The meeting was a success and it looks like I will be joining the Satya Life Yoga studio as a faculty member. The night classes are New To Yoga on Monday and Yoga Basics on Tuesday. The yoga space has two-story high ceilings and spring flooring. Satya also offers massage therapy and Tai Chi.
In preparation for my first week of classes my mentor has encouraged me to buy a new Yoga book, '30 Essential Yoga Poses For Beginning Students and Their Teachers' by Judith Lasater, Ph.D., P.T. The book arrived yesterday and I look forward to reading it today! I also wrote the yoga class proposal in advance so that I could get feedback before presenting it to students.
Now I can only hope to have a student in each class next week!
namaste : )
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Loving & Hunting!
Two months of living in Lakeland, Florida! A lot has changed this fall but it all seems to be coming together, just like the marriage plans for this Saturday, November 13th. All six of our parents are set to arrive by the time of the wedding.
Aside from getting married to the love of my life (former yoga student- thanks Holly), most of my time has focused on yoga, coaching, job hunting, and riding roller coasters (favourite: Manta at Sea World). I even got to visit the Florida Keys for the first time with my best friend Debra and her boyfriend, Jeff. It was a magical surprise Birthday celebration for Debra whom I also met in my Yoga class. Yoga knows how to bring people together. It is almost 2011 and I continue to pursue my long term goal.
Right now, I am searching for my next career step while trying my best to stick to a goal I made on a European trip during the summer of 2008. My best friends, Kaitlin and Lindsay, helped me realize my true passion for yoga. They helped by pointing out my tireless conversation about the practice and love for teaching. The conversation came about while we were sitting beside a gorgeous lake in Lucerne, Switzerland. We all shared our current direction in life and I seemed to be the most in need of guidance. I had just finished my undergraduate degree and was in a bit of a cross-road. Yoga had become a huge part of my life but I was not sure if I could pursue yoga as a career. I thought the safest pathway was to get a masters in a degree with a more secure financial future. I was all set to pursue a masters in Urban and Regional Planning after another good friend, Rachel (yoga class friend, too), helped guide me through the application. After much deliberation, I ended up choosing to pursue a different masters program, Sport Management, and yoga. Sport Management had room for me to continue studying and teaching yoga in Tallahassee, FL.
Kaitlin and Lindsay gave me confidence that day by the lake. Yoga had more sparkle and I was not ready to let it be a practice from my past. In case you were wondering, the goal is to one day guide students in my own yoga space. This is why I continue to practice, study and teach.
Aside: Thank you girls for being a part of my journey and for our European adventure. I will never forget how helpful you were, especially when I lost everything, including my passport at the Duomo in Milan, Italy.
Yoga and regular job hunting continues as I get to know my new city. After two interviews with Geico, I have yet to hear a response. I think their response is in the mail; ) I am not convinced that Geico wants a yoga instructor with a business degree and a Canadian passport.
Last week, I submitted my resume to a running shoe store and hope to hear back from them, too. I have considered applying to a fitness organization in town but a yoga studio would be ideal.
In effort to connect with a studio and to keep practicing I have been attending class daily at Satya Life yoga in Lakeland. I would be more than honoured to join their faculty and to continue learning from Frankie Hart. My soon to be husband has been encouraging me to approach her with my availability and interest. I am quite intimidated by the studio because of the instructors vast knowledge and skill. He has been an amazing back bone to my dream and I was planning on mentioning my interest to Ricky before the new year. Somehow the stars were aligned and after my second interview with Geico my instructor invited me to have a conversation about potential opportunities at her studio, Satya Life. Her interest absolutely made my month!
As some of you know, I had four amazing years practicing and teaching at two studios in Tallahassee. Finding my next opportunity has been intimidating. Satya has re-kindled my excitement and I will keep you posted once that meeting happens. So thankful !!!
Namaste
yours gingerly,
W h i t n e y
Monday, November 1, 2010
Wheat Grass and Oatmeal Cookies
As some of you may know, I love to cook and bake. I enjoy freely putting ingredients together and seeing how they turn out. I get a small thrill when I can use ingredients that are already in my cupboards.
