I am back and blah-blah blogging for the second time this week=)
Yesterday, I received a phone call from my supervisor. Her message was to let me know that my Yoga classes were being reduced from 3 to 2 per week. I was instantly disappointed because I really love the group that has been established. I began to reflect on my performance as an instructor and how it would impact the Yogis at FSC. My classes have been substantially low compared to FSU but they have maintained a minimum of 5 enthusiastic participants.
Understandably, FSC is a small private college and needs to work hard in order to attract group fitness participants. The abrupt mid-semester change is to see if they can get more participants. It is hard not to take the change personally. Fortunately, I think I am ready to explore other teaching realms in Lakeland and I look forward to meeting new Yogis and new people in the city of swans.
While teaching this fall semester I have run into the challenge of pleasing everyone. Of course, the impossible! Within the first couple of weeks, some students complained to my supervisor that my class was too challenging. Again, I took this personally but was super grateful for the supervisor's concern for the quality of the classes and their safety of the patrons. Yoga can be detrimental when alignment is ignore and students are going beyond their edge in a posture.
While teaching I place a huge emphasis on students taking the time to feel out the posture. Any sign of pain means you should back out of the posture. I focus on learning each student's name, physical make-up and walking around the room to assist each student with the posture. I also, really encourage students embrace a variety of modifications and to ask me for assistance- anytime and all the time! At the end of the class I re-introduced myself and encourage the students to approach me with their concerns or simple conversation. Alas, I repeat the purpose of my job as a Yoga guide, which is to make Yoga accessible to everyone who comes to class. Yoga has the power to create an amazing community filled with so much positive energy. I love the interaction with the students and the feedback they provide. Like any instructor- we long to be better for each person listening to our voice.
In general, Yoga classes held in a fitness center are a challenge because everyone wants to try Yoga. Of course- everyone should try yoga! I just love it- fortunately, classes can be designed to suit individual differences. For example, someone trying Yoga for the first time shouldn't expect to go to a Yoga class and be able to do every posture, breath and meditation exercise. If you could do everything perfectly what would be the point of practicing and enjoying your own Yoga journey? There are so many ways to enjoy a yoga session that does not involve physical exertion. Watching and listening can been highly beneficial.
I have had the privilege of teaching a variety of students and have always considered myself to be extra caring when it comes to each person's needs for modification. After a mere 4.5 years of sharing and practicing I look forward to my adventures in Lakeland. I wonder where my next teaching opportunity with be?
Finally, my message to instructors and aspiring instructors is to follow your heart and take each bump in the road as a learning point. Yoga is an endless journey- it can be a piece in your whole world- your passage through life. Find the light- something that my new Yoga instructor, Rickie Hart, keeps encouraging!
yours gingerly,
Whitney
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Something New
First of all- I would like to thank Ms. Aker for encouraging me to keep writing in my blog. Even if no one is interested in reading my writing I really enjoy the personal reflection and life record keeping.
Like others- Moving to a new location and accepting change can seem like an impossible challenge. Where do you find your first friend and locate a place of like-minded peers. Where will I find a place to practice and teach Yoga?
Present Life Outline:
My current role in Lakeland, FL is as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cross-country and track team at Florida Southern College. I am also working for the Wellness Centre and teaching Yoga to the students. Florida Southern is a Frank Lloyd Wright campus and it was ranked number 9 on the most beautiful campuses in the USA.
Cross-country practice is every morning at 5:30 a.m. Over the first set of weeks I found the morning wake-up a challenge- it is starting to get easier. Setting my alarm clock for 4:30 a.m. did not make me feel warm and fuzzy all over. Some mornings I found myself arriving late because I had failed to move upon the alarm. I am getting better at waking up early and I kinda love the early morning routine. Bed is no later than 10:00 p.m. and I usually feel well rested after I get moving in the morning. The darkness just makes it hard to budge out of bed.
The Cross-country team has two assistant coaches and the other assistant coach is basically- awesome. She is my first official friend in Lakeland, Coach Beaver=) Great gal who loves to adventure everywhere- especially in thrift stores. She can always find the treasure.
