tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64573840534095955822024-02-22T02:47:52.285-08:00Bikram Teacher TrainingMy experience of 9 weeks of Bikram Teacher Training - otherwise known as yoga boot camp, along with the amazing, gratifying outcome of achieving this feat!
Join me for the adventure, April 6 - June 7, 2008 in Acapulco, Mexico!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-60891325274055356292008-12-31T20:45:00.000-08:002009-01-01T22:51:19.837-08:00End of 2008 and End of Yogabootcamp Blog!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFH32chtWCvs0ehzhbgKp_S1zCCkLDJQ4pLM0Ezs6D4-LHl_lsxMjRaF-TZEJmjM1KJqWk6RBhseL5ETVBLH7EdwR3ySHO06LSfg3ymJUYgxO7xIWxTOiI0-2IXT16aV9PgzFrnw_q8FlG/s1600-h/IMG_9577_2_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFH32chtWCvs0ehzhbgKp_S1zCCkLDJQ4pLM0Ezs6D4-LHl_lsxMjRaF-TZEJmjM1KJqWk6RBhseL5ETVBLH7EdwR3ySHO06LSfg3ymJUYgxO7xIWxTOiI0-2IXT16aV9PgzFrnw_q8FlG/s320/IMG_9577_2_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286553741206018386" border="0" /></a>Well, the year is over - and wow - what a year in terms of yoga for me! A year ago, I had just finished up my first 60-day challenge after getting serious about my practice a mere 3 months earlier...and then the decision to go to training...and then actually GOING to training...and now teaching since June. I could rattle on forever, as you all know, but I won't. I'll just wrap up the year - and this blog (I'll have a new one...see below) - in this post.<br /><br />There is a lot to say - about the yoga, about teaching, and about my practice in particular. I am happy to report I still love the yoga, without question. I want everyone to do it but I realize (now) that it's not for everyone, though ideally that decision is made after giving it an honest go :) It continues to be a thread of goodness that weaves through my life in many, many ways - on and off the mat. I'm honestly grateful for it.<br /><br />Teaching is a whole journey of a different kind. It is at it's most basic level - at times - a job. Other times, it's the most amazing experience - giving the yoga to people who want, need and love the yoga is a privilege I truly enjoy. Sometimes it's exhausting, other times it's energizing. Sometimes I just don't want to go to work - but I love teaching. I have evolved so much already, and I realize it's just the tip of the iceberg. It's so much like my practice in so many ways - ebbs and flows, easy and hard, focused and not-so-much, seemingly flawless for mere moments followed up by feeling like an utter disaster...but always with a strong dedication and effort which I can hold my head up and feel good about. I've taught many classes - I'm not sure exactly how many, but somewhere around 125 or more so far...<br /><br />My practice - wow. I did 294 classes this past year, that of course, with the influx of 100ish at training. I seem to average about 5x/week without too much negative impact to my body or schedule or mind. That said, some weeks it's not enough, other weeks, it feels like too much. So I give myself permission to do what feels right - being honest with myself and limiting my lameness around being lazy or just planning poorly. My postures are coming along, and my focus has been really good over the past couple months. I'm setting goals for 2009 - a few around posture-specific stuff, a few around habits. I think it'll be good. And it will.<br /><br />One thing related to both aspects is that Jill is now dedicated to doing Bikram yoga 4x/week, sometimes 5, but very rarely less. It's fun to take class with her, or have her take one of my classes - and it's nice to have someone at home who's into it, simply put. She's really into her backbending, and is working on her Standing Head to Knee, and it's fun to watch her progress.<br /><br />Where to from here? Well, since this blog was really intended to detail my teacher training experience (and, well, I can honestly say I think I got'it done :) I'm going to close this blog out with this post. I'm going to keep writing about the yoga, it's impact on my life personally in terms of taking, teaching, and how it all impacts my body (in many ways, including weight loss/maintenance), my mind and my life in general.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please join me there in the future:</span><br /><a href="http://www.yogajenn.blogspot.com/"><br />www.yogajenn.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />Yoga to the people! Thanks for reading :)<br />Namaste.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-74487206461754925842008-10-12T23:22:00.001-07:002008-10-13T08:26:01.822-07:00Acapulco Day 8: Sunday (the end...)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1eS7K4ZITQ0KwMCYwIi1qpXSV-vwBAABaqVNQsINX2RgrNZJKjP-VeWRJnM6kuqywdW3se_wRmXCeTwSd2hTn7DIdFMce-EeCMe2kOCmEUvfiGyJOeaormaZF3pjhHpp99B1r2qttjwy/s1600-h/IMG_1478.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1eS7K4ZITQ0KwMCYwIi1qpXSV-vwBAABaqVNQsINX2RgrNZJKjP-VeWRJnM6kuqywdW3se_wRmXCeTwSd2hTn7DIdFMce-EeCMe2kOCmEUvfiGyJOeaormaZF3pjhHpp99B1r2qttjwy/s320/IMG_1478.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256658179012615458" border="0" /></a>Advanced class!!! I did it, first off. Finally, after wanting to try it for a long, long time, I did the Advanced Series and lived to tell about it!<br /><br />Secondly, I did it with Christian, which was so cool since we did our first Bikram class together back in September of 2006...he recently went to Jason Winn's weekend advanced workshop, so he was excited to get to do it again so soon. Anyhow, it was just 6 of us, 3 who have done it extensively, and Kylie, from Brisbane, who was also doing it for the first time. Can I just say: IT WAS SO COOL. Teisha and Dale taught, and were so generous and supportive of us all, giving us time to really try each one - we took the better part of 2 hours, when 90 minutes is the goal - super kind of them to take the time though, I appreciated it so much, because I've wanted to do it for so long.<br /><br />Here's why, and Christian had said this and I'll second it: You get to feel like a beginner again. That is, you're doing postures thinking, "No way in bloody hell will I EVER be able to do this one. No way. No way." I remember feeling that in the beginning series back in that fateful first class with Nina, and guess what, I can do all of the Beginning class relatively respectably. Second, it was crazy to experience FEAR again - there were a good handful that I could feel my fear stopping me. I think fear in yoga is normal, at first, it might even be wise - your body is telling you that perhaps you aren't strong enough to do something safely. But, usually, I think fear is just that: Fear. And I felt it! Crow, I'm always worried I'll break my wrists. Headstand - what a different view of the world. Handstand? Hopeless....for now. And you know my takeaway in terms of my own practice? Joy! Joy to have a new set of challenges, material to work on, to practice, to grow into.<br /><br />And as a teacher? What better way to re-visit the experience my students are having when they show up for their first Bikram class. To relate to how they feel when they first see someone do Fixed Firm when their knees are screaming; or when they look at Eagle with utter confusion, and you can see that look on their face that says, "No f'ing way, man." Such a good reminder of all of these things - that it's easy for the teacher to say "Don't scare" but you know what? It's still scary sometimes!!! And overcoming fear, learning patience as your body slowly grows into a posture, whatever it is for you - it's your practice - and it's good for me as a student and a teacher to be reminded of all this. Now, if someone in Seattle would just please please please start holding advanced!!! (We're working on it in a grass roots kinda way, but no luck yet :(<br /><br />From there, Christian, Kylie and I had lunch and I headed out to the airport, got to Houston, and then hopped on my flight back to Seattle.<br /><br />Final thoughts on the trip?<br /><br />- I'm so glad I went back, esp. while training is still in Acapulco. It was important for me to revisit my experience in the same environment/space I was in as a student. (It's rumored to be moving again, to Palm Springs is the word on the street).<br />- I loved it! I loved supporting the students as a peppy visiting teacher and hopefully providing a little relief/support to the hard-working staff.<br />- Oh, and I did get a good appreciate for that too, the staff and how incredibly hard their jobs are too. I figured and always felt that they must be exhausted too, and indeed, it's true. Those are some hard jobs they signed up for.<br />- It was great to get to take 11 classes from senior teachers, as well as getting to do advanced.<br />- Posture clinics were super fun to do, and helped me revisit the dialogue myself, and re-commit to some things I'd drifted from already.<br />- It was fun to be a teacher, have choices, visit and talk to other teachers and experience the whole thing from a different point of view.<br />- How was it compared to my training? Again, I don't think you can compare. I think there have been some really positive changes made, and at the same time, I can't imagine going through training in a way different from what I experienced. I am sad for this gang not to have Craig, who for me was the person who pushed me on and off the mat in a way I will always be grateful for; but that said, people get what they need and I expect the folks in training now are getting what they need.<br />- I enjoyed my Huevos Rancheros at the buffet everyday, I cannot tell a lie.<br /><br /><br />I'm excited to get back in the hot room as a teacher - I've got 8 classes this coming week which will be great! I head to yoga-less Arkanses in about 10 days with Jill, and we're there for 10 days - so that will be a total yoga break and that will be ok. I've been hauling ass on the yoga since September 1st, and it's been great, but a little time away always makes the heart grow fonder for it, at least in my case :)<br /><br />Hit your mat soon if you haven't lately!!! :)<br /><br />p.s. A few favorites heard this week in classes....<br /><br />"Time is over."<br />"Think of it...."<br />"All your life you pull someone else's leg, now you learn how to pull your own heels..."<br />"Get your f'ing hips DOWN."<br />"Nothing happening."<br /><br />And one last thought - I really didn't remember Bikram himself using so much of the dialogue, verbatim. Over and over in his classes this week I was shocked and surprised at the amount and detail of the dialogue coming out of his mouth. With added color, of course :)<br /><br /><br />--<br />Pix: Christian & I after Advanced; and a few final images of the pretty sunshine in Mexico, and random shots from TT, including Chunky & Kimi, the resident Golden Retrievers; Todd with Orange Jug; and me and BJ, who practices at my home studio and is kickin' ass and takin' names at training!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQodk5zFw0ViUBLC6o4jBkGPBjKQR9smuwzoin5Cdq24N611GHHdja1rDqlUFp6g5LLUEP2RFUckf2t0nX7MrJPD9xRnt3NMZxoFJfG-zcro7lIO8Eau_xO3JOvO5lk8ndUCiXehbFvP5h/s1600-h/IMG_1420.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQodk5zFw0ViUBLC6o4jBkGPBjKQR9smuwzoin5Cdq24N611GHHdja1rDqlUFp6g5LLUEP2RFUckf2t0nX7MrJPD9xRnt3NMZxoFJfG-zcro7lIO8Eau_xO3JOvO5lk8ndUCiXehbFvP5h/s320/IMG_1420.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256658172889555970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCpNRPriu9P7t-zDdAvz9ND02XuJpsIaXp1b-dDG2H5c66dzPWF9TxKcTj5h_ES4S8wdwzfWhyphenhyphen4i0Lp972e9vTHpwf1_WwDTjXVC0uuzCDddspQanXhDiJ6hp7vsi7HYAlxIvzQ7BfkGq/s1600-h/IMG_1466.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; 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float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHe3KUwz2MlokfHlF3CVmVxDVn5twIQIB8L0Km1le4WMirGf_GsTLjMi9JF4HpQIls7CUtsPTfXl5wxBbw4iZ7yueSGM7RIdlo4XKpK6WSH4BfuSXf5-AjXZoUdUFloPB0CQeNs86qlBv/s320/IMG_1248.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256658758210696306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97fdhEtC1iyGT91a81G0WMEprvfp7KuQWd-vjC6FsHih-LdatbNSnr4nNxoftgYsA1PBYNlvJkLe9rFkki8XiJYHowjsDlXtldzYT-TaaxeyNcMgHUOZnfJPkdyb0ijvq_qXXbd1TjjNi/s1600-h/IMG_1259.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97fdhEtC1iyGT91a81G0WMEprvfp7KuQWd-vjC6FsHih-LdatbNSnr4nNxoftgYsA1PBYNlvJkLe9rFkki8XiJYHowjsDlXtldzYT-TaaxeyNcMgHUOZnfJPkdyb0ijvq_qXXbd1TjjNi/s320/IMG_1259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256658769741856002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sf59HZSyCYtB8yJGxWe6_U-GDixr6b-zqdH0gn0eYjT0deHes7ZUbclft0aKrTzZ2Hoj6JAJSACvBfv1U73xffvR8H1dhxixep4KpRE7F25pQBhLr9Os1xEctTDvXMUYMUcl3qedhgkk/s1600-h/IMG_1261.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sf59HZSyCYtB8yJGxWe6_U-GDixr6b-zqdH0gn0eYjT0deHes7ZUbclft0aKrTzZ2Hoj6JAJSACvBfv1U73xffvR8H1dhxixep4KpRE7F25pQBhLr9Os1xEctTDvXMUYMUcl3qedhgkk/s320/IMG_1261.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256658772537667122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF36Fc9wCrRCY4CX8dwk3VAc1ncfJaywac0VW0jj3y8wKytaMAu5eoCxTWGBCGX3SxFjrv26VMzFPWxmitNiRzamnnGHlHF3C5OF-ss1BxxzKlp6UUI2g29GU0RTK358t1SqZNoN95pxwH/s1600-h/IMG_1272.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF36Fc9wCrRCY4CX8dwk3VAc1ncfJaywac0VW0jj3y8wKytaMAu5eoCxTWGBCGX3SxFjrv26VMzFPWxmitNiRzamnnGHlHF3C5OF-ss1BxxzKlp6UUI2g29GU0RTK358t1SqZNoN95pxwH/s320/IMG_1272.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256658775088050162" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-74663070033297426262008-10-11T23:17:00.000-07:002008-10-12T23:21:23.863-07:00Acapulco Day 7: Saturday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq4hnPQFAmrrbrpsGRy6jWT4CBZQYoHs-XoykHpVArJBF7MdAaZb5VDjpGitJ2OFb1np2fnPeRtUAVyHO9iW49JeAUzg5mZ6EfvcniFSlTWUNJK6CyDLWjVZ_OMUGN5LKbXMz1fD3GLDH/s1600-h/IMG_1455.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq4hnPQFAmrrbrpsGRy6jWT4CBZQYoHs-XoykHpVArJBF7MdAaZb5VDjpGitJ2OFb1np2fnPeRtUAVyHO9iW49JeAUzg5mZ6EfvcniFSlTWUNJK6CyDLWjVZ_OMUGN5LKbXMz1fD3GLDH/s320/IMG_1455.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256519210520225730" border="0" /></a>Well, Saturday Todd did me the honor of going to morning class with me...most likely because there isn't an afternoon class on Saturday. It was the 3rd class with Marlin for the week, and it was good. The hard thing about Saturday morning is that no one wants to be there. It's the last "i" to dot and "t" to cross for a day and a half of glorious freedom, and it just feels forever (as I remember it). At the same time, once class starts, it's easy to just focus on the fact that in 90 minutes, no one owns you for nearly 48 hours! What joy! Still, Saturday classes bring a combination of frustrated, angry, tired and just plain lame energy.<br /><br />And, let's couple that vibe in the room with the *wicked* sore throat I awoke with. Oy. I brought a cough drop and drank more water than I even wanted to just to soothe my throat. It was by far my lamest class of the week, but I did it! All 11 classes, which was my goal and commitment to myself in return for the spending of $$ to go. Plus, I must say in the end, a week of doubles felt like pure luxury! It was the only thing I actually *had* to do; normally I ain't got that kinda time, you know? I'm usually running between teaching and clients and my practice and my girlfriend and my friends and my family and and and...so to just have a week to do yoga, help out with posture clinics, and kick it with Todd watching trashy TV and eating pretty decent food, well, I'm feeling grateful!