Donna Martin Graduates

Ahhh sweet relief.  Training is finally finitio, and it is official.  I am now a certified yoga instructor.  Which actually sounds incredibly weird to type...or even to say out loud. But I must admit, I like it.  Who would have thought that a year ago I would be saying that I am a yoga instructor! Weird.

My sentiments are rather bittersweet about completing my YTT program.  On one hand, it sure will be nice to have my weekends back.  To be able to stay awake past 11pm on a Friday night is something that most people take for granted, and admittedly, my life has been pretty boring the past several months.  On the other hand, however, I absolutely loved my program and it never really felt like an obligation to be waking up for it every Saturday and Sunday morning.  In fact, I actually liked the structure, and having something active and interesting to do during those cold, grey winter months surely prevented me from becoming a sloth (which I am prone to become).  I'm also a bit of a geek, and getting to be back in a "school" environment for the first time since I graduated under-grad, was pretty swell (yes I said swell).

The teachers I had the honour of studying with were all so incredibly inspiring in such unique ways, and the amount of wisdom that I received from each one was priceless.  My appreciation to all of them is insurmountable, and I'm not sure I could ever find the right words to thank them enough.  These women's words and guidance will forever be cemented in my mind and my spirit.

After leaving my final day of training last weekend, I was in complete denial. I held in my tears (kinda) and adamantly refused to say goodbye to any of my fellow trainees/new friends, but just pretended like I would see them all again the next weekend (which is actually rather likely since we all live at the studio).  Words cannot express how amazing it was to be part of such an amazing group of people.  To get to study and practice with such a diverse group of individuals, all from different backgrounds, but all together for a common goal, was something that not everyone gets to experience in their lifetime. And for that I am forever grateful.  We all learned so much from each other, and I know that we will all be connected in such a special way for the rest of our lives.

Everyone keeps asking me what I learned throughout my training, and if I feel "ready" to go off on my own and start teaching for real.  If there's one main thing I learned throughout my training....it's that I have SO much more to learn, and honestly dont believe there's such thing as being ready!  This initial 200 hour program was just breaking the ice, and I am so excited to explore this new yoga path that I am on, even more so than I already have.  With future opportunities of teaching, studying, practicing and advanced training programs awaiting me (I think I might be addicted), now is when the real learning begins.

Stay tuned!

7th Inning Stretch

Well, it's been a while.

Admittedly I've been slacking with the blog posts lately, but working a full time job, teaching Saturday mornings (update on that to come) and training all weekend long has been really keeping me occupied!

I decided to focus today's post on exactly this point: finding time in your hectic life to take 15 minutes for yourself.  Whether that be to write a blog post, cook yourself a meal, read a chapter of your book, or practice your yoga, everyone should allocate 15 mins (which really is nothing) of their day to do something that just feels good.

So today I decided that I was going to try to initiate a 15 minute yoga break at my office.  I work for a fairly large television production company, and while there are far too many employees (and not enough space) to do a full yoga class in the middle of the day, I decided to take a few of my upstairs neighbour coworkers into our kitchen to do a couple of mid-afternoon stretches.  I dont know about you, but at around 3pm every afternoon I start to lose it.  It's that time of the day where you've already eaten lunch, had one or two coffees, and are starting to check the clock at the corner of your computer screen.  There's no better time than this to take some time to re-energize and work out the kinks in your neck, shoulders and wrist...especially if you're someone like me who spends the majority of their day reading and writing.

This afternoon I opted to do some "chair yoga" stretches....really simple moves that you can do in your work clothes and will make you feel instantly better and give you that boost of energy you need for the last few hours of your afternoon.  You can do these at your desk, in the boardroom, in the kitchen, or even at home while you are waiting for your dinner to cook!

SET UP:

-Grab a chair, preferably one that doesnt have wheels (or else comedy will ensue), and sit at the very edge of the chair. Remove the flesh from your buttocks so that you are sitting directly on your sitz bones. Feet are hip-bone-width apart, shoulders are back, and hands are resting on your thighs.

NECK:
-With your right hand planted down on the chair next to your hip, draw your left hand over the right side of your head, and gently guide your neck to the left.  After a few breaths, switch sides.

WRIST:
-With your left elbow bent, and palm facing your face, gently grasp onto your left wrist with your right hand.  As you lightly pull down with your right hand, pull up with your left hand at the same time for counteraction.  Wiggle your fingers a few times, and then switch sides.

SPINE (CAT/COW STRETCH)
-With your palms resting on your thighs, inhale and arch your back and look up towards the ceiling, neck and head coming up last.
-Exhale and round your spine like a halloween cat and let your head drop, gaze towards belly.
-Repeat 5 times to your own breath

SHOULDER (EAGLE VARIATION)
-Inhale your arms out to shoulder level, and on the exhale cross your right arm over your left, bending your arms to cross at the elbows, palms coming together.  If your shoulders are tight (as many people's are) and you are unable to meet palms, simply hold on to opposite shoulders.  Take 5 breathes, unwind, and switch sides

SPINAL TWIST
-Bring your right hand to your left thigh, and your left hand planted on the chair next to your left hip.
-Inhale get length in your spine, and exhale gently twist over to the left.
-Make sure that you are twisting first from your belly, then from your middle back, then upper back, then neck and head last.  This is a twist for your thoracic (middle) spine.
-Hold the twist for 5 breaths, and after your last exhale slowly unwind and switch sides.

HIP OPENER (PIGEON VARIATION)
-Cross your right ankle over your left thigh, flexing your right toes and activating your foot (this will protect your knee)
-Take a breath in, and on the exhale, gently push your right knee down with your right hand.  You should be feeling this stretch in the outer right hip (Piriformis)
-Hold for 5 breaths, and switch sides.

BACK BEND AND FORWARD FOLD
-Clasp your hands behind your lower back, and gently roll your shoulders back and down
(make sure you are sitting right at the edge of your chair so you have room)
-Inhale draw your lower ribs in and open your heart to the ceiling, keeping shoulders back and down, and neck in neutral (be mindful of not letting your neck drop backwards) in this slight backbend
-Exhale lead with your arms and fold foward over your hips so your chest is resting on your thighs
-Repeat 5 times

After you are finished simply sit, close your eyes, and breath in and out five times to close your mini-practice. 

Bring your hands to prayer at heart centre, bow your head slightly, and namaste.