3 Ways to Power Up Your Day

/

What gets you going in the morning?

 Lately I've been adjusting to a new schedule, and noticing what a difference it makes to incorporate little happy habits into the start of my day. Here are my 3 favorite ways to feel awake, energized and inspired first thing.

3 Ways to Power Up Your Day in the Morning

1. Create a mantra. What do you want today to feel like? What qualities do you want to bring into this day, or into your experience? Consider the way you want to act (what things you want to do) and the way you want to react to situations (how you'd like to be). You might consider saying these aloud, or writing them down:
Today I am...
Today I allow...

2. Breathe and stretch before you get going. Give yourself an extra 5, 10, or 15 minutes (or more!) to breathe deeply and to move around in a way that feels nourishing to your body. Keep it simple! Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) and cat/cow are my two favorites lately.

3. Eat breakfast. Fuel your body with something that gives you lasting energy so you can start your day feeling nourished. I love to start my day with lemon water, and I vary what I eat. Customize your breakfast to suit what you need, whether that's a green smoothie or eggs and toast or pancakes with honey, oatmeal, fresh fruit, you name it! Eat slowly and calmly. Drink water, too!


Cheers to a beautiful start to all your days this week! Namaste.

 Photos in this post via Pinterest (1, 2, 3, 5) and Tumblr (4).

The Precious Quality of Today

/

Today will hold magical moments.

 Be on the lookout for miracles.

 Invite in beautiful, quiet, sacred moments.

 When you first step into the shower, notice the way the warm water feels on your skin.

 At the end of your practice, sink into Shavasana. Let go.

 When you pull someone in close for a hug, pause. Notice how every cell of your body feels.

 Notice love.

 Photo by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Badass Yoga Teachers: Things to Consider Before Accepting a Teaching Gig

/

Next up in the Badass Yoga Teachers series, a post on what to do once you've completed your yoga teacher training and you're starting to look for teaching gigs.

What do you need to look for in a studio? How will you know if it's a good fit?

While at first you may want to say 'yes' to every teaching opportunity that comes along, I believe it's important to find a balance between accepting offers to gain experience and accepting offers that will create long-term growth in your teaching career.


Here are 5 things to consider before accepting your next yoga teaching gig.

1. What's the vibe of the yoga studio, and how does it align with my teaching style? 

 Consider practicing at a studio before teaching there (sometimes this is required; the owner and current teachers want to get to know you a little bit before they bring you on board to teach). Whenever you're in the space, notice: how do you feel? What sorts of conversations do you have? 

 What energy do the people at the yoga studio bring to the space? Do you feel comfortable and at ease? 

 See if you can step back and sense the bigger picture of what's going on with the space. What changes are happening? Is there drama? If you're familiar with someone already on the team, consider having coffee or lunch to chat about what it's like working at that studio. 

 How will your unique voice fit in to the mix? Does the studio seem to be wanting a class that's in the style you teach, or would there be an expectation that you'll shift your style toward whatever is consistent in the space?

Taking notes and doing some free writing around these topics can often bring clarity. Consider finishing these sentences:

 I see myself teaching here and feeling...
My goal for teaching here would be to...
This studio needs me because...

2. What leadership style does the studio owner have, and what is his or her vision for the studio? 

 Studio owners have a big impact on the way a yoga studio runs. Notice if the owner of the space where you are thinking about teaching is present or distant. Does he or she hold regular meetings with staff? One-on-one meetings for feedback on classes?

 What's going on in this studio owner's personal life and professional life? What goals does he or she have for the studio? How would you fit into the mix?

 Does this studio hire teachers as independent contractors or as employees?

 If possible, you may want to ask other teachers about their experience working for this studio owner. Have they had any issues or seen any problems arise with staff? How does the studio owner keep the teachers motivated and supported? What sort of a work environment do they create?