<br /><br />Another super exciting event was the owner of a local affiliated studio was visiting, and I was able to meet with her and land some classes (finally!!!) at an affiliated studio! I'm really excited and will begin in November, initially plugging gaps in the schedule, and then hopefully getting a few established classes going forward. We'll see how it goes! My next step now is to look at my big picture and perhaps start to limit the number of studios I'm at in the near future, which will also hopefully make room for some of the new kids coming up from training.<br /><br />Mid-afternoon Christian arrived and had lunch with Todd, and then he and I visited by the pool while Todd continued his quest to beat my score on Wurdle (didn't happen, fyi). Then the three of us went to dinner at our favorite, 100% Natural, which we all agreed tasted far better when we were in training than it did this trip :) Everything is relative, I suppose. From there, we just all headed back to chill out and do a little packing to go home.<br /><br />At some point I ran into Louis (staffer) who told me that there was ADVANCED CLASS IN THE MORNING! I nearly screeched with joy! I have wanted to do advanced ever since the day after we graduated, when it was offered but I was too...er...tired/hungover/beat up from training to drag myself there. I've kicked myself for missing the opportunity for a long time. So, tomorrow, it's my first Advanced Class! Yay!!<br /><br />---<br />Pix<br />Me and Todd after our last class together; Half Tortoise set up; me after class; Todd with his companion, my iPhone, playing Wurdle; Room 712, the room I lived in for 9 weeks in the Spring; Todd & I NOT all sweaty on our way to dinner; Christian being a goofball with his longed-for 100% Natural Pineapple with Camerones!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJWcX1AapuFwkAPgBx0-N2nrcMTFU_PAWw_1d6Ga8kF6OITiT74ubeZRHCyju23KeTykFOsn4wofgGuUhUrM0wROuOmR8D7QFls44UrIUtpfsONcGwWzq_7lmlqTdinq1xRDLdM73sP9Y/s1600-h/IMG_1457_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJWcX1AapuFwkAPgBx0-N2nrcMTFU_PAWw_1d6Ga8kF6OITiT74ubeZRHCyju23KeTykFOsn4wofgGuUhUrM0wROuOmR8D7QFls44UrIUtpfsONcGwWzq_7lmlqTdinq1xRDLdM73sP9Y/s320/IMG_1457_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256519210380739282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRqU9xuStlshrsrEWRton2CBrhyphenhyphen3OjzQffQlTi_KMXTsE5Ifg-dSI-jbkNcmA2TQA2TvJBvEBkgmHZI3jYPYSIsnvpgNojVGyOaK6FtiPuwHzbzEpviTi8ErBm5igLnrhtihuTF4FlYjG/s1600-h/IMG_1447_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRqU9xuStlshrsrEWRton2CBrhyphenhyphen3OjzQffQlTi_KMXTsE5Ifg-dSI-jbkNcmA2TQA2TvJBvEBkgmHZI3jYPYSIsnvpgNojVGyOaK6FtiPuwHzbzEpviTi8ErBm5igLnrhtihuTF4FlYjG/s320/IMG_1447_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256519209880952930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzIpSFmbslSAfCh1W0o0qIYquMRigwUUXKnUwlvx4gEMGKtCK5yyURc-OD1pPUlc9P6lcxWMI1Ix5m4Oz0cBhjfwL6cqopXRMRYFIJiJVQCHsyWPIYJWzJmeCpT2KBcpKEsUGc5kPc9VC/s1600-h/IMG_1459_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzIpSFmbslSAfCh1W0o0qIYquMRigwUUXKnUwlvx4gEMGKtCK5yyURc-OD1pPUlc9P6lcxWMI1Ix5m4Oz0cBhjfwL6cqopXRMRYFIJiJVQCHsyWPIYJWzJmeCpT2KBcpKEsUGc5kPc9VC/s320/IMG_1459_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256519218347183730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD0OFt56g6YwDOjGR-KvfIuCgJe01WPmeibIc9TqMCJsdQO8MWyr87L9KJjKORgKzWkM-mQXMs7-y1J2nQJ_5boT2aZL7N9zDlnwDo2jCbKhgrrxbTDuDwy-pygzsudOEF6iMmpH0RNoB/s1600-h/IMG_1463.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD0OFt56g6YwDOjGR-KvfIuCgJe01WPmeibIc9TqMCJsdQO8MWyr87L9KJjKORgKzWkM-mQXMs7-y1J2nQJ_5boT2aZL7N9zDlnwDo2jCbKhgrrxbTDuDwy-pygzsudOEF6iMmpH0RNoB/s320/IMG_1463.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256519214287081314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z2Qb5x1Cw2EokMwfOMb4PZ9NBEHG02lL0YjXw6RtWh6weQR1Ccq2k9_IZbdgmacmCagYTYHp2eNXEypZvQ5Z4srelrF-j8V10x4toGqiTgopUfniUir9S9sUKaFMHLhYKShKo8ReDeM_/s1600-h/IMG_1469.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z2Qb5x1Cw2EokMwfOMb4PZ9NBEHG02lL0YjXw6RtWh6weQR1Ccq2k9_IZbdgmacmCagYTYHp2eNXEypZvQ5Z4srelrF-j8V10x4toGqiTgopUfniUir9S9sUKaFMHLhYKShKo8ReDeM_/s320/IMG_1469.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256519321527801954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyTSnVOlpuRRXWX6Q2SghJnIae8L1yf8TpFAvcCNE_eNNzzkX6UCm564sqKpaSV3QvKL1Gjg7hDB9LLFgmSYqc0gaUE5SVQsY12vywrqrNLABZe_8B693eIG620JW44YlsuFXEbBsEtpS/s1600-h/IMG_1472.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyTSnVOlpuRRXWX6Q2SghJnIae8L1yf8TpFAvcCNE_eNNzzkX6UCm564sqKpaSV3QvKL1Gjg7hDB9LLFgmSYqc0gaUE5SVQsY12vywrqrNLABZe_8B693eIG620JW44YlsuFXEbBsEtpS/s320/IMG_1472.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256519330856765186" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-36312591078313758562008-10-10T21:50:00.000-07:002008-10-11T19:57:35.537-07:00Acapulco Day 6: Friday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGtbt5_vAhy4ZvLXP-Ds-rhcuQMhDFlY8fLgstFMsaq4STBQrasrigXidtsPSuDyqLGVayRJKufCm1iCNkg1sC14_UWJJ-TQbBVDmpkSq35J20-Wd17zrqM8gNYEguVj7KRnad6HQq1ww/s1600-h/IMG_1439.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGtbt5_vAhy4ZvLXP-Ds-rhcuQMhDFlY8fLgstFMsaq4STBQrasrigXidtsPSuDyqLGVayRJKufCm1iCNkg1sC14_UWJJ-TQbBVDmpkSq35J20-Wd17zrqM8gNYEguVj7KRnad6HQq1ww/s320/IMG_1439.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256095765621377714" border="0" /></a>Friday already! I'm so sad :( I can't believe my week here is about to come to a close - it went so flippin' fast, I can hardly believe it! Today was really just more of the same. Morning class at 8:30 was pretty damn hot, but I had a decent practice. Marlin taught again, and I liked her class more this time. First time was fine, this time was just better. Then I came back, fetched Todd and we went to lunch before heading to Posture Clinic.<br /><br />We both participated in Posture Clinic this afternoon - my group finished up Separate Leg Stretching and started Triangle. I again was with Louis who again gave me ample opportunity to participate. We essentially took turns, alternating whoever went up. Both groups I had (ironically) had before, so it was cool to see people developing and getting better at it.<br /><br />Afternoon class with was with Bikram. I went in and noticed a crazy gap in the room, right in front of the podium. The last night he taught, the second row was sparse and he was like, "What is up in Row 2? Did someone shit there or something!?!" And was not happy. So I asked a staffer if we should have people move up to fill it in, and indeed, he agreed. So Todd and I helped with moving people up and over - this kind of action has really helped me "see it from the other side" as it was not at all a 'power trip' (and hopefully our asking/directing people to move did not make it seem like one). Rather, it was just a respectful (re: wise) thing to do to help ensure a good (mood) class. And in the end, class was a lot of fun - I had a really strong class and it felt great. I even rocked Triangle, which seems like a small miracle these days. It again was pretty sweaty, but Bikram told the class after Pranayama that they'd have the night off if no one sat down, and no one went out of the room....<span style="font-weight: bold;">and they did it!</span> So, tonight was a night off - a huge morale boost to say the least. <span style="font-style: italic;">(NOTE: Later, two of the gals I moved who I knew were strong but did *not* want to be moved told me that they had the best class since they started, and being in front of him helped bring out their best. I told them it was proof, that we all get exactly what we need at training!)</span><br /><br />Todd and I took out BJ from my studio and her roommate, Cheri. We went to this little Italian place off-site which was perfect - a few minutes away, something different and tasty, but didn't take up too much time since we're all pooped from the week. One more class tomorrow morning, and possibly one on Sunday. It's been really fun to be here, and I'm sad it's over already, but I'm also excited to get back to Jill, my life and teaching and all that!<br /><br />---<br />Todd and I outside after afternoon class - it was already DARK! :( Me, below, after morning practice and my mushroom/truffle oil risotto at dinner. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih169UKj7tHschG1paaxDh89zmXgqL25ei-8GAUc3S0BG7iOvLut6xn-RkANFcAR-nLm-pjK2QbkCVOEj1uGmDZRoJAqjW4oMzAz1_nuG1XRaJ5nZKlDNNtyx6kZz0yhlpr5_LmQ1ISQ9m/s1600-h/IMG_1436.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih169UKj7tHschG1paaxDh89zmXgqL25ei-8GAUc3S0BG7iOvLut6xn-RkANFcAR-nLm-pjK2QbkCVOEj1uGmDZRoJAqjW4oMzAz1_nuG1XRaJ5nZKlDNNtyx6kZz0yhlpr5_LmQ1ISQ9m/s320/IMG_1436.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256095760130511522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77HJH-M29w1tngQe2Pvwssp686bM51cNhrqm06eudWU9JcMpFhQ1Nw2R6Jp2GgDTji1EB9P5QlUuLOza1IA4u9i1JnIoSbJlQay-VfrSOKYodHVGgnSj82ZWq4BqtIWuW4X8t1uxktvz4/s1600-h/IMG_1444.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77HJH-M29w1tngQe2Pvwssp686bM51cNhrqm06eudWU9JcMpFhQ1Nw2R6Jp2GgDTji1EB9P5QlUuLOza1IA4u9i1JnIoSbJlQay-VfrSOKYodHVGgnSj82ZWq4BqtIWuW4X8t1uxktvz4/s320/IMG_1444.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256095768341305042" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-70494875540333165652008-10-10T08:48:00.000-07:002008-10-10T09:01:32.388-07:00Thunder & Lightning in Acapulco<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxk7s9uXLvm_cROBgcPKBXGGMsiBhjCfbCs4gT8lv8WlWZx_kfNhwEyFduIBZVu1AEsPiz4Zqh7ab5BerMJKA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />A little taste of last night's storm over the Pacific Ocean in Acapulco, Mexico last night.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-83775207722143357562008-10-09T20:31:00.001-07:002008-10-09T20:48:40.111-07:00Acapulco Day 5: Thursday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotf2UNxdh5cLs-GCG3ui9JhPgYUK19f8c_cxIjqXU6fNzu5SMBMnHdWrVXlwaoeB5YcfN401FPteOItp7XJ6vfuLn45tQsD_tzcPlZIkU8tN1gnfBOyY8gOBmBsnNYw7yb-3YjAGnBb0R/s1600-h/IMG_1350.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotf2UNxdh5cLs-GCG3ui9JhPgYUK19f8c_cxIjqXU6fNzu5SMBMnHdWrVXlwaoeB5YcfN401FPteOItp7XJ6vfuLn45tQsD_tzcPlZIkU8tN1gnfBOyY8gOBmBsnNYw7yb-3YjAGnBb0R/s320/IMG_1350.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255365758190916546" border="0" /></a>Ahhhh... a day of rest. Sort of.<br /><br />Today I got up for 8:30 a.m. practice, Todd again opted out :( so off I went on my own. Diane D. from Boston who is an amazing teacher taught. The room is now outfitted with 13 fans and the back doors are opened up around the balancing series and kept open. Today, I didn't get my usual sweat on (my hair wasn't soaked all the way through even) but I did have a really nice practice. There was a new student in the room and I was close by so I got to assist her a little, which was really fun (I realize I've really missed teaching!!) It was a nice class, though my hamstrings are soooooo tight, and for the first time in an eon, I "felt" my hips in fixed firm, which never happens for me. Ouch!).<br /><br />After lunch, Todd convinced me to stay with him today and hang out at the pool. We first made a quick Wal-Mart run, walking over and then cabbing back with more water and a few other odds and ends. Then a few hours by the pool which frankly, ended way too soon. We were off to 5 p.m. class with Bikram.<br /><br />What a fun class! Bikram was pretty serious, but for me, I just had a really nice, solid class. He made all the women sit and had all the men do a 3rd set of Balancing Stick, commenting on how this is a terrible posture for men and they can't do it, adding that they can all easily do Rabbit, which many women are terrible at. Thankfully, he did not make all the women do and extra set of Rabbit. :) Todd was along and made fun of me as I had on a new outfit with the tiniest bit of green in the pattern, so he kept telling me I looked like Kermit the Frog and was sure to be called out and sent home. Nice. Afternoon class had a nice heat - hot but not debilitating, but challenging good heat - still with circulation due to the fans and open doors. My hair was appropriately soaked through by the end!<br /><br />The group is moving along in their process. Way fewer people leaving the room, improved (but still a fair amount sitting cross-legged vs. in Firm pose or savasana) discipline for many when they do take a knee or lay down, and a few still cramping up and/or having very emotional releases who do step out of the room or too the back.<br /><br />I felt a bit guilty not doing posture clinic today, but it was nice to just do the yoga and enjoy a little of the nice weather! I cannot believe it's already Friday tomorrow, and I'll be doing my last double. I plan to do Saturday morning class, lay by the pool all day and I might even be able to squeeze in a Sunday practice if I'm well-prepared! It's very interesting being here on the 'other side' and it'll be interesting to see how I look back on it and how it impacts my teaching once I'm home. For now, I can say I have a new dedication to Standing Head to Knee and Standing Bow dialogue, after hearing each one about 50 times! :)<br />----<br />Above, a big sweaty post-p.m.-yoga hug with Todd; Katie & BJ from my home studio; Me after morning class with semi-dry hair; Todd and I by the pool; and there are those new, ubiquitous FANS IN THE ROOM!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvikkXv9MVH8ZAmmr-UzEZNjgNCk7b9n2LSPCSSq5_6BmAZ8eCdJG_nKc-UzKILdo2OuB8Yv9KBIvxaLtk5v-0_rydMSZCDnN12CsZ5CGGj8XFLXgwlvanYzHozwRiT4mVcNtRFiRkRRWE/s1600-h/IMG_1316.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvikkXv9MVH8ZAmmr-UzEZNjgNCk7b9n2LSPCSSq5_6BmAZ8eCdJG_nKc-UzKILdo2OuB8Yv9KBIvxaLtk5v-0_rydMSZCDnN12CsZ5CGGj8XFLXgwlvanYzHozwRiT4mVcNtRFiRkRRWE/s320/IMG_1316.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255365539859836530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG51SxcKrnRiOvldAKBx6nrKSDsXVZl0frhKhzFtPvnA1ehGqbM3iIb4_MjaZqfFbG4r2tFsFLcfLSRB57xEAtOzLLRidRwdpmZt9iFs1hoPVEDxHDOV1XK9Z3NNbRV8mTePq-hmMaqcLR/s1600-h/IMG_1319.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG51SxcKrnRiOvldAKBx6nrKSDsXVZl0frhKhzFtPvnA1ehGqbM3iIb4_MjaZqfFbG4r2tFsFLcfLSRB57xEAtOzLLRidRwdpmZt9iFs1hoPVEDxHDOV1XK9Z3NNbRV8mTePq-hmMaqcLR/s320/IMG_1319.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255365540881916418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-PehygC5mlopmi20JO-8shaNxwuMvbIyHSYWDMo478xD3CeLba8UIJsuXhx6_HnYxqfdaJLaLx0gm2ANDQFGmVjlUTiXqot9wA3jb6i4LUzv6rx4u549xpFaMYUSuBv6mTPwU8AXVE2f/s1600-h/IMG_1327.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-PehygC5mlopmi20JO-8shaNxwuMvbIyHSYWDMo478xD3CeLba8UIJsuXhx6_HnYxqfdaJLaLx0gm2ANDQFGmVjlUTiXqot9wA3jb6i4LUzv6rx4u549xpFaMYUSuBv6mTPwU8AXVE2f/s320/IMG_1327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255365540594030114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddkKLZCvMAz0hNW_sOu0SVkPnZhv-2SHE3ik1Se-DCEpHoHFiw3ZgSLGWG6E1IH7b54PkGPNgoJoXC0dnUYiSuNvmAbKcGWj1jElbWE5RsptPmD0H3uF0R4BUI0lTSqWDFoiBD33-E9mE/s1600-h/IMG_1329.