2 Legit 2 Quit...

It's official...I mean really officially official...I am a registered yoga alliance trained instructor. You can look me up in the Yoga Alliance directory. I am on my way, officially! Playing by the rules and becoming a LEGIT yoga instructor has definitely been a lot of work, but so worth it. The training I have received is priceless, the most valuable thing I own I believe. I am working toward my E-RYT by logging in hours of teaching...once I get up to 2000 hours, I get to put that little E in front of my RYT. I think I have close to 60 now (they only count AFTER you complete the 200 hr training program).

All of this comes at a price, though, and makes me understand why there are many instructors who don't even bother with all of this stuff. Don't let all of us yoga teachers fool you....this business is expensive! You have to pay for your training, books, yoga clothes, mats, props, coconut waters to revive you, business cards, insurance, more yoga clothes, workshops, music and pedicures! Yikes! And don't forget to save every receipt you get now that you have to write it all off at the end of the year. The reason that all of this red tape is worth wading through is because I believe that its really important for there to be some kind of standard among teachers. Some type of measuring yardstick that helps studios and students find an appropriate and well-trained instructor. I can't help but sing, "Too LEGIT, too legit to quit!

Added bonus: Your James Brown fix for the day! 

The Business of Yoga

Now that I have completed my 200 hour yoga alliance certification, the real work begins. Jump starting a new career should be an arduous task, lots of hours studying markets and job listings, meetings and interviews. This is no life for a fun-loving yogi like myself. How do I reconcile this passion for yoga with the actual career aspect of yoga without losing my love and authenticity for yoga? 

The business of yoga doesn't always seem to reflect the same ethics and guidelines as found in the actual practice of yoga. This is not an "aha" moment, this is a fact, one that we cannot avoid here in the United States. There are articles coming out proclaiming that our Eastern version of yoga is an inaccurate practice that does not maintain the roots in the Western philosophy and religions. There are articles about how yoga will ruin your body. The growth of yoga in our country means growth of the business of yoga, the merchandise, the big corporations and bad publicity. Will America make this ancient practice into McYoga?

My goal to remain faithful to my yoga practice without "selling out" becomes even trickier when I decided to teach yoga classes full time. The more I seemed to want to push into this new field, the more I felt resistance. It wasn't until I relaxed into the idea that the universe would provide me with what I need to succeed that I felt supported. Once I stopped worrying about where the next class would come from or how much I would get paid per student, everything fell right into place. Jobs started just appearing, phone calls coming in, facebook messages received. Now I have 3 sets of studio keys and plenty of work to do. 

One of the things that I love the most about yoga is that it makes me feel free, in so many ways. The freedom that I have in my practice is priceless. I like to think about yoga as my playground and keeping that playful  feeling toward yoga is essential!! You don't need $80 yoga pants or a designer mat made out of sacred crystals from Shiva Rea's rock garden. All you need to practice yoga is your mind and your body. Those are the only two pieces of equipment that you will ever need in order to maintain that practice. And faith. Faith that the universe will provide you with what you need to succeed. So keep your attitude and your heart light and wait patiently because there are some really incredible things in store for you too...if you believe!

New business card idea:

Keeping that playful attitude!