 Keep in mind that some of these things may be a little uncomfortable to consider, but they will give you great perspective on whether or not this teaching gig is a good fit. Also keep in mind you're totally allowed and encouraged to ask questions such as:

  • How often will I get paid? 
  • Has payment to teachers ever been late?
  • How much will I get paid? Is my rate of pay based on class attendance, or is it a flat rate?
  • Am I expected to practice a certain number of times per week at the studio?
  • Will I be paid for time spent in staff meetings?
  • What are the expectations of me as a teacher with regards to arriving at the space before class, cleaning up after class, recording my time, and submitting my hours for payroll?
  • What tax documents, contracts, HR agreements, etc will I need to sign before I'm hired?
  • What is the procedure for schedule changes at this studio? If a class I'm teaching is going to change on the schedule, or be removed from it, how soon will I be notified before this change takes place?
  • How will my performance as a staff member and as a teacher be measured? Is there an expectation on how many students will be attending my classes?
  • Is there opportunity for me to grow the number of classes I'm teaching, or offer additional workshops as time goes along, or is this opportunity limited to the class(es) you're offering now?
These are tough questions but will definitely give you a realistic sense of the practicalities of teaching at a studio!!



 3. Does the rate of pay align with my needs?

 Teaching yoga doesn't always pay well. Before you say 'yes' to a class, consider if the rate of pay meets your needs. How much will you need to spend on gas to get to the studio? How much time will you need to spend at the studio before and after class, and when you do the math, how does that factor in with your rate of pay? 

 Will there be opportunities to teach back-to-back classes? Workshops? Do teachers ever get wage increases?

 Another note on pay: if you are accepting a gig that is unpaid, will you do me a favor? Please please please set some specific, clear goals about what you want to get out of your unpaid teaching gig. Write them down! Talk to a friend about them! Be accountable for meeting these goals. Whether you're looking to offer something to your community or to gain personal experience that will prepare you for future teaching gigs, be sure you're clear on why you're teaching for free. Because teachers are willing to teach for free, this impacts the economy of the yoga market, and can make it harder for 'full-time' teachers to secure wages that equate to enough income to survive. I totally understand that sometimes we must take unpaid opportunities as we launch into teaching yoga, but be sure to consider what you're worth. Your teaching is valuable! People are willing to pay for it. Don't sell yourself short ;)

 PS Also check out this awesome excerpt from a book by Amy Ippoliti about money and teaching yoga.

 4. If I accept the opportunity to teach this new class, or new classes, how will this impact my schedule?

 One wonderful thing about being a full-time teacher is that you have freedom to create the schedule you want. The tricky part about this is that depending on the yoga market you're in, you may find yourself with a somewhat chaotic schedule if you're driving all over town to teach in different spaces throughout the day!

 A couple ideas to consider with regards to schedule:

  • How many classes per day is your 'sweet spot?' For some teachers, 1 or 2 classes is perfect; others can handle more like 3 or 4. You may have to use some trial and error to discover how many classes a day you can teach without feeling too exhausted.
  • Similarly, it may take a little while to figure out how many classes per week is your sweet spot.
  • Take days off! If possible, get two days in a row off! Protect these days and schedule yourself some much-needed R&R when you're not teaching.
  • Before saying 'yes' to a new teaching gig, consider: will I be rushing to get to the studio in time to teach this class?
  • Discover what times of day you want to teach, and then say 'no' to the opportunities that fall outside of that schedule. When I first started teaching, I accepted gigs for 6am classes and 7pm classes. Over time I realized it was not a good fit for me to have to get up super early (I'd get anxious the night before, and have trouble sleeping). I also realized it wasn't ideal to teach later than 5:30 or 6, especially on days when I'd already taught a morning class, because I'd be exhausted and hungry by the time I got home, and it would take a few hours to wind down before bed.
  • Watch out for the 'split shift' schedule. If you teach an early morning class and a late evening class, consider what you'll be doing in the middle of your day. Driving back and forth from home can be exhausting. Consider stacking classes differently, or bringing your laptop and working from a coffee shop in between classes. Taking a nap or doing yoga outside at a nearby park during your break can always be fun too :)
  • SUBS! Get clear on what the protocol is for getting a substitute teacher when you're out of town or sick. How hard will it be for you to get a sub for this new class? Can the other teachers usually accommodate a last minute sub request, or will you need quite a bit of advance notice to get your classes covered? Getting subs can be a real headache, so be as prepared as you can by knowing who is available to teach during your time slots. Trades can also be a really nice way to support the other teachers at your studio. Get to know the teachers who teach right before you or right after you. Take their classes so you have a sense of their teaching style and the ability of their students. Then, if they need coverage, you can easily step in and help out!


