Yoga Teacher Training coming May 2012!

Apply Online Today!

Kula's 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training (Registered Yoga School 200 via Yoga Alliance) with Dana Goudie, E-RYT 200 and Amanda Brenner, RYT 200 begins May 2012. The training will meet one weekend per month over a twelve month period. All sessions held at Center for Spiritual Living on Montlimar Drive.

Hours:
Fri 6p-9p
Sat 1p-7p
Sun 12-6p

Dates:
2012
May 18/19/20
June 8/9/10
July 20/21/22
August 17/18/19
September 21/22/23
October 19/20/21
November 9/10/11
December 14/15/16
2013
January 18/19/20
February 22/23/24
March 22/23/24
April 26/27/28

Cost:
$2200 if paid in full by 4/1/12
$2300 if paid in full by training start date (5/18/12)
$2600 if paid in installments over the course of the training ($200 deposit due upon application and 4 installments of $600 due 5/18/12, 7/20/12, 9/21/12, and 11/16/12)

Trainees will also be required to attend one class per week and fifteen hours of workshops with either Dana or Amanda and complete outside homework and reading assignments.

Topics include:

Asana: how to teach, benefits, contraindications,
Pranayama: techniques, how to teach, how to develop a practice
Meditation: techniques, how to teach, how to develop a practice
Philosophy: Eight Limbed Path, Yoga Sutras, philosophy of teaching
Anatomy: Applying knowledge of the body to yoga postures
Subtle Body: Chakras, Vayus, Prana
Teaching Methodology
Business of Yoga

Between the two of them, Dana and Amanda have experience in Power Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Viniyoga (Yoga Therapy), Anusara, Kripalu, Iyengar, Bikram, Prenatal, Chakra- and Mantra-based yoga. Dana is currently studying Yaapana Yoga under LeeAnn Carey, and Amanda is currently studying Yoga Therapy under JJ Gormley Etchells. Both are working toward RYT 500 certification.

Projected Reading List:
Please have the first four by the first training session.

Heart of Yoga, TKV Desikachar
Tree of Yoga, BKS Iyengar
A New Earth, Ekhart Tolle
Teaching Yoga, Mark Stephens

Bhagavad Gita, translated by Stephen Mitchell- aquire by November training
Approved Asana Reference Guide (discussed during first session)

Apply Online Today!
or Download PDF to send in with your check.

Here's to Community.

Greetings Kula, my fellow yogis, and community! I am so honored and grateful to be a contributor to this blog and to be part of the explosion of yoga in the southeast. Kula yoga has come so far, and has done so much to expand the practice, philosophy, and teachings of Yoga throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties. I’ve watched the growth over the past year with complete gratitude and amazement. We are so blessed to have an organization that facilitates the growth and accessibility of this ancient art, science, and philosophy.
We all have one thing in common that brings us to our mats again and again: yoga has changed our lives. We begin to discover how awareness in our bodies transforms to awareness in our lives. We develop both willpower and playfulness and learn that asana is but one form of devotion to the Highest—in ourselves and all living beings. We learn that the reason we continuously come to the mat is not because we want to find the perfect expression of some pose. It’s because we desire freedom. Desire brings us to the mat to discover our true selves.
So here’s to yoga, to union, to community, and to each beautiful soul with us on the journey of life.
Namaste!
Leah

Get to know your teacher: Audrey Vasauskas

What and when was your first experience of yoga?

When I was a little kid, I must have been exposed somewhere to yoga--perhaps it was when we were living in Germany, I really don't remember--I was always going into lotus pose and "pretending" to chant...great fun! Later, in 2002, my good friend was in the midst of her 200 hour teacher training. She came over and was totally glowing as she told me all about it. I decided to rent some DVDs (like many newbies to yoga, I was nervous I would look like an idiot for my first class and so before I went, I wanted to at least have some kind of knowledge of the practice). I finally went for my first class, and how wrong I was to be nervous! Everyone was so nice---I just remember walking into the lobby, filled with candles and the "desk yogi" greeted me with the biggest, warmest smile. I knew I would be okay. To put it simply, I feel in love with the practice. I stuck with that studio (in DC) throughout my early practice and through my teacher training for several years before moving to Mobile in 2006.

