Mirror Neurons on Yoganonymous

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A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires both when an animal acts and when the animal observes the same action performed by another.Thus, the neuron “mirrors” the behaviour of the other, as though the observer were itself acting.

As most yoga teachers and students already know, our practice begins long before we ever step on the mat. My dear friend and fellow Yoga Tune Up® teacher Ariel Kiley gives a detailed insight as to just how much of our practice begins just by setting foot in the asana room…

“While each individual body may have unique needs, it is reassuring to know that the attitude you bring as a teacher will resonate across the board. As each student soaks up an alternative, positive attitude toward a student’s physical ailment, they immediately mirror it, and their energy begins to shift. As with Fran, they become more settled, relaxed, open and warm. The combined energy of the group can enhance this “vibe”, finding lightness and humor while experimenting with different techniques to facilitate healthy transformation in damaged or compromised tissue. Whether or not the individual symptoms subside, the experience of being in a space where the students feel safe and cared for can go a long way toward relieving their discomfort.” – Ariel Kiley in Yoganonymous

Read the full article here.

Jess

Oh…You’re Teaching The Class Today?

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Where is MY yoga teacher?

Teaching a new class can always be a bit scary whether you are a new or seasoned teacher. Being a substitute only adds to the anxiety of being in front of a room full of strangers. In a perfect world having a sub wouldn’t matter as long as you are still getting the stress relieving moving meditation that you came for – right?

It’s All About YOU: Never Have A Bad Yoga Class Again

There is a rush of excitement with teaching in a new space and you want to do your best – then it happens. He/She saunters in with yoga mat tucked under their arm and a look of disapproval on their face. Thinking a smile will make this introduction a little sweeter, you offer up an inviting grin, only to be met with ”Oh – you’re teaching today?”

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Freedom in Vulnerability

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As some of you may already know, The Magazine of Yoga is no longer publishing new stories. In the four months I spent as part of the team of contributors I learned so much from the editor (Susan Maier-Moul).

After what seemed to be a random email inviting me to write for her magazine I remember feeling terrified by the offer.

“What do I have to say and why would anyone take the time to read it?” – This was seriously my first thought.

In many ways the writing process mirrored my yoga practice. Showing up to my first class with uncertainty of what to expect, finding ways to modify the practice to work with my unique body. My articles were no different – with every submission I sent in there was a fear lurking in the back of my mind that my words would not resonate with anyone.

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Yoga Tune Up® Level 1 Teacher Training – Irvine, CA 1/27 – 2/4

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Are you ready to take your teaching to the next level?

Join Maura Barclay at Equinox Fitness in Irvine, CA for a Yoga Tune Up® level 1 teacher training January 27th – February 4th!

Maura Barclay has the trainees de-construct Warrior II using directions of movement

This training will change the way you teach and the way you look at the bodies that show up to your class. With yoga being a healing practice, it is our responsibility as the teacher to “do no harm. Yoga Tune Up® breaks down the nuts and bolts of human movement by using a yogic lens of awareness, conscious relaxation, and proper breathing techniques. This new lens of awareness sets you apart from the average 200 hour graduate. During the 70 hour training you will dive deeply into integrated anatomy and body mechanics while discovering a fresh approach to Asana. Go beyond formulaic instruction and truly learn how to think and teach creatively within your classroom.

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The Yogi vs. CrossFit (part II)

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Myths about CrossFit and women:

I have to get in better shape before I go!

I don’t want to get bulky/ look less feminine

It’s too hard!

Those are just a few that I have heard since my first Yogi vs CrossFit post. The truth is these things crossed my mind before I went to my first class too. I was teaching at a yoga studio that was conveniently located just a few doors down from CrossFit City of Angels, this meant I had to walk past the gym everyday to get to my studio. What I saw each time I walked by surprised me, there were men and women, and they were smiling! Huh?

CrossFit City of Angels team having some fun before flipping tires!