Teaching Yoga on the Florida Southern campus is quite a bit different from the Florida State campus but I have a regular group of Yogis whom I adore:) Classes are much small, so I am still longing for the packed classes full of energy back in Tallahassee. Miss you guys! Coach Beaver comes whenever she is not working at the Holiday Inn and she really helps add to the classes energy. It is nice to have familiar faces in class- they help calm my nerves and make guiding postures easier. Our Yoga/ fitness room overlooks Lake Hollingsworth and it is a gorgeous view! I can even adjust the rooms temperature which is a huge plus!
My new home is nestled in South Lakeland with my fiance, Cooper. We have been working hard to live in a small space with limited storage. Under our bed is the main storage space. Our rent is cheap and the place is well kept. I am looking forward to a cockroach-free year! We do have tennis courts, lakes filled with gators and some beautiful pools. I have been working on my tennis skills however my focus is really off. It is so hard to focus during a racket sport and Cooper is trying to guide me in the 'right' direction. Everything is feeling more like home and the streets are much more familiar.
As far as my personal yoga practice goes I have found a wonderful Yoga studio, Satya (Truth) Yoga. My instructor, Rickie Hart, is a former dancer from NYC. She has an Engineering degree, is a Chi Gong master, and has studied with numerous Yogis. Her physiological background has been highly informative and I am learning so much about my own physical restrictions. My restrictions have become my guides to better alignment and muscle movement. I love her guidance and I love her patience. She teaches on average 4 classes a day and takes Sundays off. Her energy is boundless.
Off to Cross Country practice and teaching Yoga!
Peace.
Like others- Moving to a new location and accepting change can seem like an impossible challenge. Where do you find your first friend and locate a place of like-minded peers. Where will I find a place to practice and teach Yoga?
Present Life Outline:
My current role in Lakeland, FL is as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cross-country and track team at Florida Southern College. I am also working for the Wellness Centre and teaching Yoga to the students. Florida Southern is a Frank Lloyd Wright campus and it was ranked number 9 on the most beautiful campuses in the USA.
Cross-country practice is every morning at 5:30 a.m. Over the first set of weeks I found the morning wake-up a challenge- it is starting to get easier. Setting my alarm clock for 4:30 a.m. did not make me feel warm and fuzzy all over. Some mornings I found myself arriving late because I had failed to move upon the alarm. I am getting better at waking up early and I kinda love the early morning routine. Bed is no later than 10:00 p.m. and I usually feel well rested after I get moving in the morning. The darkness just makes it hard to budge out of bed.
The Cross-country team has two assistant coaches and the other assistant coach is basically- awesome. She is my first official friend in Lakeland, Coach Beaver=) Great gal who loves to adventure everywhere- especially in thrift stores. She can always find the treasure.
Teaching Yoga on the Florida Southern campus is quite a bit different from the Florida State campus but I have a regular group of Yogis whom I adore:) Classes are much small, so I am still longing for the packed classes full of energy back in Tallahassee. Miss you guys! Coach Beaver comes whenever she is not working at the Holiday Inn and she really helps add to the classes energy. It is nice to have familiar faces in class- they help calm my nerves and make guiding postures easier. Our Yoga/ fitness room overlooks Lake Hollingsworth and it is a gorgeous view! I can even adjust the rooms temperature which is a huge plus!
My new home is nestled in South Lakeland with my fiance, Cooper. We have been working hard to live in a small space with limited storage. Under our bed is the main storage space. Our rent is cheap and the place is well kept. I am looking forward to a cockroach-free year! We do have tennis courts, lakes filled with gators and some beautiful pools. I have been working on my tennis skills however my focus is really off. It is so hard to focus during a racket sport and Cooper is trying to guide me in the 'right' direction. Everything is feeling more like home and the streets are much more familiar.
As far as my personal yoga practice goes I have found a wonderful Yoga studio, Satya (Truth) Yoga. My instructor, Rickie Hart, is a former dancer from NYC. She has an Engineering degree, is a Chi Gong master, and has studied with numerous Yogis. Her physiological background has been highly informative and I am learning so much about my own physical restrictions. My restrictions have become my guides to better alignment and muscle movement. I love her guidance and I love her patience. She teaches on average 4 classes a day and takes Sundays off. Her energy is boundless.