What or who inspired you to deepen your practice and study, and to become a teacher?

In December of 2005, my fiance', Aaron, and I decided to make the move from the DC area (which is my hometown) to Mobile (his hometown), so we planned the move for later in 2006 and I applied to graduate school at South. I knew that I wanted to be able to ground myself through the move, school, and beyond. While I had lived away from my "home" base before, it was always temporary--never longer than a year at a time. I knew I wanted to deepen my practice to keep me feeling safe, grounded and happy as I moved far from family and old friends. Aaron really was the major driving force to enter teacher training---I had been tossing it around in my mind, and he really encouraged me to go for it and even put my tuition on his credit card! So, thanks to Aaron, I was able to complete my 200 hour training in DC before moving to Mobile--and it has made all the difference in my life, whether or not I acknowledge it on a daily basis--it is absolutely true.

How long have you been teaching?

I started teaching community classes during my teacher training in early 2006 and started teaching on a regular basis shortly after my move, in August of 2006. I have been consistently teaching here in Mobile ever since and have been fortunate enough to meet up with old DC-area friends to teach at a couple of retreats in South America.

How would you describe your teaching style?

I love to move and I love a bit of whimsy! I would describe my class as full of breath and movement---and maybe some laughs! In my classes, which are hatha vinyasa flow-based, we start with the breath, moving through asanas while building heat in the process. I would say it is gently challenging---I like to offer alternatives and I encourage people to rest throughout. I want people to listen to their bodies. I definitely modify my class throughout based on the feedback I feel from the students--verbal, facial expressions, sweat level (ha!). I really just want people to feel good.

What does "living your yoga" mean to you in your personal life?

For me, it means finding joy and balance. No one is perfect and I am not a saint. In fact, very far from it. Yoga brings me the balance I so need in my life. Teaching it brings me joy. In my "other" life, I am a biochemistry post-doctoral research fellow and through my yoga and meditation practices and my medical research, I really strive to create balance and total health--all the way to the cellular level. That being said, to me, a good yoga practice, good food, good books, good wine, good friends, and good times are all part of a healthy, balanced life. My philosophy is as simple as that which we learn as children: try to be nice, do no harm, have fun, do your best. The ways in which we create happiness for ourselves and others are really the underlying basis for our lives.

Tell us about life outside teaching yoga.

As I mentioned above, I am a biochemistry post-doc in the Center for Lung Biology at South, and I study molecular mechanisms of acute lung injury with the ultimate goal of contributing to a therapy or intervention. My days and many weekends are spent in the laboratory, usually under a microscope or working with cells. It is interesting work, but can sometimes be tedious and very stressful (yoga and meditation are a necessity!). I do love science, though! Perhaps one day I will be a professor. At home with Aaron, we have two awesome, very spoiled and ill-behaved rescue dogs, Daisy (who we got from a shelter in DC) and Bama (who I found in a parking lot when I was subbing yoga on a very cold December night)...and long story short, they both have yoga associations--so I also credit yoga with helping find my doggie-loves! We lead a pretty simple life and try to be conscious of our actions---we compost (for our garden!), and recycle (too many wine bottles, probably), love to have company (come on over!)...

What inspires you? (Within yoga and otherwise)

I am inspired by so many things. Friends and family who really go for it and take a leap of faith! I am always impressed by those willing to make a major change or follow their dreams or just live in their own way!! This includes those yogis who have dedicated their lives to the practice or teaching. I also love nature and being outside as much as possible -- the ocean is a major source of renewal and creativity for me.

What pose(s) are you currently working on in your personal practice, and what are you learning about yourself?

Believe or not, I have a little bit of fear when it comes to inversions and arm balances. It goes beyond not necessarily being able to get into those poses---it's a fear of falling on my face--both literally and figuratively. Is it a fear of failure? Or an unreasonable fear of hurting myself? I am still asking myself this... Recently, however, I flew in acro yoga with Amanda and it was SO liberating---I felt safe and free, grounded and lifted all at once. It inspired me to try the arm balance workshop at Yoga Day---and while I was a little tired from the community practice, I found parsva bakasana and was very excited! So, I am working on arm balances and inversions--but really I am working on getting over my fear.

