Is capitalism creating a “yoga monster?”Are we creating a culture of detachment rather than connection? Are the “yoga markets” saturated? Are the new businesses opening solving a problem, or creating one? Are we serving ourselves more than considering each other? How can we return to a state of interconnection, collaboration and harmony? Too Much is Too MuchRecent conversations between myself and clients have included this statement. They've asked, "If I take more classes, will it make me better faster?" If only wellbeing worked that way. Yes, it's good to attend self care practices on a regular basis, but attending two or more classes in a row or classes every day of the week isn't necessarily going to heal or improve your circumstances more quickly. In fact, you could end up injuring yourself or creating other issues. When it comes to wellness, moderation and harmony are the keys. Your practice of self care is yours, alone, but finding your way can be easier if you’re given some guidance. Finding a guide who understands that your needs are unique and who is able to provide support and guidance based upon the philosophies of yoga may not be easy. The “yoga scene” has changed a lot. Yoga studios are beginning to feel more like gyms; offering hour long active movement classes. Gyms are offering “yoga classes” that incorporate weights or HIIT. People posing in postures on Instagram are getting paid to do so and garner huge followings. People are flocking to the hottest new studio and busiest classes. Are they doing so for themselves or to be seen? Are they practicing yoga? For whom are they doing this; for themselves or to be like someone else? Yoga on Every CornerThere’s been a boom of people who have attended a yoga teacher training in the past few years. Not only are there more people claiming to be teachers, there are more who misunderstand what it means to be a yoga practitioner. Any yogi or yogini will tell you that the key to yoga can’t be found in an instagram photo. While the asana, or posturing has become a symbol for yoga, it is not the only aspect of the practice. You can attend classes during which you’ll be instructed through a variety of postures at wineries, libraries, on beaches, at breweries, in mental health facilities and even detention centers. While you don’t need to visit a yoga studio to engage in or experience the practices of yoga, there is a reason why they exist: they are space designed and intended for accessing yoga. From the interior design to the intentions set before and after every practice, a yoga studio is a special place with a unique energy. A yoga teacher is not a fitness instructor. A yoga class is not a workout. While you may move and sweat, the ultimate intention of yoga is to help you know yourself so you can effect changes to be your best self. Wellness, wellbeing and self care are the roots of the practice. After a yoga session you should feel as though you have done some serious self care and have a desire to continue to incorporate what you learned into your life. Competition vs CollaborationI belong to a few groups that discuss the struggles of being a yoga studio owner and teachers. Asteya and ahimsa are two of the primary practices of yoga, but it seems as though they are being ignored and overlooked when it comes to the world of offering yoga through a business. Stories of teachers using studios without permission, collecting client information, undercutting each other, opening competing studios and more are plentiful. The overhead of running a studio includes not only rent, but also utilities, a booking system, credit card processing, advertising, marketing, payroll and more. Small studios run by teachers who have years of experience are struggling to stay in business as franchises and gym-like centers open nearby offering lower prices and with financial backing that can cover the overhead costs. Yoga is supposed to be a practice of collaboration and connection. It seems, though, that the business of offering yoga is creating a culture of competition. This is resulting in behaviors of mistrust, secrecy, isolation and separation. Vinyasa, Hot, Iyengar, Goat. . .YogaYou can put any words you want together. You can put any things you want together; Milkshakes and french fries, wings and ranch, gin and tonic are all things that people enjoy. Not all things are good when brought together and, when combined, sometimes the roots or basis can be lost. For example; milk and lemon. When combined, the two yield buttermilk and there’s no way to go back to the originals. When the word yoga is added to an activity, sometimes the yogic aspect is lost. To say “vinyasa yoga” is to create union through intentional sequence. Hot yoga is creating union through heat. Iyengar yoga means union through Iyengar (what?) and goat yoga is to create union through goats (uh, huh?). Is this making sense? We could keep going and say everything is yoga, which is true, if you practice yoga, but just saying something is, doesn’t make it so. So, maybe you’re thinking about practicing french fry yoga, chicken yoga and wine yoga. Everyone should practice in their own way, but I just don’t think that union with fries, spirits and wine is going to help you live your best life. The Right Yoga How do you know if the yoga class you're attending is the right one for you? Ask yourself the following questions: Is the instruction clear, varied and easy to follow? Does the instructor/teacher/guide pay attention to my needs? Am I being given guidance to pay attention to more than my body?
If your answer to these questions is “yes,” then you’ve found a good teacher and practice. Yoga classes should include movement that directs your body in every direction, is accessible for everyone attending, provides variations for different needs and suggestions for connecting with your body, breath, energy, emotions and mind. The root work of yoga is yuj: to yoke or join. To practice yoga is to access yoga. How do we do so? Through observation, direction, body awareness, intentional breathing, focus, mindfulness and integration. Wherever you begin and whatever path you move upon, if you’re engaging in these practices, you’re moving toward yoga. Returning to the original question; is there too much yoga? I’ve begun to wonder if maybe there isn’t enough.
