YTT IS COMING TO AN END

I can hardly believe that we only have 4 more classes in our YTT Program (Yoga Teacher Training). We started our class in January with 50 students, and we now have a core of 20....I've gotten to know the majority of those 20 students really well. We've become a family. So, it is bittersweet that class is ending, as I will miss my new friends and teachers - but I am really ready to give up the hour drive every Monday and Wednesday morning and afternoon....I have learned so much from this class on so many different levels. I have loved the emotional ups and downs, class parties, and now supporting each other as we complete our practicums.

My body, soul and spirit has been changed in these past 6 months, my husband says that I seem so much happier - I have found a passion - and am now finding ways to share that passion with others....Isn't this what life is all about?

A HUGE thank you to my teachers, Christy Burnette, Astara Robinson and Walter Williams - you have made this journey memorable...I have learned so much, and yet, have so much to learn. Thank you for drawing the passion out of me.

ONE TOTALLY AMAZING DAY, WITH 3 ROUNDS OF YOGA

Ding, ding.....round 3. I taught three amazing yoga classes today...Snap Fitness at 7:15 am, with one beautiful student, thanks for sharing your practice with me today Deb.
Next, I was at the women's shelter teaching 4 children and 1 adult - my star student, Alaya, never ceases to amaze me with her love of yoga at 8 years old. I felt compelled to go out and get her, her very own yoga mat, as she will be leaving the shelter shortly - that little girl makes my heart sing!!! She is such a blessing to me.
Lastly, I substituted for Lauren's class through Central Arizona College at 5:30 pm. What an amazing group of women and men- we started out serious, but when you add a lion's breath in the mix of things, you are bound to get lots of giggles! From then on, class was on a less serious note~~

In closing, I would like to share the closing I used in all three practices:

Blessing of Solitude by John O'Donohue in Anam Cara: A book of Celtic Wisdom
May you recognize in your life the presence, power, and light of your soul.
May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the Universe.
May you have the respect for your own individuality and difference.
May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the facade of your life there is something beautiful, good, and eternal happening.
May you learn to see yourself with the same delight, pride, and expectation with which God sees in you every moment.
Namaste'

CRANE POSE - OPEN TO NEW POSSIBILITIES

I have been trying to master crane pose for the past 5 months, with very little accomplishment....On Monday in YTT class we learned how to teach the pose, sooooo.....

I taught arm balancing poses today in the two asana practices. One at Snap Fitness with four beautiful women who were open to new challenges...thank you for opening yourself up to new possibilities.

Then I taught to an 8 year old girl at the women's shelter who is totally amazing and willing to take on any challenge. She went into crane so easily, and was just beeming with her new knowledge and accomplishment. I bet she will be practicing it all week!!! I was delighted to see her pride in herself....

My fourth occurance this week (3rd today) with crane pose was in the yoga class I attended as a student....hmmmm, do you think something/someone is telling me to finally make peace with this pose? It's a journey, for sure!

We Are Unique - June 9, 2011

I love teaching yoga outdoors! Beautiful women sharing their practice this morning, breeze brushing our faces, birds whispering in our ears and the traffic buzzing by - as everyone reaffirms that they are unique.

Blessing of Solitude by John O'Donohue in Anam Cara: A book of Celtic Wisdom
May you recognize in your life the presence, power and light of your soul.
May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.
May you have the respect for your own individuality and difference.
May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique, that you have a special destiny here, that behind the facade of your life there is something beautiful, good and eternal happening.
May you learn to see yourself with the same delight, pride and expectation with which God sees in you every moment.

Flying Warrior - Superman

What a busy day...Taught a 7:15 am class at Snap Fitness, topped off with a noon class at the women's shelter - and had 4 kiddos today in class, and one mom. It was lots of fun pretending we were Superman while doing Flying Warrior. I loved how creative I became teaching kids - as I totally misplaced my sequence - and didn't want to stay in panic mode....what a great learning experience. The kids had fun, as did the mom...they practiced breathing and even joined in the chanting of OM!!!
I spent the rest of the afternoon with my three grandchildren - going to a movie - X-Men and then to Olive Garden for dinner....

I am soooooooo blesssssssed!!!

AMAZING - YOGA FOR TENNIS - PRACTICE

Yoga for tennis players this morning at 7:00 am....I love those guys....they add a little (and some times a lot) of laughter to the 30 minute practice. I was so impressed when I was explaining to them how to get into Virabrahdrasana II and one of the guys wasn't understanding, and another guy looked at him and said "Warrior II". OMG, they are really soaking the teachings into their minds. I am so blessed to have them all in my life!!!

Maybe one day they will let me take their picture, so I can post it on my blog-keeping my fingers crossed!!

A BIG THANK YOU

I am teaching my second practicum (out of 3 total) tomorrow at the Casa Grande Art Museum. My dear friend and beautiful yoga teacher, Lauren Margison, will be observing me teach. I am excited to come one step closer to completing my yoga teacher training (YTT). One month left until graduation. I want to thank all the people who have made this journey with me, my facilitators at Spirit of Yoga (Southwest Institute of Healing Arts) - Christy, Astara and Walter. My yoga teachers, Nora, Lauren, Susan, Robin and Laura for helping me through this journey with my questions and the opportunity to observe and assist in their classes. My friends and family for putting up with 'everything yoga' and for being guinea pigs in my practice classes. And a big thanks to my husband JR, for putting up with all of it (practices in the living room, mats strewn all over the house, yoga notes everwhere, books piled up in the bedroom, and for keeping the gas tanks in the vehicles filled all the time (that is really huge for me). JR, thank you for supporting me in this journey. Thank you to Against Abuse Womens Shelter for the oppportunity to teach and thank you to the women who have shared their practice with me.
Thank you everyone...I love and appreciate you all. I am truly blessed in all areas of my life.