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddkKLZCvMAz0hNW_sOu0SVkPnZhv-2SHE3ik1Se-DCEpHoHFiw3ZgSLGWG6E1IH7b54PkGPNgoJoXC0dnUYiSuNvmAbKcGWj1jElbWE5RsptPmD0H3uF0R4BUI0lTSqWDFoiBD33-E9mE/s320/IMG_1329.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255365544562867986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_oP2zeDFxv7LE54XzwuWQZfZXVILFFGtWApCbo0n6FFT6YVW8HaxqOTM_b3oTZtPG4qy712KUlz1r_7fm-X4WCp7l4fdboYcxiP8RjcnDvhWlho4reABY8XkvicX3v_iA9Yu7Mg4CBGB/s1600-h/IMG_1337.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_oP2zeDFxv7LE54XzwuWQZfZXVILFFGtWApCbo0n6FFT6YVW8HaxqOTM_b3oTZtPG4qy712KUlz1r_7fm-X4WCp7l4fdboYcxiP8RjcnDvhWlho4reABY8XkvicX3v_iA9Yu7Mg4CBGB/s320/IMG_1337.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255365551900094226" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-33950045667774755572008-10-08T21:08:00.000-07:002008-10-09T11:20:10.995-07:00Acapulco Day 4: Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHzgS8aM6qeJVxqNW5J6I1IY4rS3s0b-3iHc17xykcCxm0jidhojCHZSfZsnMC7ahzumkUlTtvofR-vJ2dvZmVNyHtOthmhPfxkn2UFFek8FdEr_TiYwOPo0N5jwyxM3RjMJXQcZ8KUFR/s1600-h/IMG_1312.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHzgS8aM6qeJVxqNW5J6I1IY4rS3s0b-3iHc17xykcCxm0jidhojCHZSfZsnMC7ahzumkUlTtvofR-vJ2dvZmVNyHtOthmhPfxkn2UFFek8FdEr_TiYwOPo0N5jwyxM3RjMJXQcZ8KUFR/s320/IMG_1312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255220201888831922" border="0" /></a>Wednesday's over already and other than the day I arrived, and 1 hour otherwise, I've barely seen the sun! Today was more of the same - I did the morning class, sans Todd who opted to chill out today...I missed having him there, and instead practiced with Manali. It was taught by Mike W. from Houston, who is Marshall's studio owner. During my training, I wasn't in a good space when he taught and I didn't really connect to his class. However, today, I really, really enjoyed it. I also saw his influence on Marshall and told him that clearly, Marshall is a little protege. :)<br /><br />Lunch followed with some teachers and then I helped BJ (from the studio I practice at in Fremont) and a few of her pals with dialogue. I showed them a couple techniques - the round robin thing that worked for many (but not all) people; the first word/first letter thing that I did as well as the somewhat different version that Todd did...mostly just giving them a bunch of things to try to see what works, since everyone is different and what works is different for everyone. It's getting to the time when many who memorized at home are 'running out' of postures they know well, so many are having their first difficult delivery since they are entering unchartered waters. I just keep telling them not to worry, they will learn it, it will pour out of their mouth one day, eventually, in the future :)<br /><br />Posture clinic followed with one of the staffers, Jelena (Yelena). We alternated giving feedback and it was great fun - most of the room was on and finished with their Standing Bow Pulling Pose. It's amazing what you see from the teacher's seat - so much potential masked by nervousness and fear in many cases. I know that was me! I was so nervous almost every time, and afraid of not doing well, and sometimes knowing I went up there ill-prepared, all of it. It's nice being back so soon in that I 'get it' - I feel like it was me up there not 5 minutes ago. Everyone is doing great though, working hard, trying and getting (slogging?) through. You can really see how some of them are going to just be kick ass teachers as soon as they just let go and let themselves come out.<br /><br />Afternoon practice was taught by Marlin, a very old-school teacher whose been at it since 1985 (when I was in 8th grade!). She taught a relatively low-dialogue class as a result, because she is considered "pre-dialogue" - it was fun and now, the room has been outfitted with (wait for it) FANS along the top of the room, mounted there, 4 on each side and 4 on the back wall. In addition, the back doors are now opened around balancing series and mostly kept open throughout class. Not that I'd compare my training to this one, but man, I must say, there was a moment when I thought "I'd have given my first born for fans like this in my training." They said "Whoever complains that it's too cold will have a make-up." It was surely a different experience than my first few days here, and also in comparison to the Spring training.<br /><br />Todd and I just hung out for the evening time, had room service and watched some trashy tv. Super fun, I was beat and went to bed around 10 - another luxury I'd have killed for during my training! Bikram apparently lectured until 1 a.m. :)<br /><br />---<br />Above, Todd and I after a windy, fresh afternoon practice; below, me after my lonely morning class; my eggs being cooked up before my eyes; and a little pic from study time on the lawn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XrgIAf7GA_60FIRiGuj7k-G5wMdg8xN9RayJdeps9U767zUSg16iJHiY4XdNHDNZEn3GimBFl44VIb4CSgszba1fADXv_VZ7Ih4kdSLOt9hJPfVhs4JrMV_i65DWmtYkKQ8aa6sChSa-/s1600-h/IMG_1301.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XrgIAf7GA_60FIRiGuj7k-G5wMdg8xN9RayJdeps9U767zUSg16iJHiY4XdNHDNZEn3GimBFl44VIb4CSgszba1fADXv_VZ7Ih4kdSLOt9hJPfVhs4JrMV_i65DWmtYkKQ8aa6sChSa-/s320/IMG_1301.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255220195083749570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qcxU6nOEN-uaJGbPaMF07jmobYDd-VdgPYdrO7Ds-bg1kv2QSPNErQuj0lDMRv_jxxxolTYY0xiaZS-uyQShH3bzeNN1pVsdigfxzvcYWGY05o0Tg3rMdc12qrVnZf0nPOzPx248loLl/s1600-h/IMG_1304.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qcxU6nOEN-uaJGbPaMF07jmobYDd-VdgPYdrO7Ds-bg1kv2QSPNErQuj0lDMRv_jxxxolTYY0xiaZS-uyQShH3bzeNN1pVsdigfxzvcYWGY05o0Tg3rMdc12qrVnZf0nPOzPx248loLl/s320/IMG_1304.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255220199204870466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gK0jGzAOt0oGa39LOEeZPd7UWOF5ogU-P85mV03xDWz-f31SeJ2ZJO_LknG8wFtsO7m0t3a32bdYiJQ6NV8k-Xjh2NRJGSNNrHXkpBIcZ75o7to1t2cuieoOaKBKdaBAU8ekWerYjScF/s1600-h/IMG_1306.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gK0jGzAOt0oGa39LOEeZPd7UWOF5ogU-P85mV03xDWz-f31SeJ2ZJO_LknG8wFtsO7m0t3a32bdYiJQ6NV8k-Xjh2NRJGSNNrHXkpBIcZ75o7to1t2cuieoOaKBKdaBAU8ekWerYjScF/s320/IMG_1306.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255220203030860610" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-67533680252415115972008-10-07T20:30:00.000-07:002008-10-09T11:08:12.039-07:00Acapulco Day 3: Tuesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg8aRrK2QwoPXnruGIhpy7NFc4lFKb_BOrKk870kXTu6d7a2-yhQPou4bhPtketGmXQzm1F0TmP41x-G_ziRRfHFtaOgAS2TafKGmVDZRqnVFKWh-NMx3NhMK9z8LsG3X-ZhQOGF6VVxY/s1600-h/IMG_1296.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg8aRrK2QwoPXnruGIhpy7NFc4lFKb_BOrKk870kXTu6d7a2-yhQPou4bhPtketGmXQzm1F0TmP41x-G_ziRRfHFtaOgAS2TafKGmVDZRqnVFKWh-NMx3NhMK9z8LsG3X-ZhQOGF6VVxY/s320/IMG_1296.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255216880772973666" border="0" /></a>Today started with a killer morning class taught by David from Dallas. He started though, by taking time to acknowledge yesterday's difficult afternoon practice. As someone whose been through this, I really appreciate the leadership here and them really calling out the elephant in the room rather than leaving it dangling out there. He spoke about the fact that there was a deal to be made: They will fix the room, and in return, the trainees will work to stay in it (and work hard and dedicate to the whole thing, really). Also, he talked about how Bikram really took the time to investigate and as I mentioned in my last post, that he really "did his yoga" to understand the problem and fix it, rather than just react to the symptoms of it. David went on to teach a kickass class with some great tidbits and material that I grabbed onto in terms of using in my own classes :) The class ended with the group seemingly refreshed and ready for the day. It was a great turnaround, and handled really well.<br /><br />This afternoon I did a long posture clinic with staffer Louis, who was super fun to be with. We had two groups, and finished off about 10 Eagle posture deliveries and got through all but 5 Standing Head to Knee deliveries, taking turns giving feedback. He has a system whereby he would observe and give the feedback, while I followed the dialogue for accuracy and then captured his suggestions to the trainee in the record book, and then we'd reverse. It was fun getting to participate so much and get to 'fly solo' on a lot of them. After, I asked him for feedback on how I did and overall, he said that I come from a very genuine place, and my feedback was solid. I was actually a bit (er, or a lot) nervous, again, wanting to do a good job for the folks going through the dialogue process, because I know how stressful and hard it was for me, especially at this point - when the dialogue I learned at home ran out :( It's very humbling to be on the other side, and I must say I now appreciate the proctors we had more, and also understand more about some of their decisions and discipline in a different way. I think times we thought they were being mean to us, they really were just protecting the delivery environment for the trainees...<br /><br />Classes are going pretty well - no lie - they are HOT and hard. Todd and I are next to each other, or have been so far, which is fun. I'm diluting Pedialyte into my water, and drinking a reasonable amount (just like in my training, I always seem to have enough water left to share as needed with others on the lawn after class :) There are moments, and I've had to catch my breath here and there....plus, in the back rows, you aren't surrounded by people (energy) in the same way - the lines are nearly empty, so it's easier to lose focus. For me anyhow, it is. That said, tonight's class was fantastic - Gregg on one side, Todd on the other - both giving me occasional shit and making class feel light and fun. This morning was an ass-kicker and really challenging for me - that's how the yoga is though, you don't always enjoy the classes that yield your biggest return. It's amazing how it's been relatively easy to just jump back in, partially I'm sure because it's one week, not nine! :)<br /><br />Minimal pix today:<br /><br />Morning class, and Todd's with his toy. Us above, as I joined Todd in his outdoor post-class savasana on the lawn.<br />---<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElAlulxhMnseT2pMzBDcLp2sCrQ1B4CzEGI8A0x7ac2YLZ8Iz7_39Xv2d_RqdxK8Vn5KUeVkEgqf0dxdivGC-J5uCvAoZu4gOT_NJjqk4lFbtkjnVElpjcOin8a8LNPZPK0m2lNp8JNz6/s1600-h/IMG_1292.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElAlulxhMnseT2pMzBDcLp2sCrQ1B4CzEGI8A0x7ac2YLZ8Iz7_39Xv2d_RqdxK8Vn5KUeVkEgqf0dxdivGC-J5uCvAoZu4gOT_NJjqk4lFbtkjnVElpjcOin8a8LNPZPK0m2lNp8JNz6/s320/IMG_1292.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255216876324955794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfPp4A2lq7WtKFBMpjEJy7SYP1EVWjDyjsxORbq6WDEqc1x7U3NLObzRXWRXku_I8-cGVz0MLs8xr76HwpAR-q_s-L0y8kKbELmCec6eMLE4jRA3cmf5dSkWBZ2cuz4Ctg-anjigPDnyw/s1600-h/IMG_1299.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfPp4A2lq7WtKFBMpjEJy7SYP1EVWjDyjsxORbq6WDEqc1x7U3NLObzRXWRXku_I8-cGVz0MLs8xr76HwpAR-q_s-L0y8kKbELmCec6eMLE4jRA3cmf5dSkWBZ2cuz4Ctg-anjigPDnyw/s320/IMG_1299.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255216877146637938" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-55281336702078879532008-10-06T21:47:00.000-07:002008-10-08T08:30:22.694-07:00Acapulco Day 2: Monday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AYpIKlCo-YuLiEkwMkQqSpuzp0vV-DFrZ_SLWkTn2hGQFJGsB0ajHpGIOFQawH1dngiEmodGg9rKHKsTFewBo39KscgMvC_ltWGpYrhFBfe_n-sMOGutnTw0muoOI84Fv8jKjTMwDr44/s1600-h/IMG_1250.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AYpIKlCo-YuLiEkwMkQqSpuzp0vV-DFrZ_SLWkTn2hGQFJGsB0ajHpGIOFQawH1dngiEmodGg9rKHKsTFewBo39KscgMvC_ltWGpYrhFBfe_n-sMOGutnTw0muoOI84Fv8jKjTMwDr44/s320/IMG_1250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254573225967161042" border="0" /></a>We got up around 8 to go to 8:30 class, due to my inability to properly set an alarm. Probably because Todd is hogging my iPhone since I (regrettably) introduced him to Jewel Quest 2, which now occupies a lot of his time. :) Imagine our delight at not having to sign in :) Anyhow, the morning class was great - realistic heat and that same'old humidity that we all grew to know and love here at TT. I got through class pretty well, with reasonable water and no major issues, feeling good afterwards. I must say though, walking into the building, smelling the smell of that space/room, it gave me a little wave of nausea which was odd since I never threw up or anything when I was in training. Still, perhaps it was just the memory of the whole thing...and its intensity.<br /><br />Next we hit the buffet at Chula Vista -mmmmm! We ate with Gregg and Manali, who were both in our training and are now on staff. It was fun to see familiar faces and catch up on the nuances of this TT so far.<br /><br />Then, we went to the lecture hall and got to introduce ourselves to the group. I said a few things, just the basics, totally forgot to say I was from Seattle and call out the Seattle kids - BJ, Linda and Katie - mostly because they told us about 3 minutes before that we'd be doing it. Then, Todd took to the mike and introduced himself, ending with the fact that "in case you didn't realize it, this is Jenn of Jenn's blog..." which embarrassed me and I gave him a good punch in the arm! But, in a way it was good as bunches of people have said hello and given me a chance to talk to people and engage more. One said, "It's good he did that - there are so many visiting teachers sometimes you just lose track..." The trainees then took their anatomy test and Todd and I hit the pool for a bit. At 2, I went off to do my first posture clinic as a teacher...<br /><br />What fun. Really. The posture clinics are very supportive and focus on giving people homework. I started out with David from Dallas, and then he had to go see Boss and Marlin from LA came in. After a while, I was invited to give feedback and it was really cool. It was harder than I thought, and I recall how as a trainee, we all hung on each teacher's every word - so I considered how important everything I said potentially could be to each person. At the same time, it was really an honor to be able to help and be on their side, and also just seeing the folks who were clearly 'naturals' vs. those who were struggling with a variety of things - memorizing, anxiety, etc. and targeting feedback to each person's current ability/performance along with their potential.<br /><br />The evening class brought an interesting experience it turns out, not even the older, seasoned teachers have had. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bikram left the room with frustration after half-tortoise. </span>There were a lot of people leaving, and it was blazing crazy hot (even for this room, Todd and I were both struggling but had kept up to this point). I do recall thinking, "<span style="font-style: italic;">There is an actual din of crowd noise coming from the lobby...