Off to Cross Country practice and teaching Yoga!
Peace.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Moving Meditation
It is my final week at the Coast Guard and we are working hard to enjoy each day.
Today, we drove to the tip of Long Point on Lake Erie. My sister drove, while her crew partner and I just enjoyed the smooth ride. The water was flat and we ripped along at 38 nautical miles per hour. Time flew by and I found peace in the steady ride. There were a few boats out along our usual route. The majority of the scenery was open water, sandy shores and trees. My ear plugs reduced the loud sound of the twin 175hp motors and the powerful winds. As you can see, our boat is completely open and leaves you susceptible to the blazing sun. It is amazing that we can find peace at such a high speed. I call this my moving meditation and it has provided much peace over my hectic summer at the Coast Guard.
Back to savoring my final moments at the Coast Guard. Next adventure is Lakeland, FL. Five sleeps :)
yours gingerly,
Cox Schnarr
Back to savoring my final moments at the Coast Guard. Next adventure is Lakeland, FL. Five sleeps :)
yours gingerly,
Cox Schnarr
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Sleeping + Snoring
After a long two weeks of working on Lake Erie for the Canadian Coast Guard, I decided I needed to attend Bikram Yoga. I am always pretty tired after my two week shift and this time it was no different.
I arrived twenty minutes early for Yoga class. I quickly put my belongings in the change room and took a Svasana in the hot Yoga room. Bikram is a really great place to enjoy a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. You can barely hear the hum of the heaters and the lights are off when you first arrive. It is the perfect place for a nap after a long shift at work.
I instantly relaxed into Svasana before class. I was so calm that I guess I fell asleep. Just before class was about to begin, I woke myself up with my snoring. Sleeping on your back always causes snoring. My heart beat began to race and I was embarrassed. There are numerous embarrassing noises, sounds and sites that can occur in a Yoga room. You can let your mind reflect on those special effects. Flatulence is probably the number one contender in a yoga room. Silent or loud. The body is moving and twisting all over the place, so it can only be expect.
The rest of the yogis might not have noticed but I could not believe that I had started sleeping loudly. From a first aiders perspective, heat makes you tired and can cause you to faint. If you are already tired than it would be easy for heat to have a larger impact on your system.
I have even noticed students laying longer in svasana because they had fallen asleep, too. It is hard to find meditation in a horizontal position when you are used to it being the position of sleep. We train ourselves to go to sleep by laying down and closing our eyes. When you are laying down in a hot room it is hard to resist entering a the sleeping zone. Hour long Yoga nidras have even put me to sleep. Even while sleeping I have noticed a calmness after the guided meditation because I was still listening to the guide.
Svasana is an area of my practice I would like to deepen. Finding stillness of the mind and body but avoiding the temptation to sleep will be a challenge. I am sure many people have fallen asleep to the calm voice of heir instructor. Please share some of your funny stories!
BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS to Cooper, Audrey, and Rachel!!!!!!
yours gingerly,
W h i t n e y
I arrived twenty minutes early for Yoga class. I quickly put my belongings in the change room and took a Svasana in the hot Yoga room. Bikram is a really great place to enjoy a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. You can barely hear the hum of the heaters and the lights are off when you first arrive. It is the perfect place for a nap after a long shift at work.
I instantly relaxed into Svasana before class. I was so calm that I guess I fell asleep. Just before class was about to begin, I woke myself up with my snoring. Sleeping on your back always causes snoring. My heart beat began to race and I was embarrassed. There are numerous embarrassing noises, sounds and sites that can occur in a Yoga room. You can let your mind reflect on those special effects. Flatulence is probably the number one contender in a yoga room. Silent or loud. The body is moving and twisting all over the place, so it can only be expect.
The rest of the yogis might not have noticed but I could not believe that I had started sleeping loudly. From a first aiders perspective, heat makes you tired and can cause you to faint. If you are already tired than it would be easy for heat to have a larger impact on your system.
