Mid-summer, Lisa moved on to a new and exciting opportunity with CorePower in the northwest region. This left me without a mentor to report to for my yoga trade. I emailed Lisa for a referral, and a bit later, I was in contact with the new Broadway studio manager, Julie G.
I wrote to my non-yogi friend in excitement: "I met with the new yoga studio manager this morning! She's energetic and enthusiastic and just getting started reorganizing the workforce at the studio. I'm excited because it sounds like she plans on using me for her marketing efforts and other less-menial work. Could turn out to be a more meaningful volunteer experience than I anticipated!"
Monday, October 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Yoga Trade @ CorePower Broadway Studio
After Extensions, Meghan B, the studio manager at the Grant Studio, presented a yoga trade opportunity to the alumni--volunteer work at the studio for a free yoga membership.
During the busy season the studio needed support to greet and check-in students to classes. It was an opportunity to be present at the studios and learn the computer system. In January, I started volunteering once a week at the Broadway Studio under Lisa S, the studio manager.
I have to admit--at first it was completely nerve-wracking, the exact opposite of yoga! There were forty-plus people checking in for classes. Week after week, without fail, there was a challenging combination of new student registrations, complex split payments, drop-in payments and retail sales. For the first three weeks, I dreaded going in for my volunteer shift. I feared the chaos. I assumed there would be one type of transaction that I did not know how to perform in the MindBody business management system...yet, of course.
I should have remembered from training that doing things out of fear rather than love can be a painful experience! At first, my yoga trade experience was ten times more stressful than my full-time job or teaching yoga to newbies, computer programmers. Eventually, I made amends with the non-intuitive MindBody system. In addition, I got acquainted with various yoga teachers at the Broadway studio. I let go, and finally, yoga trade was able to become a positive experience for me.
During the busy season the studio needed support to greet and check-in students to classes. It was an opportunity to be present at the studios and learn the computer system. In January, I started volunteering once a week at the Broadway Studio under Lisa S, the studio manager.
I have to admit--at first it was completely nerve-wracking, the exact opposite of yoga! There were forty-plus people checking in for classes. Week after week, without fail, there was a challenging combination of new student registrations, complex split payments, drop-in payments and retail sales. For the first three weeks, I dreaded going in for my volunteer shift. I feared the chaos. I assumed there would be one type of transaction that I did not know how to perform in the MindBody business management system...yet, of course.
I should have remembered from training that doing things out of fear rather than love can be a painful experience! At first, my yoga trade experience was ten times more stressful than my full-time job or teaching yoga to newbies, computer programmers. Eventually, I made amends with the non-intuitive MindBody system. In addition, I got acquainted with various yoga teachers at the Broadway studio. I let go, and finally, yoga trade was able to become a positive experience for me.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Teaching Yoga @ Useful Networks
In August, I met Genie at a mutual friend's birthday party in downtown Denver. She was friendly and energetic. We met while I was deep in yoga teacher training mode. Genie is all about creating opportunity. She encouraged me to teach lunchtime yoga at her workplace, Useful Networks, once a week. The programmers could use a yoga break and I could use the teaching practice. Of course, I accepted the generous offer!
Thirty-minute classes were challenging. I needed to take these programmers away from their world of code and move them into a relaxing place for them to really experience yoga. Most of the participants were completely new to yoga. Some had practiced yoga regularly for some time. Each week, there would be some familiar faces and some new faces. Overall, I could see a general improvement and increased enjoyment over time--in my students and in myself. Over time, I felt more comfortable to play with the sequence, the music and the theme.
One of my favorite classes was my 'memories of Costa Rica' theme. To celebrate my thirtieth birthday, I traveled to Costa Rica with my family. My theme covered rainforest animals. I had my class flying like birds (in prayer twists) and swinging like a monkeys (in gorilla pose). My goals were to bring awareness to spinal movement and lengthening, and to present modifications, such as flying during revolving crescent lunge, in a playful way. The theme for this class came from a genuine place, and it felt great!
Thirty-minute classes were challenging. I needed to take these programmers away from their world of code and move them into a relaxing place for them to really experience yoga. Most of the participants were completely new to yoga. Some had practiced yoga regularly for some time. Each week, there would be some familiar faces and some new faces. Overall, I could see a general improvement and increased enjoyment over time--in my students and in myself. Over time, I felt more comfortable to play with the sequence, the music and the theme.
One of my favorite classes was my 'memories of Costa Rica' theme. To celebrate my thirtieth birthday, I traveled to Costa Rica with my family. My theme covered rainforest animals. I had my class flying like birds (in prayer twists) and swinging like a monkeys (in gorilla pose). My goals were to bring awareness to spinal movement and lengthening, and to present modifications, such as flying during revolving crescent lunge, in a playful way. The theme for this class came from a genuine place, and it felt great!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Teaching a Donation Yoga Class @ CorePower Grant Studio
I was set to teach Sun Salutation A in a round-robin donation class. The Extension Teacher Trainers were leading a special class for a non-profit cause, Yoga for the People. The yoga studio was packed with high-visibility CorePower staff members, fellow Extension students, friends and other eager yogis. My breathing was labored. My body was tense.
