Victoria Klein

My urge to travel is ramping up again (but I’m also quite...

Thu, 24 May 2012 20:28:04 -0700

My urge to travel is ramping up again (but I’m also quite low on money, go figure)!

Five Post-Run Poses for Better Recovery

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:10:27 -0700

Five Post-Run Poses for Better Recovery:

Running AND Yoga - the perfect combo :)

Personally, I do 20-60 minutes of Yoga after each run (3x a week)

P.S. Be sure to check out the 5 pre-run poses too!

Teaching My 1st Yoga Class - How'd It Go!?

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:36:33 -0700

Yoga Teacher Training has been quite an adventure, but it all comes down to one thing - can I actually teach Yoga?

So far, I’ve done two teachbacks (#1 + #2) as part of our regular YTT weekend meetings … but that’s not all.

Last but never least, there’s the big kahuna - a full one-hour class, open to the public, taught by me. The final teachback.

I taught my 1st full-length Yoga class on Friday, April 27th to 12 people, 5 of which were familiar faces :) It was an immensely exciting + gratifying experience, and I learned one very important thing - I LOVE TEACHING YOGA! :)

Just like the other two teachbacks, the 3 Yoga teachers + 1 YTT student who attended filled out evaluations afterward. Here’s the nitty gritty:

Teaching Strengths:

Voice quality & projection
Use of Sanskrit
Beginner’s mind theme
Excellent refinement and safety cues while in the pose. I felt very safe & comfortable :)
And you shared excellent information while we were holding the pose … tendencies, benefits, etc.
Your confidence shines through!
Get job guiding us out of the poses safely
Nice use of Sanskrit
Loved the theme & sequencing was nice :)
Lots of positive energy
Humor to keep mood light
Offering modifications & challenges to accommodate all levels
Great theme! Beginner’s mind :) Good job incorporating theme into class
Great instincts on time of holding poses!
Great confidence
Love quote at beginning, “beginner’s mind”
Good alignment cues

Areas for Improvement:

More detailed instruction coming in & out of the pose (sometimes)
Your positioning in the room will make rights & lefts easier - this is always something that improves w/practice
Watch your Ls & Rs. If you aren’t mirroring the student, be sure to let them know. Some students were following your example, not your words.
Turn off or down lights for Savasana to create a peaceful environment
Let class know if you are or aren’t mirroring to avoid confusing & use directions like “lobby wall” or “Om wall” if you get confused right vs. left
Turn off lights during Savasana; darkens room & gets you walking around the room so people feel more comfortable asking for bolsters, eye pillow, etc.
More direction in which way to face/move the body
Dimming the lights when class is unwinding and for Savasana
More focus on the breath & integrating it w/movement

Additional Comments:

Your class was very enjoyable!! I’m so excited for you and feel you will continue to grow and become an amazing Yoga Teacher
You did great! Woohoo!
Keep it up! You are a great teacher :)
Great job! Proud of you and I can’t wait to come to more classes!

So much wonderful support + perspective! Suggested during our last YTT weekend, I’ve begun the practice of reflecting on every Yoga session I teach - class, workshop, private session - any + all Yoga teaching I do. I’m doing this in a private space so that I can hold nothing back.

That being said, I do want to share with you what I wrote about my 1st full class (since most of the notes are about me, haha):

[Liked]

Wow - what an experience. So great to have a room full of students that are eager to do Yoga. Also thankful that I had 5 familiar faces in the class :)
I had a solid sequence planned out with a useful theme (beginner’s mind), especially helpful since I knew that a # of folks that were coming were experience practitioners (+ teachers).

[Would Change]

I wrote my class on note cards because I thought it would be more convenient, but having to switch between the cards wasn’t very effective.
I forgot to turn on the music back on (after the opening where I talk) until about half way through class.
I forgot to use the ringing bowl.
I demonstrated 99% of the time + barely left my mat (except to demonstrate even more).
I got my L + R sides mixed up because I was trying to mirror the students.
The sequence I planned wasn’t long enough (but I improvised well).
No Om chanting.

Since this class, I’ve taught 6 times - classes + private sessions - and I can already see my teaching style changing + progressing in a positive direction :)

Long story short (and bless you if you have read this entire post), my 1st Yoga class went very well, I’ve found that I have a passion for teaching Yoga, + I already have students asking me about my other classes + workshops … my career begins! :D

A healthy dose of (positive) reality...

Thu, 24 May 2012 07:16:21 -0700

A healthy dose of (positive) reality :)

snailbird:

strangelykatie:

My personal art mantra :)

<3 It’s a really good one.

YOGA STYLES: a simple, animated guide

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:01:45 -0700

YOGA STYLES: a simple, animated guide:

Choosing from the wide variety of Yoga styles can be tough - here is an easy (+ deliciously satirical) visual guide for everyone :)

Photo

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:47:23 -0700

Yoga Teaching: My Past, Present, + Future

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:56:01 -0700

Last week, one of my favorite websites, MindBodyGreen, posted this wonderful article titled, 5 Things You Should Ask Yourself About Your Yoga Teaching Career.

