My life is in transition.
Tomorrow is the last day I will ever work the front desk at the University of South Alabama's Student Recreation Center. I will only teach 2 more yoga classes and 2 more cycling classes at the USA Rec Center. In 8 days I will be on a plane headed toward Paris, France. In 60 days I'm moving to Pensacola, Florida. In about 3.5 months I will begin my graduate studies at the University of West Florida. I've been hired as a yoga instructor at UWF's Student Rec Center. Everything is changing.
While I look forward to all of these exciting things to come (!) I'm also sad to leave my current life behind. I've grown close to my professors, my coworkers, and my students. Pensacola isn't so far away, but it will be an adjustment to be 1.5 hours away from my family and friends rather than just 10 or 15 minutes. I'll miss familiar places and familiar faces.
But, I will find new places which will become cozy and familiar. I will meet new friends and will visit 'old' ones. I'll connect with some of my professors, coworkers, and students. That's just who I am. I'm an open book - I'm transparent. I love people, so people love me.
I hope to find a yoga community in Pensacola which is as strong and as welcoming as that in Mobile & Baldwin County. Yoga has opened many doors for me. It's connected me with many unique and wonderful individuals, it's provided job opportunities and research opportunities, it's been an interesting conversation piece in my interviews for graduate school, and much, much more. Yoga and the yoga community have greatly enhanced my life.
I am sad to be leaving my USA students behind. My students have made personal triumphs right before my eyes and I've developed as a teacher right before theirs. We've gone through this process together. I'm forever grateful for their influence on me and can only hope that I've had as much of a positive influence on them. As I move forward, I hope my students will enjoy their (2!) lovely new teachers and that their teachers will enjoy them as much as I have. I also hope to feel as welcomed and to seem as welcoming to my new students at UWF. I appreciate my experiences at USA - all of them - and hope UWF has just as much, and maybe more, to offer.
A big thank you and a hug to all of my family members, students, employers, professors, coworkers, and friends - past, present, and future - who have supported me throughout various points along my journey - in ways you may not even know. I love you guys. <3
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Evolution as an Instructor
At the beginning of my journey to become a teacher, I had a naive view of yoga - a physical view. Like many, my definition of yoga only included its physical aspect. And of course, asana (the practice of postures) is an important part of yoga - especially in the west - but asana is by far not the only important aspect of yoga. One could teach an entire yoga class on just breathing techniques, for instance! There's a complex history and philosophy involved in this ancient Indian practice. People can and have spent their entire lives studying the Sanskrit language! It's incredible, how many facets of yoga there are! The physical practice of yoga is much broader than one would assume, as well.
When I began teaching, my attention was mostly focused on the physical aspect of yoga. I recognized and appreciated the mental benefits, but my focus was on teaching the poses in proper alignment and making sure my students experienced an effective workout. Even in my own practice, my goals were often physically oriented. I've found that reaching non-fitness oriented goals can be just as rewarding and that the journey toward the achievement of a goal can be quite rewarding as well. My most recent realization is that yoga really isn't about making my body fit the yoga. Rather, it's about making the yoga fit my body and my overall needs.
My newest goal as a teacher is to promote a sense of pride, in each student, for their unique yoga practices. I wish for my students to realize that it's not all about the poses and it is my goal to offer a style of yoga that is available to people of all shapes, sizes, ages, levels of flexibility, levels of strength, etc. I cannot wait to see what becomes of this goal. :)
When I began teaching, my attention was mostly focused on the physical aspect of yoga. I recognized and appreciated the mental benefits, but my focus was on teaching the poses in proper alignment and making sure my students experienced an effective workout. Even in my own practice, my goals were often physically oriented. I've found that reaching non-fitness oriented goals can be just as rewarding and that the journey toward the achievement of a goal can be quite rewarding as well. My most recent realization is that yoga really isn't about making my body fit the yoga. Rather, it's about making the yoga fit my body and my overall needs.
