our-yoga

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1. Your biggest motivation for unrolling your mat is ________.
     A. To achieve the perfect yoga butt.
     B. To get to know yourself better inside and out.
     C. To relieve stress.
     D.  Because your friend invited you to class and you want him/her to see how awesome you are.
     E.  All of the above.

2. Your friend is on the fence about attending a yoga class. How do you try to convince her?
     A. Do nothing. She's obviously not as spiritual as you are so it's a lost cause.
     B. Say you know she'll love it whenever she's ready to go, you'd love to unroll your mat beside hers
     C. Not applicable. You don't associate with people who don't have a regular yoga practice.
     D. Tell her she HAS to go and list all the celebrities who do it
     E.  Do nothing. It's not your job to make others try yoga. She'll have to figure it out on her own.

3. Life is crazy. You realize you're going to miss your favorite weekly yoga class. What do you do?
     A. Panic. The last time you missed that class you went nuts and there was a series of unfortunate events.
     B. Take a few deep breaths wherever you are. Asana is only a small part of your practice.
     C. Unroll your mat at home for at least 5 minutes. It's better than nothing.
     D. Vow to take an extra class next week to make up for it. 
     E. Don't sweat it. Life happens.

4.  Your teacher is out and the sub instructs a pose that you feel most of the class is not ready to attempt. What do you do?
     A. Call her out immediately. You can't let your classmates injure themselves on your watch!
     B. Realize that there are different approaches to the practice, and try this new style with an open mind.
     C. After class you call the teacher over and quietly ask her about her style. It's different than what you've learned, but maybe she knows something you haven't considered.
     D. You make sure you practice the pose perfectly so that your classmates can see how it's done!
     E. You don't concern yourself with it. She's the teacher. She probably knows what she's doing.

5. How do you describe your yoga skill level?
     A. Expert, master, or enlightened.
     B. Intermediate, but you still have lots to learn.
     C. Intermediate. You can do more than most.
     D. Advanced.
     E. Beginner, in body and mind.

Should you enroll in teacher training?

Answer key:

Mostly As
Maybe not. It's helpful to approach a teacher training with the mindset that you're a student first and have a lot to learn. If you already feel you know everything you need to know, you might not get much out of the training. Not to mention, once you're done with training you'll be more relatable to students if they see you're humble and are on the same path of learning that they are. Keep practicing!

Mostly Bs and Cs
Dooooo it! You've practiced enough to know that you've just skimmed the surface of a limitlessly deep subject. You're open to learning, and you know that the best way to lead others is through your example.

Mostly Ds
Proceed with caution. Think about why you want to be a teacher: Are you trying to impress someone? Are you doing it to fit into a certain image of what you think a yoga teacher is? Yoga is about exploring your body, mind, and spirit. If you're not focused mainly on that, it might be hard to help others on that path. Keep practicing!

Mostly Es
It could go either way. You have the right attitude about learning more, but maybe you're more concerned with deepening your own practice than you are sharing it with others. Of course, that's a perfectly legitimate reason to enroll in a teacher training, but you might benefit even more from an immersion that doesn't focus as much on teaching skills.

Note: I did a teacher training when I was 22 years old.. and if I am really honest about it, I probably wasn't ready. And, truthfully, I know I didn't get as much out of the training as I could have. But I still wouldn't change a thing about it! It still helped me to deepen my practice, learn more about who I was and who I wanted to be, and I think I'm a pretty decent teacher now--even if I wasn't when I first got my certification. :) So, really, you're the only one who can determine when you're ready and what you want to get out of the training. I hope this little quiz gave you some food for thought, but please don't be discouraged no matter what the result! If you want to be a good teacher, you'll be an awesome one whether you take your training now or in 10 years.

I want to hear from the yoga teachers.. How did you know you were ready to enroll in teacher training?

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True/False    Your shoulders are creeping up toward your ears in this very moment.

True/False     Sometimes you get tired and grumpy in the afternoons.

True/False     You often notice your mind wandering and find it difficult to concentrate.

True/False     When given the choice between a light, healthy snack and a decadent cupcake you almost always choose the cupcake.

True/False     You avoid looking into the mirror because you just can't stand to see all the imperfections staring back at you.

True/False     You wish you had more money/power/success.

True/False     Reality TV is your favorite "hobby"--even the really bad shows like American Idol and The Apprentice.

