MY (YOGA) JOURNEY: Paula
I’m starting this journey to get to know my body (yes, after all these years), to understand her aspirations and her limitations and to accept them, as they are a part of me. I’m also on a quest for a calm mind. I know that what my mind wants is not always what my body can take. Passion and wilful determination have allowed me to practice several sports for many years and, right now, I don’t conceive my life without them. But then again, I won’t’ be fast and athletic forever, and I will have to adapt my “playing” to the “passage of time”, hopefully with grace…. I’m 50 in case you are wondering. So yes, I want to align with my body so we can work together to optimise my physical and mental abilities regardless of my age. And I want to reduce the noise of my mind to make space for the calm that I know lays underneath. And then… the teaching will come, naturally, with ease, with kindness…I know it. I’m realistic, this journey will have some dark passages full of frustration, impatience and anger (my “usual suspects”), but I also know that it will reveal hidden paths full of light and joy and that it will become a lifetime journey! Paula 200HR YTT May’21 Weekday
Blog post #1: Tanya
Day 1-3 The first three days have been a humbling experience and eye-opener for me! As someone who has self-practised for about 4 years, I did not realise the importance of having a teacher to watch out for my mistakes and incorrect postures (and a mirror to self-check my poses). Frankly speaking, I was confident that I would be able to execute poses correctly given my gymnastics background. However, I was proven wrong when Jessica demonstrated and explained every single detail that needed to be present to be able to execute the ‘perfect’ pose. It did not matter what athletic background an individual has; yoga is not a walk in the park! The most challenging part is not the pose itself, but the process of being hyperaware of your own body and knowing the body parts to engage. With just minor adjustments to certain body parts and shifting of the weight, these modifications can make significant differences as to how I feel when executing poses. While possessing certain amount of flexibility, strength and endurance important, but knowing how to manipulate weight distribution and body placement is equally crucial! Another important part of asanas would be learning the Sanskrit, which was something I wanted to do but never got down to it. Before attending this course, I only practised the asanas as form of exercise and aid me in my other sporting pursuits of climbing and running. I did not practise meditation, had limited knowledge on Pranayama and knew nothing about bandhas or cleansing techniques. I have also come to realise that sitting still and learning to breathe has proved to be the greatest challenge I have encountered so far. With eyes closed and being in a seated position for a prolonged period, it forced me to be conscious of the state of my body and focus on the present. Everyone had the chance to practise giving instructions for sun salutation and although I have heard the cues many times during my own practises, saying it is a different matter! Remembering the cues and pacing the class was tricky! I recalled my mother encouraging me to be a yoga instructor as it should be ‘easy for me’. She was wrong. Other than memorising the Sanskrit, there is the sequence, the instructions for transitions and properly executing the poses, being able to correct postures to consider when teaching a class. It is a lot of work! Despite my worries, I look forward to learning more! Here is to the next few weeks of fun! Tanya 200HR YTT May’21 Weekday
First Community Class ( 24th April )
Its amazing how when I look back now, never in my wildest dream can I imagine teaching a full yoga class. I still remember how nervous I was when Jess first started asking us to take turns to just to recite a few poses in Sanskrit – I couldn’t think, I couldn’t breathe, my heart starts to race when its almost my turn. And then there was that session where we have to come up with 3 poses each in standing, seated, prone, supine. I couldn’t even differentiate which poses belong to which group. (well.. I didn’t even know what is prone – the word) All the poses, even when I am allow to google I wasn’t sure I was looking for? Then we learn progression / regression , joints movement . Its like a building blocks, Jess train us step by step, building our knowledge and confidence incrementally, each week pushing us a little further, with humour, one day without realizing how much we have come, teaching a full yoga class doesn’t seem impossible anymore! Not that its easy, its still nerve wrecking but it doesn’t feel like we are being thrown in the deep sea to drown , it felt achievable. And I did it! Although few weeks before the class, it’s the only thing in my mind hanging over me day and