 5. What are students saying about the community?

 What are students looking for? What's missing? Does this community seem like it's growing and changing, staying static, or is the energy and enthusiasm in the space dwindling? Do you feel connected to the students? 

 Give yourself permission to be real with your students. Be open and honest with them from the start, and willing to be vulnerable as you move forward.

 6. (BONUS question to consider!) What does my gut instinct tell me about teaching here?

 If you're getting any sense of why you shouldn't teach in a yoga studio where you have an opportunity to, explore that hunch. What feels off? Who can you talk to about this? Clear up any doubt or negativity before you teach there, so that you bring clarity and excitement when you start. Alternatively, if you discover that this teaching opportunity is not the right one for you, give yourself permission to say 'no.' Be kind and honest with the studio owner or hiring manager about your decision (you're allowed to keep your personal life personal, but be real with them) and keep the communication lines open and positive; you never know how things may change down the road.

 Trust yourself!

Was this post helpful? I hope it offers you some insight into making an informed decision before you decide to add a class to your schedule. I'd also love to hear your feedback on this post or any others in the Badass Yoga Teachers series! You can always email me at aliveinthefire at gmail dot com.

Namaste.

PS Some other posts for yoga teachers:
Sharing space with your students.
Tips on what to track when you're going to be filing taxes as an independent contractor.
5 books that will bring your teaching to a new level.

Illustration made using Canva. Photos in this post by Lucid Reflections (2, 3), Brett Miller (4), Respiro Photography (5, 7) and Felipe Silva of Uprise Collective (6).

Change

/

Change is good.

It can turn your strengths into invincible powers. Sometimes you get sick of sitting in the chair so you build a standing desk.

Sometimes you get bored with painting so you dive into sculpture. 

Whatever is happening in your world, don't stop.

Things will click and doors will open.




Quote by Markus Almond. Photos by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Have a Fun Weekend!

/

Happy Friday, yogis! What are you up to this weekend?

I can't wait to relax, have slow mornings, have a BBQ with the neighbors, go to the beach, and eat dark chocolate :)

Here are a few fun links from around the web:

50 beautiful places in America.

What to wear on vacation, plus a packing tip.

Easy dinner ideas. Also, I want to try this recipe for a quick lunch.

Ways to tune up, connect with, and become more aware of your chakras.

One of my favorite boudoir and portrait photographers.

Tips on creating the life you want. I love this one: "doubt the doubt." Yes!

Reflections on what it's like to do a silent meditation retreat. So fascinating.

Is your loved one depressed? Ideas for how to help them get through it.

Would you ever try drawing a tarot card?

Refreshing summer drink recipes.

Is it hot outside where you live? This depiction of summer made me laugh.


Also, in case you missed any of this week's posts on Alive in the Fire:


Happy Friday and cheers to you!

Illustration (1) found on Pinterest and photo (2) by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Badass Yoga Teachers: Filing Your Taxes

/

Today in the Badass Yoga Teachers series, I'm talking about a subject that I usually like to avoid thinking about: filing taxes.

All in the same year, I went from working full time and teaching one or two classes a week... and then to teaching up to 12 classes at many different studios. With my unique income situation, I felt overwhelmed by the idea of filing my own tax return.

 What did I need to keep track of? What could I count as expenses? How should I differentiate between studios where I was paid as an independent contractor or studios where I was paid as an employee? Was I missing anything?

I quickly decided that I wanted to hire a professional tax consultant to help me file my tax return.

 And that's my #1 piece of advice about taxes: if you're feeling over your head, want to focus your time elsewhere, or you just know that you have a complicated tax return, consider hiring a professional to assist you. It's not super expensive; I spent about $150 for the entire process, and was able to ask as many questions as I needed to, meet with my consultant several times, and call her whenever I needed help.

 If you are going to hire someone, ask around to your friends who are established yoga teachers to see who they can recommend that specializes in taxes for independent contractors.

 I ended up working with a woman who deals mostly with freelancers-- yoga teachers and hair stylists in particular-- and she also does payroll at several local yoga studios, so she's very up-to-date on what the IRS requires, how often they audit, what you'll need to do if you get audited, and what red flags to avoid on your return.