Recently, I was baking some oatmeal cookies and decided to add my wheat grass powder to them. They came out of the oven with a healthy shade of green. They were perfect for distributing after my halloween yoga session last week! My taste testers have requested that I post the recipe. Please ENJOY and adjust the ingredients wherever!
Ingredients
3/4 Cup Butter
1 Cup Firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 Cup Water
1 tsp Vanilla
3 Cup Quick Oats
1 Cup Gluten Free Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 Scoop Wheat Grass Powder
1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips/ Raisins
1/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together butter, sugar, egg, wheat grass, water and vanilla un creamy. Add combined remaining ingredients, mix well.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.
Enjoy!
Recently, I was baking some oatmeal cookies and decided to add my wheat grass powder to them. They came out of the oven with a healthy shade of green. They were perfect for distributing after my halloween yoga session last week! My taste testers have requested that I post the recipe. Please ENJOY and adjust the ingredients wherever!
Ingredients
3/4 Cup Butter
1 Cup Firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 Cup Water
1 tsp Vanilla
3 Cup Quick Oats
1 Cup Gluten Free Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 Scoop Wheat Grass Powder
1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips/ Raisins
1/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together butter, sugar, egg, wheat grass, water and vanilla un creamy. Add combined remaining ingredients, mix well.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.
Enjoy!
Friday, October 29, 2010
H a l l o w e e n Y o G a
After a full day of preparing for my halloween yoga class- seven joyful Yogis showed-up!!!!
I created a super spooky Halloween playlist and the students really enjoyed the songs. Playing theme music in class can be a tad awkward but when you are all dressed up the music really adds the final touch. My homemade wheat grass cookies were a huge hit!!!! They were a healthy shade of green, too!
As for my costume, it came together after purchasing a crimping iron (which gives a nice 80s perm look), rainbow ribbons (from Michaels) and individual packages of starbursts all helped to create Rainbow Bright's image. If you were wondering, I did spend 40 minutes crimping my hair in the Florida Southern's Wellness washroom. The students were very creative with their costumes. We had a killer bee, a gypsy, a sweaty athlete, and an Avatar who's power was that of controlling the direction of wind (my best description with picture below- sorry=).
Selecting my costume was a bit of a challenge. I have never been good at creating a costume and in the past I have warn my former coast guard shirt with a wig. Rainbow Bright was a huge step and I hope to improve my efforts next year!
Halloween Yoga class had prizes, too! I burned the halloween playlist and drew names for the compact discs. I handed out some wheat grass cookies, too. A little give-away excitement is always fun! I hope events like these help to encourage more participation.
What are you doing for Halloween?
Enjoy one songs from the Halloween playlist, "I put a spell on you" from the movie Hocus Pocus!!!
Have a spooky weekend!
namaste
Whitney :)
I created a super spooky Halloween playlist and the students really enjoyed the songs. Playing theme music in class can be a tad awkward but when you are all dressed up the music really adds the final touch. My homemade wheat grass cookies were a huge hit!!!! They were a healthy shade of green, too!
As for my costume, it came together after purchasing a crimping iron (which gives a nice 80s perm look), rainbow ribbons (from Michaels) and individual packages of starbursts all helped to create Rainbow Bright's image. If you were wondering, I did spend 40 minutes crimping my hair in the Florida Southern's Wellness washroom. The students were very creative with their costumes. We had a killer bee, a gypsy, a sweaty athlete, and an Avatar who's power was that of controlling the direction of wind (my best description with picture below- sorry=).
Selecting my costume was a bit of a challenge. I have never been good at creating a costume and in the past I have warn my former coast guard shirt with a wig. Rainbow Bright was a huge step and I hope to improve my efforts next year!
Halloween Yoga class had prizes, too! I burned the halloween playlist and drew names for the compact discs. I handed out some wheat grass cookies, too. A little give-away excitement is always fun! I hope events like these help to encourage more participation.
What are you doing for Halloween?
