No Music, No Problem!

Sometimes as instructors we forget our music, our brains, our yoga mats and/or which left foot we are using during a our Yoga instruction. The idea of a perfect Yoga class does not always match our predictions. Somehow the ancient Yoga Gods come together and create a way for us to find harmonious balance. Most students wandering into a Yoga room are looking for a way to feel good, to get his or her high. The loving Yogis really do not care about the simple imperfections that teachers might see as relevant. Find your heart and soul because that is all you need to guide a Yoga practice.

The art of music complimenting the flow of a Yoga class is amazing; however, the breath can also be of service. The music sometimes prevents us from fluid breath work, so teaching a quiet class every once in a while can be a delicious treat for the body, mind and spirit.

Every couple of months I find myself forgetting my favourite Yoga teaching tool, the ipod. I seriously feel naked without it. When it is lost I begin to realize how much I rely on the music to set the class tone. More recently I have begun to realize that I set the tone of the class. My personal attitude and words are what set the tone for each class I instruct. The loud and wild music might get the students all wound up but if I teach without enthusiasm or excitement than the music will not have much of an impact.

Believe in your teaching purpose. Believe in your teaching abilities. Let your students find the love you present in each Yoga class you guide.

For students reading this just remember your Yoga spirit and you will always be enlightened by the bigger picture a Yoga community presents.

Really wild ginger girl : )

Cold Yoga Rooms

Morning Yoga practice is a wonderful experience. Waking up and moving your body is a great way to start your day. Practicing within a yoga community is energizing when our bodies are stiff and tired. There are only a few things that I enjoy more than waking up and practicing Yoga.

However, morning Yoga practice in a freezing cold room is not a wonderful experience. Fortunately, Yoga practitioners of all kinds know how to work with what they have present. Yogis are magical beings. We have no negative thoughts and can overcome everything. No student or practitioner troubles their thoughts with frustration or anger while practicing in the cold. A perfect setting is not what the Yoga people are really searching for during their 30-120 minutes of practice. The Yoga mind turns on and the cold dissipates. Yoga can see the clear picture:) That's right our bodies turn into Yoga. Yoga is our body even in extreme cold temperatures. Mental Yogic state over powers any scientific matter or fact. Up dogs, down dogs and even cold dogs help Yogis focus. The cold is simple and we can all over power our physical symptoms. The chattering teeth, the shaking body, the goose bumps and the numb fingers + toes are not real when we are Yoga. Remember it is mind over body?

For the less empowered Yoga practitioners, practicing in the cold can be miserable. Cold can be damaging for our precious muscles and tendons. Wearing lots of layers to overcome uncomfortably chilly temperatures is the key to success. I am sorry that you cannot overcome the cold temperatures but preparing for the worst will only help to enlighten or even start your practice.

Finally, for the people who are controlling the heater in the studio we are sorry and we want our heat turned back on. I am not sure what we did to deserve the cold damp temperatures but we are really sorry and will be on our best behavior if you will just turn the temperature back up : )

For the love of Yoga.

yours gingerly,

Wild Ginger

Do we practice Yoga because we are not interested in Sex, Drugs + Rock'n Roll!?

I suppose my yoga interests are similar to things like Sex, Drugs + Rock'n Roll. My Yoga practices consist of having fun with my body, relaxing my mind, flowing through postures while listening to exciting music and having a refreshing Kombucha after practice. My Kombucha and Yoga high really set the mood and make me want to go back and enjoy it over and over again.


Growing up I listened to Kim Mitchell, Guns'n Roses + fluttered around to Beauty + the Beast Music. I enjoyed the fun music and grooving to the tunes with my sassy little sister. The moves and passion for our musical rituals, really helped give us a daily high. We were fearless singers and dancers. The same pleasure and freedom is found when I practice/instructor yoga.

I think the idea behind Sex, Drugs + Rock'n Roll is the relationship between personal pleasure, freedom + thrill. Wild and loud music can really rev up ones engine. The thrill and danger of taking drugs can release any personal restraint or tension. The idea of leaving home and heading to University lets us all break free into the world. Whether or not it is legal to consume certain substances certain free-birds enjoy the experimentation. The same concepts can be discovered through the practice of Yoga.

It is liberating to move your body in a non-judgmental environment. A nice stretch and relaxation can bring new birth to your physical and emotional state. You can even practice asanas to loud music. I personally prefer the practice of Yoga + Sex over the drugs. The Rock’n Roll is something that can always be encorporated in my life.

Namaste sugar bullets

Yoga-tude

Yoga rooms are always filled with excitement and new experiences. So much energy is ready to be exchanged. Sometimes negative energy finds its way into class. Individuals get frustrated or appear to be frustrated with something within the room.

Whether it is a personal practice, a community practice or guiding a practice the mood can change quickly when I allow negative energy to enter my mind. The mood can be easily uncomfortable if I bring in my personal issues. It is always a challenge to leave those at the door when you are really feeling down. An instructor can also make an assumption that the participants are not appreciating or choosing to judge the Yoga provided. There are numerous reasons for a bad yoga-tude but it is important to brush them off. Certain Yoga students have instruction preference, a specific style, or an instructor. Some really do not know how they ended up in a yoga practice and just feel completely uncomfortable. Before rushing to conclusions do you best to communicate with the apparent frustrated students. With out interrupting the entire class just giving personal attention to new students or uncomfortable students can really relieve the energy. Try your best not to give into the yoga-tude.

