Balance

As with everything else in my life, finding a balance between a home and studio practice is important.

You might think that as a yoga instructor, I would tell you to only come to practice at a studio; more students in the studio offer more teaching opportunities and therefore insure that I have a job.

However, because I am a yoga instructor, I have seen the benefits of having your own home practice as well as a studio practice.

Home Practice:
I love to practice at home. There are some days that I need to take it easy, or can't make it into the studio because life gets in the way. Don't think that just because you aren't in a studio performing some specific type of yoga, that your practice doesn't count. Anytime that you take time to sit and breathe is worth it. When I practice at home, I usually like to focus on things I didn't get around to practicing in the studio. For instance, I'll take a restorative practice, (never underestimate the power of lying around in a yoga pose), a yin practice, (the chinese form  of yoga that can be extremely intense while you lie around and wait for various muscle groups to open), or I'll work on poses I've seen in the Yoga Journal, that I've never had the opportunity to try in a class. 
I remember once earlier this year I was too afraid to let my feet touch the ground in plow (post on fear in yoga coming soon!). So in classes whenever we did plow, I let my feet hover fearfully over the ground, afraid to drop them too far. I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to breathe. So I decided to help myself overcome the fear and work on it at home. So one night, accompanied by my 2 dogs (who think anytime I get down on the floor is to pet them, and also like lying on my yoga mat), I began a home practice with a few Sun Salutations before venturing into a shoulder stand. Because I was afraid of what might happen if my toes touched the ground, I made my husband come watch and tell me when I was getting close.

I made it. It was in there all along, it just need a little extra coaxing and attention.

Studio Practice:

I love practicing at the studio. Especially Awakened Yoga. Maybe because this is where I work and has become a home away from home. Maybe because I know people here, and I can count on a community of people trying to achieve a similar goal. Maybe because during a certain point of my life, I found comfort in my yoga practice within these walls, that I never had before.

There is something nice about practicing at a studio, where you can leave all your cares and worries at the door, turn your brain off, move your body and breathe.

With a studio practice comes a sense of camaraderie. Being an extrovert, I generally like to be around people, and I enjoy the community that the studio has to offer. I like to hear other peoples stories and journeys, and gain wisdom from them.

I also learn from other teachers about how and what to teach. Every teacher has their own lessons to teach, and whether you are a yoga instructor or just a student, there is something to learn from every class.

So I encourage you to balance out your practice. Try something you haven't tried before. Push yourself to learn and grow. And remember to breathe.

Staff member of the month: Nancy Sheridan

1. When did you start practicing yoga and what brought you to yoga?

I took my first yoga class when I was eighteen years old as research for a school project about Indian culture. It was a class at a gym, and the women in the class had these great stories to share about how transformational yoga had been for them. I remember thinking that the stories were great, but not really "getting" why yoga was so powerful, but I was intrigued. I dabbled in yoga for a few years through college, until a friend introduced me to Baptiste Yoga in 2005, and I was hooked. I was initially drawn to the practice because of the physical workout and the stress relief, but now the practice has become a way of life and being. I am amazed on a daily basis at how beautiful the process of yoga is.

2. How long have you been teaching and what brought you to teaching yoga?

I have been teaching yoga for two and a half years, and feel so blessed to be able to share what I love. I began teaching yoga because one of my first teachers asked me if I would be interested in training to teach at his studio. I was doubtful of my ability to actually teach yoga, and at first resisted the offer. I am so grateful that this teacher believed in me and gently pushed me to do the training, because teaching yoga and becoming a more dedicated student of yoga have changed my life.

3. What do you like about Awakened Yoga and its students?

I absolutely love the community at Awakened Yoga- the students, the staff, and the teachers. Awakened is so much more than just a place to practice yoga poses. When Grace opened Awakened, she created a space for people to come connect with themselves and each other, and it has been so amazing to be a part of that.  New friendships are always forming, people are leaving feeling lighter and more inspired, and most importantly, loving themselves, each other, and having fun. I always know I am going to feel inspired after leaving the studio. 