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By Alex founded localfreshies.com® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer. My First Experience Before Lake Tahoe YogaSince I’ve been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis I’ve been on a search to feel better and get healthier. I stopped smoking. I got into the gym doing exercises specifically geared towards my condition. My diet has changed. So, when I first did yoga, I chose to do a free introductory class years ago. It was ok, but it didn’t really help me. Breaking Down The BarriersI won’t lie Jenay and I are good friends and for many years she’s been trying to coax me into doing a personal session with her. The first (and only) class I did with someone else left a bad taste in my mouth. I felt like it was mumbo-jumbo. For those free-spirited individuals. I balked at the cost as well. Why the heck would I spend a $100 for one session?!?! With the help of my wife I reluctantly said “yes.” Not Just Yoga… A Physical Therapy SessionBefore we even had our 1st session she read up about my illness, looked at my x-rays, had me ask specific questions to have my doctor answer, and did a bunch of research on what things to do and not do. As we started the hour-long session… the type of yoga moves we began with warmed up the body. She explained each posture and why it was important to me. It felt less like a yoga class and more of a physical therapy session. I began to sweat. My muscles began to quiver. My First Personal Course – Mind AlteringBy the end, I was exhausted physically, mentally, and spiritually. As I woke up the next morning it felts as though every muscle had finally let go. A release of pent up tightness that I didn’t know existed. It was then that I realized what Yoga is. It isn’t just stretching. It is a way for those of us who have disabilities to get better slowly. It was worth EVERY penny and I now budget my life so that I can do it every other week. The Difference Between Each Type Of ClassOver the course of the past few months there have been times when I couldn’t do the personal session and have done different levels and I’ve finally realized you get what you pay for. For those with physical issues the 1-on-1 is a MUST! You’ll get more than you’ll ever dream, but it isn’t cheap (and rightly so). The virtual 1-on-1 class is the second best, but not even close to as good as the in-person course. Last but not least, a group class with Jenay is a good substitute but it will never give you the results the other two sessions above will. If you’re in pain, tweaked something in your body, or just feel tight I HIGHLY recommend you scheduling a personal session with Jenay. You won’t regret it.
Ancestry Means SomethingIt's nice to know where you came from. Your individual ancestry can help you to identify who you are. In the same way, the line of teachers that provided knowledge and guidance to the one you practice with can provide you with a better understanding of why they teach the way they do. Lineage in Yoga is a valuable bit of information. RootsDid you know that Raja is the root of all Yoga? Hatha is the seed of modern Yoga. All Yoga began at the time of the Vedas during which traditions and practices were shared orally. It wasn't until people began to write (The Vedas and Upanishads) that the practices were codified. Knowing who your teachers are can make a difference in your understanding of the practice. If your teacher can trace their training back to a teacher who is trained in the traditional and authentic practice (Raja and Hatha) they probably have a stronger grasp on what Yoga is. If your teacher cannot identify the lineage in which they were trained they may not be a teacher at all. Instructors can tell you to move, to breath and to focus. Teachers give you the tools to access Yoga. Those who continue to study, observe and deepen their own practice become guides who can show you the way to practice Yoga authentically. Religion, Culture, WisdomLIfestyle practices including Hinduism and Buddhism influenced the way in which Yoga was described. As the stories of the Vedas were written, they were transformed by the way in which people were living at the time. Each new translation of the stories; from Sanskrit to Persion, then to Latin and eventually English, that which was written was changed. Beliefs, religion, culture and more effected the way in which the ancient texts were translated. Even today there are new books, insights, perspectives and thoughts on how to practice Yoga. Every instructor has their own ideas they want to share. It can be challenging to find a guide with whom you connect. Keep practicing and searching for the right one. Yoga In Everything, EverywhereEvery time we read the writings as they are translated by a new story teller, we are given a new perspective. The explanations change as a result of current culture, influence, experiences and individual meta-cognition. Although the practices remain consistent; Asta-anga (eight limbs) must be practiced in order for Yoga to occur, the approach changes. Dependent upon where you were raised, your beliefs, teachers, guides and circumstances effect your practice. One thing remains true for all of us: Yoga exists in everything, everywhere. We just need to reveal it. Stick with it. Practice Yoga Everywhere. Discover your Self. If you would like to discuss or learn more about the history of Yoga and the practices of Raja and Hatha book a Realignment Coaching Session with Jenay or begin deepening your practice through the Lake Tahoe Yoga School 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program.
