News

Hi Everyone! It’s been awhile since I’ve been here and I have some important and exciting things to update you on. First of all, I’ve moved! I have a brand-new website over at The Hungry Hiker and you should totally check it out. The-Hungry-Hiker.com is where I’ll be providing tips and tricks on how to […] Read more…

Yoga

There’s never been a better time to start a yoga home practice than right now. Just like you, I’ve been spending a majority of my time at home lately thanks to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. I get out in my neighborhood for a walk each day with the dog and make the occasional dash to […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Yesterday was another big milestone in my yoga teaching journey. I celebrated the one-year anniversary of teaching my first yoga class, a candlelight Hot Power Fusion class at Corepower Yoga. The whole day was one big celebration. In the morning, I taught my biggest class yet, a Yoga Sculpt class with 36 yogis! We rocked […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

This week marks the one year anniversary of when I auditioned to teach Hot Power Fusion at Corepower Yoga. I remember the night of my audition like it was yesterday. Every time I think about this experience, the nervous jitters come back immediately. I was already so scared, but what I didn’t know ahead of […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Out of all the yoga teacher trainings I’ve done over the last couple of years, Yoga Sculpt teacher training at Corepower Yoga has been my favorite teacher training so far. This is quite a statement for me because when I started my first yoga teacher training, I was obsessed with Bikram Yoga. After my initial […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

As I made my way through yoga teacher training last year, I’d have these grand daydreams of what life would be like if I were a full-time yoga teacher. I imagined my life being more fun and less stressful if only I could ditch my day job and teach yoga instead. Yoga has always been […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

One of my all-time favorite Bikram Yoga teachers said years ago during a class, “It’s the practice room, not the perfect room.” At the time, I thought it was a clever thing to say. I had no idea this one little statement would resonate with me as much as it has, years after taking his […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Celebration was the theme for all of my classes last week. When it comes to celebrating things in life, the little celebrations are just as important as the big ones – birthdays, anniversaries, achieving a big goal, breaking a habit, developing a healthy habit, getting a job promotion, going further in a posture, losing weight, […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

In yoga teacher training, a good portion of the training included learning yoga postures, how to cue and practice teaching. The other part of teacher training included learning about yoga philosophy. It was in the 200-Hour Hot Power Fusion Teacher Training I did last year at CorePower Yoga, where I learned all about Santosha, which […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

A couple of years ago, I heard one of my favorite Bikram Yoga teachers tell us as we settled into our first belly-up Savasana in class, “Don’t be afraid to let go of things that no longer serve you.” This was the first time ever in my yoga practice where I really listened to what […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Each week for my classes, I put together a new playlist and a new intention. Not only does this keep class fresh for my students, but keeps me present for the classes I teach. I always go with an intention and playlist that speaks to me for that week, depending on whatever may be going […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

You know that feeling you have after taking a yoga class? Some call it yoga bliss. You feel a little happier. Life feels a little lighter. You may feel inspired to try something new or take on a new challenge. You might even be motivated to tackle a daunting item on your to-do list. Wish […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Countless hours of preparation – attending training classes after work, memorizing cues, practice teaching, studying postures and learning and practicing giving hands-on adjustments during postures – all came to a head for me on Monday night. I auditioned to teach Hot Power Fusion at CorePower Yoga. I feel like so much was built up into […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Before I decided to sign up for yoga teacher training at CorePower Yoga, I did my fair share of research. I checked out other yoga teacher trainings in the area, based on location, schedule availability, price and the style of yoga studied. Since I’m a huge Bikram Yoga fan, I knew I wanted to go […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Today was a milestone in my yoga teacher training journey. We hosted a Hot Power Fusion community class this afternoon at the CorePower Yoga Greenwood studio. I got to teach half of it! Normally in a bigger sized group for the Extensions Program, I’d only get to teach a small portion of the community class, […] Read more…

Yes, there is such a thing as etiquette in the yoga room. As a new teacher, I’ve had every one of these “rules” broken at some point during one of my classes. I’ve come into the yoga room a few times to find groups of people in loud, engaging conversations. I’ve seen and stumbled over a number of cellphones on people’s mats. I’ve had students walk into class well after we’ve started and I’ve had plenty of students leave before class ended. I’ve even had a few students linger in the studio long after class because they were deep in conversation.I can’t even begin to tell you the endless amounts of sweat puddles I’ve mopped up and the various treasures I’ve found left behind by students on the floor of the yoga room.