True/False    You need a glass of wine or beer at the end of the day to "take the edge off."

True/False     Every Sunday evening you start to get that yucky feeling ... of dread and anxiety for the week ahead.

True/False    Some days your poses are better than others.

True/False    Meditation is difficult for you. You can't calm your mind.

If you answered.....
Mostly True. You need more yoga! WAY more!
Mostly False. You need more yoga! WAY more!

You thought you needed a quiz to tell you that? Of COURSE you should do more yoga! Silly head!

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Standing Poses 
You love to stand tall, with your feet grounding into the earth and the crown of your head reaching up toward infinity. This might mean you're naturally a grounded person. You are firm in your beliefs and convictions, but open to the limitless possibilities in life, too.

Backbends 
You're a lover, not a fighter. Your friends might describe you as vulnerable, real, open, loving, compassionate, and maybe a little emotional, too. You let your heart lead the way--even though sometimes the path is not comfortable. Your personality is energetic, bubbly, and warm.

Twists
If your favorite pose is a twisting pose, it might mean you that your body needs more fiber (just kidding!). But twists are great for digestion! They are also cleansing and healing. Not to mention, they make your back feel great. If you love twists you might be fun-loving and adventurous, too.

Forward Bends
Forward Bends are soothing--and they're also great stress-relievers. If your favorite pose is a forward bend (this includes Child's Pose and Downward Dog), you are likely a well-rounded yoga student. You take your practice seriously, and use it as a tool to find your center. You might be even-tempered, studious, and smart.

Arm Balances
Arm balance lovers tend to be playful and a little bit sassy. If you're one of them, you like testing the limits and feeling strong, but you aren't scared to fall on your face every now and then, too. You're also confident, stubborn, and you don't back down from a challenge.

Balance Poses
When it comes to Tree Pose, Eagle Pose, and Half Moon Pose -- people either love them or hate them! If you love them, it could mean that you're either a naturally balanced person or a person who has improved their balance through yoga. Either way, you enjoy teetering on the edge, testing your equilibrium, and you feel triumphant on days that you feel solidly rooted into the ground. There's also a good chance that you have a great sense of humor (because it's hilarious when you fall out of a balance pose).

Inversions
Inversions are the king and queen of yoga poses. If you love inversions, you might be of noble blood yourself! But you rule with understanding, compassion, and vitality. Inversion lovers are also (so I'm told) very crabby if they aren't in a place that allows them to go upside down--but other than that, they're pretty nice. You might be a little quirky, unusual, and fun.

Savasana
Aaaahh.. Savasana. Perhaps the most relaxing pose of all. If Corpse Pose is your favorite, it might mean you need more rest, relaxation, and quiet time in your busy life! Or it could just mean that you love the gratifying feeling of knowing you did your yoga practice and love lingering in the after-effects.

Of course, it's important to note that most of us have more than one favorite pose, or our pose combines two or more categories (i.e. Downward Dog is kind of a forward bend and kind of a standing pose)... It's also important to note that I just pretty much pulled the above generalizations out of my ass (just for fun!). Was I right? What's your favorite pose, and what do you think it says about your personality?

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1. The person on the mat next to you groans a lot, chants too loudly, and smells kind of funny. He looks toward you eagerly when your teacher suggests you find a friend for a partner stretch. What do you do?

A. Refuse. If he can't even remember to wear deodorant there's NO WAY he'll be capable of doing the partner pose correctly.

B. Act quickly! If you act like you don't see him and snag another partner quickly, maybe you can get out of it without hurting his feelings.

C. Smile at him and go along with it. It might be a little awkward, but it will probably only be for a few minutes, right?

2.  You get stuck in traffic and you have to to miss your regularly scheduled weekly class. While you're sitting in the traffic jam you can feel yourself becoming tense, stressed out, and angry.. you realize you're going to miss your class when you need it more than ever. How do you react?

A. Get mad. Drive home fuming. Then, take it out on your spouse when you get home. Your week has officially been ruined! RUINED!

B. You call the studio and tell them you'll be late, but you're going! If you don't get your weekly class in, you will feel off for the rest of the week.

C. Chuckle a little to yourself--you see the humor in the irony. Assume it wasn't meant to be, then go home to do your own practice.


3. Your substitute teacher teaches the class to do something you've heard your teacher say is dangerous a thousand times. What do you do?