night, but that feeling after the class is completed its indescribable. A huge weight lifted off my shoulder and I actually feel really proud of myself! Jess made it all seems a little easier for us, and I actually really enjoy every week attending classes learning new things and also Jess’s (sometimes lame) jokes and stories , meeting our classmates which feels like family. Now that its all coming to an end, it’s a bitter sweet feeling. Happy that we are finally closer to graduating but sad that we will not be able to come to classes every weekend now. Epilogue – TYM has always been part of my life journey , since 7-8 years ago, guiding me through thick and thin. Alexis – has always been so encouraging , supportive, also as a really good friend being there for me when I needed someone. Jess – always inspiring, wise, also entertaining at the same time ( who says being wise has to be serious and boring ). Sara – my idol. I have been very lucky, life has been kind to me. C 200 Hour YTT Feb-May’21
Pincha Mayurasana
I have really tight shoulders, lower back, and hamstring. Hence, when I tried to hop up, I ended up going into a backbend and my ribs flaring open. When I am in Ardha Pincha Mayurasana, I have trouble rounding my back too. So, during the week, I did Marjaryasana and Bitilasana when I wake up. I also did this shoulder stretch which involves the following steps: Kneeling in front of your bed/chair Place your elbow on the edge of your bed/chair Ensure that there is still space for you to fold forward and have your head/ ears beside your triceps Forearms should be perpendicular to the chair (think Pincha) Alternate between Cat and Cow spine Repeat a few times To progress, Kneel in front of a wall with your back facing the wall Inhale, reach your arms up, triceps by your ears Bend your elbows into 90 degrees and aim to have your palms on the wall (you might need to reposition your kneeling stance) Hold it for a couple of breaths Lastly, get into Ardha Pincha Mayurasana, Protract shoulder blades (you should be able to round your back or feel that you are able to do so) Bring your chest towards thigh This series of stretches is what I did for the entire week and it helped to open up my shoulders and helped me to get the idea of tucking my ribs as I kick up into Pincha. Nate 200 Hour YTT Feb-May’21
Not Ready to Say Goodbye
2 May 2021 YTT is coming to an end. Mixed feelings! Apart of me being happy about my free weekends back, another part of me is sad because no more fun time training and learning new poses with these bunch of YTT mates – which sometimes can be intimidating and crazy acting, hahaha… I will definitely miss Jessica for her spontaneous remarks and eye rolling when we were naughty ? Thank you for your patience and guidance ❤️?? Ps. Alexis should smile more often cos she looks so sweet when she does. Will miss her too ?? Lianny 200 Hour YTT Feb-May’21
YTT Journey
My YTT journey has been amazing, and possibly the best commitment I made this year. Over the last few weeks, I have seen how much my classmates have grown and how I have improved in my practice and confidence. Coming into this, I doubted my abilities and “legitimacy” as a yoga teacher since yoga was a fairly new practice for me – I lacked knowledge and the flexibility I saw so many yogis had to do certain poses. This YTT experience has taught me more than just chasing asanas on the mat – I learnt how to be patient, to work on foundations before rushing a pose; I learnt how to trust my body; most importantly, I learnt that yoga is a continuous learning journey and to just have fun while doing it! Celynn 200 Hour YTT Feb-May’21
Side Crow Progressions
We explored Parsva Bakasana, Eka Pada Koundinyasana I, and Devaduuta Panasana. Parsva Bakasana is not a pose that I am unfamiliar with and is supposed to be easier than Bakasana but I have always been struggling with balancing in the pose. I like how Jessica breaks down the pose into smaller activities/drills to prep us into it. I must say it was really tempting to want to just get into the pose but I was trying real hard to be focus and follow the instructions and not rush into the pose. Side crow has definitely become more manageable for me and I am able to control my breaths in it and stay in the pose in a somewhat peaceful state of mind. We progressed into EPK I and fallen angel. I felt like many of the poses that I have been exposed to, I don’t quite understand what my body should go through or feel. Definitely, something that I am lacking – body awareness. Technically, it is a backbend which is something that I didn’t know about until Jessica changes the perspectives of it to help us visualise it from Virabhadrasana I (really appreciate that too cause it is super important and helpful for me to understand since I don’t really have that awareness). EPK I is still a struggle and an even greater struggle since I am unable to bring that top leg back but I am optimistic that I will be able to get into it (properly). As the weeks passed, it became easier to stay in the poses and flow from Side Crow to EPK I to Fallen Angel and the reverse order. Nate 200 Hour YTT Feb-May’21