I have even noticed students laying longer in svasana because they had fallen asleep, too. It is hard to find meditation in a horizontal position when you are used to it being the position of sleep. We train ourselves to go to sleep by laying down and closing our eyes. When you are laying down in a hot room it is hard to resist entering a the sleeping zone. Hour long Yoga nidras have even put me to sleep. Even while sleeping I have noticed a calmness after the guided meditation because I was still listening to the guide.
Svasana is an area of my practice I would like to deepen. Finding stillness of the mind and body but avoiding the temptation to sleep will be a challenge. I am sure many people have fallen asleep to the calm voice of heir instructor. Please share some of your funny stories!
BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS to Cooper, Audrey, and Rachel!!!!!!
yours gingerly,
W h i t n e y
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Elsie's Yoga Podcast with my Sister
Coast Guard takes up a huge portion of my summer and it is nice to have Yoga classes available while at base. I have been practicing with John Friend, Elsie and P90X Yoga. Sometimes I practice on my own and some days I have people who join.
Today, my sister Ainsley joined the yoga train. I am lucky to be working with my sister. We decided to partake in one of Elsie's 75 minute yoga Podcast classes. A free yoga class while at base is AMAZING and it is nice to introduce Ainsley to different styles of Yoga. Ainsley struggled a little with the podcast cues because she is most familiar with Bikram. In general, a verbal class is tough for individuals who scarcely practice Yoga. It was nice showing Ainsley the postures in the comfort of our Coast Guard base. I really enjoy the verbal communication, because it helps me focus on the postures and gives me description ideas for when I am teaching Yoga.
Ainsley knows that she needs to stretch out and try Yoga but she has really been struggling with the classes that exceed an hour. Her attention runs thin and she cannot focus on the simple tasks. She has a similar back injury to mine and stretching seems to help her pain. P90X yoga was far to long for her, so she enjoyed a cookie/water break. I think a music filled class would best suit her. A playlist with Justin Bieber and Janet Jackson, perhaps?
Finally, I want to make a shout-out to my fiance who just finished writing the bar. CONGRATS! He is now off moving all our stuff to our new home in Lakeland, FL. Wish I could be there to help out! Love you Coop.
yours gingerly,
Cox Schnarr :)
Today, my sister Ainsley joined the yoga train. I am lucky to be working with my sister. We decided to partake in one of Elsie's 75 minute yoga Podcast classes. A free yoga class while at base is AMAZING and it is nice to introduce Ainsley to different styles of Yoga. Ainsley struggled a little with the podcast cues because she is most familiar with Bikram. In general, a verbal class is tough for individuals who scarcely practice Yoga. It was nice showing Ainsley the postures in the comfort of our Coast Guard base. I really enjoy the verbal communication, because it helps me focus on the postures and gives me description ideas for when I am teaching Yoga.
Today, Ainsley almost completed the whole class. She only skipped savasana and part of pigeon (I skipped corpse, too). The laying still has yet to catch on for her! Quite often, I cannot focus on my Yoga practice, too. At first, savasana was really awkward for me and now I get so comfortable that I almost fall asleep... oops! During Elsie's class she started with a good amount of planks and chattorungas. I was struggling, because last night I did arms and back on the P90X video. My arms were heavy and exhausted. Elsie's class was tough but as I loosened-up, the postures felt manageable. Thanks Elsie!
Ainsley knows that she needs to stretch out and try Yoga but she has really been struggling with the classes that exceed an hour. Her attention runs thin and she cannot focus on the simple tasks. She has a similar back injury to mine and stretching seems to help her pain. P90X yoga was far to long for her, so she enjoyed a cookie/water break. I think a music filled class would best suit her. A playlist with Justin Bieber and Janet Jackson, perhaps?
Finally, I want to make a shout-out to my fiance who just finished writing the bar. CONGRATS! He is now off moving all our stuff to our new home in Lakeland, FL. Wish I could be there to help out! Love you Coop.
yours gingerly,
Cox Schnarr :)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Basement Yoga with Mother, Sister + Friends
'Twas the night before coast guard shift three and all through the house, the ladies and I were practicing yoga.