</span>" which illustrates how many people were out there. In the room, people were dropping like flies. My training had one crazy class like this, but I think we fell apart later in the class so though he was not happy with us, we did finish class. Anyhow, after, the mood was very, very somber. Everyone was working hard to welcome Boss back after he had been away over the weekend, and instead he was livid...<br /><br />But here's the cool part: He did his yoga, as one senior teacher put it later. Bikram asked questions, investigated and found out that all the senior teachers and experienced practitioners were in agreement that simply put - something was/is up with the room. In the evening lecture, he told the group, "This is not your fault" and proceeded to call the engineer who built the room from Mexico City to catch the next flight and look at things. He said in the Spring training (mine) the room was not this bad. I can't say what my opinion is, as it was my first day in the room and any struggles I had were chocked up to that...but get this - we later found out the humidity in the room, intended to be around 45% - was <span style="font-weight: bold;">97%</span>. Good lord!<br /><br />Anyhow, the whole event ended up just fine, but it was a rough day for the trainees, as it sucks when Bikram's feelings are hurt because he doesn't think he's being taken seriously. And, in the end, it turned out very cool that he realized and was able to let the class know that while in some cases, some people may need to work a bit harder/address patterns, overall, there is a bigger issue at play.<br /><br />And as for that lecture, I'll admit to bowing out after an hour to get a good night's sleep, because, well, I can and was tired. Todd and I both are just taking it day by day in terms of our participation. I hope to get a little sun at some point, but I'm really learning a lot by participating!<br /><br />p.s. We had to change rooms - long story - and ended up in a non-view room in the Princesa tower, rather than the killer view room we had in the main building. Still, it's just fine!<br /><br /><br />--<br />Me after morning class; yoga room; my standard brunch; Gregg; Evening class; and Bikram lecturing...from the teacher's seats in the back. And, our former view... :(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JN9DXE7Ugb9H1kLwIf7nCuKosubdSj7s9V8gxG3oZGbukfsP4VVruMq79XP7Z1UgKeIIVZ9Ye62raMb7_1suHgPkoWiu5JaN7ZhmWd1UpmCULzspB7_IWw0XTavZNtTgJu15k0h9wu9O/s1600-h/IMG_1258.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JN9DXE7Ugb9H1kLwIf7nCuKosubdSj7s9V8gxG3oZGbukfsP4VVruMq79XP7Z1UgKeIIVZ9Ye62raMb7_1suHgPkoWiu5JaN7ZhmWd1UpmCULzspB7_IWw0XTavZNtTgJu15k0h9wu9O/s320/IMG_1258.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254573073052375490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoeR9aC9bVNfLXdn8_cEp5QP8DUoPEscNoUgwS9MnlntjfXXa3YizvjEzv-lebQyU4V35g-zBgRMV2_FiWV59C1ivtt07Q9lafF2r5vZzSMs8zZHFdYY5q6Uz6qPVMyQhMPA9PUrE9gNg/s1600-h/IMG_1259.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; 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float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcy-RcxjkZ0I_m0pgFDZBqMK2-WiwCOtjdR7mmqWHEy0VRgzTLV95wpNMXBdfYxy6wcxnsUojb9EDq12lHmJstb5TXoWN1vtnyI0scVWHt4_zkZuUofjqfRJZuxaqL8Y6kxEO21GgTQkpj/s320/IMG_1273.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254572755827777554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaRG3Q4P85vaSsNKZKBI4OfWh23tZndk6RZcxThJ7YdhmvBWOatAYSxC0HON0iN8RzyyyC-f8F2hCMURlXD0WQXSN57rdBQtwwJUwSc7U3TPu-3L2n-xnyJ2WzO1G2vXOEfUzzT15giEl/s1600-h/IMG_1276.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaRG3Q4P85vaSsNKZKBI4OfWh23tZndk6RZcxThJ7YdhmvBWOatAYSxC0HON0iN8RzyyyC-f8F2hCMURlXD0WQXSN57rdBQtwwJUwSc7U3TPu-3L2n-xnyJ2WzO1G2vXOEfUzzT15giEl/s320/IMG_1276.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254572756693424866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo797LfNyDVzKGjSiIkfddVfSqA5JrSiOF3scLyEnZl1QTpng4mC8psRtmsNibvQ1vPYaeHO2gDxWLCjKHtTFq75knAs8577AkYQIU6OBLlkB6PLDJEZ0OodBoxZsv7svDG_DQ3y6CYUk4/s1600-h/IMG_1284.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo797LfNyDVzKGjSiIkfddVfSqA5JrSiOF3scLyEnZl1QTpng4mC8psRtmsNibvQ1vPYaeHO2gDxWLCjKHtTFq75knAs8577AkYQIU6OBLlkB6PLDJEZ0OodBoxZsv7svDG_DQ3y6CYUk4/s320/IMG_1284.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254572758538975458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitGeOhrDcKlY26KI4oMizrsuEOZ_VTKoor6BT0eAXDjB7i1aIDdheRsq44O5fWRS_n4c0x-0kArmLNyfz-cYeMsouH_Ie146y2FDbY9dXezQJ7hMmJlHW_wWAtrHtHeFekr4FiEqD5x3K/s1600-h/IMG_1286.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitGeOhrDcKlY26KI4oMizrsuEOZ_VTKoor6BT0eAXDjB7i1aIDdheRsq44O5fWRS_n4c0x-0kArmLNyfz-cYeMsouH_Ie146y2FDbY9dXezQJ7hMmJlHW_wWAtrHtHeFekr4FiEqD5x3K/s320/IMG_1286.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254572760429873970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeoKCwE6prcFnVRfVgWVZos8cPyaOct9yA5nHckrTEef17QRpEAzWuv4qRAr5UxSfb71UBO2j3gnRQYoSBtcGFOxqjVzvfJm2xHdRCtatRxTVoUWJFsBQQ58sQq9E4TziRxbcDMbsiGGx/s1600-h/IMG_1290.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeoKCwE6prcFnVRfVgWVZos8cPyaOct9yA5nHckrTEef17QRpEAzWuv4qRAr5UxSfb71UBO2j3gnRQYoSBtcGFOxqjVzvfJm2xHdRCtatRxTVoUWJFsBQQ58sQq9E4TziRxbcDMbsiGGx/s320/IMG_1290.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254572760680030386" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-2154901743546728832008-10-05T22:42:00.000-07:002008-10-06T21:13:51.005-07:00Acapulco! Teacher Training Re-Visit: Day 1, Sunday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3i0rmj_imnGQ8LWK9ct0big8ga8sf2pV5p-KwzrAnlwZMTXjAJliQkqqCjGWOW9PLj2e1iLzV72G3wtgoaLvw8t_tzU4bggGIEK3mfzo0TwkLYdJEs3Z1uvhk0vl9D23BaGdp0SAOzRa/s1600-h/IMG_1237.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3i0rmj_imnGQ8LWK9ct0big8ga8sf2pV5p-KwzrAnlwZMTXjAJliQkqqCjGWOW9PLj2e1iLzV72G3wtgoaLvw8t_tzU4bggGIEK3mfzo0TwkLYdJEs3Z1uvhk0vl9D23BaGdp0SAOzRa/s320/IMG_1237.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254252773909335842" border="0" /></a>Back in Acapulco! It's surreal in a way...but let me start at the beginning.<br /><br />I got here around 2:30 p.m. or so and Bikram had been on my flight. It was fun to see him right off the bat. After arriving at the hotel, I found Todd in his usual spot by the pool and got settled into a really nice room in the main tower, facing the ocean. We hung out by the pool and caught up. I almost immediately met a handful of folks who are blogging this time, as well as a few people who read mine. Super fun to put faces to names and facebook pages. Anyhow, we then headed to dinner at 100% Natural (a TT favorite) and then took a crazy cab ride to the Mega (big local grocery) whereby Todd insisted on sitting upon MY lap in the front of the tiny car that had 5 Mexican packed in the back already. Upside, it was just a buck for the lift. :) (See photo)...<br /><br />We grabbed water, Pedialyte and some limes and headed back for the 9 p.m. teachers meeting. I'm psyched about the bevy of cool senior teachers here this week - including Lynn W., Diane D., and Mike W. - along with others I don't know very well. The format for helping out was gone over, as well as staff roles and responsibilities. A lot has changed, and fundamentally, a lot is the same.<br /><br />It's hard to write without comparing. I don't wanna be all, "We walked uphill to the hot yoga room both ways in the snow" about this training versus mine in Spring. And it's not that way - so I'll call it out now: It is not comparative, rather, it's just different, and overall, I have minor-to-no opinions about the differences. Some are downright good things though, I will say that.<br /><br />So, those who went with me are dying to know the changes, I'm just guessing, because I was. So, here's what I've got for ya, in no particular order:<br /><br />- They sell not only Bikram Yoga clothes - but SHAKTI!<br />- You have to carry your towels to the top of the stairs and outside now. Hot and heavy, and not in a good way :)<br />- They play music *before* class as people are getting set up...random artists...<br />- You are not permitted to puke or cry (heavily) in the room. You are required to leave and talk to staff in the lobby. Todd wondered what it would've been like to leave each and every episode ! He said, "I'd have never been in the studio!"<br />- Posture clinics are very supportive (like ours) and more focused on - specifically - 1 or 2 things to work on for next time. It seems more about learning to teach the dialogue than making sure you didn't forget to say "nicely" in "feet together nicely." Again - not complaining - it just seems like a positive change.<br />- The food is better - the Asian-esque food is way better.<br />- People, it seems, are not out and about as much - seems they are studying in rooms or secret places we have yet to find. The lobby and pool seemed stark in comparison to how it was for Todd and I.<br />- The staff is a 100% change - no one on staff from our training. We keep trying to figure out who is in what role, exactly "is she the new Rowena?" :) They're all great, just a totally new lot.<br />- The hotel staff don't seem as overwhelmed and many of them are the same (the old taxi guy at the front; the woman with funky glasses at Chula Vista).<br />- There is a new mall out this way! Todd seems especially excited - there is a movie theater which would have been cool to be able to see a flick without having to go all the way into town.<br /><br />Otherwise, the Wal-Mart and Mega are still standing :) I plan to do classes tomorrow and help with posture clinic and just see how it is from the other side of the table. Being open, and seeing how it all unfolds, just like my own training :)<br /><br />---<br />Below: Me, our view, and Todd.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9-pXrQLHaK0TqiN3HigY1gNLSA0t1c-1mf06cIw_s8RrjKalFSY6etn6mYnoNCRTsd52_SJWfsdz1SJKcKpIwnUPmmK_je9px3LxjDoPWhJi4ngInQTTpXVaz1kPGT5aJwON_MtUO3wG/s1600-h/IMG_1220.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9-pXrQLHaK0TqiN3HigY1gNLSA0t1c-1mf06cIw_s8RrjKalFSY6etn6mYnoNCRTsd52_SJWfsdz1SJKcKpIwnUPmmK_je9px3LxjDoPWhJi4ngInQTTpXVaz1kPGT5aJwON_MtUO3wG/s320/IMG_1220.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254252774265268050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3il71AHQCaWc2xXZIyLXAUqF33ykE6KkRix-sTASvUUlb_-8zhCjxRekhGRYCDyJ_7agCcV2rkGSAcfu_8AWFOWVOZWBOG5XPaAq1QFwSWjLsP8pBPitlaHo6Ha89tBItAFV5EKaM4tj/s1600-h/IMG_1224.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3il71AHQCaWc2xXZIyLXAUqF33ykE6KkRix-sTASvUUlb_-8zhCjxRekhGRYCDyJ_7agCcV2rkGSAcfu_8AWFOWVOZWBOG5XPaAq1QFwSWjLsP8pBPitlaHo6Ha89tBItAFV5EKaM4tj/s320/IMG_1224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254252773934087714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSL-ZM0YRHe7vX_eKRYBDEGzd7ZlpbgDGYxKOSq3QGwDct6_eoOojKwyv6HJogzbLjjD1sLDFB_rp-5ehn7HdNXmazUVAYcFtu_ikeJIBtD5UoBUWQfh0wov4OXSm8rAaqNxJzYmy3XGi/s1600-h/IMG_1231.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSL-ZM0YRHe7vX_eKRYBDEGzd7ZlpbgDGYxKOSq3QGwDct6_eoOojKwyv6HJogzbLjjD1sLDFB_rp-5ehn7HdNXmazUVAYcFtu_ikeJIBtD5UoBUWQfh0wov4OXSm8rAaqNxJzYmy3XGi/s320/IMG_1231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254252774441277266" border="0" /></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-15670586777575875732008-10-04T20:36:00.000-07:002008-10-05T08:39:04.245-07:00Visit in Houston before Acapulco! (Updated)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeK0CJ8YYtrIY9iDQ7vzjGi8j8XFbrSov4JBvQHfQ0JRHjMfFi7RKe7TPdP4HvNaUP8o06A7Z8_1geuD6NO3g5b5UmBLJNjPE6-H_ejAwP4VXtCw02lIkJEs76Y7X4wrfIIhxgrTsCMoj/s1600-h/marshallsherrijenn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeK0CJ8YYtrIY9iDQ7vzjGi8j8XFbrSov4JBvQHfQ0JRHjMfFi7RKe7TPdP4HvNaUP8o06A7Z8_1geuD6NO3g5b5UmBLJNjPE6-H_ejAwP4VXtCw02lIkJEs76Y7X4wrfIIhxgrTsCMoj/s320/marshallsherrijenn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253512013835653250" border="0" /></a>I decided I had a little more to say on this post, so here is a more detailed version...<br /><br />Well, I'm here in Houston visiting Marshall, of Group #14. We were good pals at training, and I thought it'd be fun to see him while I was on my way to Acapulco and Houston is an easy path to Mexico. I arrived yesterday and we went straight to 4:30 class together which was super fun. We had a big, wet, sweaty hug at the end of class! So fun, you can really only do this with teacher training friends, and maybe a girlfriend :) However, when I walked in the studio, the teacher, Therese, was like, "Oh wow! It's <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span>!!!" - apparently a reader of this here blog.<br /><br />I blushed, I felt it. And then panicked a little - and this is a little worry for my trip to Acapulco...I know a lot of folks read my blog and know me, or think they do....and to a degree, it's true. But I'll admit it's a little weird for me - mostly because I don't necessarily feel that same connection to folks who read this - I mean, I love y'all (I can say that, <span style="font-style: italic;">y'all</span>, I'm in Texas) - but I haven't read months of posts of your daily life! An then, the pressure in class - to perform, to be a (perfect) yogi in class...oy! It's not a complaint, just an observation of something I semi-expect when I get to Acapulco - and at the same time, it'll be fun and easy to talk to people and hopefully be a help to some folks as they embark on Week 4 - not the most fun time. Still, I think in the end, I don't want to let anyone down on my mat or off of it; and not that anyone should (or actually even does) care, it's my stuff and it'll be interesting to explore how these feelings unfold for me while I'm in Acapulco.<br /><br />After yoga-soaked (pun intended) dinner conversation after class, we came back to his place and hung out. Today we got up and took Sherri's 8:15 a.m. class, another person who was in our training! Her class was spirited and peppy as expected.<br /><br />We then bummed around Houston, my first time here - and then took a rest, and then <span style="font-weight: bold;">I got to take Marshall's 4:30 p.m. class!!</span> He is as incredible teacher as expected, and his class was really well done. He has a command of the dialogue that lets me connect to it in a meaningful way, which I appreciate a lot. It's painful when the dialogue sounds like a recitation; his decidedly does not. And he is, as those of you who know and love Marshall know, a dialogue <span style="font-style: italic;">machine</span>. One fun thing that happened was when he had a new student try to leave the room after the first set of Rabbit (!!!) and he threw up his hands, smiled and said, "Hey, where you goin'?" She said, "I just need to step out. It's really hot in here." (LOL!) So then he said, "It's better if you stay. C'mon everyone, help me get her to stay!" And he started to clap for her a little and people just started calling out to her "Stay!" "Don't go!" "It is better!!" and she shrugged her shoulders, smiled, returned to her mat, and finished class. It was a brilliant and cool way to deal with it, without scolding her and in a way that gave her confidence and snapped her out of her attachment to her discomfort. <br /><br />And of course, we have had many spirited discussions about dialogue, about specifics of the dialogue that um, perhaps I struggle with :) and Marshall is a by-the-book kinda guy...and I'm a slightly defiant kinda girl. Not that bad, but it's hard when you're 'raised' in a non-dialogue studio by a super-experienced director whom you respect a lot. And while overall I am committed to the dialogue, I honestly do struggle with some of the nuances, which Marshall defends to the death, and it's fun to hear his way of thinking about things because he is super smart. One day, eventually, in the future, he might convince it me it's better to say "charge your body forward..." before "kick your leg back and up..." in standing bow. Maybe. Overall, it was super fun to reconnect and be with him, geek out about yoga, practice together (for both of us, it's so great to be next to not only another teacher, but one you practiced next to a lot at training), and of course, to see a little of his world here in Houston.