Why is this exercise important? Well, have you noticed how many yoga teachers there are? The more you can do to distinguish yourself, the more you will stand out. Also, have you ever run into someone that has a number of connections and they ask you, unexpectedly, “What makes you different?” Do you have an answer at the ready? Lastly, do you have a sense that your day-to-day activities are leading you to an ultimate goal or do you feel as if you’re accepting jobs with no overall sense of where you’re going?

Important stuff! As a new Yoga teacher, I figured there is no time like the present to delve deeper into why I’ve chosen to take this journey … so here it goes :)

Why do you love yoga and what led you to teaching?

Oh dear - I could write a whole book on this subject, so I’ll try to keep it brief: Yoga helped save my life. I love Yoga because when I was in a dark, seemingly never-ending downward spiral of depression + anxiety (which caused me to quit college, lose my job, + ruin my relationship with my then-boyfriend), Yoga (along with therapy + short-term medication) helped bring me back to life, balance, + sanity.

Yoga itself is not a magical healing tool, but the effect that it has on your mind, body, + spirit lead you to heal yourself. My negative thought patterns were overridden by Yoga’s message of being in-control of my own happiness + choosing to smile. Naturally, the physical yoga practice also had the helpful side effect of encouraging me to eat healthier + be more active, which improved my overall health.

Yoga’s powerful effect on my own life was part of what led me to teaching. I began writing professionally 7 years ago with a simple goal in mind: help people while doing something I love. That is the same mindset that I approach my Yoga teaching with - but teaching Yoga is on a whole other level then writing. Being able to have direct contact with people + see the changes within them blows writing out of the water.

How does your previous work experience make you unique and skillful as a teacher?

My previous work experience covers a significant range of jobs + associated skills: ice cream scooper, waitress, data entry specialist, office manager, seasonal retail calender sales, fashion model (10 years, print & runway), yoga studio front desk manager, magazine production assistant, sustainability consultant, virtual assistant … and freelance writer + author of 2 published non-fiction books (1 of which is about Yoga).

Translation: I’m versatile, creative, organized, professional yet fun-loving, self-motivated, have few needs or must-haves, info-savvy, can adapt to any situation or challenge, + love trying new things (I’m not too bad to look at either). :)

How do your personal experiences make you unique and skillful as a yoga teacher?

I mentioned part of my personal experience with Yoga in response to the 1st question. In relation to that, I have deeply experienced the progressive, transformational power of Yoga - I’m a walking, talking, (+ teaching) success story.

In terms of practice, I’ve been practicing Yoga on the East + West coasts of the USA on + off for 12 years, but steadily for the past 4 years. Yoga has taken me through high school, college, embarking on self-entrepreneurship, 3 cross-country moves, the unexpected death of my father, engagement, marriage, my husband joining the Marine Corps, + taking the bold step to become a Yoga teacher.

My life has been nothing but an emotionally rollercoaster - and Yoga has been my consistent source of balance, knowledge, + internal challenge.

What is your ideal vision for your yoga teaching?

Oy - tough question! I think this is something that is still a work-in-progress for me + will naturally change over time (as life has a habit of doing, haha).

In an ideal situation, I’ll be teaching 5-8 classes a week + doing private/semi-private sessions, writing 1-2 posts a week for Yoga/healthy living blogs, writing 1-2 articles a month for magazines, teaching 1-2 workshops a month, + (down the line) holding 1-2 retreats a year. Last but not least, I’d also be working with 1-2 Yoga-related non-profits, helping to raise money + volunteering my time as a Yoga teacher.

I’d love to post some of my classes online via sites like YogaGlo, YogaVibes, YogaDownload, MyYogaOnline …. etc.

I’d also love to write an updated version of my 27 Things to Know About Yoga book (now that I have taken Yoga Teacher Training + started teaching, giving me even more useful insights to share to new Yogis!).

I’m intrigued by teaching Yoga in a corporate environment + plan to integrate that into my teaching plans in a few years.

Who is your target audience for your teaching?

Currently, my target audience is 20 to 35-year-old women + men - an age group that I fall into + can currently relate to. This is a very transformational + intense part of life with constant change + big decisions to make. Yoga can help to guide us through all of that, ensuring that we have made the best decisions for what we truly need as individuals.

I am deeply interested in teaching Yoga to veterans + current military men + women, and their spouses. Also, I’m intrigued by Kids Yoga + teaching Yoga to athletes, which may become part of my future teaching plans.

As I age, I expect my target audience to change as my personal practice naturally transforms with my body’s needs + abilities.

10 Easy Ways to Slow the Aging Process

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:26:50 -0700

10 Easy Ways to Slow the Aging Process:

Simple + easy. Would love to see these on a poster!

Adorable - and useful! :)

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:59:56 -0700

Adorable - and useful! :)

Why I Choose Yoga Over Motherhood

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:16:33 -0700

Why I Choose Yoga Over Motherhood :

I touched on the subject of having kids recently.

This article is yet another one that keeps me thinking. The idea of having kids intriques me (+ my husband would be an awesome dad), but do I really want that life for myself?