In the meantime, as you're finding someone you'd like to work with, I recommend compiling some data about your yoga classes and the income you're making from teaching, as well as your expenses. (My tax professional gave me an awesome spreadsheet to use to track everything, and it calculates profit and loss based on what's entered in Excel, and having a tool like that has made all the difference!)

Start by tracking this information:
  • the number of classes you teach at each studio
  • what you get paid for each class, as well as how much you bring in with each paycheck
  • mileage you drive to any studios where you teach
  • your expenses:
    • trainings
    • workshops
    • books
    • Spotify or Pandora subscription for your playlists
    • yoga clothing
    • yoga gear, like mats or towels or candles
    • costs to create your website or pay for marketing services
Also be sure to save paystubs or checks you've deposited and receipts for your expenses. I recommend buying a little file folder with a section for each month of the year, and organizing the paperwork that way (you can even write off the cost of the file folder, too!)

If you're interested in tracking your growth and attendance, you can also use tools like Mind Body Online to print reports with your class numbers (how many students showed up, how many were comps, etc).

All these numbers may also come in handy if you're applying for a healthcare coverage plan, and need to report your income, too.


One key to all this tax business is to do a little bit of work each month so that you don't end up with a big pile of work at the end of the year.

If you write down your income and expenses month-by-month, the process becomes streamlined and efficient. And by giving yourself plenty of time to find a tax consultant to help you file your taxes, come April you'll be free from any headaches and able to breathe through the whole process!

Want more info about how to file your taxes as a yoga teacher? Here are some other great articles:

Cheers to a stress-free experience when filing next year! Namaste.

PS Other posts in the Badass Yoga Teachers series:
Holding space for your students.
Books you may not have read in your yoga teacher training.
Advice from real-world yoga teachers on how to sequence a class.

Ways to Wind Down After a Long Day

/

What helps you wind down after a long day?


Recently I wrote about my morning rituals; here's a little list to balance out the other half of the day :)

Relaxing Rituals for the Afternoon and Evening
  • Light a fire in the fireplace, or the firepit in the front yard.
  • Take a walk in the woods, or around your neighborhood.
  • Light a candle.
  • Read a magazine in the sunshine.
  • Have a glass of wine.
  • Watch the sun set.

  • Take an epsom salt bath.
  • Journal for 15 minutes.
  • Practice relaxing yin yoga postures.


What helps you relax at the end of your day?

XO

Flexibility

/

Yoga is a practice of staying flexible when things don't go as planned.

 My practice gives me the freedom to fail. To set a goal and fall short, and still stay hopeful. To try again, without judgment or guilt.

Yoga is a practice of understanding. Of inner awareness.

 It is not a race, a competition, or a performance.

Yoga is a spiritual practice of awakening. Of seeing things differently. 

 Awareness within each moment.

 Flexibility to adapt, willingness to breathe, even as things change.

Photos in this post by Felipe Silva of Uprise Collective.

Badass Women: Anika

/

Perhaps my favorite thing about being a yoga blogger is that it connects me with so many wonderful people all around the world. 

I'm lucky that I got the chance to meet Anika, our next lovely lady in the Badass Women series, through a series of emails that immediately clued me in to how thoughtful, strong, and smart she is.

Anika lives in Washington state, practices Hatha yoga, and is dedicated to her practice and to sharing her story on her blog, Chronic Yogi. She is a total badass and she is changing the world through her beautiful, honest, courageous voice! Anika blogs about her life with Lyme disease, discussing her chronic illness in a way that helps people connect to, rather than feel alienated from, their bodies and spirits. I'm incredibly grateful for her presence in the world of yoga blogs, and personally inspired by her story.

Badass Women: Anika

What sorts of things do you do to connect in with your inner goddess and warrior woman energy?

 I live with Chronic Lyme, which is really tough condition! For me it looks like some combination of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and chemical sensitivities. 

 My capacities vary widely: sometimes I can cycle and hike, sometimes I need help getting to the bathroom and back or getting covers over my feet (and just about anything in between). 