Becoming A Yoga TeacherDid you know that anyone can be a Yoga instructor? Anyone at any time can say that they know how to teach Yoga and can easily begin selling Yoga classes. There is no certification required, no registration, no education. Of course, we know that this is not what makes a person a Yoga teacher. The ability to instruct people to move through various postures does not necessitate special training. However, the skills needed to guide people through a Yoga sequence that intentionally creates physical, energetic and emotional change requires depth of study and practice. The Yoga Alliance provides us with a set of guidelines to follow in our training. SvadhyayaSelf Study is one of the most important practices a Yoga teacher must do. While studying the texts, philosophies and practices of Yoga we must apply that which we learn to our lives. We must move with the intention of noticing how it effects our own bodies and live as witnesses and observers of our own thoughts, speech and actions. Teaching Yoga requires constant practice and study. It requires self awareness, continued study, growth and development. A Yoga teacher is always practicing, but not always posing. They are developing deeper awareness of themselves in order to gain a better understanding of the practitioners whom they guide. Intense, but not IntensiveThe training required to become a Yoga teacher is intense, but it should not be intensive. The quality of the training a blossoming practitioner attends can make the difference between them becoming an instructor or a teacher. The most common initial Yoga teacher training program is 200 hours in length. A comprehensive program includes everything from history to anatomy and should also cover the philosophy and practices of traditional Yoga. To fully grasp these concepts it is important that a budding teacher apply them to life. To do this, we must walk the walk and talk the talk, everywhere. We must take the time to understand and apply everything we learn. A quality Yoga teacher takes the time necessary to develop themselves, their knowledge and their own practice. Hidden TalentsEveryone has their own special set of skills. A quality Yoga teacher does more than instruct poses. They absorb themselves into the practice and radiate their passion into the studio as well as out in the world. Every aspect of their life is dissolved in Yoga. Listen to how your teacher speaks, watch them move, notice what they do while demonstrating or moving through the room. Listen for their unique set of skills. Learn about your teacher. Do they have a degree? In what field? What lives did they live before they became a Yoga teacher? How does their past effect the way in which they teach? Each one of us applies that which we had learned before we became Yoga teachers to the way in which we teach and live. When you practice with a quality Yoga teacher you will be able to see, hear and feel who they are as a result of their past experiences. Value Your TeacherStanding on your head, jumping from downward dog to handstand and being able to wrap your legs behind your shoulders does not qualify you to teach Yoga. In fact, many teachers lack the flexibility to access many of the party trick poses you will find on Instagram. In addition, just because your teacher can do these things that does not mean they can teach you to access the positions in your body or that your body can move in those ways. Think about your favorite teachers in school. What qualities made them memorable? A quality Yoga training offers more than instruction during a work out. The teacher should create space, energy, guidance, support, instruction, direction, passion, enthusiasm and availability. The practice of Yoga is a way of life and they should share their life with you every time they teach. When you find your Yoga teacher demonstrate how much you value them by paying full price, letting others know what makes them different and showing up to support what they do and continue to learn and grow with them. To learn more about the requirements to become a Yoga teacher through the Lake Tahoe Yoga School or the expectations of the Yoga Alliance contact [email protected] or call (775)580-7224.
If you just chose this blog because of the title, take a moment to reflect upon that which you were hoping to get from reading it. Begin with these two words: “Yoga” and “Brand.” These two words inherently do not fit together. A brand is something that had been manufactured. Yoga is a practice that was discovered thousands of years ago. A brand is owned, distributed and sold. Yoga is none of these. It is everywhere, to be lived by anyone, for free. Yoga is not a product. [The first space in which Raja Hatha Yoga was practiced in Lake Tahoe.] Location, Location, LocationA brand is all about looking good. The right location, models, lighting, attitude, motto, all matters. You have to consider the demographic and customer you are trying to reach. You have to sell. This is not Yoga. No matter how hard I try to sell you on trying for the first time, second, going somewhere new, attempting a different approach, or convincing you that it will change your life, you have to be ready to become a Yoga practitioner. No matter how pretty or new or shiny the studio space. No matter how sexy, strong or flexible those joining the class may be, you have to be ready to change yourself. Yoga is not about location. It is about mindset. AttitudeNo matter how good you are at posing you will still need practice in order to discover Yoga. Sure, you may look good in your Lululemon pants and your Athleta top while you are handstand floating to the front of your mat. Regardless of your ability to access Virabhadrasana Eka or Ashtavrakasana we all have to keep practicing to work within. Yoga is not a show. It is a practice of mindful movement, breath, and ultimately letting go of expectations. When you practice it may be with a large group, small group or individually. The space in which you practice, style that you choose and those with whom you join in are not what matter. It is your attitude that makes the difference. Are you here to be seen or to See? Who are You Following?A brand sells because you desire to be like that which you see. Fit, strong, relaxed, affluent, happy, whatever it is you desire, the company selling is doing everything they can to convince you that their product will change you. We all know that it won't. No piece of clothing, yoga mat, block, strap, or new tool is going to make you a better person. Only you can do that. Before beginning, trying again, or returning to the practice consider what you are seeking in a teacher. Seek out a guide who is knowledgeable beyond Asana and who understands and practices the philosophies of Yoga. Find someone who is authentically themselves all of the time. Your teacher should be real, dedicated, truthful, vibrant and fearless to be themselves no matter what. For this will encourage you to do the same. If you are considering beginning, trying again, or returning to the practice and would like advice, guidance or assistance please reach out to Jenay. Whether choosing Lake Tahoe Yoga or another location in which to practice she is happy to provide support to anyone interested in practicing Yoga.
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