Yoga on the Rocks

Yoga in the workplace is such a great combination. Today, one of my previous Coast Guard crew, Kevin, sent me a nice story along with his photographic documentation of him practicing Yoga.

Last summer we incorporated yoga into our workday. It was nice to slip into some athletic wear. Between rescues and training we enjoyed stretching out and finding a peaceful state. Our favourite sessions were laying on the ground and listen to Fleetwood Mac. The music was super calm and helped us get into the svasana zone. Ommmmm and as Kevin would say 'namamamamaste'.

After his yoga experience at the Coast Guard base he decided to continue his practice with Moksha Yoga in London, ON. Since his new summer job, he has been bragging about his sweaty vinyasa classes. Kevin's boss suggested turning the office into a hot yoga class. In Kevin's words, "because sweating while sitting at a computer in your business-casual attire would be unenjoyable and not make me want to wish her a namaste".

Upon the realization that sweaty yoga in the workplace would be inappropriate they decided to try some poses outside of their office during a workplace photo shoot. Kevin is second to the left and is demonstrating a strong tree posture. He really has excellent elongation in his entire body. Of course, he has his own criticism, "I know my foot is leaning right against my knee joint which is bad news bears, but it was hard with the dress pants and shoes, belt and tucked in shirt. Coast Guard Station Long Point allows for a much more flexible dress code when it comes to mid-day yoga breaks".


I love Yoga inspired experiences and photographs. Please feel free to share your adventures and we can all enjoy each others. 


Next blog will be focusing on my very first Yoga class in Waterloo, ON (my home city).


Wish me luck!


yours gingerly,


Whitney Schnarr

F r i d a y M o r n i n g: Yoga + Run

Last night, my crew and I went out on a night navigation. It was super foggy and our night vision was shot. We tried using our spot light to flash the channel markers but the light kept bouncing of the dense air. We put much of our trust in our compus bearings, GPS and radar. It was a challenging two hour night exercise and we were exhausted upon our secure at base.

I went to bed knowing that getting up for my run and yoga would be a challenge. My alarm went off at 0650 and I dismissed it. I slowly woke up around 0730 and managed to leave the base by 0800. I had a great run this morning, including my drills and lifting. After I closed with a gentle yoga session. It was nice to stretch and appreciate my body's strength after a late night on the water.

It is hard to get up and keep a morning routine going, but today I conquered my hesitation. I hope to continue my morning rhythm and believe in my inner strength. I do not think it is important to practice hard every day but to go through the motions that your body will accept. Listening and trusting in my strength always seems to impress my mental thoughts.

This afternoon we did a second workout and my body was filled with energy. Surprise strength. Love it!

yours gingerly,

Cox Schnarr

Long Point Yoga Sessions

I am currently working at my Canadian Coast Guard base on Lake Erie. I have less than six days remaining and over the fourteen days, I have managed to practice yoga each day at the base. You really cannot beat yoga sessions overlooking the water, while you are on station for work!  Mountains, white sandy beaches, and rolling ocean waves are always nice too! We cannot be greedy.

Every morning I get up around 0630 and head out for my four mile run. Upon my return I rehydrate and take my yoga mat out onto the porch. I place it over the evening cobwebs and the morning dew. One of my crew joins me and just follows my flow. The energy sharing is priceless and it helps motivate me while living on a restricted base. We have been able to work through partner exercises and deepen stretches.  The best part is always savasana under the warm yellow sun. Weather has been unexpectedly, perfection on a stick!

Each summer I return to the guard with plans to practice yoga every day but it never seems to happen. This summer the rhythm and my motivation seems to be helping. I love the practice of yoga and it is giving me an excellent balance at work and my refound love for running.

I love to attend group yoga sessions but when work and other scheduled plans get in the way it is important (to me) that I continue to grow my practice and passion.

Enjoy your personal time on the mat. Share insights.

yours gingerly,

Coxswain Schnarr

Outdoor Yoga

What does it mean when a bird poos on your yoga mat?

Every morning, around 8:00 a.m., I practice yoga outside on the deck. It is nice to practice alonside Lake Erie and enjoy our amazing sunny weather. Yesterday, an overly friendly bird dropped a special treat on my black yoga mat. At first, I was a little grossed out! I think it could be a representation of good luck. A drop of encouragement. Keep practicing yoga outside and sharing the practice of unity.  I think that makes sense.

