Victoria Klein

It’s been 8 months since I graduated 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training + it’s time for an update. For a bit of history, read my check-in posts from 1-month + 3-months + 4-months.

Wow - it has been FOUR MONTHS since my last post in this series! As you’d expect, a lot has changed in those mere four months.

I am no longer teaching at 3 of the locations I was teaching at during the time of my last post. I started teaching at a new location in January … and now that opportunity is gone.

A key point I made in my last post:

I’m quickly discovering that I’d prefer to teach 1-3 classes as 2-3 different locations, instead of 1-2 classes at 5-6 different locations.

I LOVE the concept of developing a caring community with your students + that can be quite difficult to do when you are spread between so many different locations.

… and that still stands. At this point, I am only teaching regularly at 2 locations, both of which I adore immensely + intend to become a more significant part of in 2013. Sadly, I no longer have a steady (weekly) class that only I teach, which feels like a distinct step back in my teaching career.

That being said, I’m going with the flow + soaking up all the experience I can get as a teacher (both with students + behind-the-scenes). Hopefully, by 2013, my schedule will start to stabilize + I can narrow down my teaching locations + really create that sangha (community) I adore.

Well, 2013 is here + my schedule is anything but consistent. I’ve heard that having your schedule change numerous times a year is very normal for yoga teachers, so I try to keep that in mind. 

Gladly, I have found 2 yoga studios that I happily practice + teach at - now I just have to become an even greater part of their sangha + hopefully expand my teaching schedule there.

Also, 2013 has brought me the opportunity to take a 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training program (more details in an upcoming post!), so having a somewhat open schedule is beneficial, as it gives me more time to read, study, + practice. 

My professional goal is to have a teaching schedule of 5 classes at no more than 3 locations, no more than 2 classes per week day + maybe 1 on the weekend. The 500 YTT will take up the majority of my professional studies this year, but I’d love to get certifications in Yin Yoga + Prenatal Yoga someday … maybe in 2014 :)

Ten months ago, I wrote about the yama I chose to focus on during Yoga Teacher Training. Since then, I’ve also done 9 follow-up posts (follow-up #1 + #2 + #3 + #4 + #5 + #6 + #7 + #8 + #9) … and it’s already time for another one!

For a refresher, here is what ahimsa (the yama I chose) is all about:

Ahimsa is often translated as “non-harming”, but can also be seen as embracing compassion and love for all. It requires the belief that we are all one, cultivating an absence of anger, jealousy, and hatred. Feelings are welcomed not as failures, but an opportunity to seek their root causes.

“I am gentle to all beings.”

“I easily forgive myself and others.”

“I am free of fear and anger.”

“I move away from judging to loving.”

“I embrace all, trusting the Diving flow.”

December was a joyous way to end a long, productive, educational year!

All of my December classes were wonderful + felt so natural. Each class had a clear theme, but the sequences were different each time. I was never hard on myself for any mistake I made in-class + my goal was to be gentle + supportive with each student.

My last class of the month + all of 2012 was the day before my husband + I left to visit “home” (a.k.a. Connecticut) for the 1st time in 2 years! Though I didn’t practice Yoga nearly as much as I hoped to during the trip, I sought to practice the other tenets of Yoga, especially ahimsa (which can be challenging during the holidays, haha).

I openly admit that I had moments of failure … the worst of which was directed at myself days before 2013 arrived, not long after we returned from our trip. To explain it simply, for the entirety of my adult life, I’ve connected my self-worth far too deeply with how much $$$ I make (which has always been quite little).

Dun dun dun - this is my final frontier! This mindset is the key thing that has kept me from being happy on a daily basis. As I break down this roadblock in my mind, the rest of the world will be available to me!

The lesson is clear: how can you be gentle, compassionate, loving, + forgiving with anyone else if you can’t be that way with yourself?!

I think that is the life-long journey we are all on. :)

<3 <3 <3

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Like the series of chakra posts I’ve written during 2012, I’m going to bring this yama series of posts to an end as well. End of an era!

2013 marks the beginning of my 1st full year as a Yoga teacher - and I’m sure there will be lots more to blog about, so stay tuned! :) <3

Nine months ago, I wrote about the chakra I chose to focus on during Yoga Teacher Training (check out follow-Up #1 + #2 + #3 + #4 + #5 + #6 + #7 + #8). For a refresher, here is what manipura (the chakra I chose) is all about:

Chakras are vortexes of energy, often symbolized by circles or wheels. A common misconception is that chakras are either “open” or “closed”. In actuality, they vibrate with energy - we either have a deficiency or an excess of energy in a chakra, or they are balanced.

I chose the 3rd chakra: manipura (represented above). 

Manipura (translated as “lustrous gem”) is located in the solar plexus + often associated with the color yellow + the transforming energy of fire.

Its purpose is to generate energy + will; personal power; form a clear purpose; self-definition; ability to choose your intentions + cultivate a plan to accomplish them; healthy ego.

How has my manipura been this past month?