Each time one of these rules are broken in my class, I try to look at the situation as a learning experience for both myself and my students – the one who has broken the rule and all of the other yogis around them. Not every encounter has been a perfect learning experience, but I’ve always managed to walk away from each situation learning something from it. And to be 100% honest, I’ve broken every single one of these rules as a yogi practitioner over the years.

Rule #1: Embrace The Quiet

Talking in the yoga room is a big no-no in every studio I’ve ever practiced at or have taught a class in. The time before class starts is when people get settled into the yoga room as they transition from being in the outside world. It’s also the time for students to get acclimated to the heat. Some may even use this time to meditate. For some students, these might be the only quiet moments they have for themselves all day. Don’t be the yogi who robs someone else from these moments of peace. If you must chat with your friend, take the conversation out to the studio lobby, locker room or better yet go out to eat or have coffee with your friend after class.

I HATE having to be that teacher who comes into the yoga room and finds a group of yogis fully engaged in a  loud conversation. I don’t want to be the teacher that has to tell yogis they can’t talk to each other in the yoga room, but out of respect for the other yogis around them I have to say something. When this happens, class always seems to get started on the wrong foot – the other yogis are annoyed about not having any quiet time before class, the talking yogis feel shamed and I feel like the bad guy because I had to say something. It’s a no win situation for everyone in class. Avoid putting your teacher in an uncomfortable situation by not talking in the yoga room when other yogis are present.

Rule #2: Get Unplugged 

As a practitioner, I have brought my phone into the yoga room when there was no one else in there either before or after class so I could take a picture of my mat or the empty yoga room. As soon as I was done and before anyone else came into the room, I’d hightail my phone back to the locker room where it would stay for the rest of class.

I’ve seen a fair share of people texting during class. I’ve seen students watching videos on their phone and scrolling through Instagram/Facebook before class has started. I’ve also been in a class where a student in the front row, right in front of the teacher, was having a conversation on their phone after the teacher had started class. Even the teacher was in shock and didn’t know what to say. I’ve even had a student’s phone go off during class.

As a teacher, my phone is a tool in the yoga room. It’s where I play my music from. It’s where all of my playlists for class live. It’s where I keep the notes I read for a class’s intention. As a student, there’s no need to have a phone in the yoga room. Yoga is the perfect time to unplug from the outside world. Whatever it is can wait an hour. The only exception to this rule is when a student has notified me ahead of time of a special circumstance like being on-call for work or having an emergency situation outside of the studio they need to be available for at any given time. Then and only then, I ask these students to keep their phone on silent and to set up as near the door so if they have to leave early, they can do so as quietly and least disrupting as possible.

Rule #3: Be On Time

I come from the school of thought that early is on time, on time is late and if you’re late, don’t even bother showing up. Give yourself plenty of time to get to class, at least 15 to 20 minutes before class is scheduled to start. Allow yourself enough time to get to the studio to park your car and be set up and settled into the yoga room well before class starts. In several of my classes lately, it seems like there’s usually at least one person who walks into the studio right before class starts. By the time they’ve checked in for class and put their stuff in the locker room, they’re waltzing into the yoga room after class has started. What’s even worse is when the late person comes into the yoga room and sets up in the front row. It’s super disrupting and inconsiderate to the other yogis around them who were on time for class.

Many studios lock the doors right before a class starts for three reasons. One, it’s a security issue because the teacher is usually also the front desk person. Once class starts, there’s no one at the front desk. Two, late comers are disruptive to the class that’s already started. And three, in some style of classes, it’s actually unsafe to jump in late if you’ve missed the warm up.

Rule #4: Stay Til The End

Student safety is always a top priority for yoga teachers. When a student leaves class early, it’s our job to check on students to make sure they’re okay. We understand things happen, which might make it necessary for a student to leave a class early. If you need to leave class early, always give your teacher a heads up before class starts so they don’t worry about you.