4. Do you have any advice for keeping up a practice?

My advice for keeping up a practice would be to make sure you are having fun on your mat. Let your yoga practice be a space where you can practice being playful and kind with yourself. If something is fun and makes you feel good, why wouldn't you want to stick with it?!

5. What other things do you enjoy doing besides yoga?

I love anything crafty and artistic. I love creating art of any kind, and love being inspired through others' creations! I went to school for fashion design, so that is also a hobby of mine. I could read fashion blogs and magazines for days. I also love to read, spend time outdoors just relaxing or trying new things. I also love going out to eat with friends and cooking at home. I just like to have fun and experience life!

6. Any other things you would like to share with our yogis?

My two favorite quotes:

"What seem like problems, may actually be invitations for change."- Steve Ross

"The best yogi is not one who can do the most or go the furthest in a yoga posture. The best yogi is the one makes their practice the most enjoyable".- David Williams

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Student of the month:Susan Simon

1.     What is your name?  Susan Simon

2.     What do you do for a living and/or what is your life’s work/purpose?  I am the Director of Sales for 3 radio stations in Houston.  My personal purpose in life is to grow, become centered and still and bring those qualites into my daily life.  My job is creative and intense.  I use my yoga practice to balance myself so I can integrate my personal purpose into my daily interactions with people.

3.     How long have you lived in the Houston area?  Since 1979.

4.       How long have you been practicing yoga? 2 years.

5.       How many times do you practice per week? Daily.  I do asana practice at the studio 3 days a week and my home practice is for meditation and restorative & healing poses.

6.       Have you ever done yoga on the road/while on vacation?  What did you do?  Yes.  I took a class and did sun salutations in my hotel room.

7.       What is the most important physical benefit you have gained from your

  practice?  I am more confident in my strength.  I used to lift weights and while I got strong doing that, it applied strength.  With yoga, my strength comes from within and is the physical is a manifestation of what's going on inside of me.

8.       What is the most important spiritual/mental benefit you have gained from 

   your practice?  Knowing we are all connected.

9.       What is your favorite pose? Downward Facing Dog.  Why?  It's restful, strengthening, challenging and humbling all at the same time.

10.                          What is your least favorite and or most challenging pose?  Headstand.  Why?  I'm nervous about doing it and injuring my neck again.

11.                          Which pose is most relaxing?    That would definately be half lotus with my right leg on top.

12.                          Have you experienced fear of a pose at any point?  If so, did you overcome

   that fear and how?  That's a good one.  Ok, I would have to say handstand on the wall caused me the most anxiety.  In the beginning going upside down made it difficult to breath and not being able to get air was not fun for me. 

13.                          What is your favorite class at awakened yoga?  I am equally split between Aaron's Thursday 5pm & Saturday morning classes and Sharon's Wednesday & Friday evening classes. Why? Both come from the same teaching root so I find their classes to by synchronous.  They are gifted teachers that respond to what is actually happening in the room.  They know when push and when to be gentle with a class.

14.                          What is the intention you most often set for your practice?  To be present and ok with whatever comes up.

15.                            Does your mind wander during class?  Of course!  If so, what do you to bring you back  to the present? Think "Duh" when the teacher says breath or stay within your body or if I notice I'm away before they do, try to focus on my breath after telling myself to focus on my breath.

16.                          Do you practice meditation? Yes, every day.

17.                           Have you attended any of the workshops at the studio? Yes several of them.  Did you enjoy the 

   workshop?  Yes, very much,  What benefits did you receive from the workshop?  Besides learning about the workshop topic the best part for me is the community and freedom to interact with everyone for longer than we usually have time for before or after class.

18.                          If you have purchased any products at the studio for your practice – what  

Is your favorite?  Why?  I'm candle & a clothing person...there's a good selection and you take credit cards...what's not to like?!

19.                        If you could use one word to describe what yoga means to you what would it be? Life.