NomNomNamaste!

I have another love besides Yoga. It's no secret, Yoga and I are polyamorous. October (today!!!) is about the time that this second obsession really ignites. You can probably guess the (second) recipient of my devotion just by looking at me. FOOD!

The weather is cooling down, and being in my kitchen is comfortable again. Halloween marks the beginning of festival (eating) season for me. Between parties, holidays, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick's Day, and my birthday I do not run out of reasons to cook or projects that interest me.

I don't just love to cook; I love to cook for other people. I love to see the expression on their faces when they take the first bite. I love to share the uniqueness of the ingredients and the fun I had preparing them. This weekend is my first teacher training weekend since May, and we students were asked to bring a (single) dish for potluck. I brought three dishes and a container of blueberries, and I made a double recipe of the cake I brought to leave at home for Ben.

I made a roasted tomato soup (pictured at the top of this entry) from this Heidi Swanson recipe. Heidi is like my Julia Childs. One day there will be a "Julie and Julia" sequel called "Amanda and Heidi" (without all the silly drama). Her website and books are my main sources for ideas. I also made this "unfussy" apple cake, but subbed some gluten-free flour for the whole wheat.

My third dish is this broccoli slaw from SmittenKitchen.com. I like Smitten Kitchen for indulgent, down-to-earth comfort food. There are also some healthier recipes, but the ingredients are never too outrageous. And the photography is amazing.

I recently attending a meeting for my bicycle club, Mobilians on Bikes. They were trying to organize a progressive dinner/potluck ride. They had asked me to volunteer to organize the people who would bring food. After some thought, I instead volunteered to make the entire dinner for up to 30 people. Ben laughed, nay, Ben guffawed. Not because I am not capable of cooking a decent and even gourmet meal for 30 people, but because I truly would be happier cooking than managing, no matter how ridiculous the scale. Others were skeptical of my abilities, but I am excited to have the opportunity to prove myself.

Stay tuned for reactions from teacher training!

Interview Q's for Natural Awakenings

September is National Yoga Month! Natural Awakenings, a free health-focused area magazine is doing interviews with several area yoga teachers. Here is my Q&A. Look for some quotes in the September issue!

Me in Mermaid Pose, age 22

What was your first yoga experience?

As a teenager, I saw mermaid pose (eka pada rajakapotasana variation) on the cover of Yoga Journal, and I thought the pose was so beautiful that I bought the magazine and taught myself how to do the pose over several weeks. I had had no exposure to yoga up to then.

Where do you teach?

I am co-founder of Kula Yoga Community, and most of my yoga classes are part of Kula (kulayogacommunity.org, info@kulayogacommunity.org, 251-202-YOGA). Kula hosts Pay What You Can classes in five different shared spaces in Mobile and Daphne. I also teach at Yogabirds in Fairhope (yogabirds.com) and at Pro Health at Mobile Infirmary. You can find my personal schedule at brenneryoga.com.

What kind of style do you teach and how would you describe it?

I have background in Therapeutic, Anusara, and Vinyasa Yoga. My style constantly shifts, but recently I have been teaching a slower class with longer holds, focusing on the finer details of the poses. No matter the pace of my class, each class has a philosophical and therapeutic emphasis.

How would you describe yoga to someone who knows nothing about it?

Yoga is a series of postures and movements designed to heal (or maintain) the body and bring mental peace and clarity. Yoga is also a lifestyle of constant awareness and improvement on all levels- physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Why do you practice yoga?

When students ask me this questions, I playfully answer that I don't know how not to. If I didn't practice yoga, I would fall apart. I began consistent practice because it was more fun than running or swimming, and it relieved my mild depression. Being overweight for most of my life, physical activity just didn't come naturally, but yoga felt right. I continue the practice because it keeps me in touch with something greater than myself and makes me a better person.

Get to Know Your Teacher: Tamara Evans

What and when was your first experience of yoga?