Theory
During theory, we covered the Eight Limbs of Yoga. It was quite an eye-opener to get to know the different limbs, the moral conducts (Yama) of yoga, and it makes you want to learn more about it. Many people probably only think of Yoga in maybe two of the limbs: Pranayama (more towards Meditation) and Asana (chasing after poses). Though I did not seek the spiritual aspect of Yoga, it is interesting to find out more and who knows, I might be more into it at the end of YTT! Another interesting part that we went through during the theory session was yoga nidra. Though I was one of the few that went into the zone between yoga nidra and falling asleep, it is an awesome controlled meditation experience. Understanding that when we are asleep, our body is actually not in rest mode, was one of the main takeaways from this session. I will want to venture more into this aspect in future. The last part that I want to share about the theory component is this huge chunk on understanding our muscles and joint movements and how we can look at getting into our asanas in an anatomical manner, helped me to advance further into my asanas and unlocking new asanas! For example, understanding the internal rotation of the top leg in Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana, helped me in being able to engage the top leg and the hip flexors, and eventually manage to straighten the leg! Nate 200 Hour YTT Feb-May’21
Standing Sequences
Standing sequences put my endurance to the test, especially since I am someone with weak quads and low endurance, these sequences can definitely put the mind over body mantra at test. I didn’t know that High Crescent Lunge was actually Virabhadrasana I variation before you are able to ground that back foot so learnt something new this week! I also didn’t know that the distribution of my body weight has been wrong since the beginning. My legs (mainly quads) felt the difference when I shifted my body weight to the center and it gave quite a relief for the front leg. Also, with the tailbone tucked in, I could feel the stretch on my hip flexors now, which I didn’t feel it previously (maybe not much). So Virabhadrasana II was the same, recentered my body weight and it felt a little more bearable and as usual the front knee collapsing in which I am now putting a conscious effort to engage that outer thigh muscle and my glutes. I am really thankful that my friend/teacher always get us to open up our chest when we do Utthita Trikonasana, Utthita Parsvakonasana, and Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana. So it became a second nature to open up the chest and have the top shoulder align with the bottom. I was honestly quite shocked that we progressed all the way to Svarga Dvidasana. I mean I knew we have to be doing it in any case but just thought it was quite an advanced asana. Nate 200 Hour YTT Feb-May’21
What’s next?
I feel liberated after passing my teaching practical. By now, I am 95% confident that I will pass and get my 200-hour yoga certification. So, the big question is, what is next?? Getting to sleep in during the weekends once my YTT is completed, is one thing I am looking forward for. Apart from that, I have gained knowledge on alignments and how to properly execute various asanas. I am also qualified to teach!! Looking back at my first class to now, I feel more comfortable in my own skin and am more confident walking around in my sports attire and crop tops. I find myself having more endurance and more focused in my own practise. I do not compare myself to other as much, and becoming stronger and more flexible, is more important than making sure I get into a peak pose. I currently have a full-time job as social worker right now. To be honest, even if I would want to teach yoga full-time, I feel that the job market for yoga teachers is over-saturated. The competition is so strong – how do you differentiate yourself from the other yoga instructors who took the risk to teach full-time? I can imagine all the risks, time, effort, and energy to bring attract prospective students and honing your craft/skill. Taking the first step is always scary. Perhaps I want to do something small first: (1) being comfortable in putting myself in the community to publicize myself and my skills, (2) being consistent and keep practicing to becoming better and (3) teach part-time or as substitute teacher. Even if I volunteer to teach for free, it would not be a waste – practise wisdom and experience would help in moulding me into a better yogi. And you know what? Maybe a prenatal yoga course is my next goal……and I’ve got my eye on that $2000 singing crystal bowl……. Grace 200 Hour YTT Feb-May’21
