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My Yoga Background
Perhaps you're curious about my background, training, or the certifications required to present a yoga workshop?
First, I've been teaching yoga continuously for almost 30 years because I love yoga.
Second, when I started working in the group fitness industry, I already had a master's degree in dance, which qualified me to teach movement anywhere. But I wanted to be widely accepted in the fitness industry, so I trained and earned the most recognized certification at the time, the American Council on Exercise Group Fitness Instructor Certification.
Third, before I started working at East Los Angeles College in 1996, I was asked if I could teach yoga. I said yes!
As a young person, I thought I was invincible and could do anything, which was partly true! I have been teaching a variety of new movement styles since January 1996.
I feel selfish about continuing to teach yoga all these years, regardless of my main job on campus, because I know it's good for me too, even if I'm no longer the best and most flexible person in the class.
Greetings!
Hello Yogis, I'm happy to see you here to learn more about my yoga workshop "Freedom, Flow, and Some Universal Truths about Yoga" (rediscover what you thought you'd lost... right here on your yoga mat!).
Wednesday, October 15 from 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM at East Los Angeles College, Dance Studio S2-102... a Vinyasa-style yoga session with a relaxed West Coast twist!
Workshop Introduction:
Yoga is a practice of awakening and connecting with all that exists. You can dedicate your entire life to practicing it and still have much to learn.
Today, we'll all review our foundations in Basic Yoga skills and techniques, which may even change the way we think and act as we consider different "Universal Principles."
Twisting in Yoga
Improves spinal mobility, strengthens core muscles, and enhances body awareness, while also promoting relaxation and stress relief. Additionally, twists can stimulate digestive organs, improve circulation, and potentially aid in detoxification.
Colors & Scents in Our Lives
Make us (and those around us) feel things...this is what I'm expressing today:
Light Blue: Intellectual Wellness: Chakra Five_Visuddha_Throat Chakra
I Speak
Lavender
Indigo: Spiritual Wellness: Chakra Six_Anja_Third Eye Chakra
I See
Frankincense
Purple: Multicultural Wellness: Chakra Seven_Sahasrara_Crown Chakra
I Understand
Bergamot
Universal Truths vs. Sections of This Yoga Class
#1 Change is inevitable:
Warmup
Start where you are; Do what you can; Take what you need.
#2 Curiosity:
Sun Salutation & Balancing
Be curious about what you can do today, right now.
#3 Boredom is a state of mind:
Stranding & Seated
Make the impossible possible; make the possible easy; make the easy elegant.
#4 Trying to be perfect:
Backbending & Finishing
As Yogis we are always doing our best in every aspect of our lives.
OVERALL
Yes, we care about accuracy to get the best benefits from each asana. Let's be kind to ourselves and balance our frustration with an awareness of the truth...
The Mantra of the Day
Nothing lasts forever.
Freedom,Flow, and Some UniversalTruths...
About Yoga
Finding What You Thought You Lost...
on your Yoga mat...
#1 Change is Inevitable:
Our first Universal Truth today is that Change is inevitable. Nothing lasts forever, and the only direction we can go is forward; we can't go back. So, we can always ask ourselves two questions: What now? What next? On your yoga mat, if you feel confused, tired, or frustrated, remember that it's just a yoga class. Somehow, yoga has been associated with being serious and heavy, but that doesn't have to be. Simply rest, remind yourself of the truth, and join us when you can.
Start where you are; Do what you can; Take what you need.
#2 Curiosity:
Be open to your opportunities today. Your focus, your control, your flexibility, and your experience of balance change every day, depending on what you ate yesterday, or how you slept last night, or the weight of your thoughts. We all know how burdensome discursive thinking can be!
Be curious about what you can do today, in this moment!
#3 Boredom is a State of Mind:
After practicing yoga for a while, you'll know that, just like everything else in life, it can be uplifting, inspiring, boring, ordinary, strange, joyful, and magical! Let's consider what all our Somatic Exercise Gurus have told us about our ability to control our thoughts, control our body, control our movement, regardless of what has happened to us or what we fear, to revive our Spirit!
Make the impossible possible; make the possible easy; Make the easy elegant.
(Moshe Feldenkrais)
#4 Try to be Perfect:
Don't even bother trying to be perfect, because just as you never will be, you already are! As yoga beginners, we're stuck worrying about the challenges of how hard Downward Facing Dog is at the beginning of each class, and trying to hold Tree Pose for only a few breaths. Yes, as beginners, we focus on developing our One-Point Consciousness by focusing primarily on our breathing. Yes, we worry about precision to get the most benefit from each asana. We're kind to ourselves and balance our frustration with the knowledge that
As yogis, we're always doing our best in every aspect of our lives.