Heart Full

I’ve known for awhile I wanted to do more teacher training. I had such an incredible experience during my 200 hour teacher training that frankly I wanted to go right into 300 hours after graduation. But upon further reflection I decided to wait. I wanted to develop my own practice and feel some sense of grounding as a teacher. We also absorbed so much material in such an intense amount of time that I needed some space to fully bake. I had considered several schools, and even went so far as to speak to several program directors, but it didn’t feel quite right. Something at the back of my head kept telling me to wait. After some discussion with my husband I decided that this year, was the year. It wasn’t an easy decision, as I’m sure everyone embarking on extended training soon encounters there are so many “buts”, questions and doubts. Would we be able to afford it? How much time would I have left for my family between my husband’s school, this training, my job, and the handful of classes I already teach?  Was I tempting fate a little too much, asking for the inevitable collapse? Maybe. Yet, after this weekend full of classes, teaching, and multiple balancing acts between home, work and yoga. I think maybe I’ve managed to find just the right union between all three, and I’ve never felt so energized. I can hardly wait.

Michael was the first person I met at YogaVida, which isn’t surprising since he’s often behind the desk greeting each practitioner.  But what is surprising is his warmth and smile. It seems genuine, the kind that you can’t rehearse or “fake”, but an actual warmth that’s coming from somewhere good. I think it was that warmth that sold me on the studio, and ultimately what keeps bringing me back.

NYC: When did you start yoga?

Michael: About 4-5 years ago, closer to 4.

NYC: What brought you to yoga?

Michael: A friend. I was drawn by how it was presented, everything was suggestive…open.

NYC: Where was your first class?

Michael: (big smile) Costa Rica! But the first place I started doing yoga was at Yoga to the People, that’s where I met Hilaria.

NYC: What benefits do you feel yoga has brought to your life?

Michael: Balance. I feel like I have more to offer people now.

NYC: So .. do you miss your old job in finance, the stability and structure? I mean .. that would be one of my biggest fears if I ever left my job…?

Michael: Yes! (smile / laugh)  And I’m still getting over it. But I’m happier now that I ever was.

And it shows. Really.

There are a million reasons why I envy Park Slope — most of them have to do with the charm that oozes from just about every crevice of the neighborhood, now I have another reason, Park Slope Yoga. Park Slope Yoga has been a neighborhood staple for over 10 years, and based on the turnout I saw, it has many more years ahead. My friend Yadana had worked there as a deskie, and (apparently) muralist. Just about all the paintings gracing this studio are her handiwork, and they certainly add to the lively texture of the place.

We had come on NYE hoping to catch Robin’s 4pm class. We were disappointed to learn that she wasn’t teaching her class — there was a sub. Having already traversed enormous public transportation obstacles to get there (read Blizzard) we weren’t going to turn back. The class turned out to be surprisingly good. Surprised because we weren’t sure what to expect — subs can be tricky, but she (Jessica) was very good. She took us in stride — it was a basics class and she seamlessly offered more advanced options, but kept the pace steady allowing beginners and more experienced practitioners to stay in sync. Overall it was a lovely class, a great mix, with clear direction.

Park Slope Yoga is actually comprised of 2 studios — Vinyasa Yoga Center (792 Union St.) and another just across the street called “Devi”. We only visited the VYC for this trip, but I’m looking forward to trying out Devi. What I really liked about the studio — besides the entrancing murals, and the calm whimsical feel was their use of plants and light in the main studio. I think the plants just made it breathe better, and the natural light added a rare kind of serenity. The lounge area was spacious, even the changing rooms (if you can believe it) weren’t cramped. A very positive experience for my first go, looking forward to Devi.

I’ve been looking forward to my home coming for months, especially since this time we’d be able to go on a mini getaway — Boracay Philippines. Boracay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines IMHO. Admittedly it’s become quite commericalized — as seen by the beach front Starbucks, but the white sand is still powdery soft, and the water a sparkling blue crystal. It takes your breath away.  There’s almost no better place to do yoga, and after having no luck in finding an open studio in Manila (many closed during the holidays) — I figured my yoga would be whatever I could craft up on the beach.

But my ever observant husband, actually found a yoga studio right along the beach — True Yoga. Located just about “True Food” an Indian restaurant on the main strip. They only offered classes at 9am (daily) after which the “studio” converts to a restaurant. No worries, some yoga is better than no yoga.  I was the first one to arrive at 8:50am sharp, most of the other students trickled in around 9am-9:30am in fact the instructor didn’t get there until close to 9:30. It was a casual setting, some regulars, but a few tourists (like myself). I found out that there were about ~3 instructors and they rotated yoga styles daily between Hatha, Sivananda and Anusara. Lovely.

The instructor was lively and friendly. She chatted to other students about kids — hers were apparently in college — surprising as I wouldn’t have put her a day past 35. Sensing that there was a lot of different practice styles around the room she announced that today’s class would be Hatha yoga “just the classics”. Great, I was looking forward to a non-flow class where natural music wouldn’t have to compete with the manufactured sounds.  But it didn’t turn out so great for me. Hard to believe given the view — the most jaw dropping post-card ready view any yoga studio is likely to have, or the acoustics of lapping waters, I somehow couldn’t get it together in class. And I’m not entirely sure why. I think it was a lot of different little things. I’d mildly pulled my hamstring recently, so still dealing with the frustration of not being able to be as mobile. The girl next to me was called “Mary” and the teacher’s pronunciation made it sound like it could’ve been my name — so verbal adjustments were a challenge. And I guess I just wasn’t happy with the poses. The instructor seemed like she had a specific way of doing the poses — and didn’t seem thrilled with my modifications. I’m also not a big fan of teachers who give advanced poses — and encourage their beginner students to “just try it”, without a lot of instruction or other options. So I saw a number of half lotuses achieved by rotating the knees rather than finding the opening in the hips. Scary. An injury just waiting to happen.

By the end of class I was so testy about the whole experience I left so fast — I actually walked out of the studio wearing someone elses shoes. Unbelievable.