 Having a yoga practice through this means that I cannot strive to a next level or even know, in the morning, what kind of practice I can do in the evening. It means that I have to see what movement is going to support my body and its healing in the moment of my practice: is it an active standing practice, is it a slow practice that allows gravity to release pain and stiffness, or it is simply using a bolster to support the opening of my breath and release of tension? 

 Being present with what supports where I actually am in my body on a given day supports my ability to connect to my chronic illness warrior self and finding the capacity for self-love. 

 Connecting with other people with chronic illnesses is a huge source of strength for me. This January I ran an eight-week program called Living Chronically, a group for people living with a chronic condition—pain, disability, illness. When living with chronic pain, it’s easy to become isolated and easier still to then feel as if we’re doing something wrong and judge ourselves for not accomplishing everything we would if health issues were not a barrier. 

 When spending time with other folks with chronic illnesses and exploring our relationships to aspects of ourselves as whole people—spirituality, sexuality, community—I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the inner strength and badassedness of the people around me. This community reminds me to hold myself in this light as well. When I’m in too much pain to live my life as I wish, when I have to cancel activities I was looking forward to, I am reminded that I share the struggle with kickass friends. 

 Our pain is not our fault; our fortitude is to our credit. 

This sense of shared struggle is part of why I have my blog, the Chronic Yogi: On Being a Chronic Illness Healing Badass. I have had folks contact me to let me know that because of a post on relationships and chronic illness someone has been able to revision what they bring to a partnership as someone with disabilities, or that a post on triggers has helped a person stop blaming themselves for changes in friendship networks that they have experienced since getting sick. This feedback inspires me to keep working to shift cultures in which people with chronic illnesses often end up isolated from community. Pretty badass. 

What has shaped your journey to this point in your life?

 There are so many things. Being a survivor, I’ve had to work to develop a sense of connection to myself and sense of safety inside my own skin. My yoga practice has been a huge part of this! Being queer has been so valuable to this work. It has given me access to vibrant counter-cultures that celebrate a wide range of having a body—fat bodies, hairy bodies—and different ways of communicating around intimacy and sexuality that does not make assumptions about what works for everyone. 

 Having Chronic Lyme has been such a challenge to this work! Since the condition is not recognized by the CDC and treatment is not covered, I have had to spend a lot of time and energy living with intense pain and distress while facing not being believed by health care professionals. This has brought up so much hard history and been such a source of struggle. Holding a PhD in Gender Studies has helped me to be able to research, push back, and continue to seek adequate care and treatment for my health as well as advocating for and supporting others with Chronic Lyme (or those with conditions such as Fibromyalgia, MS, Chronic Fatigue, Chemical Sensitivities and other illnesses that often have symptoms that are the result of un-diagnosed Lyme disease). 

What practices help you stay grounded and help you rejuvenate?

 Being in nonstop pain is freaking rough. It takes so much energy to keep getting through the day and keep striving to get well. It’s easy to focus on my body as a problem to be solved. My yoga practice helps me to make a space where I can experience a sense of home in my body. I write more about this here and here.

 I have been trying to develop a practice of cultivating small, everyday pleasures. Finding moments to go to the ocean and watch the waves, appreciate eating raspberries off the vine, or sit and have tea with a friend. These moments, however small, can rejuvenate my energy and commitment to working through pain. 

 What would you tell a woman who needs help tapping in to her inner strength?

 I think many women, in many circumstances, need to hear, “This is not your fault” and, “You are not alone.”

 So often women are made responsible for circumstances they did not choose—from bring abused to getting a chronic illness—and are asked to examine how their own actions caused their pain. To women facing this, I want to stress, “This is not your fault.” You can and will heal but this is not your fault. You did not cause the pain you are in and you do not to be worn down through examining what you could have done differently to avoid it. 

 When we feel we are to blame, it is easy to feel alone in our pain and struggle. We believe our struggle to be separate from the cultural conditions that make it possible for our pain to play out the way it does. But you are not alone. There are others who face the pain you face and whose struggles are similar to yours. You are not alone. 

Where will you go from here? Any badass plans for 2016?

 I will continue to develop the Chronic Yogi as a blog through this year. Often folks living with chronic pain, illness, and disabilities face mental fog that makes long reading too laborious. I am committed to writing the Chronic Yogi blog in short, accessibly written pieces. Over time, I plan to publish a Chronic Yogi book, keeping the commitment to accessible writing and chapter breakdowns. 