<br /><br />And, it was a great jumping off point to Acapulco - hot here, humid, loads of yoga and lots of fun geeking out about it! I did 3 classes in 24 hours at two different studios, with everyone knowing I was a teacher, and Marshall by my side or overseeing me as a teacher - so I was 100% on my best behavior :) Not that we shouldn't always give 100% on the mat, but, somehow it amps it up when you know on some level, you're being observed with expectations - expectations I fundamentally have for myself, but don't always um...execute to the fullest of my capability, like anyone, I have less-than-100% classes. So, the result here was 3 super-focused classes in a much higher humidity than I'm used to, one that felt super hot and two where the heat felt like a friend. Love that. Anyhow, onto Acapulco, where Todd has already sent me a bevy of emails telling me about how it is different now than it was for us. I can't wait to see for myself! I'll be posting daily.<br /><br />By the way, I plan to close out this blog at the year's end. I will have a new one, rattling on about teaching and practicing Bikram and possibly other yogas - but the purpose of this blog was to explain my personal experience of Bikram's teacher training, teaching afterwards, and then closing the loop with this visit back to see it from a teacher's angle. I do, however, want to write just a bit more of perhaps how this visit influences my teaching over the November and December. :) For now though...tomorrow morning I will enter Bikram's Torture Chamber, where I will kill myself for 90 minutes hopefully 11 or so times this week!<br /><br />p.s. Marshall, Sherri & I above.<br /><br />p.s.s. Marshall started his class with, "Good afternoon y'all; let's do some Bikram Yoga!" Y'all. Cracks me up. :)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-15690552165614138052008-09-23T14:24:00.001-07:002008-09-23T14:55:25.295-07:00The Work in this Yoga is Never DoneThose of us who practice Bikram Yoga, which is I assume most anyone reading this, know the work is never done. I was thinking about this in my morning practice today - after two days off; one by choice, one due to a 12-hour workday that didn't allow it (both of which I plan to make up by doing doubles). So, I didn't want to go, but I got there. This yoga is like running a marathon- an analogy I used when I was at training. Sometimes, I find I really, really push myself - it's like I'm there with a cattle prod pushing and pushing and pushing. And then days like today, I feel like I'm there to just encourage, give myself a big virtual hug and just let the class unfold, without the pressure of performance or achievement - but just the goal of <span style="font-style: italic;">practice</span>. Period.<br /><br />These kinds of classes feel very 'young' - like I feel like I'm just a little kid trying hard to do this thing and it's ok, because I'm there and I'm trying and no one is monitoring my success but me. Other times I do feel like a big bad grown up who <span style="font-style: italic;">can and should </span>push to do more and do better, and I'm accountable to the teacher as well as myself in a heavier way. And I guess the point is (yes, I know you were waiting to see if there was one...) you can't be one way or the other all the time - like you can't sprint a marathon, but you sprint portions and then you rest and then you get in a groove, etc. Sometimes, I imagine I'm somewhere in between - just plugging away, doing the yoga, in a groove.<br /><br />And part of me is anticipating - which is a no-no, I know - but I'm anticipating the torture chamber. The love and hate. That room that didn't win, but pushed me to new places within myself and my practice. That room that allowed me the privilege of teaching this yoga, with confidence and credibility. That room. And this time it's just one week, and I have a choice to be there or not. Going back reminds me of how it feels to revisit a place from the past - where you had a first kiss; or saw someone just before they died; or simply put - where something big happened to you that changed you forever more. And I want to be ready but I know deep down you can't be ready for That Room. You can prepare and set yourself up, but like the yoga itself, expectations are a bad idea in that you just never know what you're going to get. So, for now, I'm practicing daily to be strong and feel as physically and mentally prepared as I can going in. Just a couple weeks now!<br /><br />Also, I'm re-reading my blog for the first time since I got home from TT. I'm reading it daily along with the students who are there now, and it's interesting and painful and fun to see what and how I experienced things while they were happening. Since returning, it's been easy to romanticize TT to some level, remembering the good and forgetting the bad like you do when you speak of the dead or after childbirth. Re-reading it is like reading an actual daily life diary - reminding you of the realistic aspects and nuances (good, bad, otherwise) of the experience. It's somewhat cathartic and it's especially cool to be doing it now, when I've amped up my practice over the past month. I'm enjoying the current students' blogs too, it's like the same only different...<br /><br />Teaching is good - I've had a 5-day break this week due to some work stuff that came up, and kind fellow teachers who picked up my classes. I teach again Thursday and next week, then I'm off to visit TT, back for about 10 days where I've packed in a lot of classes, assuming I'll be super-energized from TT, and then off again to Arkansas to see Jill's family. We come back November 1st, whereupon I hope to just nestle into Seattle for the winter - teaching, practicing, working and playing inside while it's gray and rainy outside!<br /><br />p.s. I updated my Bikram Yoga Calendar application on Facebook back to the beginning of the year (!!!) as I keep all my practices in my Google Calendar. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Anyhow, to date this year, I've done 234 classes</span>. That's 21,060 minutes of yoga. Or 351 hours. Or 14.625 days. There was an illness or two in the mix, out of 266 days this year I've only left <span style="font-weight: bold;">32 days yoga-less</span> (though there was this 9-week period of doubles....). Super cool. Makes me want to try for 365 next year, but that's a bit lofty.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-31136966443633612552008-09-17T18:42:00.000-07:002008-09-17T19:09:31.537-07:00Fall Teacher Training Is in Full Swing!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR56c4QwarT4NaKMfiTg5i_oEd4qrN2mLAP0JrngXTrRJnCw6-X-dcViNq9xKDUOTkMaRO69ZfHfx4pLAyQ4U2fONmWTRHKyNs3-8QLWiw4rmJhS07E7VJcPP57Rleya74HvNfhLEjlff2/s1600-h/postyogagroup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR56c4QwarT4NaKMfiTg5i_oEd4qrN2mLAP0JrngXTrRJnCw6-X-dcViNq9xKDUOTkMaRO69ZfHfx4pLAyQ4U2fONmWTRHKyNs3-8QLWiw4rmJhS07E7VJcPP57Rleya74HvNfhLEjlff2/s320/postyogagroup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247175659850083378" border="0" /></a>I've been having fun reading blogs and re-living my own experience at TT. In fact, for the first time since being back, I've been going to back and reading my blog in tandem with the new training class. It's amazing the similarities already, and truly, it's so interesting to me how overall, the experience is kinda "the same but different." People are going through the first week issues - dehydration, adjusting to the room (heat/humidity) and managing their own expectations of their personal experience - which is <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>easy, because we all want to go and be a rock star and never get sick. It's the same, only different. The group experience, I mean, seems to be the same - of course each person's experience within that group is different. Anyhow, I added a link list of the blogs I've found so far. Feel free to comment with any others!<br /><br />In other news...<br /><br />I've been teaching a lot and that's been good and fun. My studio director, who is a non-dialogue senior teacher whose practiced 30 years and taught for 20, is teaching again these days so I've been chasing down his classes and learning loads about my own practice and about the postures. It's been a breath of fresh air, since overall, there isn't much opportunity for mentoring here in Seattle, or at least not that I've found. Anyhow, each class he teaches I get new material for my babbling in between postures, and it's nice to also grow in my own practice to better understand what I'm learning.<br /><br />Practicing is going well too. I've taken to doing ~2 solo practices each week - one bonus of teaching - access to the hot room whenever you want! So, in between my 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., I do my own practice and it takes about 1 hour, 10 minutes. It's been super cool to have time to work on things that in normal classes I can't. I can re-adjust myself and do an extra set or hold it longer. It's like I'm going to a trainer, and then going on my own other days to apply what I'm learning so I can do better next time we meet. It's been great - and right now, I'm able to stay really focused and engaged in it; that may wear off one day, but right now, it's working. Oh, and I put on a (music) CD too. I suppose that is breaking the rules in some people's eyes, but it's so groovy for me to sort of experience the Bikram in a different way once a week or so. I'm on track for my 53-day-ish challenge!<br /><br />More sooner than last time, hopefully. :)<br /><br />Photo above: Lucy, Kevin (studio owner) Yu, another teacher, Joyce, Lynn, me and Christian, all from Spring '08 training. Lynn is Lucy's dad - she lives here in Seattle and he was visiting.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-9822558864212873482008-09-07T17:09:00.000-07:002008-09-07T17:14:28.557-07:00Going to Acapulco - Again!Well, I bought a ticket. I'm headed to visit Teacher Training in Acapulco for Week 3, from October 5 - 12. Todd will be there with me, and I'm super excited. In fact, on Thursday I started what I hope to be 53 practices between now and my trip to Arkansas with Jill on October 22. If you can imagine, there is no Bikram yoga there. :( So, daily until I leave, then doubles while I'm there, and daily when I get back until we depart. Before Acapulco, I'm going to stop over in Houston to visit pal and fellow Group#14'er Marshall - take his class, hang out and all that. I won't be around Seattle for much of October - but I'm excited to re-infuse my yoga enthusiasm!<br /><br />Teacher training from the angle of being a teacher will be interesting too. I'm hoping to learn even more, as well as help the current students however I can - if only by being a smiling, happy face. :) And will I blog it?? Of course! :)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-38143092512009019782008-08-28T09:59:00.000-07:002008-08-28T10:12:22.788-07:00Dementors at 8:15 p.m.Last night, while teaching my 8:15 p.m. class, I had a moment where it literally felt like a dementor (ala Harry Potter) showed up and sucked the living life out of all my students - somewhere in the awkward series. And there I was, a stand-in for Harry himself having to find a way to breathe life back into 16 people. And then once they were 'back' it happened again. And again. Up and down, up and down....<br /><br />This seems to be a late-night class phenomenon. What is funny is that often, breathing at the beginning nearly knocks my socks off! The energy is amazing, often I think people are just so happy and proud of themselves for getting to class at that hour. I know I would be, practicing that late after a likely long day. But then the truth sets in, and the long day aftermath hits, and the energy plummets awfully fast. This is no diss on my students, let me be clear, but as a teacher, it is so interesting to me.<br /><br />And to the students, who knows - most of us in class truly have a personal experience. Sometimes, as a student, I do notice the room feeling really bright with energy or happiness, and conversely, I have felt days where it feels sluggish or just tired in the room. As a student, you just refocus on your own practice and let all that other stuff in the room go. But to observe as a teacher, and to feel a responsibility to help the situation or fix it, it's a whole different story.<br /><br />So what do you do? Well, I'm learning - still a new teacher. So last night, I let the folks know that though all the heaters were on, most were set to "fan" not to "heat" and that I was aware it was the 3rd class in a row in the room, and the room was plenty hot. I cracked a window here and there. I gave a pep talk or two and joked around a little bit to lighten the mood. But mostly, I just kept the ball rolling and worked to keep my energy up in hopes of lifting theirs. I think in the end, that's about all you can do in those situations. It is a little scary, truth be told, to feel like your class is falling apart in a way - but in my mind, I just say to myself, "It's your job to not let that happen. Adjust something, make them feel cared for and show that you are paying attention to them!" When I'm suffering in class, personally, it's amazing what a little acknowledgment from the teacher will do to pick me back up. ("I know you are all working so hard, you're doing great - stay with it!" etc.)<br /><br />What about you? What does your teacher(s) do to bring you back from the dark side??<br /><br /> I'd love thoughts from other teachers or other students on this one! It's just like the yoga, a continuous process of learning and growing and trying out different things :)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-23038878863295542362008-08-15T08:53:00.000-07:002008-08-15T09:10:09.403-07:00Just over 2 months out from TT...and here's what I think:It's been just over two months since I got home from teacher training. And as expected, my thoughts and experience around teaching continue to morph, grow and change. Let me give you the lay of the land - well, my teaching land - first.