellent way to give this feedback!)

Note: Many of the items on this list came from reader suggestions from an earlier post! For more read, 5 Things Your Yoga Teacher Wants You to Know.

About Spoiled Yogi

Erica Rodefer Winters is a yoga teacher who loves helping pregnant and new moms find more balance in life through yoga, meditation, self-care, and humor.

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