There is an unwritten rule, that when a bird poos on you it is supposed to represent good luck. Perhaps, poo on the yoga mat is really special!

No injuries caused by the doodoo so I will continue to practice outdoors with my Coast Guard crew.

yours gingerly,

Whitney Schnarr

Yoga Job Part II

My last blog focused on making enough money to support your career as an instructor. The day after I requested a higher pay rate the fitness centre replied and agreed to increase my rate to $35.00 per class. I was suprised that they were willing to work with my shift schedule at the Coast Guard.

If you think you are being underpaid for a job than it is important to find out how your job is valued in the eyes of your employer. Perhaps they cannot afford to pay you anymore but it is always worth asking. Everytime you confront a payment issue it only gets easier. I learned from a wise friend who helped me find some personal ground so that I can stick up for what is important.

Get some backbone + love life.

yours gingerly,

W h i t n e y  S c h n a r r

Yoga Jobs

Last week I arrived back in my home city, Waterloo! I was living in Florida and attending school. Before I could come home I had to attend Coast Guard training at the Trenton, ON. We were stationed for training on the Air Force base. It was a cool experience and I got to wear my Coast Guard blues all week. Not to mention have a great time with the Inshore Search and Rescue coxswains and rookies.

Once in Waterloo I have began searching for yoga opportunities. Randomly, a fitness centre called me requesting a yoga instructor. My Bikram Yoga instructor had given out my name to a fitness centre. I was so excited that I booked an interview immediately. After two hours of perfecting my resume and getting ready for the interview I arrived at the fitness centre. They had a charming owner and were willing to work with my shift schedule with the coast guard. She showed me the open space just off the main workout zone and said that I would be paid twenty dollars per class. The money and the awkward space did not bother me at this point everything seemed surreal. I just really wanted to teach yoga in my home city.

I left the interview excited and already thinking about how I would approach the two weekly classes. Prior to the interview I had told my friends about the opportunity, so everyone was asking me about my plans. I started thinking about the expense of driving my parents car 15 minutes to the fitness centre and my time before/after the class. Friends and family could not believe that I was willing to teach a class and make no money. I started agreeing with their logistics. It came down to the fact that yoga is a lifestyle but it is also my profession. I emailed saying that I would be unavailable to teach unless I could be paid the average instructor pay rate.

It was hard to forgo a yoga opportunity but your time and dollar are important, too. I prefer walking, roller blading, or biking to my yoga classes. Unfortunately, borrowing my parents car did not add evenly to the equation. I am sure there is someone closer who would love teaching to their community. It was hard to let go of the yoga opportunity but I think I made the right choice. Now I am planning a charity event and going to try my best to give back to my home city of Waterloo.

Thoughts from yoga instructors?

yours gingerly,

Whitney

80s Yoga

Eighties music. Eighties fashion. Eighties babies.

Spontaneously, I agreed to make my final Yoga class at Florida State University into an eighties theme. There are hot tub time machines, so I thought there should be a yoga room time machine. I would not have had an eighties yoga class without my good friends Audrina and Olivia. Their passion for eighties music exceeds mine so they gathered their favourite eighties music and created a facebook event page.  We through the yoga themed class together in less than 48 hours when I should have been studying hard for my finals!

The yoga room time machine was totally awesome. Everyone came with some sort of eighties attire. There were a lot of neon colours and swooping t-shirts. A charming lad, Magnificent, even wore glow in the dark sunglasses. My wardrobe coordinator, Audrina, crimped my hair and helped me find the perfect pair of hot pink leggings.  Audrina was in high fashion! Her eighties workout wear included a short gold skirt with a tight black tank top, crimped hair in a high pony tale and sky blue eye shadow matched with bright pink rouge. Olivia surprised us all, with her sporty running buns and cropped t-shirt from Texas. Everyone bowed to her classy look. The ladies helped me lead the group to a different decade.  I had trouble teaching to Madonna's 'like a virgin' but the class energy kept us flowing through until the end :o(  Vinyasa really can be done anywhere and with any kind of music.

It was fun to try something new with something old. I was born in the eighties but never thought I would return while teaching or practicing yoga. I think this might have been my final eighties yoga class, but I was glad to do it for my dedicated students and for the people who love the eighties.

One of my favourite studios, Joschi Body Bodega, in NYC is apparently doing 80s Yoga on a monthly basis! The link shows a high energy experience!


yours gingerly,

Whitney Schnarr