<br /><br />So far, to date, I've taught just over 30 classes - keeping in mind I had about two weeks off in there, I'm right where I want to be. On average, I have around 6 classes/week now, and as of mid-September, I will have 4 solid classes that are mine, and the possibility of a couple more. I find with my business, contract jobs and fitting in my own practice, 5-6 is the right number. I want to love to teach, I want to truly "bring it" every time I walk in the room, and I don't want to resent it, or my students, just because I'm overextended. So, to that end, I'm feeling really good about quantity of classes in terms of how it maps to<span style="font-style: italic;"> quality</span> of my classes. Spot on, for now.<br /><br />I love it, by the way. I have had some amazing experiences. For example, the other night, I taught 8:15 p.m. after teaching 6 a.m. & 9:30 a.m., helping my mom all day in between after a medical procedure, and I was pooped. I didn't want to go, I called every sub I knew but no one could do it. So I went, cheered up and just decided it would be good (with kind encouragement from Jill and Christian). I got there and had 12 people. Sign in was a breeze - no money exchange at all, no new people at all. Somehow, I managed to learn everyone's names. Awesome. And then I started and the energy in the room nearly blew me away - I felt like I was floating from all the good, happy, energetic, positive vibes flying around. The heat was perfect, hardly anyone had to take a break but enough did that I knew it was hard enough/hot enough. By the end, I was so incredibly grateful to this particular group of students - though I was there to serve them, it was them who served me in the end. I felt amazing, they all seemed so happy and cheerful on the way out - everyone wins :)<br /><br />So this is what is happening now. Now that the dialogue is fairly solid; now that I can notice common mistakes and help with corrections without missing a beat or leaving people hanging; now that I walk in confidently and feel ready, prepared and capable of teaching. Now, I feel like I belong there, and I'm allowed to be there.<br /><br />That all said, there is so much to work on. I still study my dialogue because you do lose it if you don't - I will find phrases I realize I've not said in two weeks! Oy! Shame on me. I also still need to figure out how to deal with droves of new people all in one class. One of the less tangible challenges is when the room is full of mixed up crazy energy - when most in the class are *not* focused, lots of fidgeting and what not. Despite reminding everyone and even occasionally calling it out, I still find some classes are very disjointed in terms of energy and I'd like to contnue working on the skills to close that gap, not for me, but for them. Having practiced in that kind of class many times, it can be so draining, especially if you happen to be right on the edge of a rough/unfocused class yourself. In those cases, I know I look to the teacher to manage the room and get things in sync.<br /><br />Logistically, I'm in good order. I remember back when I started doing Bikram yoga, I would take an eon to prepare, make sure I had all my little thingys to be ready. As a teacher - same thing - I had this little bag with everything you could ever need: toiletries, extra contacts, glasses, dialogue, a watch, blowdryer, curling iron, extra set of clothes, towel...goodness. Now, I throw on my clothes, make sure I can see (contacts or glasses), put the watch on and go. No need now for all that over-planning, I know I'll be ok with the basics. And there it is: Aren't we all just fine with the basics??!!<br /><br />----<br />Otherwise, I hope all is well. I know the next TT starts soon and many of your are gearing up to go! You are ready, trust yourself, trust your body, and be ready to experience whatever comes at you :)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-43375345148294066852008-08-07T13:07:00.000-07:002008-08-07T13:19:29.830-07:00Waiting for the 10 for $10 to End...I love new students. I get so excited for anyone venturing into the Bikram Yoga world, having their first class and getting the honor of guiding them through. I make a huge effort to give them attention and props, make sure they don't get hurt, and encourage them to come back ASAP.<br /><br />Well, summer is a slow time for Bikram here. So the studios come up with little specials to entice people in from the (rare, short-lived) Seattle sunshine. One of my studios has a deal where you get 10 classes for a mere $10. This causes a lot of people to give it a whirl, which is great - except they come in droves. Last night, my smallish 8:15 p.m. class of 10 people had 2 regulars, 4 people within their first 5 classes, and the rest - 4 - were first-timers. It made my brain hurt! I so badly wanted to give each of them the attention I typically can give to a newbie (usually one, or maybe 2) amongst a room full of regulars. I wasn't able to though, ended up going way over - in fact, for the first time, I skipped the second set of final stretching! A sin, but we were 5 minutes over at 9:45 p.m. and I just had to do something. It was also the first time I had someone leave the room, though I gave her the what'for and reminded the rest of the class why not to do that.<br /><br />Similarly earlier that morning, I had my 6 a.m. uber-focused regulars, and then at 9:30, the energy in the room was just all over the map! Three newbies - all super young (17, 18...) - and a few who'd only been a few times and then a couple regulars. This, the morning after teaching the class-that-was-to-be-power, with 18 people who had to re-adjust to the change on the spot. Oy! I feel a little wiped, and am glad I don't teach again until Saturday afternoon, one of my favorites to teach.<br /><br />I'm not trying to complain at all - it's just interesting the ups and downs of teaching, the curveballs I've gotten and the fact that they often seem to get hurled your way all at once. And, being a new teacher, it is challenging when in certain moments, you seriously have no idea what to do to deal with something, so you guess/do your best and hope for the best. I imagine more experienced teachers have a better sense of what to do based on repeated experiences. I look forward to getting more and more experience, so when these things come up, I have a little more of a handle on what to do and can feel good about it afterwards, and more importantly, the students can feel good about it :)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-90866032661816061692008-08-05T21:05:00.001-07:002008-08-05T21:52:14.138-07:00Aren't Rules Made to be Broken?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv7srurOKaKvZLNGD7jSKP5E_7MjFBwL3qqIgmXjWeYe5RX154KMTwY_pyhpbMRACVVeM1CQaPAGx6_MuL4MhxpvlaHjsjAwgmadzRwP5PKwYzavwm3Wl0RTcxxD6sbodaN0audAavpDN/s1600-h/IMG_0493.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRv7srurOKaKvZLNGD7jSKP5E_7MjFBwL3qqIgmXjWeYe5RX154KMTwY_pyhpbMRACVVeM1CQaPAGx6_MuL4MhxpvlaHjsjAwgmadzRwP5PKwYzavwm3Wl0RTcxxD6sbodaN0audAavpDN/s320/IMG_0493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231261853183556146" border="0" /></a>Well, I've failed already. Ok, not failed in that sense that I, well you know, <span style="font-style: italic;">failed</span>, but I have come up a bit short in my 30-day goal already. This past weekend, we went to Vancouver to see my Bikram pals Niki (who lives there) and Tara (who was visiting from Toronto). Turns out it was Gay Pride weekend, and we were all delighted to see Bikram Yoga Vancouver have a float in the parade! It was a great time, and after, Jill and I did a great yoga class (with a teacher, Roxanna, who was a <span style="font-style: italic;">dialogue machine</span>). All was well, I finished Day 6 when...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnxbCgaAltuipyszHlTPafXm_fwe9_PzHmXAkhOPzZ3vumRnFYmsCU2eFd1l0R7AhYrjx2pXolI8GJOM7WH7VznZjMaY1O_OJBLJMAsBKeWGKB9KcEZ-pnJ7WYbBevW6A-53WH2zqjZtp/s1600-h/IMG_0503.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnxbCgaAltuipyszHlTPafXm_fwe9_PzHmXAkhOPzZ3vumRnFYmsCU2eFd1l0R7AhYrjx2pXolI8GJOM7WH7VznZjMaY1O_OJBLJMAsBKeWGKB9KcEZ-pnJ7WYbBevW6A-53WH2zqjZtp/s320/IMG_0503.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231260524872832834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We hit the border. And sat and sat. And got home at 6:30 after a zillion hours in the car leaving me with two options: Racing off to a 7 p.m. class across town, or going to 8:15. It had been a long day, so I looked at my schedule and committed to a double this coming Thursday. Fine. I took the night off, guilt-free knowing a plan was in order to make up for it.<br /><br />The universe provides. At 8:05, my phone rang and it was another Bikram school pal, Roy, who was in Group #14 with me, and who got the "Flower Petal Blooming" award at graduation. He called to say he just blew into town, unexpectedly and had no plans really. So I picked him up and we went to a fantastic dinner, downed a nice bottle of Pinot Noir and then met up this morning at Jill's co<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKMesbKFaV2mIkmSuE0ke4tnViyfYKrfndRL0iY_C2-vTzk1mEJUmfoFfcGTXoI_i7yLQ_sdg98Rx-blrUxe32LWm7lmwbUUj_0MK_c0Xe9pECaQqnzJxhqvlK3wpqv6ZslLZj7sIkWqy/s1600-h/IMG_0567.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKMesbKFaV2mIkmSuE0ke4tnViyfYKrfndRL0iY_C2-vTzk1mEJUmfoFfcGTXoI_i7yLQ_sdg98Rx-blrUxe32LWm7lmwbUUj_0MK_c0Xe9pECaQqnzJxhqvlK3wpqv6ZslLZj7sIkWqy/s320/IMG_0567.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231261848390668418" border="0" /></a>ffeeshop for coffee. He's looking (possibly) to help move his daughter to Seattle, and I showed him some neighborhoods and brought him some magazines with good info. This is the "friends for life" reference that you hear happens at training - you're just connected in a way that is hard to describe. Anyhow, it was great to see Roy, and I was so happy (in the end) I had opted out of going to class!<br /><br />Until tonight...that is.<br /><br />Because my day was full and I planned to go to a 6:30 class on the way home from teaching my 4 p.m. class. After my class, though, I stayed to help sign people in for the next class - slated to be Hot Power Vinyasa (I know, I know....). Well, at 5:58 when the teacher hadn't come and 18 people were waiting on their mats, I just decided to teach...I wasn't sure what else to do. So, I went in and asked them to get their Yoga on, to let go of any attachment to their Power class and please stay and join me for a spirited Bikram class. The only one who left was a girl who'd just taken my 4 p.m. class - everyone else stayed, and all but 2 had done Bikram before. Even though a few scrunched up their faces, they all worked hard and did well! The power teacher showed up at 7:15 - while we were in Half Tortoise - thinking her class was at 7:30. So, in the end, I had no option to go take class as I didn't get home until 8:30 - and the last class here on Tuesdays is at 8:00. Alas.<br /><br />So now I'm down 2. And going away in a week or so for 5 days...so I'm adjusting to a new goal, for now: Practicing every single day until I go out of town, and re-committing to 30 days right when I get back. I don't really see a need to do 7 doubles to make my original goal.<br /><br />I want to say though, that it DOES make me go - there were two times last week I soooooo didn't want to go, mostly for logistical reasons - and my commitment to the 30-days got me there, and in each case, I had great, happy practices. Mind over the matter! I definitely turned a corner and am back in love with the yoga after my little break, and loving teaching again, too. Though, a dialogue review is in order, as evidenced the other day by my Vancouver class that was textbook dialogue, I have a few gaps to fill :) Onward!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-65525664375228844522008-07-29T21:18:00.000-07:002008-07-29T21:30:15.139-07:00Back In Action!Oh dear.<br /><br />That first class back after a long hiatus is not destined to be one's best class, as I was reminded today. At 5 p.m. I threw down my mat for my first Bikram Yoga class in over two weeks - luckily Nina, the first Bikram teacher I ever had, was at the desk. The class was quite full and it was at Sweatbox, not my home studio but one I like a lot. So, class began.<br /><br />Breathing was fine, warm up, fine. Balancing series...fine. Triangle, could've been better. And once I hit full locust, no pun intended, I crashed. Of course I finished class ok, but I hadn't felt that dizzy/nauseous/blackout feeling in...well, some time. My sweat was sooooo salty too! Now that is something I remember from training, the distinct change in how my sweat went from salty to almost purely tasting like water. (Sorry, is that gross? Oh well.) Anyhow, I'm clearly not hydrated very well, and haven't had a good sweat in a long time.<br /><br />The upside were that I enjoyed it! My postures looked ok, because of course I feared that I wouldn't be able to execute a single pose to resemble anything correct. Why? I don't know, because I get scared when I step away. In the past, stepping away from exercise usually meant a huge weight gain, and a long hiatus from any sort of healthy living...and a build up of fear around going back. This time, I trusted that wouldn't happen, and I'm trying to bat down any feelings to the contrary as I get back to it.<br /><br />I certainly feel 'yoga'd' - lots of things hurt that haven't in a while, but in that good, yummy yoga way! More to come. This was only Day 1, after all... :)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-74103532177345778392008-07-28T09:01:00.001-07:002008-07-28T09:18:51.691-07:00Almost Back In ActionThis is a long, long time without yoga. And it's been good in a eating-chocolate-cake-sure-is-good-but-not-good-for-you kinda way. So, here's what I've learned from my forced 2-week break from teaching and practicing Bikram yoga.<br /><br />First, my sleep has been profoundly affected. I'm a good sleeper - one of my physical blessings. But, in the past two weeks, I've been clenching my teeth again (something that went away with weight loss/yoga). Jill pointed it out one day when we napped. It's typically a result of stress, and though there are a few things going on in life, comparatively, I'm not feeling particularly stressed...so this struck me as odd. Second, I've had some wicked horrific nightmares - again, not something that happens often - it's been years since dreams of this magnitude have surfaced. And, lastly, I've woken up early, my mind spinning a bit and forcing me out of bed at ridiculous times in lieu of laying there...well, spinning. And again, <span style="font-style: italic;">not that much is happening to cause me to spin</span>! I'm not worried about this and if anything, what awesome learning, no? I mean, we all know the yoga is good for us. But this kind of clear demonstration of it's far-reaching benefits helps inspire me back to my mat, and encourage others to do the same!<br /><br />Second, the obvious lack of energy, physical fitness-feeling/confidence, and that yummy "I'm all yoga'd" feeling every day has been apparent. I just feel sluggish, a little dumpy and not so...I dunno, fresh. :) Still, I've not been a total slug as I've worked a ton at my job (some physical gigs) and gone on lots of walks and whatnot, but clearly, it's not the same, or enough.