Enjoy one songs from the Halloween playlist, "I put a spell on you" from the movie Hocus Pocus!!!
Have a spooky weekend!
namaste
Whitney :)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Time for another Yoga Theme!
For my final class at Florida State University I decided to make it an 80s theme! My best friends helped me create a wicked playlist and all he participants came fully dressed for a blast from the past! We had a ball and the excitement continues tomorrow on the Florida Southern College campus where we will re-create the idea of having a themed class.
Hallowe'en is our theme of choice and I just finished creating a spooking soundtrack filled with horror. I really with my friend, Jessa, could be here to celebrate because Hallowe'en is her absolute favourite holiday Last year she hosted an awesome Hallowe'en Yoga session at Journeys In Yoga Studio. Jessa, your wigs will be missed!
My next blog will feature the Hallowe'en excitement! Check out this spooky Yoga session!
Whitney :)
Hallowe'en is our theme of choice and I just finished creating a spooking soundtrack filled with horror. I really with my friend, Jessa, could be here to celebrate because Hallowe'en is her absolute favourite holiday Last year she hosted an awesome Hallowe'en Yoga session at Journeys In Yoga Studio. Jessa, your wigs will be missed!
My next blog will feature the Hallowe'en excitement! Check out this spooky Yoga session!
Whitney :)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Substitute Teachers
This is a shout-out to all the substitute teachers and leaders who are never given the benefit of the doubt!
Substitute teachers have always been a target for students test their leadership capabilities by slacking off and misbehaving. I thought it only happened in grades K to 12. Unfortunately, skepticism continues no matter the age of the audience. Mature students might not misbehave like an adolescent but they are usually apprehensive before trusting in the substitute's ability to lead. The Yoga world is an excellent example of the struggle to find comfort when the official teacher is absent.
Last Friday I went to my routine Therapeutic Yoga class. The class meets three times a week and caters toward those who are working through personal injuries. Participants tend to be retired and in the early stages of their Yoga practice. I am somewhat of an exception because I am not retired; however, I find the class highly beneficial as I continue to work through my low back injuries. Needless to say each participant has worked hard to trust in their instructor and in their own abilities.
As the therapeutic members arrived, many were discomforted to discover a substitute instructor. The instructor teaches at the studio but she was not familiar to the therapeutic group. Several students left before class started because they did not want to risk injury but the other sixteen or so stayed for the experience.
The class was extra gentle and catered to the students need to progress with care. The substitute instructor had big feet to fill and she did an amazing job! She took the lead and when she noticed the unexpected increase in class size she quickly guided the students into the larger room. The students were not happy to be moving but followed her lead. It was re-assuring to see the instructors preparation notes and to find out that she had previewed the class earlier that week. Students would have been comforted to know that they were having a substitute instructor. At the same time it is in good practice to go with the flow and just accept change.
Subbing for a Yoga class can be super nerve racking. It is a great opportunity to meet and practice teaching a different group but jumping into an unfamiliar setting as the leader can be quite daunting. It is best to make each student feel comfortable and confident in your guidance. We're human and we make mistakes!
Please share your substitution experiences. I know we all have stories.
Bon soir!
Whitney :)
Substitute teachers have always been a target for students test their leadership capabilities by slacking off and misbehaving. I thought it only happened in grades K to 12. Unfortunately, skepticism continues no matter the age of the audience. Mature students might not misbehave like an adolescent but they are usually apprehensive before trusting in the substitute's ability to lead. The Yoga world is an excellent example of the struggle to find comfort when the official teacher is absent.
Last Friday I went to my routine Therapeutic Yoga class. The class meets three times a week and caters toward those who are working through personal injuries. Participants tend to be retired and in the early stages of their Yoga practice. I am somewhat of an exception because I am not retired; however, I find the class highly beneficial as I continue to work through my low back injuries. Needless to say each participant has worked hard to trust in their instructor and in their own abilities.
As the therapeutic members arrived, many were discomforted to discover a substitute instructor. The instructor teaches at the studio but she was not familiar to the therapeutic group. Several students left before class started because they did not want to risk injury but the other sixteen or so stayed for the experience.
