Teacher Training
Even though trying something new is always scary, its always a huge growth opportunity for me. For some people, getting out of their comfort zone and trying something for the first time can be fun and exciting. I have to really psych myself up first. I usually always end up enjoying myself doing whatever it is I forced myself to do and am happy to have pushed myself out of my comfort zone, but convincing myself to actually do it is always such a big challenge. This morning, I decided to try something new. I took my very first CorePower Yoga 2 class known to CorePower regulars as C2.
Up until this point of my time at CorePower Yoga, I’ve only taken one or two C1 classes and a ton of Hot Power Fusion and Hot Power Fusion by Candlelight classes. A few instructors and students have recommended I check out the Yoga Sculpt classes, but Core Power recommends taking two to three C2 classes first.
This morning seemed like a perfect time to take my first C2 class. First of all, I love morning yoga classes. When I get to start my day off with yoga, I always find myself happier and way more productive for the rest of the day. Yoga gives me a huge pep in my step that I’m able to carry with me long after class.
Secondly, today seemed like a perfect day to give C2 a try was because it’s Valentine’s Day. Since Valentine’s Day is the official day of love here in the United States, I decided to celebrate Love Day by showering myself with some self-love by getting my butt into the 8am C2 class.
Another reason why I felt like today was a perfect day to try a C2 class? I spent the whole day yesterday snowboarding up on the mountain. My ladies and I rode all day long and we rode hard. Imagine yourself doing a continuous set of squats all day long as you glide down a mountainside covered in snow and ice. This morning, I woke up in desperate need of a good stretch all over my body. I was feeling all of the fun I’d had on the mountain in both of my quads. C2 is described as a signature class that strengthens, balances and detoxifies the entire body and mind while moving through challenging postures and connected breath. Sounded good to both of my sore quads!
I walked into the Ballard studio 15 minutes before class was scheduled to start. I met the instructor, Casey at the front desk. I told her this was my first C2 class ever and that I was a bit nervous. She was so incredibly nice and told me I had nothing to worry about. Even though I’d only taken the Hot Power Fusion classes at CorePower Yoga so far, she said I’d recognize a lot of the postures and even some of the sequence. She also told me that the C2 classes tend to always be a bit different anyways so I didn’t have to worry about not being familiar with the sequence because there wasn’t one. She told me to have fun and grab a block before going into the studio.
When I walked into class, people were set up in either the very front row or the back row. I picked a spot to set up in the middle of the back row. I didn’t care if I couldn’t see myself in the mirror during class. I was more concerned about being able to watch other people in class so I could follow along in case I didn’t understand cues from Casey or got lost in the postures.
Five minutes before class started, I saw a familiar face walk by my mat. It was Kristen. She’s a CorePower yoga teacher and was also a friend who helped inspire me to sign up for yoga teacher training at CorePower Yoga. It was like the Universe was reassuring me that coming to class this morning was what I was suppose to do. Seeing her face and saying hello helped relieve a lot of anxiety I had about taking my first C2 class.
As I sat up from my mat getting ready to start class, I saw that the studio was PACKED! There were three rows of people set up in the room – front row, middle row and the back row I was in. I had never been in such a packed class before at CorePower Yoga. I was even happier I chose to set up in the back row because it was easier for me to hide back there.
As class began, some of the postures and sequence were really familiar. We went from Mountain Pose to Forward Bend to Half Way Up to Downward Facing Dog, all postures I was familiar with from Hot Power Fusion. We then moved into several postures that were new to me. There were lots of side stretches, balancing on one leg, Chaturangas (holding your body in a lower, push-up position) and a pretty intense core workout in the middle of class.
My body got super shaky and sweaty. I felt like I was all over the place in a lot of the postures, but I really enjoyed the class. Normally I shy away from large crowds, but there was a ton of good energy all throughout class. Casey did an amazing job leading the class. I was so sad when at the end of class she announced she had accepted a new position at the CorePower Yoga studio in Tacoma, closer to her home and that her last day of teaching at the Ballard studio would be on February 28th. After her class this morning, I was already looking forward to when I could take another one of her classes.
My favorite part of class came near the end, before Savasana (Corpse Pose). As we lay on our backs, hugging our knees to our chest, Casey told us to say out loud, “I love myself.” At first, everyone was quiet and super unenthusiastic when they said it out loud, including myself. Casey laughed and then said, “Say it again, like you MEAN it!” So we said it again only this time, it was much louder. It felt amazing to shout out that I loved myself in a room filled with several other sweaty yogis. It was Valentines Day after all. Of course I love myself. I love myself enough to drag myself out of bed and into a yoga class that’s brand new to me first thing on a Sunday morning. The truth is, in order to love and care for others, we must love and care for ourselves first. Taking my first C2 class on Valentine’s Day was perfect. I’m so glad I went. I can’t wait for my next C2 class.
Class #9, C2 at CorePower Yoga Ballard with Casey (Other CPY Class-1)