Why I became a teacher-and finding what you love

I knew it was always something I had wanted to do. I had the desire to reach out to people and tell them all the things I knew. I had a calling to enhance the lives of others in any way that I could. I wanted to help people become better than they were or thought they could be. So I became a yoga teacher. 

In a world where our society is getting bigger; in pounds not in people; I wanted to be able to help people find a way to be healthy, recognize the power they had in their bodies, and understand how to live more peacefully in our world.

I'll be the first one to admit that it isn't easy to make a life change-or a big decision. I fought against myself for a while while I tried to decided whether I was good enough (see also: strong enough, skinny enough, flexible enough) to be a yoga teacher. But I did it, because I wanted to. Not because I was waiting for somebody else to validate my decision or me. It was something I knew in my heart I wanted to do-so I did. 

I long ago realized that there is no time like the present. No matter how cheesy that sounds-it's true. If you're waiting for a wake up call or sign from God, the universe, or some other entity-this may be it! There is no perfect time to start your life, to make a change, to do what you want to do. This is your life. I wish for everybody what I have found. Happiness in your career choice. Whatever it is that you decide-love it, and embrace it. 

Nobody is guaranteed any amount of time. Take a chance on something new, before all the chances are gone.  

Student of the month-Keanyatta Jones-Green

What do you do for a living and/or what is your life's work/purpose?
I am a project mentor.

How long have you lived in the Houston area?
I have lived in Houston for 13 years.

How long have you been practicing yoga?
I have been practicing 3 years.

How many times do you practice per week?
Prior to returning to work I practiced 6-7 days and most times twice a day. Since returning to work, 4 times a week.

What is the most important physical benefit you have gained from your practice?
I have truly learned to breathe. Through practice and in all stressful situations.

What is the most important spiritual/mental benefit you have gained from your practice?
That at least for 60-75 minutes to let go, truly let go. Every worry, concern, fear...Let go.

What is your favorite pose? Why?
Corpse-I can look the way I feel.

What is your least favorite pose? Why?
Crow is difficult-the thought of falling on my face.

Which pose is most relaxing?
Savasana is the most relaxing pose. The last pose signals final rest/relaxation.

Have you experienced fear of a pose at any point? If so, did you overcome that fear and how?
Crow is a fearful ose because you are bound to fall on your face. I continue to try and breathe.

What is your favorite class at Awakened Yoga? Why?
Every class I take is my favorite. The teachers bring strength and insight to each class. I truly love each class I take.

What is the intention you most often set for your practice?
My my sought intention cor each class is peace. I pray for peace for all those in class. I pray that even for just this short time we have in class, we all find a divine level of peace.

Staff of the month-Jenny Noonan

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

I took my first yoga class almost 10 years ago, when I was 16. I can't remember exactly why I started taking yoga, I guess it was something I was interested in doing. I remember that was the summer I also took drivers ed, and was becoming more independent. My mom would drive me to yoga in the morning and we would argue about something-probably me sleeping too late-and after I was done with yoga, I was in a better mood and always apologized for being difficult. This demonstrated the power of yoga to both me and my mom. I didn't take much more yoga in high school, but dabbled with it more in college. Ever since my first yoga class, I wanted to become a yoga teacher. 

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

I have been teaching yoga since earlier this year. I always knew I wanted to teach something and teaching yoga had been in the back of my mind since I took my first class. I had thought about taking teacher training last year before, but for some reason didn't go through with it. I think I was afraid of something. Finally at the end of 2010, I decided that 2011 was the year I was going to do things I wanted to. Becoming a yoga teacher topped my list. I think second was learning to play the guitar. 

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

I love Awakened Yoga because it feels like my yoga home. I'm up at the studio almost everyday for something-practicing, teaching, working, visiting. I think there are so many amazing people who practice and work at Awakened Yoga, who all have amazing stories to tell. I love learning from other people's life experiences, and gaining wisdom from people who have more life experience than me. I love being around people, and could never imagine myself sitting at a desk all day-interacting with people gives me energy!

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

My advice for keeping up a practice is to find what you like. There are so many different kinds of yoga available in this city and so many different teachers. Figure out what you want out of yoga, then find a class and teacher who can help you achieve it. Explore a home practice. Sometimes practicing at home can be just as beneficial as practicing in a studio. As your practice deepens, continue exploring different types and aspects of yoga so your practice is always fulfilling. Taking care of yourself is really important-so get over your excuses and do it!

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

I love being creative. If you've ever walked into the studio or the boutique and something looks different, it's probably because I've done something to it. I like to do things with my hands, and lately I've gotten into sewing and crafty type things. I'm currently working on a couple of quilts for Christmas presents. I also love cooking and experimenting with new recipes and types of food. Eating healthy is really important to me, because a lot of foods make me feel icky-so I try and do as much cooking as I can. 

Other than that I love getting lost in a good book, spending time with my husband and dogs. Family time is really important to me, and I enjoy any time I get with my family and try to teach them yoga when I can. :)

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

Give yourself permission to take your practice at your own speed, every time you come to your mat. There is no higher standard to compare yourself to-that is the beauty of yoga. Approach every class like it is your first and have no expectations for yourself or the class. Be kind to your body, and remember to tune into your breath and let it guide your practice. Breath is the most important thing in your practice-without it, where would you be?

Change the way you think-and you can change the world. Those are some of the most powerful words I've ever heard.

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.