 I first started Living Chronically as part of my work as a UU Director of Lifelong Learning. When talking with people in the role of a director, I learned that many folks with disabilities and pain talked about not being “as much” a part of the community due to limited energy or not being able to contribute to committee work or the financial life of the organization as much as they would like. 

 Living Chronically was different from a support group in a medical context. It was led by and for those with chronic illness, with the goal of facilitating as sense of belonging and membership in a larger community, rather than with the goal of imparting new skills or beliefs. This year I will also be applying for grants to further develop the Living Chronically series, piloting the format in a variety of community settings. This project will also lead to publishing a curriculum and facilitation guide to support different communities forming their own groups… which would support larger networks of badasses! 

A heartfelt Namaste to you, Anika, as you continue to walk your path and share your story!

PS Meet more badass women: Megan, Lauren, and Summer.

Badass Yoga Teachers

/

Are you following along in the Badass Yoga Teachers series here on Alive in the Fire? :) I hope you're enjoying the posts and finding them useful!

I've been digging through my archives and realized I have quite a few posts on topics relevant to yoga teachers and wanted to share, in case you missed any of these:

As always, please feel free to email me any time, too! (aliveinthefire at gmail dot com) 

Much love.

2022 Yoga Script_Page_01.jpg
Grounding Power Yoga Script with Savasana Meditations
$39.99

Calling all yoga teachers! This yoga script and series of Savasana meditations is designed to help empower you and take your teaching to the next level. This 45-page workbook includes:

  • A full script for a grounding power Vinyasa class including poses for:

    • Integration/ warm up

    • Sun Salutations

    • Warrior Series with Balancing and Grounding Poses

    • Standing Balancing poses

    • Backbends

    • Twists and Forward Folds

    • Savasana cues

    • 8 Savasana Meditation Scripts you can read to your students

  • Creative ways to start and end yoga classes

  • How to prepare yourself and reduce nerves before class

  • Exactly what to say when you begin teaching - what to remind students of and how to begin class

  • Ideas for beginning class with movement, meditation, breathing or a theme

  • How to end a yoga class smoothly and transition students out of Savasana

  • How to modify the sequence for a 60 minute time frame (as opposed to 75 or 90 minutes)

Here’s what yoga teachers are saying about the GROUNDING POWER YOGA SCRIPT:

“I used to struggle with figuring out what to say while students were in Savasana at the end of class. It just felt awkward and I wasn’t sure if I should stay quiet or guide them. Now I just read one of the meditations. Now students come up to me after class and say how they loved it!” -Leslie, Vinyasa yoga teacher

”After my yoga teacher training, I was actually still confused about how to sequence a class. I felt really scattered. This script helped me feel prepared and gave me a good structure and framework. Super helpful!” -Christina, power flow yoga teacher

“This script helped me get rid of so much stress around teaching. Thank you.” -Sam, power vinyasa teacher

Add To Cart
Featured
The Ultimate Confidence Tool for Teaching Yoga: A Yoga Script
The Ultimate Confidence Tool for Teaching Yoga: A Yoga Script

This post is for all the new yoga teachers out there.

My Midlife Yoga Practice
My Midlife Yoga Practice

I’ve been feeling a shift in my yoga practice.

5 Fitness Activities That Benefit Your Body And Mind
5 Fitness Activities That Benefit Your Body And Mind

Explore the best fitness activities to enhance both your body and mind, including yoga, cold water swimming, walking, running, and strength training.

Summer Sun Salutation (Yogi Surprise July Review)

/

Are you enjoying your summer, yogis?

I can't believe July is already halfway over! Hope you're enjoying slow, sunny days whenever you can. The summer season is one of my favorites, and I've been especially grateful for cooler weather on the coast lately.

I made a trip to visit friends and family in the Sacramento area last week and it was over 100 degrees-- too hot for me! When we returned to the green forests and cool breezes up here in Humboldt County, I felt quite relieved :)


I love that summer encourages us to celebrate. To be outdoors. To invigorate our hearts, be creative, and strengthen our determination!

I believe with all the heat and passion of summer, it's also important to find ease and balance even in this active time of year.