The night before my two week shift at the guard, I always try to enjoy my free time at home. The group yoga session was a spontaneous event. My mom and I had plans to experiment with the P90X Yoga but we did not intend to have four other participants.
After teaching my regular night time Yoga class, I swung over and picked up my cousin Bailey. I had not seen her in a long time so we planned for yoga, dinner and a sleepover. When I returned home I was surprised to find my sister, Ainsley and her two friends, Briar and heather. They had come over to join the yoga party in our basement.
We re-arranged the furniture and managed to comfortably fit all six P90X Yoga participants. The basement could have fit about 20 yogis, so if you are interested let me know!
I love the 90 minute session because it is a good way to practice the chattorunga. I appreciate only practicing, while doing yoga with my friends and family. It is fun to share and teach the family but it is also nice to just practice alongside them.
My cousin Bailey was loving the session to, until she needed a snack break to replenish her energy. One break lead to another, Ainsley disappeared for a good 20 minutes. She went upstairs to snack on my mother's famous Skor cookies, and fetched everyone water.
Team Yoga weakened quickly, but Briar, Heather and my mom held on strong. Some postures sequences were far too challenging for introductory students, so they chose to watch and learn. Tony, the P90X instructor, has a balancing sequencing that does not come naturally on your first attempt. He works from warrior I, to airplane, to standing split, rotates the hips open into half-moon and finishes in full moon. The flow is great but it takes time to strengthen and find endurance in the postures.
Overall, I had a great session at home with friends and family. I hope to do a repeat class with them upon my return. I think I will share my John Friend Yoga DVD's with them next time.
After Yoga we ate some delicious Quinoa topped with veggies and a peanut sauce created by Jessa. Everyone adored the dish and found it to be very satisfactory after one of their first Yoga classes.
What do you like about P90X and Yoga DVDs in general?
yours gingerly,
Cox Schnarr
The night before my two week shift at the guard, I always try to enjoy my free time at home. The group yoga session was a spontaneous event. My mom and I had plans to experiment with the P90X Yoga but we did not intend to have four other participants.
After teaching my regular night time Yoga class, I swung over and picked up my cousin Bailey. I had not seen her in a long time so we planned for yoga, dinner and a sleepover. When I returned home I was surprised to find my sister, Ainsley and her two friends, Briar and heather. They had come over to join the yoga party in our basement.
We re-arranged the furniture and managed to comfortably fit all six P90X Yoga participants. The basement could have fit about 20 yogis, so if you are interested let me know!
I love the 90 minute session because it is a good way to practice the chattorunga. I appreciate only practicing, while doing yoga with my friends and family. It is fun to share and teach the family but it is also nice to just practice alongside them.
My cousin Bailey was loving the session to, until she needed a snack break to replenish her energy. One break lead to another, Ainsley disappeared for a good 20 minutes. She went upstairs to snack on my mother's famous Skor cookies, and fetched everyone water.
Team Yoga weakened quickly, but Briar, Heather and my mom held on strong. Some postures sequences were far too challenging for introductory students, so they chose to watch and learn. Tony, the P90X instructor, has a balancing sequencing that does not come naturally on your first attempt. He works from warrior I, to airplane, to standing split, rotates the hips open into half-moon and finishes in full moon. The flow is great but it takes time to strengthen and find endurance in the postures.
Overall, I had a great session at home with friends and family. I hope to do a repeat class with them upon my return. I think I will share my John Friend Yoga DVD's with them next time.
After Yoga we ate some delicious Quinoa topped with veggies and a peanut sauce created by Jessa. Everyone adored the dish and found it to be very satisfactory after one of their first Yoga classes.
What do you like about P90X and Yoga DVDs in general?
yours gingerly,
Cox Schnarr
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Asia's Vinyasa
After an exciting day of wedding planning, I was graced with five pleasant Yoga students. Four women returned from Monday night class and we had a new male! It was his first class and he did amazing. Class flew by quickly. I even managed to finish on-time, because the karate kids do not like to wait for their space to practice.