Finally I decided to just pop in one day and speak with the owner (Pete) and find out what CrossFit was all about. Right away I felt at ease. As a self-proclaimed “anatomy geek” I was pleasantly surprised to hear Pete and the other coaches pay so much attention to proper form and alignment. There was no pressure to just lift the heaviest weight you could pick up. From the very first class I was advised to never compromise my form just to use more weight. I cannot stress this enough ladies – you are not forced to lift heavy weights (early on I started with just a bar bell no weights)!

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“Even if you stumble, you’re still moving forward.”

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“All great changes are preceded by chaos.” -Deepak Chopra

Some big changes to my schedule! After a rough year of driving from the valley to west LA, I finally surrendered and let all of my Santa Monica, Culver City, and Marina del Rey classes go. Well, actually they let ME go (be sure to check out my next post on The Magazine of Yoga for the details). I spent the last year trying to fill my schedule with classes and now I feel as though I am starting all over again. 

So often we hold onto things that do not serve us. Eventually the universe will pull you away for your own good. It is our responsibility to find the lesson in the loss. As crazy as it sounds, 2011 taught me to appreciate, even celebrate loss. It really all comes down to perspective, have we lost something when people, jobs, or material items are no longer a part of our lives? Or, have we gained clarity by stripping away some of life’s distractions? When people are no longer in our lives due to conflict, distance, or death this is also an opportunity for growth and clarity, but only if we see it as such. Starting over again with finding new places to teach is much easier due to the lessons I learned the first time around.

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The Magazine Of Yoga: Confidence, Empathy, Patience

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The  realities of teaching to who shows up and honoring them in their current state…

I am under 30, have never been injured and naturally very thin – I don’t think these facts make me a better yogi (or a better person).

So often I hear that “yoga is for every body” and I even toss this phrase around myself; proudly explaining to anyone who is curious about starting a yoga practice that they will feel welcome and be accommodated in class. Honestly it’s something I never gave much thought to – just sounds good to say that yoga is all inclusive.

The reality is I had not personally experienced creating a safe space that was indeed for every body. I was incredibly naïve when it came to what kind of bodies would be in front of me as a teacher. Click here for full article

Jess

 

The Yogi vs. CrossFit

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Lets go ahead and state the obvious – I LOVE YOGA!

With this love of the practice also comes a responsibility to keep my body safe. Something I often mention in classes (when we veer off from traditional flow to do some corrective exercise) is “I want us all to be able to practice yoga when we are 90 years old”! Since deciding to make my career all about yoga this is very important to me. In addition to using Yoga Tune Up® I have been looking for ways to keep from over-stretching with all of the yoga I do. Finally I had an epiphany…well actually I read an article about over-stretching  by Jill Miller, Creator of Yoga Tune Up®  YTU Takes You From Floppy To Fit

“Tissues are living; they can change and heal if given the right stimulation, a disciplined approach and the correct exercises to balance them. For some this could mean more stretching; for others it might mean more strengthening, but always a combination of the two.” -  Jill Miller

So many of us have come to accept that aches and pains and lack of mobility with aging as normal. Which brings another Jill Miller quote to mind – “we have to find a new normal”. Finding a new normal for me means how do I stay healthy enough to practice and teach yoga 10, 20, 30 years from now?

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Class Consciousness

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“Look at what goes into a pose and honestly assess whether or not your body is ready to go there. Now apply that to your life – POW!”

Head on over to The Magazine of Yoga and check out my most recent post discussing how training with Jill Miller has changed the way I practice and teach.

Teaching my first yoga class was an out of body experience.

For sixty minutes I observed myself using phrases I had never uttered before, in an intonation having NO resemblance to my natural speaking voice. It was only about ten minutes into this process that I realized I was mimicking a yoga teacher, not teaching yoga. You see, I felt that I had to teach a certain way in order to call myself a teacher, that every class has to start with OM and you have to tell your students to shine their heart forward.

Read the full article here.

 

 

Finding my truth on and off the mat

Jess