by Tony Bishop, E-RYT
Have you ever considered how your primary yoga studio, workout venue, gym, or training facility “feels” when you walk through the door? When you interact with the professionals on staff? When you and others who frequent the business greet newcomers and guests?
Those things are very important.
Sometimes it’s difficult to explain the differences among the visceral sensations you experience when practicing at a variety of locations. You may take part in a wide variety of classes with differing presentations of programs and emphasis of techniques. You may also experience a variety of instructors, each with his or her own personality, within those various venues of health and wellness. While they may be difficult to explain, these differences are real, present, sometimes surprisingly strong, and always influential upon you, the customer-client.
Make no mistake… the place or places you choose to practice your betterment of mind, body, and spirit will influence the way you live your daily life. It’s your decision to discern what suits you. We’re all different. That’s a good thing. We were designed to be who we are… and yes, we were designed. No machine or technology presently existing or to come or anything constructed by mankind could ever come close to replicating you and your complexity – physically or otherwise.
So, what is your primary concern when assessing the “feel” of your yoga studio? We will center upon that thought for the remainder of this article, as this author approaches such questions from a yogic perspective, but these thoughts can certainly be applied to any health and wellness/workout facility, or healthy lifestyle program on the earth.
- Be sure your studio is genuine. Is it clear that your trainers and instructors are what they should be –
ost concerned about you and not simply there for show and ego? Is there open sharing and answering without hesitation? Is there mentoring without arrogance? - Your studio should be honest. Are you greeted with real joy and individual concern, or are you conversing with someone who seems to be reading from a script and smiling an empty expression? This is a big concern in many places, unfortunately.
- Are you challenged in good ways (consistency, discipline, safe progression, encouragement and dedication), or are you just taken through the motions without any interaction?
- Are you allowed to progress at your own pace? This will include some self-discipline as you improve slowly but regularly. You should be progressing within a thoughtfully taught regimen of discipline and compassion, simultaneously.
- Are your instructors/owners/professionals/staff approachable and helpful? You should be able to get positive feedback from interaction involving the staff. You may not always agree with them, but a good positive questionand answer exchange should be pleasant and mutually beneficial. Remember, everyone has a unique style and perspective, so always being kind in return is the goal!
- Is your studio clean, pleasant, well-stocked and always ready to serve?
- Make sure your studio is capable and skillful. Mastering an art such as yoga or group leadership is a due-process progression of study, practice, dedication, and ultimately many years of experience in physical and intellectual knowledge. How long has your studio been in existence, and even at its current location? This is an excellent marker of authenticity. And offering one or two specialties extremely well is much more important than attempting to jump on a passing bandwagon of many random activities. Proceed with caution and curiosity. Quality, not quantity, is the key!
- If you’re FEELING it, it’s probably real! Sometimes, just go with your gut!
It’s all about your individual fulfillment when developing the best YOU possible. Be discerning, try various methods of your favorite yoga or exercise preferences, and remember that you should feel good about your experience at your studio. That’s your first goal. Now, come see us at Hot Yoga. Our goal is YOU!
And now, here it is… your March, 2018 Pause for a Pose – The Original Triangle to Vinyasa Triangle transition!
The Hatha Triangle, old original, and the Vinyasa Triangle are great complements to one another from power to stretch/restorative qualities. This is an awesome combination. Begin in Mountain Pose with feet together. Step out with the right foot, about 4-feet wide. Raise arms to shoulder height, turn palms out in front. Inhale while raising the right foot up, staying grounded on the heel, then pivot the foot to the right on the heel until the foot is parallel with the back of your mat and lower the foot down. At this same time, pivot the left foot inward to 45 degrees, facing to the right upon the exhale. Inhale again, then while exhaling, lunge into the right knee until the leg is parallel to your yoga mat. Inhale once more, then exhale and tilt your torso to the right as the left arm reaches upward and the right arm reaches towards the ground. This is Trikonasana, the old Hatha version. Hold for five breaths or more, then on your subsequent inhale, slide the left foot inward toward the center of the body, then exhale and straighten the right knee, taking the right middle fingertip to the ground. A hip-bump on the left side will now be evident. This is a great stretch to counter-pose the great power posture. Repeat on the other side! Now, enjoy this great pose progression all month, and we will see you tomorrow at Hot Yoga BG! May God bless, and namaste’…
About the Author:
Tony Bishop, E-RYT/RYT/CYT, is director and chief instructor with Hot Yoga Bowling Green. He has practiced yoga for nearly 20 years, is certified and trained in a myriad of health and fitness disciplines including Hatha Yoga, Yoga Personal Training, Yoga Coaching, Yoga Teacher Training, Sil lum Kung Fu, Tai Chi exercise, spinning/indoor cycling, PowerHouse Pilates instruction, core conditioning, self-defense programs and boot camp variations. He has more than 5,000 hours of yoga teaching experience, is registered through Yoga Alliance and is an avid researcher and proponent of progressive yoga movement and development of more effective, deeper and meaningful training methodology. Contact: 730 Fairview Avenue, C-2, Bowling Green; phone 270-793-0011; email hotyogabg@yahoo.com; website www.hotyogabg.com.