Marley could innately sense how nervous I was. Right before my turn in the round robin, she placed her hands on my shoulders, and suddenly, like magic, I just felt better. I found my seat as a teacher and my Sun A went as smoothly as I could have visualized it. I could see the room was mat-to-mat in the front mirror, but my intention to set the tone for the rest of the class held true. I was grateful for my Extensions experience, and that gratitude was able to shine through in my cues. After class, Marley acknowledged how quickly I made the transformation right before it was my turn to teach and I acknowledged how powerful her encouragement as a teacher was. Namaste!
Marley could innately sense how nervous I was. Right before my turn in the round robin, she placed her hands on my shoulders, and suddenly, like magic, I just felt better. I found my seat as a teacher and my Sun A went as smoothly as I could have visualized it. I could see the room was mat-to-mat in the front mirror, but my intention to set the tone for the rest of the class held true. I was grateful for my Extensions experience, and that gratitude was able to shine through in my cues. After class, Marley acknowledged how quickly I made the transformation right before it was my turn to teach and I acknowledged how powerful her encouragement as a teacher was. Namaste!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Yoga Teacher Training Extensions - Group Meeting
Marisa was absent on Sunday, so Monday night was the first time we met with her. I was feeling out of sorts. I realized it was the time of day that was throwing me. I had to quiet my mind from the day of work and commuting and I was having a lot of trouble. I couldn't focus on teaching. I forgot the names of body parts, the names of poses. I left like I had undergone a partial lobotomy, and somehow survived. I promised the group I'd be my better self next time.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Yoga Teacher Training Extensions - First Meeting
There was a lot of excited & nervous energy in the room. Marley V was the lead teacher trainer for Extensions, and today she was especially brilliant. She is in love with Extensions and all of its participants. She was glowing. I think that light penetrated the heart of every student and teacher trainer in the studio that morning.
The Extensions students were broken into smaller groups. Surprisingly, Kiara and I were both put into the same small group lead by Marisa V. Our group was well-balanced with vata and pita doshas.
Finally, the whole Extensions class taught round-robin style. I wasn't nervous, but I still don't feel comfortable in the seat of the teacher. Marley's feedback was that I need to dance between cuing and adjustments. I need levity and I know it.
The Extensions students were broken into smaller groups. Surprisingly, Kiara and I were both put into the same small group lead by Marisa V. Our group was well-balanced with vata and pita doshas.
Finally, the whole Extensions class taught round-robin style. I wasn't nervous, but I still don't feel comfortable in the seat of the teacher. Marley's feedback was that I need to dance between cuing and adjustments. I need levity and I know it.
Friday, October 3, 2008
CorePower Yoga Teacher Training Extentions
What is Extensions?
Extensions is a mentor program targeted at developing the teaching foundation created during teacher training, and growing into a fuller, richer, creative expression.
Extensions is a way keep on the track of being a dedicated student so I can teach from a place of authentic experience and connection. It means figuring out what I need to work on as a yogi and instructor in order to deliver a class that is true to where I'm at as a teacher and what I want to get across.
The program lasts seven weeks long. During the first three weeks, we meet with everyone in the program to go more in depth into assists, theme, music, voice, and intelligence of the sequence. During the next four weeks, we are put into a small groups of four or five with a mentor. During the last month of the program, we take we've learned and apply it in a real life setting. We are required to go to beginner's classes to assist. During the small groups weekly meetings, one person will teach a full class in a CPY studio to the group utilizing music, assists, theme, and voice. The mentor will observe the class and provide written feedback.
What am I thinking?
I am not sure if I am in the right place for Extensions. My dot-com job has been unstable. Spending money on additional yoga training doesn't seem like a financially responsible idea.
Well, it's either going to cost now, or it's going to cost later. I have the time before ski/snowboarding season, and I have the energy to commit. What am I waiting for?
Extensions is a mentor program targeted at developing the teaching foundation created during teacher training, and growing into a fuller, richer, creative expression.
Extensions is a way keep on the track of being a dedicated student so I can teach from a place of authentic experience and connection. It means figuring out what I need to work on as a yogi and instructor in order to deliver a class that is true to where I'm at as a teacher and what I want to get across.
The program lasts seven weeks long. During the first three weeks, we meet with everyone in the program to go more in depth into assists, theme, music, voice, and intelligence of the sequence. During the next four weeks, we are put into a small groups of four or five with a mentor. During the last month of the program, we take we've learned and apply it in a real life setting. We are required to go to beginner's classes to assist. During the small groups weekly meetings, one person will teach a full class in a CPY studio to the group utilizing music, assists, theme, and voice. The mentor will observe the class and provide written feedback.
What am I thinking?
I am not sure if I am in the right place for Extensions. My dot-com job has been unstable. Spending money on additional yoga training doesn't seem like a financially responsible idea.
Well, it's either going to cost now, or it's going to cost later. I have the time before ski/snowboarding season, and I have the energy to commit. What am I waiting for?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