What are some of your favorite ways to wind down on warm summer nights?

I absolutely love my new Yogi Surprise July box, which was filled with summer essentials to help me relax and unwind.


These are my three favorite products from the box:

Shea Radiance whipped shea butter with apricot oil. Oh. My. Goodness. This stuff is incredible! I've been using it on my feet at bedtime and it feels so luxurious. It's also great for moisturizing my feet, especially the area around my heels which has been dry and a little cracked lately from walking around barefoot and going to the beach. I'll definitely be buying a new stash of this amazing butter after I run out.

Gypsy Soul Organics sun salutation salve. This little guy is my new favorite lip balm. It's now at home in the easiest-to-reach-pouch of my purse -- 'nuff said :)
Manduka Equa yoga hand towel. This super-soft microfiber towel absorbs sweat quickly, and is now an essential in my gym bag or whenever I take a sweaty hot yoga class. It's perfect for someone like me, because as you know, I sweat a lot! :) I'm grateful that Yogi Surprise has partnered with Manduka because I believe they're one of the best brands out there for yoga gear (you can read my review of their lightweight travel mat, or check out how much the Sponsored Yogis team loved their cushy, supportive eKo mats.)


Cheers to keeping cool, calm, and refreshed all weekend, and throughout the rest of summer, too! Namaste.

Have a Beautiful Weekend.

/

Happy Friday, yogis!

 What are you guys up to this weekend?

 I'm excited to relax, make s'mores, go grocery shopping for new recipes, take the dog for a walk, and do some writing.

 Here are some fun links from around the web:

 Staying mindful even when you're frustrated (I so needed this one!).

 Questions to ask before your yoga teacher training.

 Do you ever drink alone? Also, a yummy mango colada.

 Which spot in northern California would you visit? :)

 These vibes.

Plus, a recap of posts on Alive in the Fire from this week:

Here's hoping you have a beautiful weekend! XO


Illustration found on Pinterest and photo found via Tumblr.

Badass Yoga Teachers: Holding Space for Your Students

/

For my next post in the Badass Yoga Teachers series here on Alive in the Fire, I wanted to share a little 'secret' that helped transform my experience of teaching...

About two years after my yoga teacher training, I had a full schedule of classes (8-12 per week) and was teaching Vinyasa yoga at five studios in the Sacramento area. I was hosting free community kirtans and offering a workshop every few months. My group of 'regulars' at each of my classes was starting to grow and I often heard positive feedback from them that they enjoyed taking my class.

And yet, I felt overwhelmed and burned out. I was tired of driving across town twice or three times a day. I wasn't sure if I could handle another conversation with a student about personal struggles. The thought of being at the front of the room to demo a pose made me want to take child's pose and just rest.

I had built up to this moment for so long... becoming a 'full-time' yoga teacher was my dream! And yet I felt exhausted, and a little voice in my head kept asking, When will it be my turn to have space held for me, instead of me being the one to hold everyone up? When can I find a teacher who will lead and inspire me? 

Around this time, I put a post on my blog about feeling stressed and immediately I heard back from a dear friend who is also a yoga teacher.

He offered me a piece of advice that has truly stuck with me:

What if, instead of holding space for your students, you focus on sharing space?

This was exactly the shift in perspective that I needed.

I began to notice the ways that my students were holding space for me as much as I was holding space for them. The more open with them I could be about my experience, the more support and love I received in return.

I also made a habit of receiving the energy of the room, especially toward the end of class.

There is something very sacred about people practicing yoga together, and I tend to notice it most when class is winding down; students are in restful yin poses, usually on the ground, or they are perfectly still in Shavasana. Supta Baddha Konasana and supine spinal twists are also poses where I notice the presence of deeply healing energy.

As a teacher, you can sit on the floor right in the middle of your students, and be with them in these moments. Feel how nourishing it is to share space, and how you receive the peacefulness of yoga even if you are leading a class rather than participating in it pose by pose.

By sharing space with your students, you gain the ability to hold space for yourself as a teacher. Next time you walk in the studio door to teach, perhaps you'll be able to notice what space is being held for you.

Namaste.