Do not give up on the people who enter your Yoga room for class. Some where deep down they wish to practice and his or her body is saying let me practice! The experience you provide to them may change his or her yoga-tude. If that uncomfortable students finds some benefit there is a high possibility that they shall return and find more peace within his or her own practice.

Try not to get caught up in your own yoga-tude and open yourself to the student who is struggling the most in class. If they look miserable- it does not hurt to just ask or help them out. Opening yourself to the student will make you more vulnerable. This may help open the communication lines and bring the student to a more comfortable level.

Good and bad experiences have come my way. One time I helped a student because I noticed he was very uncomfortable and he rolled up his mat and left. Other times students have approached me after class and thanked me for my guidance. It is somewhat unpredictable how people will react but giving your whole heart can only make you feel like you made an effort.

Say good-bye to your yoga-tude and hello to just plain old Yoga. much love. peace love + fangs. xx

But I am not Flexible...

Yoga class does not require only flexible people. Flexibility is not the only reason people practice yoga. Yoga has benefits beyond how far you can spread your legs in the splat position. Honestly, the asana (postures) portion is only one amazing yoga aspect. Yoga can be experienced through breathing, relaxing the mind and every day life.
Asana practice appears to be the most familiar form of yoga to western civilization. I am not trying to be prejudice but a large portion of the men I talk to believe that yoga is a female stretching activity. FYI, there are lots of flavors of Yoga. The next comments I hear are based on the individual's personal restraints: 1) Flexibility, 2) Embarassment. An amazing University dorm mate struggled with flexibility. Due to scoliosis (curvature of the spine) the ability to sit straight with legs extended is still IMPOSSIBLE. In last night's phone conversation she reminded me of her scoliosis. I had completely forgot about her discomfort while in a seated posture with her legs extended. She quickly informed me that Yoga is not something she will ever be doing and her reason is flexibility. The conversation was amazing because she just got engaged after four years of true love! Congrats. I am sure George and Laura will attend the ceremony.

It was also a wonderful conversation because as a teacher people with physical restraints are always coming into the Yoga class. Individuals want to learn how to work their body in a way that they are comfortable with its abilities. Some individuals are not interested in the practice of Yoga and some really think they cannot do it! As a Yoga practictioner I do my best to share my personal Yoga story and encourage individuals to stay open minded with Yoga and life in general. It is hard to completely say no to something harmless when you have never tried.

Finally, for all those people who are not doing Yoga because they are inflexible I think you should re-think your reasoning. Avoiding Yoga because you are not interested is one reason but flexibility is a silly excuse.

much love + peace to everyone.

Different Yoga Teachers

Yoga teachers are not indestructible. Their bodies breakdown and they get sick, too. Sometimes they need a holiday or a break from teaching. When a teacher becomes unavailable to teach they must get a substitute teacher. The substitute is often doing a favor for the instructor and taking on an opportunity to teach a new group of students. The new instructor might be looking for further insight from a different group of students. Instruction is often a huge learning experience, too.

It is frustrating when you are planning to attend a class and your favorite instructor is not going to be available. Some students and instructors have specific time slots open to attending group practices. The set itinerary is what we want and can be easily frustrated when it is altered.

Are we still a yogi when we get frustrated about a change in our itinerary? The yoga class is still going to be available it is going to only have a different instructor. Have we become control freaks who do not want our time to be manipulated by someone we have not selected? So much anger can occur when a simple change occurs. Anger before a yoga class is never something that anyone really desires. Personally, I strongly dislike emotional waste and try my best not to get consumed by the change of instructor. Going with the flow and just being present is my yogic standpoint but it is a challenge on some occasions.

Finally, out of common courtesy the instructor should make an effort to alert his or her students if there is a substitute instructor. Some of us just need to get in a different mental framework in order to accept a new instructor. At the same time, yoga students need to return to their yoga roots. The idea of accepting each yoga practice which in turn will teach the calming of the chitta vritti.

Students pay money to attend most yoga classes. The money donated to each class can go a long way. The money is supporting the studios' bills. It is also, supporting the instructors ability to live and learn more about everyone's common interest, yoga. The yoga studio that I am a member of gives generously to the community and provides exceptionally cheap yoga classes. I am proud to teach and learn from the studio's community each day I walk through those doors.

If money is not the reason for frustration with the change in teacher than maybe it is important to search deeper for an answer. There are a million different ways a class can be instructed. Allowing exposure to different teachers and styles of yoga can only broaden your practice and mental state. If a particular teacher does not suit your fancy than choose a private or home practice where you can reach further into your own personal practice. There are so many benefits to practicing in a group setting and on your own. Enjoy the two worlds can only help you enlighten more people with your love and peace of mind. Relax it is just yoga.

Share Your Energy

As the weather takes a sharp turn many of us are finding ourselves sick and/or overwhelmed. Cool weather can place a huge shock on the human body and it is important for us to ease into the changes. Yoga classes can head south when everyone is feeling tired and negative. It is the yoga instructors job to help alleviate the strain and negative emotions bringing down the class energy. While in a dreary yoga class, yogis with energy should try their best to help relieve the negativity by smiling or by maintaining an open heart throughout his or her practice.

In life we are always in a rush and it is beneficial to apply gentle yoga skills to the "stressful" daily obstacles. Humans cannot be in "perfect" form each day but as a yogi I believe it is my duty to share the good energy when it is present within myself. The expression, "smiles are contagious" stands true even in a yoga class. Making everyone feel accepted and comfortable can go a long way. Kind, soothing energy is all we need to make a practice feel amazing.

Stay healthy and help those out who are having a hard day. Spread the love and it will come right back to you.

namaste