My newest goal as a teacher is to promote a sense of pride, in each student, for their unique yoga practices. I wish for my students to realize that it's not all about the poses and it is my goal to offer a style of yoga that is available to people of all shapes, sizes, ages, levels of flexibility, levels of strength, etc. I cannot wait to see what becomes of this goal. :)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Team Teaching
Today, I taught a beginner yoga class at the University of South Alabama's Student Recreation Center. I am working on becoming employed at the rec center and as part of the hiring process the coordinator has potential employees team teach an actual class. I put much thought into preparing for the class. I created an initial class plan, asked for feedback from current instructors, and then practiced teaching the class without an audience.
This summer, I've been enrolled in a public speaking course, which is a requirement for graduation. I've learned a great deal in this course, and I believe it has helped me with the public speaking portion of teaching a yoga class. One tip I've learned in public speaking is that careful preparation can promote overall success. Preparation may lessen the intimidation often felt when speaking in public.
It was helpful, as well, that the students in the class I taught today were kind and gentle and understanding of my newness. Furthermore, their poses were strong and beautiful! It was rewarding to witness a yoga class in the seat of the teacher - to see an entire class in their various individual expressions of the yoga postures taught today. I feel very confident about my teaching experience today and I'm excited to team teach again this Thursday!
This summer, I've been enrolled in a public speaking course, which is a requirement for graduation. I've learned a great deal in this course, and I believe it has helped me with the public speaking portion of teaching a yoga class. One tip I've learned in public speaking is that careful preparation can promote overall success. Preparation may lessen the intimidation often felt when speaking in public.
It was helpful, as well, that the students in the class I taught today were kind and gentle and understanding of my newness. Furthermore, their poses were strong and beautiful! It was rewarding to witness a yoga class in the seat of the teacher - to see an entire class in their various individual expressions of the yoga postures taught today. I feel very confident about my teaching experience today and I'm excited to team teach again this Thursday!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Strong, Confident, and Ready
Today in teacher training, we practiced teaching sun salutations.
I've known since the beginning of teacher training that becoming comfortable standing in front of a class would be a challenge. Even more challenging is teaching my teacher! Until today, I even asked Melanie not to look my way when I would practice teaching to my fellow teachers in training. However, today I was a bit more comfortable and did not ask her to look away. I simply took a deep centering breath, looked out at the four people in front of me, and began - strong, confident, and ready. Sure, I wasn't perfect. Maybe I never will be. Maybe I'd rather not be. I did "mess up" a couple of times - but, I was able to chuckle a little and keep it going. That's "perfect" enough for me. I'm not sure what made the difference today, but I'm grateful for whatever it was!
I've known since the beginning of teacher training that becoming comfortable standing in front of a class would be a challenge. Even more challenging is teaching my teacher! Until today, I even asked Melanie not to look my way when I would practice teaching to my fellow teachers in training. However, today I was a bit more comfortable and did not ask her to look away. I simply took a deep centering breath, looked out at the four people in front of me, and began - strong, confident, and ready. Sure, I wasn't perfect. Maybe I never will be. Maybe I'd rather not be. I did "mess up" a couple of times - but, I was able to chuckle a little and keep it going. That's "perfect" enough for me. I'm not sure what made the difference today, but I'm grateful for whatever it was!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
"We only grow when we're uncomfortable where we are."
Near the end of each teacher training weekend, I'm vulnerable and I'm not sure why. The tiniest thing will bring me to tears. I love teacher training. I'm learning so much and I'm surrounded by wonderful people.
I was confident in the beginning that I'm ready for this experience but I've doubted that lately...
I was confident in the beginning that I'm ready for this experience but I've doubted that lately...
I have wonderful individuals in my life who think I'm more than ready and that this vulnerability is, in a sense, just growing pains. I'm still uncertain, but their words are comforting.
The quote in the title comes from my lovely friend, Augusta.
Class and conversation with my friend Amanda, along with Blake, were uplifting.