A. Correct her in front of the whole class. These students need to know about her incompetence so they won't be duped into taking another class with her!

B. Do nothing during the class, but make a mental note to ask her about it after class. She may know something you don't, and you want to pick her brain.

C. Try it and see what happens. Who are you to question your teacher?

4. You've been trying to talk your friend into going to yoga with you for years. She finally says she's ready to try it, so she brings over a DVD for you to do together. It turns out your friend doesn't know the difference between yoga and Yoga Booty Ballet. What do you do?

A. You take the DVD out of her hands and fling it across the room proclaiming "THAT.. is NOT.. yoga!"

B. Tell her you'll do her DVD with her, if she promises to go with a class with you later so she can see what your yoga class is all about, too.

C. You can't wait to try it with her! This should be fun!

5. When you tell your sister, who has never set foot in a yoga studio, your plans to become independently wealthy so you won't have to work anymore she says you're not being very "yogic." Do you:

A. Vow never to discuss yoga with her again. Who is SHE to tell YOU what "yogic" is.. You've been practicing for years, and you can even touch the back of your head with your foot. She probably can't even touch her toes.

B. Laugh it off because you realize everyone has a different opinion about what "yogic" means.

C. Consider it, then shrug your shoulders and move on. You aren't really striving to be "yogic" anyway.

Mostly A's
Chill Out, Dude!
No, seriously. Chill out. Life is too short.

Mostly B's
Happy Medium
You're serious about your yoga, but you're not extreme about it. When things don't go according to plan you might get a little disappointed, but you look at it as a learning opportunity instead of a catastrophe. You know what you know, but are curious and open to exploring different ideas and ways of doing things.

Mostly C's
Just Going with the Flow
You like yoga, but you aren't really attached to any one teacher or technique. You might look at your yoga practice as more of a hobby than a way of life, and that's great! Keep testing the waters and trying new things, but don't be afraid to ask questions either. Teachers are there to guide you and offer support, but this is your practice so make sure you're getting what you need out of it!

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1. When you first see a new, over-the-top trend in yoga clothing (think MC Hammer yoga pants) you:
     A. Shake your head in disappointment. These clothing companies are just looking to make a buck, it's totally not yoga. This, too, shall pass.
     B. Immediately order a pair. You MUST be the first to wear those in your studio.
     C. It takes you a while, but after the trend catches on and all your favorite yoga teachers are sporting them you usually end up following the trend.

2. You wear yoga clothes:
     A. Only to yoga class (and occasionally to sleep in)! They're way too ratty and worn out to wear them anywhere else.
     B. With everything! Your yoga tanks double as camisoles under work clothes, your warm up sweaters look ravishing with jewelry and jeans for a night out on the town, etc. The more you wear it, the more you feel justified buying!
    C. For class, walking the dog, and lazy weekend trips to the grocery store or coffee house.

3. When it's time to buy a new yoga mat you:
     A. Don't. People used to practice yoga in a cave! Why do you need to spend money on a fancy mat?
     B. Carefully consider your yoga wardrobe ... You want a high-quality yoga mat that will keep you from slipping, but also look great with your clothes, and bring out the color of your eyes, too.
     C. Spend some time comparing the grips of a few different brands, but ultimately buy the same brand your yoga teacher or other students you know use.

4. When you decide what to wear to yoga class, your first consideration is:
     A. You don't have to think about it. You wear the same thing every time.
     B. How can I mix and match my favorite yoga clothes in a new and creative way?
     C. You just throw something on that will be comfortable and cute.

5. When you think of yoga accessories, what comes to mind?
     A. The asanas and your breath.
     B. A trendy headband, cozy wrap, stylish mat bag, and a fresh pedicure.
     C. A water bottle, towel, and pony tail holder?

Mostly A's — Yoga Minimalist
You don't buy into the hype. You know that yoga is really about connecting body, mind, and soul—and that's it!

Mostly B's — Yoganista
You might be a spoiled yogi. You love wearing your yoga clothes in new and creative ways. It's OK to love fashion and be a trendsetter, but don't forget to keep it all grounded in the principles of yoga.

Mostly C's — Comfy Chic
You want to look and feel great in your yoga wear. You are no slouch in the studio, but you don't feel the need to buy something new every week either.

[Image: Sadhya Crop from Beebliss.com]

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