The past month has been another period of transition + reflection. I’m not sure if my manipura was shining bright or barely lit! Let me explain …

As outlined above, the manipura chakra is about having a clear, focused intention + a plan to work toward it. I did have a clear + focused intention the past month … which was to go with the flow, + that seems a bit counter-intuitive/non-specific in relation to manipura.

My teaching schedule continues to change - instead of being bummed, stressed, frustrated, or irritated, I’m just happy to have the opportunity to teach! I do have goals, such as getting my own class at a particular studio, + I do have a plan to get to that point: TEACH. Pretty straightforward, no? Maybe my plan should be a bit more detailed, but for me, I feel like I am on the right track, personally + professionally.

We exhibit different characteristics when each chakra has balanced energy, a deficiency, or an excess. For manipura, they are as follows:

Balanced: responsible/reliable; good self-discipline; positive sense of self; confidence; warm, energetic, spontaneous, playful, humorous; able to take risks

Deficient: passivity; lack of energy; poor digestion; tendency toward submission; low self-esteem; weak will; poor self-discipline

Excessive: dominating; controlling; competitive; ambitious; hyperactive; stubborn; compulsively driven; attracted to sedatives

The past month, I’ve fluttered between balanced + deficient … but mostly balanced! Admittedly, if I had focused more on my own Yoga practice, then I would have probably been even MORE balanced, but you know, life happens :)

I’m enjoying being on the journey of discovering my strengths + weaknesses, learning new things + simply going out and living life - which can be quite inspirational!

For manipura, recommended Yoga asanas are twists (my favorite!), lateral + back bends, and sun salutations. In terms of opposites, a balanced manipura means cultivating self-worth.

There they are again: back bends. I don’t do many back bends! Along with arm balances + inversions, I think I need to add back bends as a focus of my Yoga practice in 2013 :)

How can/do YOU cultivate more self-worth?

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Wow … it’s been nearly 10 months since I chose the manipura chakra to focus on during Yoga Teacher Training. I graduated YTT in June + have been teaching ever since. Focusing on the manipura has given me a means of tracking my progress, both personally + professionally. These posts have also given me a reason to check-in with myself, which is something most of us rarely do.

With 2013 on the horizon, I feel it necessary to put this post series to rest, opening the space to other awesome topics - I don’t have any specific ideas yet, but I’m sure something with come to me :)

(Art Source: spiritualhealingportal.com)

Nine months ago, I wrote about the yama I chose to focus on during Yoga Teacher Training. Since then, I’ve also done 8 follow-up posts (follow-up #1 + #2 + #3 + #4 + #5 + #6 + #7 + #8) … and it’s already time for another one!

For a refresher, here is what ahimsa (the yama I chose) is all about:

Ahimsa is often translated as “non-harming”, but can also be seen as embracing compassion and love for all. It requires the belief that we are all one, cultivating an absence of anger, jealousy, and hatred. Feelings are welcomed not as failures, but an opportunity to seek their root causes.

“I am gentle to all beings.”

“I easily forgive myself and others.”

“I am free of fear and anger.”

“I move away from judging to loving.”

“I embrace all, trusting the Diving flow.”

The only word I can think of to describe November is … interesting.

The majority of my classes had no students. Unlike October, where I was getting quite frustrated with the lack of actually teaching, November brought an unexpected amount of patience (+ no need to place blame).

There were a few classes where I had students show up - classes that I teach only 1-2x/month - + those classes were a joy to teach. It wasn’t long before I realized something … it was time for a change.

With the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching, I decided to take some time off from teaching - not only because I felt like I needed a break to recharge, but my family was also visiting. 

The time with my family was spectacular + really helped to remind me of what I love to do and how it makes me feel. I began teaching again on the last day of November + I felt like a totally different person - in a good way!

My teaching schedule continued to morph in November - another change that I openly welcomed. November also introduced me to 2 new opportunities to teach in locations that I adore. One of the locations has been confirmed + I will start in January. The other location I won’t hear about until next week, so I’m on pins + needles until then!

As with any 4-week period, there were times where I was too hard on myself + even a bit judgmental of others, but those were a small drop in the bucket compared to the ocean of loving trust + patience I felt the majority of the month. 

<3 <3 <3

How can/do YOU practice more compassion with yourself + others?

Eight months ago, I wrote about the chakra I chose to focus on during Yoga Teacher Training (check out follow-Up #1 + #2 + #3 + #4 + #5 + #6 + #7). For a refresher, here is what manipura (the chakra I chose) is all about:

Chakras are vortexes of energy, often symbolized by circles or wheels. A common misconception is that chakras are either “open” or “closed”. In actuality, they vibrate with energy - we either have a deficiency or an excess of energy in a chakra, or they are balanced.

I chose the 3rd chakra: manipura (represented above). 

Manipura (translated as “lustrous gem”) is located in the solar plexus + often associated with the color yellow + the transforming energy of fire.

Its purpose is to generate energy + will; personal power; form a clear purpose; self-definition; ability to choose your intentions + cultivate a plan to accomplish them; healthy ego.