Rule #5: Make It Quick

Refreshing showers feel amazing after a hot, sweaty yoga class. Keep in mind, you probably won’t be the only one heading for the showers after class either. Be mindful of the space around you and limit your shower time when other yogis are waiting. If there are a limited number of showers and a line of yogis waiting to use them, limit your shower time to no more than three minutes. Save the time-consuming showers for when you’re home and there are no other yogis waiting.

Also, most studios will allow use of the locker rooms up to 30 minutes after class has ended. Be respectful of the teacher’s time by keeping the time spent in the locker room after class to a minimum. Teachers are paid to teach yoga, not to wait for their students long after class has ended. If you think you need more than 30 minutes after class to get ready, consider moving primp time to either home or the office.

Before I became a yoga teacher, the only time I had available to practice was first thing in the morning before going to work. I’d practice yoga and then get ready for work in the locker room after class. I myself was guilty of holding up my poor teachers long after they’d finish teaching class while I got ready for work. Once I realized what I was doing, I drastically cut back on the amount of time I spent in the locker room after class. I’d do the essentials like take a quick shower, get dressed and then get out. I’d save the time-consuming activities like drying my hair and applying makeup for when I got to my office.

Rule #6: Keep It Clean

It should go without saying, but it still has to be said from time to time – clean up after yourself in every yoga class you take. If you use props during class, put them back in their proper place when you’re done using them. If you made a sweat puddle on the floor, off of your mat, clean it up before you leave the yoga room. Don’t leave it for someone else to clean up or even worse, for someone to slip on. Try leaving the space in the yoga room cleaner than when you first got to class.

The same idea goes for the locker rooms. You’re sharing the same space with a lot of other yogis. Pick up all of your belongings and trash behind you. Don’t leave it for someone else to clean up after you.

After discovering this sign recently, I couldn’t help but wonder why a sign like this wasn’t posted prominently outside of the yoga room. Why was it hiding in the hallway where most people would walk by and miss it completely? Some may read this sign and think, “Duh! This is common sense. Everyone knows this.” But what if you’ve never practiced yoga before? If someone was new to yoga, how would they ever know about etiquette in the yoga room unless someone shushed them or they received a stern look or a talking to from the yoga teacher. Signs like this one are awesome gentle reminders for all yogis – both newbies and seasoned practitioners of proper etiquette in the yoga room.

Yoga FAQs

  Yes, there is such a thing as etiquette in the yoga room. As a new teacher, I’ve had every one of these “rules” broken at some point during one of my classes. I’ve come into the yoga room a few times to find groups of people in loud, engaging conversations. I’ve seen and stumbled […] Read more…

Yoga FAQs

My motto has always been, “Early is on time and on time is late. If you’re late, don’t even bother coming unless you have a really good excuse.” I apply this motto to all aspects of my life, especially my yoga practice. Bikram Yoga is my ultimate way to release stress from daily life. The […] Read more…

News

Hi Everyone! It’s been awhile since I’ve been here and I have some important and exciting things to update you on. First of all, I’ve moved! I have a brand-new website over at The Hungry Hiker and you should totally check it out. The-Hungry-Hiker.com is where I’ll be providing tips and tricks on how to […] Read more…

Yoga

There’s never been a better time to start a yoga home practice than right now. Just like you, I’ve been spending a majority of my time at home lately thanks to the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. I get out in my neighborhood for a walk each day with the dog and make the occasional dash to […] Read more…

Yoga FAQs

My challenge isn’t with practicing yoga. It’s with getting myself to the studio to practice. If you find yourself struggling to get to the studio like I do, here are 6 tips to help get your butt out of bed and into an early morning yoga class.  Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Last week, I went to a high school and talked to three different classes about my upcoming PCT thru-hike.I had spent a few weeks putting together my PowerPoint presentation covering the who, what, when, where and why the hell would I hike all the way from Mexico to Canada all by myself details to share […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Confession Time: I’m a creature of habit, by choice. I love my routines. I enjoy following a schedule and feel very accomplished when I get to check daily tasks off of my To-Do List. It makes me feel efficient and organized. And when I’m organized, I feel like I’ve got everything under control. I’m on […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

