Navasana - Boat Pose

CorePower Yoga.  Yes it is expensive and debated that it's the "Starbucks" of yoga.  However, it has facilitated a space for my personal growth and journey.  

I have been teaching for over two years now and the progress I have made and will continue to make astonishes me.  This journey was never easy but so necessary.  I am a story of transformation and want to share it with all.  I am an intern for CorePower Yoga Honolulu studio's third Teacher Training Program.  I cannot wait to share my experiences with this group of 21 amazing yogis.  After meeting them all, I think they are going to teach me more than I am going to teach them.

Natarajasana - Dancer's Pose

My teaching journey began with just one voice suggesting I look into Teacher Training from a dear friend and Studio Owner.  September 2010, I joined the fall Teacher Training Program at CorePower Yoga Cherry Hills Denver, CO.  At this time, I was married, working full time and extremely self conscious.  

Which leads me into Navasana (Boat Pose).  This particular Teacher Training day was a posture clinic and I was asked to go in front of the group of 23 eager students to teach Boat Pose.  I was shaking, quiet, beet red and felt like a failure when I could not fully explain it to the group. When finished, tears streamed down my eyes.  A mentor motivated me to keep moving forward and that I could make a great teacher.  

At the conclusion of Training, I excelled expectations on my written and verbal test.  I have taught hundreds of classes and students in different regions.  To this day, I teach Boat with ease and a smile on my face.  I hope to help anyone who was in a dark place or those as painfully shy as I was to overcome trials and face their fears. 

I would like to close with the following:

Teachers by Danna Faulds




We are teachers, yes and also listeners, healers, lovers of truth.
             Conduits of energy, we create opportunities for
              body,
              mind &
              breath
to coincide in the same place and time.

We point the way to inner experience, see past fears 
           and limiting beliefs to the free expression of all beings.

We nurture the seed of self-acceptance, respecting each soul's
           unique qualities and depth.

We are awake, alive, diving into the unknown over and over
           until
           we barely know ourselves.

We open the doors so Spirit can soar, and more important 
          than this, we bring the sacred with us into the world,
          letting actions speak our prayers.

We are teachers, yes,
          and students too,
          daring to be fully human,
          choosing to embrace the all of this existence as divine.



Namaste

The Move

Hawaii.

Beautiful Place. 

It wasn't just the physical beauty that brought the inspiration to pack my bags and move.  It was the beauty it brought out of me to move.  Rather that beauty reflected upon others, I know not.  But I can testify, that beauty never left.





Shortly before my scheduled move to Oahu, I received some unsettling news.  A life changing surgery I had over four years ago sparked up an additional injury.  The actual hardware supporting my foot severed an important tendon.  I thought this to be ironic cause the very thing that help put me back together ended up hurting me again.  This means: 1. No teaching or practicing yoga for several months  2. Money  3.  A healing process of several months  4. Pro-long my anticipated school start date and move to Hawaii.   The only control I had at that point was my reaction to the news. 

My Reaction.  It is what it is.  As much as I want to control my life, the natural occurrence of events always wins.  That is what I have to keep in mind.  The current hardships and trials with either work out in the end or I have adjusted to the outcome overtime and have shifted my paradigm to believing those hardships worked out.  This philosophy is what I study, believe and teach.  Now it is the time to LIVE it.

Why am I touching this long forgotten blog?  Because maybe this specific post could inspire or at least entertain someone else. 

I have already accepted the natural chain of events.  Accepting help from strangers, friends and family.  My pace of life slowed down.  I prepared mentally for what was to come based on the last surgery experience.  The most difficult part for me was living the yoga when I cannot teach it or physically practice asana.

My passion for yoga is how I make a living.  I have been feeling so disconnected from myself and questioning my capabilities to teach. 

Tonight is the first time I have connected with myself.  Just my mat,  55 min, chill music and dim lights...I created an available practice for myself.  Mostly seated. Every movement and posture felt organic and lifted me up to a level of happiness I briefly forgot about.

Yoga is not the answer to all questions.  However, in closing B.K.S. Iyengar in Light on Life sums up everything nicely with the following quote:

"Yoga releases the creative potential of Life.  It does this by establishing a structure of self-realization by showing how we can progress along the journey, and by opening a sacred vision of the Ultimate, of our Divine Origin, and final Destiny.  The Light that yoga sheds on Life is something special.  It is transformative.  It does not just change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.  It brings the knowledge and elevates it to wisdom."

