The Winds of Change
Thursday marked the third anniversary of my completing CorePower Yoga's Power Teaching Training! I am still bemused at the wealth of growth, confidence, and opportunities that have been born out of that one decision to delve deeper into my practice. Happy Yogaversary to me and much thanks to my fellow trainees, now teachers and managers, who joined me on this journey and made it fun, enriching, and supportive: Yvonne Masser-Bartels, Brandi Albright, Iman Alami, Krysten Clark, Simone Jacqueline, Janina Malbon, Valery VanderPal, Lydia Olson, Isabelle Fretheim, Catherine Sjolund, Allen Walls, and Liana Kerwood Gannan.
Invaluable to this process were the instructors (now my friends) who encouraged, guided, and mentored me toward and through those phases: Brigette Dunn-Korpela, Milena Sarian, Patricia Rae, Noriko Moser, Nancy Kane, David Miller, Keeley Crowfoot, and Emily Laine.
From my beginnings as a teacher in July of 2011 to now, I have met more amazing Yoga-centric people, and have been given opportunities to express the inspiration and transformation of the practice in my own life and the lives of others.
One of the fabulous creatures I have become aligned with in this journey is Sarit Rogers of Sarit Photography. A casual conversation about Yoga and body image at a Restorative Yoga workshop turned into a photo shoot, where Sarit lovingly captured my essence on the mat. Sarit and her husband Joseph have founded the LoveMore Movement, and she asked me to be part of the project! We tooled around the Sixth Street Bridge in Downtown L.A., capturing some fun portrait images of me along the L.A. River.
Sarit's handiwork, the artist herself, and the 6th Street Bridge
Another beautiful soul is Brigitte "GiGi" Kouba, creator of Yogaudacious. In 2014, she has chosen to spolight 52 courageous women, and I was blessed to kick off Week 2 of the year! Yogaudacious-Jennifer Oliver O'Connell
Another delicious slice of this cake was being featured (along with Ms. GiGi Kouba) as one of the "Curvy Yogis" in Yoga Mantra + Health Magazine. This magazine focuses on acceptance and love, rather than how to use Yoga to look like the supposed "ideal" or correct your so-called flaws.
These plaudits are like wind in my sails, particularly as I prepare to move into a new phase of this Yoga journey. In June, I will begin training at Yoga at the Village to move my certification to a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher.
I am so appreciative of the foundation of community and friendship, along with the quality training, feedback, and learning that I have received these past three years. I am beyond excited about the new and unexpected adventures that await as I dive deeper. I anticipate more growth, expansion, and transformation as I continue forward on this path.