  “If we cannot be honest with ourselves first, we cannot be honest in any other part of our life.” I’ve been spending the last year of my life training, preparing, saving for my upcoming PCT thru-hike in April. Up until a couple of weeks ago, I’d been excited and looking forward to my trip. […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Self-care is so underrated in our society. I hear people bragging all the time about how they’re working a double at work, putting in 12, 14 or 16 hours days. I hear people boasting themselves for not being able to remember the last time they took a day off from work. We’re constantly in a […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Yesterday was another big milestone in my yoga teaching journey. I celebrated the one-year anniversary of teaching my first yoga class, a candlelight Hot Power Fusion class at Corepower Yoga. The whole day was one big celebration. In the morning, I taught my biggest class yet, a Yoga Sculpt class with 36 yogis! We rocked […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

This week marks the one year anniversary of when I auditioned to teach Hot Power Fusion at Corepower Yoga. I remember the night of my audition like it was yesterday. Every time I think about this experience, the nervous jitters come back immediately. I was already so scared, but what I didn’t know ahead of […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Out of all the yoga teacher trainings I’ve done over the last couple of years, Yoga Sculpt teacher training at Corepower Yoga has been my favorite teacher training so far. This is quite a statement for me because when I started my first yoga teacher training, I was obsessed with Bikram Yoga. After my initial […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

On November 1st, I applied for my PCT Long-distance Permit. My target start date for the hike is Wednesday, April 25th. I’ll find out sometime over the next couple of weeks if I get my target start date on the first try. If not, I have a second chance of applying for a thru-hiking permit […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

As I made my way through yoga teacher training last year, I’d have these grand daydreams of what life would be like if I were a full-time yoga teacher. I imagined my life being more fun and less stressful if only I could ditch my day job and teach yoga instead. Yoga has always been […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

I’ve been so incredibly busy lately. I’ve been subbing a bunch of classes in addition to teaching my regular classes over the last few weeks. Just in the last two days, I’ve worked two, back-to-back double shifts at the restaurant I work at outside of teaching yoga. Without yoga or investing the time into my […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Ever wonder what goes through the mind of a yoga teacher while they’re teaching class? Some think about the next posture they’re going to cue, the next meal they’re going to eat or whatever plans they may after class. I often secretly imagine I’m leading my students through an elaborate game of Simon Says. I […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Not every day is magical and amazing in the life of a yoga teacher. Yes, yoga teachers have their “off” days too. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been feeling a little “off” and haven’t been able to figure out why. Maybe it’s because I’ve been busy. I’ve been on the go all summer […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I used to roll my eyes whenever I read this quote. Really? How could I ever love a job? I’ve worked in a number of different service jobs, as both a bartender and a server. I’ve worked in skincare. I’ve worked in […] Read more…

Yoga FAQs

Taking one Bikram Yoga class each day for 30 days is amazing on so many levels. Most people associate a 30 day challenge with wanting to lose weight. Bikram Choudhury, founder and creator of the Bikram Yoga series and sequence says, “Give me 30 days, I’ll change your body…” It’s true. Taking a Bikram Yoga […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Yesterday was another big milestone in my yoga teaching journey. I celebrated the one-year anniversary of teaching my first yoga class, a candlelight Hot Power Fusion class at Corepower Yoga. The whole day was one big celebration. In the morning, I taught my biggest class yet, a Yoga Sculpt class with 36 yogis! We rocked […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Celebration was the theme for all of my classes last week. When it comes to celebrating things in life, the little celebrations are just as important as the big ones – birthdays, anniversaries, achieving a big goal, breaking a habit, developing a healthy habit, getting a job promotion, going further in a posture, losing weight, […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

This week marks the one year anniversary of when I auditioned to teach Hot Power Fusion at Corepower Yoga. I remember the night of my audition like it was yesterday. Every time I think about this experience, the nervous jitters come back immediately. I was already so scared, but what I didn’t know ahead of […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

Before I decided to sign up for yoga teacher training at CorePower Yoga, I did my fair share of research. I checked out other yoga teacher trainings in the area, based on location, schedule availability, price and the style of yoga studied. Since I’m a huge Bikram Yoga fan, I knew I wanted to go […] Read more…

Teaching Yoga

One of my all-time favorite Bikram Yoga teachers said years ago during a class, “It’s the practice room, not the perfect room.” At the time, I thought it was a clever thing to say. I had no idea this one little statement would resonate with me as much as it has, years after taking his […] Read more…