It has been awhile and this is all I have to say

Rock Bottom

became the solid

foundation on which

I rebuilt my life.

-J.K. Rowling

Many Thanks

The idea of going to Bear Lake was presented to the family over a year ago. As you may have heard, things have changed drastically over the past 6 months. I had my concerns but decided to make a trip within a trip.

I drove to Utah, via my parents on Friday, June 24th. I arrived in the town Provo, met up with my wonderful friend, Kristine King. Background information is needed about this person who I hold close to my heart. I had the pleasure of living with her for 4 semesters, traveled to many places, made everything an adventure, visited each others home town, shed many tears, held many deep conversations and grew together. Seeing her made my heart grow 10x the original size. She allowed me to stay with her for 4 days and 4 nights. Everything was an adventure. I was spoiled, she understands the things I like to do: Pizza, vinyl records, clothing, parks, pictures, headstands. She was my ride to everywhere my little heart desired. It was a wonderful experience to reconnect with her and other college friends.

Jake, my 19 yr old nephew. Serving the SLC mission. I had the opportunity to see this amazing guy go through the Salt Lake temple. It was truly an amazing experience. Watching him interact with the kids, pitch in to help any family member and converse with him...he is fantastic.

Tuesday, June 26th. Bear Lake. This place is beautiful. That is all I can say. 20 nieces and nephews, 6 brothers and sisters plus their spouses all in one house with the most beautiful view. It was amazing, loud, eventful and beautiful. My family was nothing less than supportive and loving towards me. This is a true example of pure unconditional love. Caves, swimming, shakes, food, games, boats, jet skis, hot tub, dance party, nacho libre, family history night. This trip was not one of escape but of healing.

25

As I'm wrapping up my 25th birthday, I reminisce about what I have accomplished in 25 yrs and how my birthday went down. It was a wonderful weekend complete with a sleepover, french toast, yoga, Waterworld, Cafe Rio, surprise party, family dinner and my favorite cake. Yes, I also got to celebrate all weekend with people I love doing things that I love.

I am so blessed to be where I am today. My current situation is not ideal for anyone but I'm making the most of it. (Insert random shout out here)

Jill-
I know you will read this and I want you to know how wonderful it is to have you a friend and roommate. You are an example to me of selflessness, you have your priorities straight, unwavering faith and you are both beautiful inside and out. Thank you for making, what I was dreading, my 25th birthday special, fun and memorable.

Thank you.

The end.

My own personal Eat, Pray, Love

Usually, I like to think myself as a rational and logical thinker, specifically when it comes to my financial and employment status. I always have a job and backup plan.

I worked at Dish Network Corporate headquarters as a Traffic Coordinator. After two painfully long and unrewarding years, a 200 hr Yoga Alliance Certification, management decided to offer me a promotion right around the time Brandon had left me. I gladly accepted with a pay increase and all.

It wasn't a good time or fit. Just like other things in life, sometimes unexpected things happen but I didn't know I would do the unexpected. I quit. Just like that. Only yoga and some savings to support me. No job waiting other than the yoga classes on the side. Some people think I grew some balls and I am their hero, others say "you are crazy and don't know what you are in for." I say, "there is a method to my happiness."

Which brings me to "Eat, Pray, Love." If you have seen the movie, it should be called "Julia Roberts Vacation." Anyways, I am taking the summer to submerge myself into yoga. No, I will not be going to India but dream of going there someday. I plan on a regular practice, working with mentors, attend workshops and retreats. I want to continue to grow as a teacher and facilitator for students to grow, feel welcome and have fun.

I am also taking this time to Love myself. I am not looking for love in Bali but I am looking to love myself. I don't know if I truly loved myself, I am overly critical and deprive myself of so much happiness. This is my time. I don't know what Loving me entails entirely but I have some time to figure out. There will be some traveling involved. I am also looking forward to loving my family and others around me. Love is everywhere, you don't need to have a significant other to love and be loved by.

As for Eat, I plan on eating a more energetic, nutritious yoga friendly diet. I feel that is one key I'm missing. As much as I want to eat pizza in Italy, who knows maybe I will, I yearn to treat my body well and giving it what it needs.

This is my own Eat, Pray, Love and I understand if that sounds ridiculous to you. However, I related to this, it is cliche and I don't care.

Michelle Obama

Was in Denver today. I didn't know, but when I was driving home after yoga in Lodo Denver, traffic was completely shut down at 20th and Market. 20 cop cars and 10 vans and SVUs stormed by. Later, I found out Michelle Obama was in my midst. Pretty rad.