It has now been 3 months since I was certified as a yoga teacher, and I am excited to share with you my yoga class updates & offerings for 2021!
Below you will find information on me, the ideal students for my yoga practice, the class format and style, cost/payment information, and information regarding my commitment to continue improving my practice and teaching.
About Me
I am a yoga teacher registered with the Yoga Alliance. I am a amateur ballet dancer who discovered new life when I began dancing again nearly three years ago after 16 years away. I am passionate about bringing healing through mind-body connections (dance, yoga, song, theatre, art, etc.). I spent three years teaching social skills to at-risk teenagers and six years building a children's ministry team while finding and implementing a serious path for children's spiritual formation. I have two happy, healthy, and radiantly secure daughters and a compassionate, wicked-smart husband who always loves a good challenge. I have a master's degree in Spiritual Formation, have wrestled with OCD and anxiety, and as an avid learner am always looking for ways to overcome obstacles.
Ideal Students
Now that I have had a few months to practice teaching, I have a better idea of who my yoga practice is best suited to serve. While all are welcome in my practice, it is important for each student of yoga to find a yoga instructor who is well suited to them and their needs. I believe my yoga practice could be a good fit for you if you are any of the following:
A caregiver (individual who dedicates a large portion of their time to the care of another/others): From parents to social service, healthcare, or church workers to those caring for aging parents, these dedicated caregivers are who I have in mind when I create my yoga practices. I have two children, and have worked full time in both social services and ministry. I am familiar with the strain of caregiving, and my heart is for those who serve. In my personal study, I am learning that many caregivers struggle with unprocessed and repressed emotions (particularly anger). I am also learning that unprocessed or repressed anger is likely a significant factor in a number of ailments including cancer, autoimmune disorders, asthma, ADHD, and more. I am committed to the ongoing study of emotion processing and to applying what I learn to my yoga practice.
A yoga student desiring holistic practice: In the United States, yoga is often viewed as a fitness program. My yoga practice, while beneficial to the physical body (increasing strength, flexibility, stamina, etc.), strives to be holistic and trauma-informed. For this reason, my yoga practices will include breathwork and mindfulness practices in addition to the physical asana (yoga poses). The yoga poses in my sequences will often be simpler, more basic poses which can be learned and practiced safely for a wide variety of students.
A newer yoga student or one with less physical mobility: While I offer a gentler practice on Wednesday mornings specifically designed for those with less mobility, all of my practices aim to be accessible. In my teaching, I offer as many modifications as possible for all poses in order to give everyone the freedom to move in a way which suits their body and needs. The goal is always to listen to our body and move with stability and ease with good physical alignment so that yoga can be a lifelong practice and not one which leads to injury.
Class Format
All classes will be offered via Facebook Live within the Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Facebook Group (follow link to join) & Uploaded to my YouTube channel: Trauma-Sensitive Yoga
Yoga Class Style
Hatha Yoga: moves slowly and purposefully through a series of well-rounded yoga poses designed to help you connect with your breath, develop awareness of your body and emotions, increase flexibility, strength, and stamina, and more. The foundation of my training is in Hatha style yoga. My Monday evening and Saturday morning practices are primarily Hatha yoga.
Gentle/Chair/Yin: On Wednesday mornings I offer yoga for those with less mobility and those seeking a restorative practice. This January I am taking a class in teaching Yin yoga (slow paced with long holds) and will incorporate these principles into the Wednesday morning offerings.
All class payments will be on a donation basis. This means you can pay whatever is feasible for you. On my website you can chose a monthly payment of $30, $15, or any amount of your choosing. You can also send a check in the mail or make one-time payments via Venmo or PayPal if you prefer (please email me for these option: livinginuncertainty@gmail.com)
Set Class Schedule (Beginning January 1st)
Monday 5:30pm (CST)
Hatha Yoga
Wednesday 10:00am (CST)
Gentle/Chair/Restorative Hatha Yoga
Saturday 9:00am (CST)
Hatha Yoga
Each class will be approximately 45 minutes and will be available weekly via Facebook Live. On rare occasions (such as vacation or illness) I will upload a YouTube video at the designated day/time in place of the FB Live. There will also be unscheduled "pop-up" classes within the Facebook group.
Each week a YouTube playlist will be uploaded to the Facebook group with the previous week's yoga videos. These will remain available to you to view on demand. If you primarily practice with me via YouTube, please make whatever payment you find appropriate for your budget and practice.
My Own Continued Learning
As a yoga student, teacher, and avid learner, I am dedicated to continuing my education and improving my teaching and practice.
To improve my teaching and practice, I am currently reading When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté M.D. and taking a continuing education course on teaching Yin yoga during the month of January.
I have updated my technology and am researching better lighting for continued improvement of the video quality of my classes. I figured out how to use my phone as a webcam (which allows me to improve the video quality and still use my external mic which only works with my laptop). I was super excited to have figured this out all by myself (I can be a little technologically challenged...)!
Thank you!
Thank you so much for practicing with me (or considering practicing with me)! If you are able to pay for your classes, please know that your financial support means the world to me - it helps me improve my yoga practice and teaching while helping me support my family.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. You can email me at livinginuncertainty@gmail.com.
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