PS: More great articles on how to hold space as a yoga teacher:

The Badass Yoga Teachers series here on Alive in the Fire is meant to:
  • inspire you with new ideas
  • support you on days when you feel exhausted or worn down from teaching
  • ignite your passion
  • offer useful, tangible resources to help you create a successful yoga business
  • connect you with a network of amazing, talented, experienced yoga teachers
  • provide safe space for you to learn, share, and grow in your career
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this series! If you have ideas for posts, or want to share your journey as a teacher, please email me at aliveinthefire at gmail dot com.

Creativity

/

What helps you cultivate creativity?

 I believe summer is a wonderful time of year to go on adventures, try new things, and meet new friends.

Here are a few of my favorite creative outlets. I hope they help you discover new, fun, exciting ways to spend your summer!

  • Write. Even if you don't consider yourself a 'writer,' try putting a pen to paper. You never know where the ideas will lead you! Whether you're simply journaling about your experiences, making a list of things you want to accomplish, creating fictional characters and stories, or even doodling, let yourself try something new. Don't censor yourself or edit, just write! See where it leads you.
  • Cook. Look up recipes on Pinterest, buy a cookbook at your local used bookstore, or consider asking a friend or family member for a new recipe. I often find that when I give myself time to be creative in the kitchen, it yields wonderfully delicious results! It's also fun to try making a fancy breakfast or special dessert, and surprising someone you love. Cooking dinner with a glass of wine (or two) is always fun, too! :)
  • Spend time in nature. Being outdoors often feels like a 'reset' for your creativity. Try going for a hike, walking on the beach, watching the sunset, or even just taking a walk around your neighborhood. Being outside can offer the breath of fresh air you need to spark a new idea. I also love taking my yoga practice outside to mix things up!


  • Chant, sing, or play an instrument. Music is a wonderful way to be creative. Personally I love to sing to the radio in my car, pull out my djembe and chant in the living room, or look up new artists and songs on Spotify. Someday it would be fun to take up piano again (I took lessons as a little kid) or try playing the guitar. Do you play any instruments?
  • Clean and declutter your home. Does anyone else out there feel relieved and more open to creativity after catching up on dishes, laundry, and tidying the house? :) I can't tell you how many times I've prioritized cleaning and then given myself time to be creative, and what a difference that makes. If you're short on time, you can also choose to clean just one area of the house or just around your desk, and then go from there.


  • Take a single static yoga pose for 3-5 minutes. Headstand is my favorite, since it brings fresh oxygenated blood to the brain, and is a literal way to shift my perspective. Backbends are also great postures for opening your creative energy channels, or if your body is feeling fatigued, try a yin pose such as pigeon (sleeping swan) or supta baddha konasana.
  • Clear your schedule. This might be my favorite item on this list :) I find that when I create empty space in my schedule-- no plans, no to-do items, nowhere to be-- this is one of the best ways I can bring more creativity. By allowing space, I'm able to let my thoughts settle, and this often leads to new ideas. 

What are your go-to activities for cultivating creativity? I'd love to hear!

Namaste.

Photos by Jobi Otso.

What Are Your Morning Rituals?

/

Yogis, I'm curious: how do you usually start your day? 

Do you have any morning rituals you use to get grounded, centered and energized before heading out the door?


Here's my usual routine:

Lemon water. First thing in the morning, I like to drink hot water mixed with the juice of one lemon and a little bit of honey. This helps kickstart my digestion and balance my pH. I also take a probiotic supplement.



I make coffee using an awesome French press, feed the dog, help everyone in the house get ready for the day, and eat a light breakfast (two fried eggs, fruit, a smoothie, or oatmeal).

Often I'll fit in a gentle yoga practice for 30-60 minutes, roll on my Dharma Yoga Wheel, and do some pranayama breathing. Some days, instead of yoga, I'll work out at the gym, go for a walk, jog, or bike ride.



On the weekends, I love to make fancier breakfasts, with eggs, pancakes, and fruit. If the weather is nice, it's always lovely to eat outside in the backyard.


Some days, if I have extra time before work, I'll write a few blog posts, respond to emails, schedule social media posts, or read some of my favorite blogs.

I also like to write gratitude lists in the morning, write down my goals, or journal freely about what's going on for me.


I believe morning is a sacred time and I love my morning rituals.

I'd love to hear-- what are yours?