The class was extra gentle and catered to the students need to progress with care. The substitute instructor had big feet to fill and she did an amazing job! She took the lead and when she noticed the unexpected increase in class size she quickly guided the students into the larger room. The students were not happy to be moving but followed her lead. It was re-assuring to see the instructors preparation notes and to find out that she had previewed the class earlier that week. Students would have been comforted to know that they were having a substitute instructor. At the same time it is in good practice to go with the flow and just accept change.
Subbing for a Yoga class can be super nerve racking. It is a great opportunity to meet and practice teaching a different group but jumping into an unfamiliar setting as the leader can be quite daunting. It is best to make each student feel comfortable and confident in your guidance. We're human and we make mistakes!
Please share your substitution experiences. I know we all have stories.
Bon soir!
Whitney :)
Monday, October 11, 2010
Yoga and Roller Coasters
Good morning- I am currently enjoying the free wi-fi outside on the Starbucks patio. Yes, the coffee shop has its perks.
I awoke fully rejuvenated, after a wonderful weekend of Yoga and Busch Gardens with my fiancé. It is so nice to feel refreshed and ready for a new week. I had another wonderful Yoga class with Rick Hart on Saturday. My back muscles were really reacting and she was more than accommodating. After class I joined their usual lunch social at the local coffee place and was able to meet more yogis at the studio. Practicing Yoga in a community is really nice when you get to know each individual. To make the city feel even more intimate I bumped into my coach and his while as they were running for the downtown area. Another chance to share the splendid energy of the morning.
Sunday morning, Cooper and I woke early so that we could enjoy the roller coasters and animals at Busch Gardens. I love the roller coasters! I have trouble opening my eyes but find it really calming to just feel the sensations. I feel free as the coaster drops, twists and turns upside-down. Sheikra and Montu are my favourite rides by far! The other amazing experience is watching the animals. Cooper mentioned after we watched the gorillas for 30 minutes that he felt a sense of calm. The gorillas were bending and moving there bodies in crazy ways. They showed a sense of enjoyment while in a world that seems simple.
Alas, Lakeland is starting to feel like home. Like clockwork, I awoke and dropped off my recycling at my friend's curb by 6:30 a.m. After I proceeded to Starbucks in order to enjoy the free wi-fi before Yoga class. It feels good to have familiar places to go within my city. Now I hope to contact a couple of gyms for potential Yoga opportunities.
Wish me luck on finding a new little Yoga opportunity!
yours gingerly,
Whitney
I awoke fully rejuvenated, after a wonderful weekend of Yoga and Busch Gardens with my fiancé. It is so nice to feel refreshed and ready for a new week. I had another wonderful Yoga class with Rick Hart on Saturday. My back muscles were really reacting and she was more than accommodating. After class I joined their usual lunch social at the local coffee place and was able to meet more yogis at the studio. Practicing Yoga in a community is really nice when you get to know each individual. To make the city feel even more intimate I bumped into my coach and his while as they were running for the downtown area. Another chance to share the splendid energy of the morning.
Sunday morning, Cooper and I woke early so that we could enjoy the roller coasters and animals at Busch Gardens. I love the roller coasters! I have trouble opening my eyes but find it really calming to just feel the sensations. I feel free as the coaster drops, twists and turns upside-down. Sheikra and Montu are my favourite rides by far! The other amazing experience is watching the animals. Cooper mentioned after we watched the gorillas for 30 minutes that he felt a sense of calm. The gorillas were bending and moving there bodies in crazy ways. They showed a sense of enjoyment while in a world that seems simple.
Alas, Lakeland is starting to feel like home. Like clockwork, I awoke and dropped off my recycling at my friend's curb by 6:30 a.m. After I proceeded to Starbucks in order to enjoy the free wi-fi before Yoga class. It feels good to have familiar places to go within my city. Now I hope to contact a couple of gyms for potential Yoga opportunities.
Wish me luck on finding a new little Yoga opportunity!
yours gingerly,
Whitney
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