I now know all the students' names and we have started our own yoga community at Bodyworks Gym. The students are enjoying the change in class structure each class. I love the variety of choices Yoga provides, because you can structure a yoga class different each day. During class, my primary concern is the well-being of each student; therefore, I focus on giving tons of cues and further guiding a student when they are in a compromising position. After six weeks, the class is starting to flow and the new Yogis are showing more familiarity with the postures.
After teaching class, I re-focused on getting to my own Yoga practice at Energi Studio with Asia. I had 30 minutes to get across Kitchener to Waterloo for my 6:30 p.m. Yoga session. My first class was free, so all I had to do is show up in comfortable clothes, and listen to Asia's instructions.
My dentist, and a friend suggested I check out her class. I heard she was great, but no one could pin point what made her such a great instructor. I think student's keep returning because of her clear voice, yoga knowledge and passion for the practice. It really showed. A yoga class continues to survive each week, when the instructor does a great job and it looks like she has the right recipe. I love going to new yoga classes but if the class does not intrigue me I almost never return. I hope to return to Asia's class before moving to my new home in Lakeland, FL.
Asia had a great sequence for the class's level. She had clean postures and left an appropriate amount of time to enjoy each posture. The mirrors helped students see their alignment and watch her from a different angle. Fortunately, I was warm before class because the warm-up was short and the room was freezing. The yoga flow incorporated Anusara and Ashtanga techniques. The style combination was greatly appreciated, and it was refreshing to have a new instructor.
I have fallen for Anusara alignment, because it has really helped me find depth in certain postures such as Uttita Trikonasana. The class could have benefited more by her giving direct instruction to students out of alignment but she did do a great job of explaining each posture verbally and through physical demonstration. Each instructor has his or her style, I just prefer the instructor verbal instruction over demonstration.
Studio Energi had a great space. The room was built in a corner. Asia stood in one corner and the room fanned out with students. The music was very calm and it help create a comfortable ambiance. If you are in the Kitchener-Waterloo area I recommend that you go and try Asia's class at Studio Energi. I know she is also, offering a teacher training program for those looking to expand their practice.
namaste
yours gingerly,
Coxswain Schnarr
I now know all the students' names and we have started our own yoga community at Bodyworks Gym. The students are enjoying the change in class structure each class. I love the variety of choices Yoga provides, because you can structure a yoga class different each day. During class, my primary concern is the well-being of each student; therefore, I focus on giving tons of cues and further guiding a student when they are in a compromising position. After six weeks, the class is starting to flow and the new Yogis are showing more familiarity with the postures.
After teaching class, I re-focused on getting to my own Yoga practice at Energi Studio with Asia. I had 30 minutes to get across Kitchener to Waterloo for my 6:30 p.m. Yoga session. My first class was free, so all I had to do is show up in comfortable clothes, and listen to Asia's instructions.
My dentist, and a friend suggested I check out her class. I heard she was great, but no one could pin point what made her such a great instructor. I think student's keep returning because of her clear voice, yoga knowledge and passion for the practice. It really showed. A yoga class continues to survive each week, when the instructor does a great job and it looks like she has the right recipe. I love going to new yoga classes but if the class does not intrigue me I almost never return. I hope to return to Asia's class before moving to my new home in Lakeland, FL.
Asia had a great sequence for the class's level. She had clean postures and left an appropriate amount of time to enjoy each posture. The mirrors helped students see their alignment and watch her from a different angle. Fortunately, I was warm before class because the warm-up was short and the room was freezing. The yoga flow incorporated Anusara and Ashtanga techniques. The style combination was greatly appreciated, and it was refreshing to have a new instructor.
I have fallen for Anusara alignment, because it has really helped me find depth in certain postures such as Uttita Trikonasana. The class could have benefited more by her giving direct instruction to students out of alignment but she did do a great job of explaining each posture verbally and through physical demonstration. Each instructor has his or her style, I just prefer the instructor verbal instruction over demonstration.
Studio Energi had a great space. The room was built in a corner. Asia stood in one corner and the room fanned out with students. The music was very calm and it help create a comfortable ambiance. If you are in the Kitchener-Waterloo area I recommend that you go and try Asia's class at Studio Energi. I know she is also, offering a teacher training program for those looking to expand their practice.
namaste
yours gingerly,
Coxswain Schnarr
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