I took my first yoga class in March of 1998 in Canfield, Ohio. My first teacher had a little yoga studio in her basement, complete with a little bookstore and incense supplies. I remember feeling nervous and shy but was welcomed by my teacher and the students as if they already knew me. As I did the asanas for the very first time in my life they just felt right, and a whole new path opened up to me.

What or who inspired you to deepen your practice and study, and to become a teacher?

Throughout my practice I had thought about teaching, but never was serious about it until I met Dana Goudie at the YMCA many years ago. She said my practice was so strong that I should consider teaching, yet I didn’t feel ready and wasn’t sure why. It was around that time that I took a year to immerse myself in self-study. This deepened my practice even more and I started to feel yoga from the inside out and wanted to share this feeling with others through teaching.

How would you describe your teaching style?

A vinyasa based class that is challenging yet spiritual, this is our time to stop and connect and be where we are. We work on alignment and control while the movement between poses allows us to release and receive energy and open our hearts. I try to help students realize that yoga is a practice, a journey because it is for me. Accept who we are right now without judgment- then challenge yourself, while being mindful of your limits. The beauty lies within perceiving that challenge as growth, healing, becoming stronger so we can take what we learn on our mat out into the world.

What does “living your yoga” mean to you in your personal life?

I strongly believe in energy. I make a personal effort to spread good energy into the world around me every day. Both on and off the mat my yoga practice is always there for me. In the sea of change and challenges of life, it is the one thing that is familiar to me. It helps me to trust more and fear less, gives me solace among chaos, and reminds me that I create my reality.

Tell us about life outside teaching yoga.

I have a 6 year old son who is my world. My parents and I are very close, so I also try to spend time with them. I have a small business that I operate on the weekends too. I love bookstores and “low key” activities. Aside from taking other yoga classes, I also like to work out in the gym at least four times per week to build strength.

What inspires you? (Within yoga and otherwise)

My son, parents, my students, great friends, and great teachers.

What pose(s) are you currently working on in your personal practice, and what are you learning about yourself?

Mayurasana (Peacock Pose), Visvamitrasana, and Eka Pada Koundinyasana II. These poses are difficult! I am trying to learn how to place my energy as well as my body so I can balance in them. I have crashed plenty of times and pulled muscles I didn’t think were possible. I have truly learned that it’s ok to fall down because that is how we learn!

Tamara in Feathered Peacock Pose (Pincamayurasana)

August Theme: Brahmacharya

Apparently, if you choose the monthly theme, you get a personal lesson on your theme in quite an unpleasant way (i.e. losing your dog or going through a personal health crisis). The theme for this month is Brahmacharya (moderation). Seems innocent enough. (Even so, I'm hoping Audrey will get the brunt of this lesson since she inspired the theme.)

Brahmacharya is most often thought of in terms of celibacy, but most yogis will tell you that sexual abstinence is not necessary. Yoga journal describes this Yama as "when we consciously choose to use our life force to express our dharma, rather than to frivolously dissipate it in an endless pursuit of fleeting pleasures." In laymen's terms: personal energy conservation.

I am in love with Yoga Sutra 2:48, "Sthira sukham asanam," mainly because it's the only one I can remember. But using it in class and my own practice has been transformational. "The yoga posture should be steady and comfortable." Way back in her days at the YMCA (when I was her student), Dana unknowingly drilled this concept into gym yogis by continually emphasizing "the place between effort and ease." The asana is challenging, but it shouldn't kill you. The same works for the mind and the breath.

So brahmacharya in the postures is achieved by mindfully using the prana and muscular energy in the body, choosing when to exert yourself and when to back off. In teacher training, we learned to never practice beyond 60% our effort. Personally, I find I am much more prone to injury when the ego takes over and I move beyond 60%, not matter how aware I think I am. But at its essence, brahmachara is more a lifestyle than it is a number or a formula. I would love for this to be an open discussion. Please leave your own brahmacharya thoughts in the comments!

Something to look forward to (in class and in my next blog): Brahmacharya and your Psoas!

And now, for your amusement...