<br /><br />The only good things I found were that well, truth be told, as mentioned in my last post, having so much time was just crazy. Eating whenever I wanted, not planning my whole day around the logistics of getting to class (not to mention, getting in practices and teaching classes too)...this part did feel nice...to look at my calendar some days and have literally nothing on it. (Yes, I do schedule my practices in my Google calendar...I have a separate calendar just for practicing and teaching even...I know, organizing geek's'r'us).<br /><br />Jill made the point of how good this break was for me - as I'd have never opted to take 2 weeks off <span style="font-style: italic;">at home</span>; while I could see doing so if I was on a trip with no access to yoga, but not at home! The exercise of taking time off in the midst of regular, daily life has been very eye-opening and if anything, reaffirmed my commitment and passion for the yoga. In addition, it provided me even more insight in to all of the goodness it brings me outside of the obvious, and I'm always a big fan of more information, especially when it leads to more motivation!<br /><br />Tomorrow is day 10 since my little surgery, and 2 weeks since the tattoo. Everything seems healed and ready to go. Jill said, "I told someone how, knowing you, you'd probably do another 30-day challenge..." Which was hilarious as I'd been thinking about that over the past few days. I feel a little like an airplane, I need a good juicy bit of energy to take off again, then I can settle into a cruising pattern once I'm up and running. We are going away for a few days in mid-August, but I think I can commit to some doubles to get a few in the bank to compensate and simply go for "30 in 30 days" vs. 30-days-straight. So, starting tomorrow, I hereby commit to 30 practices in the next 30 days!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-91482131988884401952008-07-21T20:42:00.000-07:002008-12-11T11:15:50.461-08:00Taking A Break, Getting Tattood, New Bikram TT Site Up!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YP0OYp3ie_78a-ecvqpnhV7rBMSSKFQCxXipxcW5mWRToCVKjiaocGLnytlc3dL2CJWDTIqAo90Y5keBeDYtefesvvnP0k83Oly0tc0Fa3CDfZkrWtyMh_0ieYu6OYdMvJN8LSxOjeVz/s1600-h/tattoo2"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YP0OYp3ie_78a-ecvqpnhV7rBMSSKFQCxXipxcW5mWRToCVKjiaocGLnytlc3dL2CJWDTIqAo90Y5keBeDYtefesvvnP0k83Oly0tc0Fa3CDfZkrWtyMh_0ieYu6OYdMvJN8LSxOjeVz/s320/tattoo2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225681178736699906" border="0" /></a>Well, I'm on a break - not from my blog, though you'd think so by the huge gap in posts, no? But rather, from yoga! Yes, you heard me right.<br /><br />Before I went to Bikram school, I had a small revision to my post-weight-loss plastic surgery scheduled for April 3 - needless to say, it had to be moved. Figuring I'd be all gung-ho and want to do loads of yoga and teach when I got home, I gave myself a 6-week window and scheduled the revision for July 18 - this past Friday. I thought I'd need to take a few days off, maybe a week - turns out, I'm banned from the hot room (teaching and practicing) for two whole weeks!!!!! In addition, I scheduled my long-awaited tattoo for the same week, and last Tuesday, got myself a new piece of permanent art. See photo- it's on my back, slightly covering my scar in an experiment to see how the scar tissue holds color, and if it goes well, we're going to add to it a bit and cover up more of it. Oh, and the little surgery thing went fine, just a little sore and sweating is not fun right now :(<br /><br />So how is it not doing the yoga? Well, truth be told, since I knew it was coming, I'm enjoying it. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, and this morning I woke up feeling a yearning for the quiet in my mind I get from my practice...later in the day, I found myself doing a little bit'o half moon in the grocery store line. I'm missing it, without a doubt...but the guilt-free feeling is great. Normally whenever I take a day off I feel guilty - which is not good and something I need to work on, obviously. This is nice, time off without guilt.<br /><br />And, let me tell you about<span style="font-style: italic;"> time</span>. One thing that is clear to me is how much time Bikram yoga takes in your day! Not a complaint - rather an observation. Jill will leave for yoga, and in the time she is gone, I will get so much done, I can hardly believe all she did was <span style="font-style: italic;">go to yoga</span>. Yesterday, for example, in striking contrast to yoga class, I left 15 minutes before her to go to a party - while there, I drank several glasses of wine, ate dinner, met several new people and had two very long conversations with two different groups of people. In the course of those conversations, I arranged a blind date for my friend Mikey using my iPhone and gave out a handful of business cards to very potential organizing/personal assistant clients. I got home 1/2 hour after her, and while yes, she had cooked two hot dogs on the grill, otherwise, in all that time, she'd simply <span style="font-style: italic;">gone to yoga</span>.<br /><br />My point is maybe not what you expect - my point is that the yoga requires a serious dedication of one of our greatest resources: Time. And it is totally worth that time. I can't think of a better way to spend it, though I had fun yesterday - still, the regular, daily practice (and now adding in teaching) is such a healthy way to spend 2+ hours/day, feeding your mind and body with yummy yoga. I'm soaking up my two weeks of 'freedom' from this obligation, but I fully expect to be back in full force as soon as I am cleared for duty!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bikramacapulco.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PQ_si9yuRc2GsgxHoilv5rXgFfNRVSgttNI5RlIu8FrZYfGHt_jjMg-eMA98cOPa3xVq2q_a9lHKHq9VF_EfwLsJyqDxIPCEUhUvpttAkJnqbdcMu6K4laqgqPqZvt5OinH9jw8aIIet/s320/tt-welcome-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225683788527406210" border="0" /></a><br />In the meantime, I've been busy with my business, and a writing gig! I was brought on to write the text/copy for the new Bikram Teacher Training website - if you haven't seen it, take a look! I tried to infuse detail, honesty and reality into the text. The last part just posted today was the FAQ's, and those of you going to training, I hope you find them helpful. As I wrote them, I thought back to me and Christian preparing to go, and all the things we said, "<span style="font-style: italic;">I wish we knew...</span>" or "<span style="font-style: italic;">I wish they told us...</span>" - Todd, my practically-back-up-blogger was kind enough to review the FAQ's for me and interject a few ideas I'd not thought of. Anyhow, my hope is that those who go to training will have an easier time getting ready, more clarity in their decision to go, and a good sense of what to expect. So, if you haven't already, check it out: <a href="http://www.bikramacapulco.com/">www.bikramacapulco.com</a>!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-60728265095474172542008-07-09T18:19:00.000-07:002008-07-09T18:49:23.070-07:00One Month At Home!Wow! Today is one month home...it seems like an eon; like training was another lifetime!<br /><br />So a month out, how am I feeling about the whole thing? Let me break it down into segments...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Practice</span>: Well, it's ok. I can't say I feel as mighty as I did doing it 2x/day, but I like <span style="font-style: italic;">not having</span> to do it 2x/day, or even every day - though I go most days for certain. I still love the yoga, my body seems to be maintaining it's overall strength and stamina, and I'm still at it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Teaching</span>: I have to say, it's going as well as I could hope for it to! I am getting all the classes I want right now (5-8/week) and as of now, I have 3 permanent classes, and am adding 2 more in September - that, combined with various filling in, it getting me right where I want to be. I wish I had more teachers around me who were in my classes giving feedback, but it's just not happening that way. Still, any chance I get to obtain feedback from other teachers, serious students, or even just 'regulars' to my class, I do. I keep reviewing dialogue and still need to keep reviewing dialogue forever more, but I'm ok with that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Teacher Training</span>: Well, I finally miss it! Just this last week, I started feeling nostalgic and missing the whole experience. I apparently needed a little time at home and some separation from it to <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> miss it. It's funny how it is this microcosm of an experience - this sort of alternative reality that while real, it isn't daily life at home. I tried to be careful not to attach too much to the whole thing so I wouldn't be wrecked when I got home; in some way, I wondered for a while if I had attached <span style="font-style: italic;">enough</span>, since for a bit, I wasn't missing it at all! In the end, or, well, at this point anyhow, I feel a healthy longing for what was, and also a general happiness that I was fortunate enough to have the experience, to be able to teach, meet cool people, and prove some things to myself about myself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Life at Home:</span> Just fine. Seems some of my friendships are shifting and that is something everyone warned me about "oh, you won't be the same to the people in your life" or "oh, people won't be the same for you" and while some of the changes aren't exactly what I want, I'm working to just let change happen without reacting to it, trusting things will work out the way they are meant to. Jill and I are doing well, readjusting to life with her has been one of the easier things - her coming down to Acapulco for the last week made for a smoother transition than I would've expected otherwise. She comes to my classes when she can, and we go to practice yoga together a lot too...oh, and we do other things than yoga, sometimes, believe it or not! I've slowly made dates and at this point seen all my sisters, mom, friends and colleagues whom I wanted to get together with - or at least most of them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's Next</span>: Well, teaching is a priority at a ~1/2 time level - which means about 5-8 classes a week (~3 hour commitment/class, less if it's two in a row). I asked Mary Jarvis (a well-known Bikram teacher who read my blog and commented a good bit) if I could come down to San Francisco and study with her for a week or so, we're working out a date on that and I'm excited (and scared!) but it'll be good for me when the time comes...a nice whipping me back into shape while also giving me valuable teaching feedback and coaching.<br /><br />Outside of yoga (gasp! is there such a thing?) my organizing business is flowing along nicely and I have steady work there for the next while doing projects I'm looking forward to; I have a contract job writing documentation for a corporation that is <span style="font-style: italic;">up to</span> 20 hours/week, along with two (fun) writing side projects (one paid, one not paid...yet)! So, I'm busy, but it's such a good busy for me - I'm getting to do so much of what I enjoy, with a little bit of work to pay the bills.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Would I do it all over? </span>HELL YES. I still have such a good memory of my experience, feel like it was money/time/effort well spent, and still am mulling over everything I got out of the experience. I'll keep writing about it, as I'm sure as time passes, more and more will unfold.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-44665167060388916312008-07-02T09:23:00.000-07:002008-07-02T10:04:09.305-07:00Much Better This TimeOk, re-do.<br /><br />So, yesterday I took a 4 p.m. Bikram class before teaching a 6:30 p.m. class. I took electrolytes before class. I ate a proper lunch, and had a snack before class. I drank the right amount of water. And, shazam! I felt much, much better. I couldn't believe that taking class just before/after teaching was going to be a "no-no" for me - how inconvenient! It just required a bit more organization and planning, that's all. I had about 20 people in my class, it was hot outside so managing the heat was an added task, along with 3 newbies, but all went well! Now I've got me a little formula.<br /><br />It's true when they say teaching is not unlike practicing - different every time. A bit of forethought does seem to have a significant impact. I'm all for that! At my 6 a.m. class today I got my first yoga teaching paycheck - I don't know why, but it just felt so exciting (not the amount, mind you :) but just the reality that I am really, really doing this! I am a yoga teacher, people pay me to do this job, and I am really loving it and enjoying it. More and more I'm settling it, getting to know some students and feeling that elusive 'connection' they talked about so much at training that was hard to articulate or understand.<br /><br />When I'm getting ready to teach, I take everyone's name, put it on a post-it and do my best to really show up for them. I know for me, when I practice (esp. before training), my class everyday was a BIG deal - getting there, eating properly to plan for it, and just being in the heat and committing to work hard. Now, as the teacher, I feel a tremendous obligation to work hard to give my students exactly what I always want: A good, solid, engaged, meaningful class. And that said, some days, you're just off (either as a teacher or a student) - but overall, I find I work just as hard to (try to) focus and concentrate while teaching as I do when I practice. Of course they told us all this at training, but now that I'm doing it, it's actually sinking in a bit :)<br /><br />On other note - two of my friends from training were passing through and we were all chatting about teaching and how that was for us. One of them said how it really cuts into your social life - and it's not a complaint but a reality - anyone thinking of teaching should consider this. Many classes are over the dinner hour, typically a get-together/social time (start times of 3:30 - 8:15 p.m.). Also, if you teach the wicked-early slots (6 a.m.), you get up around 4:30 or so to do it, so that (for me, anyhow) means 'early to bed' to get enough sleep - no nights on the town those nights.... Just something to think about - I had classes 3 nights this week, plus one 6 a.m. - which basically precluded me from making any dinner or evening plans until Friday (holiday). I hadn't really put that together in a big way, but when my friend mentioned it, I thought "yeah, you're right! this is why it's taking me 2-3 weeks to find a time to do dinner with certain friends..." That all said, classes are going well too - I'm getting exactly what I wished for, about 5-6 classes minimum/week, often a couple more than that, and it's all working in nicely with my other job(s) and responsibilities!