Kirtan with Prema Hara

The art, practice, and lifestyle of yoga is not exclusively composed of the yoga postures.  Actually, Asana (the physical postures) is but one of the many facets of yoga.  Kirtan is a form of Bhakti yoga which involves call-and-response chanting of mantras or hymns often accompanied by traditional instruments.  This past Friday I had the opportunity to attend a kirtan at Yoga Birds led by a group called Prema Hara.  Before this, I had never been to a kirtan so I had no idea what to expect, but I knew there would be music and yogis and that was good enough for me!  Words can't even describe what it really involved though; yes, there was music and there were yogis, but there was so much more than just that!  There was an overall feeling of unity with opportunity for internalization as well.  I was there for hours yet it seemed like minutes.  The energy was calm and uplifting and the chanting was beautiful.  I'm so grateful to Prema Hara for coming to Fairhope and to Melanie for inviting them.

Post-Yoga Yoga

Today was the last day my first weekend of teacher training.  This weekend was packed with interesting information and all types of physical and emotional affects from the yoga sessions and the information itself.  After a weekend of yoga, what did I do?  More yoga!  I needed a bit of relaxation and Amanda B.'s Align and Flow class was just right for that.  She led a nice slow-paced, calming practice today, which prepared me for the drive home and for getting back to my regular schedule.

A Goal to Strive For

Today's teacher training session was just as educational and fun as yesterday, and I'm still having a lovely time at Milton and Margaret's.  The convenience of this weekend is amplified by it being during Spring Break.  I'll have some time to allow this first weekend of training to really sink in.

The weather in Fairhope has been beautiful this weekend and I'm having such a wonderful time.  I wish I could stay in this little yoga bubble forever rather than returning to my routine once the weekend is over.

Today my perception and execution of a couple of poses were completely transformed - funny how proper alignment can change one's perspective (in yoga as in life).  Today, Melanie emphasized the point that a yoga teacher is truly successful when his or her students leave class in a better state than before.  That's a goal to strive for.

The First Steps of my Journey

Today was my first day of yoga teacher training.  I'm studying under Melanie Buffett at her studio - Yoga Birds - in Fairhope, Alabama.  I can already tell this is going to be a wonderful and memorable experience.  Melanie is seemingly a fabulous teacher: funny, genuine, inspiring...  My peers seem kind as well.  Hopefully, we will form unique and powerful bonds throughout this training.

In class today we went over the course syllabus, were led by Melanie through a short practice, and were dismissed.  This was actually the first time Melanie has ever taught me.  Her yoga is different - she teaches a very strong and sturdy class, which is challenging and empowering.  She focuses heavily on alignment and is in tune with her students' individual and collective needs.  I was humored by her story-telling as we held the postures! 

The Coffee Loft is literally across the street from Yoga Birds, so of course I stopped by after class - mmm green tea chai.

I am staying with my Aunt Margaret and Uncle Milton this weekend at their bayhouse in Fairhope.  Aunt Margaret is so super adorable.  She thought of everything imaginable to provide the most possible comfort for me as her guest this weekend; she even moved some of the dishes down to my level because she thought I might be too short to reach them!  I'm staying in their guest house, which offers privacy with the option still of visiting as often as we'd like.

I'm looking forward to my second day of teacher training tomorrow!