How has my manipura been this past month?

Oi - it has been crazy the past month! From a personal health scare + attending my husband’s annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball (a damn huge, black tie party!) to continuing to hone my Yoga teaching schedule + upping the effort in my own Yoga practice … it has felt like nothing short of a rollercoaster.

That being said, while I haven’t always had a clear manipura-esque intention of where I was heading, I have focused on how to get there: by being patient, being myself, + always coming back to my Yoga practice.

We exhibit different characteristics when each chakra has balanced energy, a deficiency, or an excess. For manipura, they are as follows:

Balanced: responsible/reliable; good self-discipline; positive sense of self; confidence; warm, energetic, spontaneous, playful, humorous; able to take risks

Deficient: passivity; lack of energy; poor digestion; tendency toward submission; low self-esteem; weak will; poor self-discipline

Excessive: dominating; controlling; competitive; ambitious; hyperactive; stubborn; compulsively driven; attracted to sedatives

Based on characteristics, my manipura chakra has been all over the scale this past month! While trying to seek a balanced state, my mind + body bounced me from deficient to excessive many times, but it all came back to the same focus: go with the flow.

Don’t force things. Be curious. Explore how you feel + why you feel things. Even though there may not be measurable progress forward (in terms of more students, new projects, higher income … etc.), that doesn’t mean you aren’t making any progress. Taking the time to truly understand yourself, your strengths + weaknesses, will highly pay off when you discover the key thing that sparks your passion (instead of feeling around blindly, trying to make money in any way possible) … at least, that is what I’m telling myself right now! ;)

For manipura, recommended Yoga asanas are twists (my favorite!), lateral + back bends, and sun salutations. In terms of opposites, a balanced manipura means cultivating self-worth.

Twists are a consistent focus in my practice, but back bends have been making a comeback as well - opening my heart to myself + others. <3

I’ll be writing even more about my manipura efforts as I develop my new career as a Yoga Teacher - stay tuned!

How can/do YOU cultivate more self-worth?

(Art Source: spiritualhealingportal.com)

Eight months ago, I wrote about the yama I chose to focus on during Yoga Teacher Training. Since then, I’ve also done 7 follow-up posts (follow-up #1 + #2 + #3 + #4 + #5 + #6 + #7) … and it’s already time for another one!

For a refresher, here is what ahimsa (the yama I chose) is all about:

Ahimsa is often translated as “non-harming”, but can also be seen as embracing compassion and love for all. It requires the belief that we are all one, cultivating an absence of anger, jealousy, and hatred. Feelings are welcomed not as failures, but an opportunity to seek their root causes.

“I am gentle to all beings.”

“I easily forgive myself and others.”

“I am free of fear and anger.”

“I move away from judging to loving.”

“I embrace all, trusting the Diving flow.”

October has been another patience-testing, compassion-reminding month + I’m very grateful for it. The majority of my month has been focused on teaching Yoga - or, more accurately, getting students to class SO I can teach Yoga. Even though I have 4-6 classes each week, I’m lucky if I actually teach once per week.

With my classes still growing slowly, I did the one thing that every Yoga teacher needs to do - focus on my personal practice. I began attending classes at my “home” studio regularly + attended a spectacular Restorative Yoga + Reiki workshop that helped my mentally + physically reboot.

For the 1st time in I don’t know how long, I became ill this past month. As usual, I developed a sinus cold that made my throat very raw + my nose quite stuffy. Whether I want to or not, I was forced to slow down + cultivate more ahimsa toward myself. I don’t doubt that I likely developed said cold because I was pushing myself too hard to simply develop my Yoga teaching career as fast as possible.

As I shake off the last of the stuffiness, I find myself in a totally different mental space. I am more patient. I am living in-the-moment. I am accepting of the past + curiously open to the future. For what is probably the FIRST time in my ENTIRE LIFE, I’m NOT in a hurry to accomplish … something, anything … and I don’t feel the need to tear myself apart.

I don’t need to have 10-15 students in every class yet. I don’t need to be well-known by next week. I don’t need to have 5-10 private clients. All these things come with time + effort, but they also come with acceptance + sharing your true Self with everyone you meet - whether you have the opportunity to teach them Yoga or not.

Being in this mental space of true patience is … unnatural for me, but I can say that I sure do love being here! It feels spectacular!

My teaching schedule is not going to look like every other teacher’s schedule. I don’t have to follow anyone else’s method for creating the Yoga career that I hope for (… sometimes, I’m not even sure what that looks like!). Every person is different. Every teacher is different. Every personal + professional Yoga journey is different. My life-long Yoga career is just beginning. With (hopefully!) 50-70 years of Yoga teaching + practicing ahead of me, feeling the need to be in a hurry is just plain insane.

I have goals. I have dreams. I also have time. I have patience. Yes, life is short, but life is a journey. It can’t all be planned. Keep practicing Yoga, on + off your mat, to stay connected with your true Self + let that Self guide you to the career + life you love! :) <3

How can/do YOU practice more compassion with yourself + others?