give up aspirations

The Pittsburgh yoga community is really coming along. Just this past month, they held their first annual yoga fest, featuring Sherri Baptiste. During that event, Sherri Baptiste reiterated over and over that, "the Pittsburgh yoga community is really doing something big," and although I got the feeling that she probably repeats this all over the world to every city she travels to, she was right about Pittsburgh.

Bryan Kest - yoga instructor & pioneer of the term "Power" Yoga

In the past few years, more and more studios have opened up and succeeded in the Pittsburgh  area. The more serious yogis we have, the more demand there is for seriously awesome instructors. Bryan Kest is a world-renowned yogi, teacher and mentor. I've admired his teachings in various videos and books, but in October, I will have the opportunity to take a Power Yoga Master Class from him, right here in Pittsburgh. To give you an idea of his popularity, here's what Bryan's schedule looks like: Mexico, Guam, Philippines, Australia, Korea...Pittsburgh. :)

As the date draws closer to the sold-out October class, I find myself becoming somewhat... nervous? Between my long daily commute for my full-time job and teaching yoga part-time in the evenings, I've only been squeezing in short daily practices for myself. I'm thankful for each practice, but I feel like I've plateaued physically and mentally. My little bucket-list of goal-poses has gathered dust and I'm afraid that I'll be unprepared for such a demanding class.

Just as I my guilt really began to settle-in and I felt like a lazy yogi and inadequate teacher who would spend half of this master class drooling in Child's pose, I ran across this quote from none-other than Mr. Kest himself:

"A yoga class is not a contest between you or anyone you may be practicing with. It isn't even a contest between you and yourself. Forget about how loose and strong you used to be way back when. Give up any aspirations of how loose and strong you hope to be one day. Just be where you are! Make that o.k. Doing yoga correctly means not trying to get anywhere, but being where you are as fully as possible. You'll benefit from class by your effort regardless of how far or deep you get. As long as you are feeling it and you are breathing calmly, you're practicing correctly." - Bryan Kest

  

I know all this. But in my nervous excitement for this class, how easily I had forgotten my real goals! No one should be judging me, but I should not be judging myself either. "Giving up aspirations" is unnatural for me and finding peace exactly where I am is a part of my yoga journey that I struggle with. In our culture and as a teacher, it's easy to slip into the habit of being goal and results-oriented. Sometimes we all need little reminders to practice contentment and self-acceptance with the same effort we put into asana.

I hope this blog post finds you well and content with wherever you are! Namaste!

Read the follow-up post on the Bryan Kest class here.

BYS Yoga Field Trip

Just a quick little post to thank BYS Yoga in the Southside for a wonderful class this morning! We really enjoyed practicing in a new (and gorgeous) atmosphere complete with beautiful sights, sounds and smells.

Entrance from Carson Street

I swear I don't normally make it a habit of taking pictures of the bathrooms in yoga studios I visit, but I just couldn't resist! I'm a sucker for old buildings and these photos don't nearly do it justice!

Undeniably gorgeous room for practice

View from inside the studio, facing the lobby

Kristi Rogers led us though a truly dynamic flow with what I found to be original and insightful cues. She worked us all over the mat in creative ways, which helped me to stay focused and present in the practice. Interesting modifications were offered for some of my favorite poses, but many of my old faithful asanas were also included. 

The class was topped off with a generous and peaceful savasana, with little lavender eye pillows for all! (Too bad I can't sew, or this would be a great yoga DIY project for my little studio!) Overall, it was a wonderful experience and just what I needed this morning.

Namaste!

UPDATE: If you're interested in lavender eye pillows, I recently found a WONDERFUL supplier on ebay that I can't say enough about. She creates handmade eye pillows and neck-wraps with a huge selection of fabrics and scents. I ordered some lavender and patchouli pillows for my studio (at around $4 each) and everyone loves them! <3

Whirl Yoga Fest

This weekend, I was lucky enough to be able to attend Pittsburgh's first annual One Whirl Yoga Fest + Healthy Lifestyle Expo. In a word, it was awesome. Complete with great company and wheat grass shots, it was everything I expected and more.

Just some of the spoils...info, coupons and recipes from Yoga Fest!

One of the first classes of the morning

Reminiscent of my yoga teacher training days, we schlepped our mats, snacks and bodies from one practice to another for a total of about 5 classes. (For $75, yogis could attend 2 exclusive workshops and unlimited classes throughout the day.) It was an enriching experience to be able to enjoy so many different types of yogis, teaching styles and yoga all in one place. From power yoga to chakra work, there was so much to learn and share.

Taken by WHIRL Magazine, my friends and I are technically in this picture on the VERY far left. :)

My favorite class happened to be the very last one of the day, one that we dropped into on a whim. I'm so glad we did! The class was called Alignment Flow & Transitions, taught by Kristi Rogers, founder of BYS Yoga in the South Side. The focus of the class was "the moments between the poses." Not only is this something often overlooked in our yoga practice, but Kristi made the connection between asana transitions and life transitions. As we rush from one activity, one life event or one job to the next, we sometimes forget to fully participate in what's happening right now. Backed by this great philosophy, Kristi's class brought a new awareness to "the space between" yoga asanas. I can't say enough about the energy and insight that Kristi brought to her class, and I look forward to taking some of her classes again soon...but in the meantime, I will enjoy the space between. ;)

It's really not everyday that you get to sample so much yoga and I'm sure it was a great experience for seasoned yogis as well as first-timers. What a great way to be welcomed into the yoga community! It's exciting to be a part of it as a teacher and as a life-long student.

And I almost forgot to mention, we even got a t-shirt. :)

attention pittsburgh yogis!

Whether or not you consider yourself a ___________ yogi (fill in the blank with whatever you should not be insecure about), events like this deserve your attention and consideration. A full day extravaganza of yoga classes, workshops and healthy living information, there will be something for everyone....apparently, even a t-shirt.

One of my main goals as a yoga instructor is to empower students to reach their full potential, on and off the mat. In order to improve in any way, everyone must at some point step out of a comfort zone. Events like this offer a simple way to really get a taste of many different styles of yoga and fitness, discovering what resonates personally. Besides participating in yoga, you can expect to discover new teaching/practice inspiration, support local businesses and studios, meet new people and relax.

I am proud and excited that my city is participating in something like this. I love studying yoga and its effect on the mind/body. I cannot wait to see how this event will impact my practice, my students and the community. If you can't make it, be sure to check back here for an update after the event.

Namaste, Pittsburgh!