Yoga Training and beyond!

Teacher Training Workout Crochet

What I decided with my Yoga Teacher Training

Alright ya’ll, I have such exciting news!! After last week’s post, I diligently searched for yoga schools that would be a good fit for me. I did go the online training route, because that’s what’s best for me right now, and honestly, with all the craziness going on right now in the world (and at home), I figured the online class would be the best fit. After researching TONS of online schools, I found one that I loved and honestly, just felt right. I know it sounds silly, but that’s just the way I am! LOL! I was in between 2 studios. One was from Austin, TX (My Vinyasa Practice) and the other one from East Stroudsburg, PA (Yoga & Ayurveda Center). Both teachers (based on the reviews and comments people left online) sounded awesome. However, I felt that the Yoga & Ayurveda Center was more for me. I did a little research on the school and lead teacher of the course. The school itself is Yoga Alliance certified (and they DO host face-to-face 200 YTT at their studio) and so is their teacher Steph (she has two 200 YTT certifications and a 300 YTT certification). However, like I mentioned in my previous post, the online courses (from any studio) are not YA certified. Which ultimately, didn’t matter to me.

What I liked about the Yoga and Ayurveda Center is that it is owned by a husband and wife team. She is the yoga instructor and he is an Ayurveda specialist. The cool thing about their 200 YTT is that they added extra courses to also certify in Restorative Yoga, Chair Yoga, & Ayurveda Specialist (so I guess at the end of everything, it will defiantly take me over 200 hrs. to finish everything).

As I write this, I am sooooo excited! I even got teary eyed when I clicked the “pay” button!! A year ago, I NEVER would have thought that my path would lead to this. A little background on myself….about 2 years ago, I was very stressed with my job and taking my anger out on my family. I let the job (& everything about it) consume me and my life. I was a totally different person and honestly, just very unhappy. I wasn’t working out, didn’t do much crocheting, or read (which have always been my go-to hobbies). I also didn’t eat the healthiest and had a lot of health issues. I was VERY unhappy. I slowly tried to get rid of the work stress, but wasn’t myself yet, until I came back to doing yoga and committed myself to practicing daily. Not only that, I finally listened to my doctor and started eating gluten-free (which helped the issues that I had no idea where they were coming from….we finally figured them out). This is why I am SO passionate about my yoga practice (and also eating healthy)! I pushed through the first 6 months, which were super tough! There were times that I asked myself, “why am I doing this to myself?”. However, once my body adjusted to my new lifestyle change, I started to feel great!! This is why I’m embarking on this new journey of YTT.

I started the modules, and so far it’s been great! I’m taking a lot of notes (I’m such a nerd). LOL The beginning is about the history of yoga and reading the Bhagavad Gita and The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. I have to say, I’m loving the books. The Gita is a little more poetic, so you have to break it down to understand it, but I’m enjoying the learning!! Yesterday, I was so excited, because I received my third book for the training. It’s The Key Muscles of Yoga. Really neat book! I look forward to using it.

I am a little nervous though, as I get closer to the end, because when I get to practicum, I’ll have to record myself teaching some willing guinea pigs! LOL! I tend to be such an introvert in new settings, and don’t like the attention on me, but I’m always ready to challenge myself! Gosh, even with all this, as I’m writing (I’m old school, I always hand write my posts before I type them up. I find that it helps me to put my thoughts down more fluidly.), I’m so giddy….but I’ll be quiet about it for now….LOL! This is how I KNOW I made the right choice.

As I mentioned above, I’ve already started the modules and halfway through the Sutras. I can’t put it down! So far the online course has been super easy to manage, and although I haven’t contacted the lead teacher yet (I’m on the history of yoga), I’m sure as I get to the actual poses and sequences, I’ll have more contact with her. Looking forward to see how it goes! I’ll post small updates as I move along!

Workout Program

On top of taking my YTT, I’ve also been working on an initial workout plan. I did a lot of research on the internet to figure out different ways to put a plan together that fits me. I first thought of my goal/target areas (to help me with yoga). For me they are:

• Glutes & Hamstrings
• Core (including back, to help with my sciatica) Strengthening
• Upper body Strengthening

I decided that I would like to target each 2-3 times per week. Some sites suggested to do everything in a day, and that the exercises shouldn’t be isolated, but with me wanting to also integrate yoga daily, I felt that it would make my workouts longer. Which leads me to my next topic…..TIME! How much time can I realistically devote to working out right now (since it changes based on if I’m on break or not). Honestly, I have 30 minutes (mostly) to an hour (depending on the day, and if my boys have after school activities). I would have to do it after work, because in the morning, I’m already getting up at 5:30 am, so unless I wake up at 4:30 am, working out in the morning is unrealistic. My body would be too stiff and tired for me to work out this early. Also, I cannot go to sleep at 7 or 8 pm in order for me to get a good amount of sleep. So for now, the mornings are a no-go! Therefore, because of this time crunch, I need to be strategic in how I do my workouts to achieve my goals. Below is a picture of my initial plan.

This is certainly a work-in-progress! I am NOT a certified fitness trainer, so what I put together comes from different sources. I am trying to come up with something that works for ME (so please check with your trainer, doctor, etc. to see what works for you). In putting together my plan, I found this website (from Nerd Fitness) helpful. It explained the different muscles/parts and sample exercises that works them out. I knew that I wanted to start with a 15-30 minute yoga video (length depends on time I have). For this, I will either choose a total body video or one that focuses on strengthening a certain body part. YBC has TONS of videos on her You Tube channel (along with Hiit & regular workouts) that you can choose from! Next, I’ll pick a quick workout that focuses on the strength training that I am doing for that day. Finally, I want to finish with a short stretching Hatha yoga slow flow.

I know that all of this sounds a lot for an hour (or less), so we’ll see how it goes. I’ll probably have to tweak it. It’s a work in progress!! LOL

Last thing, everywhere I read, the instructors talked about how they keep a journal and each day write what they did and how they felt before and after the workout. I found a cute planner that I liked. It has the weeks and space to write the workouts. For now, I am just using a journaling notebook my friend gave me as a Christmas present. Here is a picture of this week so far:

If the journal idea doesn’t work out, I’ll get the pre-printed one. However, I’m liking the journal. It’s big (10.5″ x 8″) and hard bound. Definitely sturdy!! LOL

This is the first week of my journaling. I’ll continue to update on how it goes, wether or not it’s working, tweaks, etc.

My Crochet Project

Finally, I started my crochet project (yeah!!). I haven’t crocheted for a couple weeks, & definitely have been missing it. Here’s a picture of what I’ve done so far (not much):

The yarn is soft and is working up great with the pattern. Since I usually don’t have a lot of time to crochet, this project might take me a bit. I’ll post my progress as I go along. The only thing is that sometimes I have to re-read the pattern a couple times because (I believe) her English is okay, and must have translated weird. However, it’s nothing I haven’t been able to figure out! Her patterns are so cute, and gracious that she puts them for free on her site. Looking forward to having another bathing suit cover-up!

Thank you for stopping by! Have a marvelous week and stay healthy and safe!! Wash your hands!!! 🙂