Day 128 Intention ~ Make Yoga Accessible

Day 128 Intention ~ Make Yoga Accessible

I often say that I believe there is a yoga class out there for every single person and I believe that. Today, I am teaching mini classes at a juvenile detention center wellness fair. These workers are overstressed and from what I saw, generally out of shape. Although I tried to convince them to try yoga on a mat, most were uncomfortable with that idea, so I held a chair yoga class with them. We started with some simple pranayama and I wonder if it's the first time any of them have witnessed their breath (at least in quite a long time). It felt good to help them open up a little bit and realize that even stretching on a chair would feel good. 

Next, to my seniors class. These folks have to move very slowly and have many issues, bad knees, hip replacements, and just general years of not doing anything. We move in a slow, gentle way and allow them to feel themselves opening back up. Some work from a mat, others from a chair, but they all feel good afterwards.

Tonight is my younger bunch. My vinyasa flow folks, who like to feel "worked out" from class. 

I feel blessed to be able to bring yoga to all sorts of people and age groups. I cannot stress enough, that if you went to a class and didn't feel like it was right for you, check out another one with a different teacher or a different style. There is a class for you out there, you just have to keep looking. Once you find it, it will change your life! 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 123 Intention ~ Love What I Do

Day 123 Intention ~ Love What I Do (again!)

I get to teach yoga, almost everyday. It is a really rewarding job emotionally for me. I am lucky. In my life, I have had jobs that I have enjoyed, but not felt fulfilled or jobs that I haven't enjoyed so much and was definitely not fulfilled, but now, I love my job. Yes, it's a hustle. Yes, it's hard work (whether you believe that or not.) Yes, I struggle financially sometimes to do it...okay, more than sometimes. :) But, I feel "richer" than I ever have in my life and that is worth it.

I have a student that usually goes to yin classes or to my yin + slow flow and restoratives class. This morning, she ventured into my Ashtanga class! Now, I am not a strict strict Ashtanga teacher and we aren't doing a full primary series in that class. It is a shorter hour long class that I pretty much follow the shorter versions that David Swenson offers up in his Ashtanga book. I think that it is a great base for learning vinyasa flow and the basic poses in a way that is accessible in order to build your practice. 

She came in and took the challenge! It was her first full vinyasa class and she did great. I am never sure how people will transition, but as she described afterwards, "It seemed to flow like water." Perfect. She loved it and I am excited to have been the one to start her on her vinyasa journey. 

These are the days that I am particularly reminded how much I love what I do. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti, 

Marcia

Day 79 Intention ~ Keep That Rise & Shine Energy

Day 79 Intention ~ Keep That Rise & Shine Energy All Day

Wednesday morning, first day of spring, 6 a.m. Rise & Shine Power Vinyasa. Cleveland, Ohio...high of 30 degrees today with snow showers. This is the beginning of spring in Cleveland, no surprise. It is dark and cold. 

I leave to teach my class at 5:30 a.m. There is no one on the street, well very few...this part I do love. 

I arrive and there are actually 4 others joining me this morning. This is the 3rd week of this class and I know that once it is lighter earlier, and spring/summer really kick in, more people will be up and about. The first week, I had one student, the second week, I had two and this the third week, four. How exciting and energizing. We were laughing and working hard, preparing for the day. 

When we were done, we were all smiles and awake, ready to take the day on full force, no matter what comes up. And, the sun was even rising before I locked the door. 

It is a great feeling to get up and get going. Getting your yoga practice in first thing can really set the tone for your whole day. It can energize you and change your perspective on things. Now, don't get me wrong, practice at any time is beneficial. At night, it can calm you to ease out of your day also. But, there is just a different feeling when we get it in early. 

Til tomorrow...

Shanti,

Marcia