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-33801558998692380112008-07-01T09:51:00.001-07:002008-07-01T10:02:09.361-07:00The Learning Continues!So, last night I thought I'd hit a Hot Power Vinyasa class before teaching my Bikram class. Oh dear. Let's just say, it's a reminder of how your body settles in to doing the same thing all the time - no matter how wonderful, juicy, and lovely Bikram is! It was wicked hot for Seattle yesterday, and the room was humid as all get out. I kept up, but felt like a noodle - it caused me some training flashbacks - I was nauseated, I wanted to leave, or lay down, or anything...I just wanted it to end!<br /><br />That said, I was having fun; I found that I am no doubt stronger than I was before (duh, but still). I tried a slew of postures I hadn't attempted since before training and some I could do some so much better than before I was truly shocked! Others simply hurt a lot less than they used to... It was a great time, despite wiping me out in a whole different way than Bikram does. A few Bikram postures were in the mix and as usual, I felt at home in those...but all those planks, down-dogs, up-dogs, and warriors - fun, weird, and frankly, hard to do all those different things, at least in this body's opinion.<br /><br />I was wiped, and then I had to teach immediately after, and I found that I had to work sooooo hard to stay engaged, to bring the energy I typically bring to that late-night class (8:15 p.m.) of tired, hungry yogis. Coupled with not really eating anything other then a light lunch at noon and a small mid-afternoon snack at 3 p.m., I decided that I need to plan a little better: Good nourishment is a must before teaching, unless it's 6 a.m. (whereas coffee is then critical :); and practicing just before teaching - at least if it's an unknown quantity like Power - needs to be thought about closely since I won't really know what I'm getting myself into until I'm there (Power is different every time, some harder than others..like last night).<br /><br />The learning continues! Who knows, if I did it like that every week, it may not be a big deal. But last night, I felt like I wanted a savasana in between postures, too! :) Note to self on that one!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457384053409595582.post-24510012327557530122008-06-27T06:39:00.000-07:002008-06-27T06:39:01.165-07:00Going to Training? Part 3: Dialogue and Study SuggestionsLearn the dialogue before you go.<br />Learn the dialogue before you go.<br />Learn the dialogue before you go.<br />Learn the dialogue before you go.<br />Learn the dialogue before you go.<br />Learn the dialogue before you go.<br />Learn the dialogue before you go.<br />Learn the dialogue before you go.<br /><br />Did I mention....Learn the dialogue before you go?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And know that if you don't, you'll be ok. </span>In fact, there was something (for me, the extrovert) about being a part of the minutia of the experience, staying up late, studying with people you hardly knew but there you were, rocking out postures at 1 a.m. and doing great in posture clinic the next day. There is something to be said for the 'group suffering' part of it; however, that's coming from someone who only had (roughly) up to Eagle when I got there. I'm sure those who had it done will tell you of blissful nights of sleep, regular opportunities to practice empathy, and the opportunity to help others. :)<br /><br />Todd suggested I blog this topic as it was a huge part of training - as big as, and often worse than, doing the yoga itself. This was so different for different people too! The experience around the dialogue was intense all around, but it came easy for some, seemed impossible for others, and for the bulk of us, once we got a study system that worked, and frankly, just got the hang of doing it, it happened with a medium/reasonable amount of struggle.<br /><br />The thing to think about is this: <span style="font-weight: bold;">You need to learn the dialogue and </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">actually remember</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> it, and be able to recall it once you get home</span>. So rather than cramming to get it in your head long enough to spit it out in a posture clinic, consider finding a way to study that will allow you to retain it, making life after training much easier (and life during training, for that matter). I had so much more dialogue when I got home than I thought, but the postures I crammed in irresponsibly are still the ones I struggle with the most, even now.<br /><br />For me, (1) it went back to how I successfully studied in college and (2) finding a way to learn and function within the setting I was in. Plus, at no time in my life have I had to memorize 90+ minutes of words, verbatim. Unless you're an actor, it's unlikely you have either. So consider this is a different thing than studying to pass a test on geography where you can wing it to some degree. <span style="font-style: italic;">Verbatim, people, verbatim</span>.<br /><br />And, I'll say this - it was a bit like what I understand childbirth/labor to be - what works in the first few hours is shit at 9 cm. Well, true here too - it seemed everyone went through iterations of studying that worked for a while and then didn't work anymore. Once you get into a flow, it does indeed come easier. Most of us (though not everyone) came up with some semblance of this formula:<br /><br />- Learn the lines on your own by reading them, and saying them aloud to yourself.<br />- Then, practice out loud with 1-3 other people saying each line until each paragraph was solid, continuing through the posture until each paragraph was solid, then finalizing it by saying the whole thing.<br /><ul><li>This is good for you in terms of getting the words to roll off your tongue out loud and you're doing "practical application learning" (good for most adult learners - the concept of actually 'doing' the task at hand rather than theoretical learning)</li><li>For those who are big "reading comprehension" people, like me, I'd read the words as others spoke them, so I'd re-read it 2-3 times in between speaking it without looking at the words<br /></li><li>For "auditory learners" (which I'm not), you also get to hear it out loud, which for some is very helpful. It's not my primary learning tool, but it didn't hurt.<br /></li><li>When you were ready, you had other people handy to start practicing with bodies in front of you, which is a whole other layer of learning - seeing someone do it and concentrating on that often required a sort of 're-learning' of the dialogue. I know I got thrown off by it in many postures! They stress it like mad, and many found the bodies "distracting" but, hello, when you teach, (hoepefully) there are bodies in front of you! :)<br /></li></ul>Honestly, this covers most adult learning styles at once, which I think is why so many people (or the ones I was around) took this approach. I say this with a giant disclaimer that many, many people did it a variety of ways - some holed up and truly only studied alone the whole time. Others studied until they had it down, and then would only meet up with others to practice with bodies and/or say the posture in its entirety. Some had just one partner, and they exclusively studied together. People who had it memorized before coming would often just support and help others, as a way to solidify their own learning (but always with the option to hit the hay, lucky devils). Others crammed like mad just before having to deliver it and hoped for the best, many doing just fine with that approach. You'll find your way, this was (somewhat) my method and the general method I saw used by most (not all) people.<br /><br />I believe I blogged my exact method earlier, which was this (not that it's full-proof, good grief...but just happened to work for me for most of the postures):<br /><ul><li>I would learn each line, repeating and saying them out loud, alone</li><li>I would make a list of 1st words of each posture, and use those to jog my memory of the lines that I had learned (this saved volumes of time just trying to get the next line, and also stopped me from having to look at the dialogue to find out - hence sort of cheating, because you couldn't help but see the next couple lines, so then your practice of those became a little bogus)</li><li>I would practice with other people, repeating as stated above (this worked too, when I didn't have time to learn the lines ahead of time in a few cases where we really got pushed)</li><li>I would use bodies once I had it mostly down, ideally at least 5 times before delivering it in posture clinic</li><li>Sadly, I did not spend much time going back to older postures until we were done, in the last two weeks</li></ul>This may all sound like gibberish at the moment, and it kinda is.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> The rule of thumb is to just know Half Moon, the 1st part, before you go. </span>This is the one you do in front of Bikram. Have it down so you can relax about that, but man, we all wished we'd gotten more serious about dialogue before we started posture clinics in Week 3. You're so busy acclimating Week 1 & 2, you feel so full, overwhelmed, etc. but if I could go back, I'd have found some serious study-buddies and got crackin' sooner. Everyone told me to just know Half Moon, and for that, I cursed them, wishing I'd buckled down at home more too...though they certainly meant well, and I did survive, so they were right on some level!<br /><br />Those of you who were there, feel free to add a (robust) comment on your thoughts! It will further drive home my point that this really was different for everyone!<br /><br />---------<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">BONUS!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Todd </span>was kind enough to write up his own perspective on this so I could include it here rather than having him just add comments (which not everyone sees...). So, here's a whole other perspective on this topic!<br /><p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">The study method I used, and one that others picked up in Mexico was to write the first letter of each line and then repeat the line with that prompt. If the line had a period or comma I would add the first letter right after that also. So first paragraph of Half Moon would go:</span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">E</span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">F, H</span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">A, P</span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">I, R, T</span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">K, D</span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">H, U, T<br /></span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">Then I would study the first paragraph until I could repeat it in full using the first letter and then go on to the second paragraph. Once I was able to repeat the second I would then combine the first and second before moving on to the third. Once I got the third down I would then combine the first, second and third and repeat, and so on till the end of the posture. After a couple of postures my ability to learn a posture sped up and I could use this method to get a posture down in my head in an hour and then another hour I would lose the cheat sheet and know it.</span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">Also, this is just me, I found that when we got out at night from lecture I couldn't practice dialog in my room alone or I would fall asleep. I suggest that you head down to the lobby where the breeze and noises (nothing loud) from the hotel will keep you focused. The staff will encourage you to work on your postures with others and this does work as it adds another dynamic to doing the posture that is much different then just saying it to yourself. My suggestion is not to do this too early in the posture. If you don't know the posture working with another person may just be a distraction that you don't need.<br /></span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">Before I learned the method above in Mexico I was using a digital recorder. I would look at the paragraph and go line by line. Say the line a bunch of times using the book and then when I got it to memory move on to the next and then when I had a couple of lines I would record and listen to myself. This technique worked for me as I said earlier, but once I got to Mexico I found the structure of our time didn't allow me enough time to make this technique work. You will find that after the first three postures the crunch will come and you will have to deliver two or three postures in a day. This is why learning as much as you can before Mexico will be a big benefit. Now you never know when this day will come as staff won't tell you. They don't give you updated agendas, so it is a real guessing game as to what will happen each day from the start to the end of the day. When you add in the short periods of time you get to study, which is really your free time between midnight (provided Bikram doesn't keep you later) and 8:30 AM when the first yoga practice takes place you don't have a ton of time to study and sleep. This is why I say the recorder method, for me, didn't work. I found that by using the method above I could actually learn a posture by myself in the posture clinic while others were delivering theirs if I had to. On a couple of occasions I actually had to do two or three postures when I had walked into the posture clinic expecting to deliver one. </span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">The posture clinics are broken up by groups. They will make equal number of groups going by the last names. We had a total of 16 groups with 15 or so people in each. Everyday your group was in the clinic with another group and this would change each day. You are in the same group from start to finish of the TT program. They also use these groups to determine what line you will practice on each day in the studio. Now some groups were just better at dialog for whatever reason then others or the teacher (visiting teachers or staff) that were grading you moved slow or fast with their feedback of the postures thereby causing some groups to be faster / slower than others. This is why you never know how many postures you might have to deliver, and saying I only know one won't cut it. You will still have to get up and deliver what you do know. This grade will still go into the book and depending on how well you do overall with the other postures you do know it could impact on your graduation.<br /></span></p> <p style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: LucidaGrande;">There are many techniques to studying dialog and once you get into posture clinic and people start to struggle with dialog you will learn from staff the numerous methods. For the most part you are on your own for learning this. Posture Clinic is a very interesting place and seeing the different people reacting to this was something I found very unique. Some people lost their voices and would totally blank and others would start to cry. Then there were others (not that many) who came in knowing their dialog verbatim from start to finish.</span></p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05536945335090820771noreply@blogger.com7