Certainly not right now, but maybe in 4-5 years, or maybe never.

It wasn’t mentioned in this article, but the title made me think of how my Yoga teaching is a form of motherhood.

I’d wager that I’d be just as proud to have improved the lives of countless students + helped others become Yoga teachers as I would be to have + raise a child.

Of course, many people do both. Whether or not I want to is still up in the air.

Awesome Yoga Pants that Aren't Lululemon

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:12:00 -0700

Awesome Yoga Pants that Aren't Lululemon:

P.S. I can’t speak about Lululemon pants from experience. I’ve never tried them on + have resisted going into any Lululemon store … I’m worried I might enjoy it too much + become addicted to their goods!

(UPDATE: I DID go to a Lululemon store for the 1st time last week - I already had this post scheduled before that - and I see what all the hype is about! Expect a review post next month.)

YOGA: this is what happens when...

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:02:24 -0700

YOGA: this is what happens when...:

How many of these hilarious Yoga situations can you relate to?

Me? All of’em :O

YD Interview: Diamond Dallas Page on DDP Yoga, INTENSE Inspiration, ‘Head Fakes’ and the 90%

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:05:01 -0700

YD Interview: Diamond Dallas Page on DDP Yoga, INTENSE Inspiration, ‘Head Fakes’ and the 90%:

Personally, I applaud Dallas Page for bringing Yoga postures to an entire segment of the population that would have never set foot in a Yoga studio.

Like anything in life, including Yoga, you have to start somewhere - if DDP Yoga is your gateway to the wide world of Yoga, then I’m all for it :)

10 Ways to Live Yoga Off the Mat

Fri, 18 May 2012 07:58:35 -0700

10 Ways to Live Yoga Off the Mat:

Asanas (poses) are a very small part of the wide world of Yoga.

Once off your mat, you can LIVE your Yoga :)

After resisting for 10+ years, I went to a Lululemon store for...

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:59:00 -0700

After resisting for 10+ years, I went to a Lululemon store for the 1st time today … and ended up buying 2 things :O (Taken with instagram)

P.S. I’ll be wearing these goods exclusively over the next month when teaching + practicing Yoga - then I’ll post my review here on Tumblr :)

YTT Teachback #2

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:21:53 -0700

(WTF is a teachback!? Check out my 1st post about teachbacks)

As part of our 4th Yoga Teacher Training weekend (May 5th+6th), we performed our 2nd set of teachbacks. For this round, I was assigned Parsvottanasana (Intense Side Stretch) + Virabhadrasana 3 (Warrior 3).

As a student, I adore Parsvottanasana, but Virabhadrasana 3 is not one of my solid poses (thanks to my long/stretchy ligaments). As a teacher, I welcomed the challenge to try to instruct + demonstrate a pose that I’m not strong in.

Having teached a few classes since our 1st teachbacks, I was more comfortable/less nervous … but I think I was almost too comfortable because I nearly forgot to do the other side of the body!

Focus, Victoria, focus :)

As usual, our instructor, Danielle + the other YTT students gave me some very useful feedback:

Teaching Strengths:

Voice volume & clarity
Alignment cues were great
Invitations to modify the pose
Awareness of breath coming in, out, & holding [the pose]
Confidence
Good focus on breath
Humor :)
Lots of good instructions for entering the pose
Good alignment cues
Nice calm voice
Clear voice
Good directions
Nice humor

Areas for Improvement:

I want you to challenge yourself to demonstrate less and give verbal cues while watching your students, taking cues from their bodies. Trust yourself -> you know it!!
More instruction coming out
Less talking in poses. OK to be silent and let student focus.
Mention occasionally what pose is coming up next. On first side, I didn’t know how to comfortably set up my feet.
Maybe have less time to get into the pose + aligning and more time holding [the pose].
You have great asanas - don’t say that you don’t :)
Maybe give some benefits of pose.

The area for improvement that I gave myself was to “use more Sanskrit.” For some reason, my mind was just all over the place during this teachback (which is also why I nearly forgot a whole side of the body!), so some of my usual habits (like using Sanskrit) went out the window.

All in all, it was a great teachback + I am still very thankful that we do these as part of YTT.

Our final teachback is an entire hour-long class … which I’ve already done! I’ll be writing about my 1st experience teaching a full class next week :)

Pimpin’ my local Yoga studio (where I practice AND teach) :)...

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:59:00 -0700

Pimpin’ my local Yoga studio (where I practice AND teach) :) (Taken with instagram)

Endless inspiration from promo pocket :)

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:31:16 -0700

Endless inspiration from promo pocket :)

New Workout–The 30-20-10–Produces Impressive Results

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:22:38 -0700

New Workout–The 30-20-10–Produces Impressive Results:

Definitely going to try this in my next running sessions (though it would be easier if I had a sport watch instead of using an app on my phone - c’est la vie!)

If you put all the water on Earth in 1 place, this is what it...

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:16:48 -0700

If you put all the water on Earth in 1 place, this is what it would look like.

Translation: water is precious; clean water is priceless :)