An unexpected hug from Melanie was helpful as well - she must have sensed my discomfort.
Hopefully these growing pains will soon be relieved and this journey will continue to be enlightening and enjoyable.
Class and conversation with my friend Amanda, along with Blake, were uplifting.
An unexpected hug from Melanie was helpful as well - she must have sensed my discomfort.
Hopefully these growing pains will soon be relieved and this journey will continue to be enlightening and enjoyable.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Why I'm Going through Yoga Teacher Training
As a journal assignment, Melanie has asked us to answer the question: "What is your intention for embarking on the journey of deepening your understanding of yoga through this training?" I've decided to post my response as a blog entry:
Each time we practice asana in teacher training, Melanie asks us recall our intentions for being in the training. At first, I had no idea how to summarize my intentions so I would envision all of all the things I want to do with the knowledge and skills I'm acquiring in the teacher training. As the training has progressed, I have summarized my intentions which are "to be a light in the lives of others and to continue to work toward a more enlightened Jenn."
This goal may sound a little vague: I have many aspirations for when I have completed my RYT 200 training. Here are a few: I have been talking to the group fitness coordinator at my university's student recreation center, and I'm really hoping to obtain employment there as a yoga instructor. Furthermore, I've discussed with my advisor the possibility of completing yoga-based research for my Psychology senior honors thesis. Possibly in the future, I may combine yoga and psychotherapy; after all, treatment is where I found yoga and it has been a huge part of my own recovery.
Other than preparing me to reach these goals, the training is also helping me with my own self-evaluation, self-discovery, and self-improvement. My own yoga practice is transforming, and with that so is my outlook on many aspects of life. With Melanie's fine example of sometimes taking much-needed rests, I am now doing that myself - rather than forcing things both physically and mentally, I'm finding a kind of confidence and satisfaction in myself which I never had before. I can be confident in my own practice, whether or not my poses are "perfect." I can push myself to my full potential without pushing myself past my body's limits. I can meditate, as that is yoga too, rather than only focusing on asana.
I've begun practice teaching as well, which has been a slightly frightening experience, but enjoyable as well. Over time, throughout this training, I assume and hope I will become more comfortable in front of a group and more confident teaching yoga.
So there you have it; this is why I am in the training & these are my plans. :)
Namaste!
Jenn
Each time we practice asana in teacher training, Melanie asks us recall our intentions for being in the training. At first, I had no idea how to summarize my intentions so I would envision all of all the things I want to do with the knowledge and skills I'm acquiring in the teacher training. As the training has progressed, I have summarized my intentions which are "to be a light in the lives of others and to continue to work toward a more enlightened Jenn."
This goal may sound a little vague: I have many aspirations for when I have completed my RYT 200 training. Here are a few: I have been talking to the group fitness coordinator at my university's student recreation center, and I'm really hoping to obtain employment there as a yoga instructor. Furthermore, I've discussed with my advisor the possibility of completing yoga-based research for my Psychology senior honors thesis. Possibly in the future, I may combine yoga and psychotherapy; after all, treatment is where I found yoga and it has been a huge part of my own recovery.
Other than preparing me to reach these goals, the training is also helping me with my own self-evaluation, self-discovery, and self-improvement. My own yoga practice is transforming, and with that so is my outlook on many aspects of life. With Melanie's fine example of sometimes taking much-needed rests, I am now doing that myself - rather than forcing things both physically and mentally, I'm finding a kind of confidence and satisfaction in myself which I never had before. I can be confident in my own practice, whether or not my poses are "perfect." I can push myself to my full potential without pushing myself past my body's limits. I can meditate, as that is yoga too, rather than only focusing on asana.
I've begun practice teaching as well, which has been a slightly frightening experience, but enjoyable as well. Over time, throughout this training, I assume and hope I will become more comfortable in front of a group and more confident teaching yoga.
So there you have it; this is why I am in the training & these are my plans. :)
Namaste!
Jenn
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
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.
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