YITP Tips and Tricks for the Teacher and the Receiver

Yoga in the Park is now mid-season and we have had a wildly successful summer so far! (*does happy dance*). It truly is something lovely to look out each Sunday and see 30-40 odd people that don't look like carbon copies of a young white woman all present and ready to practice together under the sun.

There are a few things/tips to consider for both Yoga Teachers and Yoga Receivers for YITP though, so I thought I'd share a few extra insider tips here :)

Tips for Yoga Teachers:

Leading a YITP outside is an amazing and fulfilling experience. It also poses some interesting challenges.

• Projecting your Voice: It is *much* more difficult to hear your voice, instructions and suggestions with the wind, the sounds of the ocean and a wide open space for your voice to travel. Demonstrating while you talk becomes almost impossible; no one will hear you while your facing away in downward dog. YITP also attracts a more varied yogi, several who most certainly have some level of hearing loss (like yours truly, it's not just the wisest appearing among us with evidence of experienced life that may have hearing loss!). The best strategy? Project your voice (while protecting it!), face your yogis and:
• Have a demonstrating buddy next to you. I've done this twice, and although kinda weird (since I am far from a model asana practitioner) it does allow other yogis to see what the heck you're describing while permitting you to continue said describing. Just make sure you introduce why the demo buddy is there- otherwise it's a bit awkward (who's the keener at the front???)
• Reference Nature: We're outside- think about changing your spatial references from "the floor" or even "the mat" to "the earth, the ocean, the sun, the sky". It's one of the beautiful parts of practicing outside, remind people of that.
• Consider Nature: Think about the wind making balancing postures more difficult, the squishy grass making for non-solid bases in standing postures and the possibility for dog poo when arms out for supine twists. Balancing postures are often extremely challenging outside and it's nice to be reminded of the extra trickiness so as not to be too discouraged. 
• Consider alternatives for Savasana: Laying out, face up to the sun for long minutes at the end of the practice may not be the most relaxing or comfortable (or safe!) end to a yoga practice. Maybe shorten your savasana, offer alternatives (seated meditation) and suggest that yogis cover their face. The end goal isn't laying on our backs, but integrating and absorbing our practice- however that may be.
• Leave out all "extras" that might detract from Nature: Music and technology is a big one. I've found that blocks and straps are nice, but practicing outside is really about connecting with Nature through yoga. The more "extras" we have, the less we're truly experiencing the natural moment. 
• Please no pictures! True consent during a yoga practice isn't given. I know it looks really cool and we just want to share, but getting consent without pressuring the yogis to give it (no matter if you ask first- are they simply going to walk away after setting up their yoga mat?) is unlikely. Instead of experiencing the practice through a lens, take a breath and practice fully observing what you're having an urge to photograph and keep that in your memory to cherish. 

Tips for the YITP Yogi Receivers:

• Bring LOTS of sunscreen: and apply liberally. No really. You should leave YITP with a sense of peace and renewal, not a sunburn. Skin cancer is serious business- don't mess around!
• Bring Water: Staying hydrated is so important. Reusable water bottles are better than plastic disposables, and stainless steel tend to be the best. I've found that the BEST for keeping water cold is the insulated stainless steel coffee mugs topped with ice cubes. My Klean Kanteen coffee container, although smelling slightly like coffee, really kept my water cold during an hour out in the sun. 
• Use a YITP specific mat: (or no mat!). This is only if you happen to have two, relegate one to "YITP" for several reasons: a) it will get dirty. Which is kinda gross. If it's your YITP only mat that means you only have to wash it every so often instead of directly afterwards. Bonus! b) nicer, more ecologically friendly mats made of rubber biodegrade in the sun. You should actually keep your nice rubber Jade mat FAR AWAY from any sun exposure if you want it to last. 
• Talk to the Teacher Before YITP Begins: even though we're not in a traditional class setting, it's important to share injuries or discomforts with the teacher. If you don't feel ok with that, the nice thing about YITP is that honestly, you can spend the entire time in child's pose and that is just fine. YITP really is about what you need- so be sure to take it!
• Look out for dog poo: Seriously. It is everywhere. 

And above all else: enjoy sharing your practice outside, surrounded by the ocean, the sun and other lovely yogis!

Any thoughts/suggestions from your YITP experiences that I missed? Please share!

The Death of the Karma Class: Don't Belittle Yoga in the Park

Last week I had the opportunity to share my practice under the sun to the sound of the ocean waves with 38 other yogis. This year's yoga in the park has started with a bang, with triple the usual number of yogis sharing a practice together.

I believe this is in part due to the slow but steady word of mouth needed for the group, being in our fifth year and in part the increase in connection with passionate yoga teachers who share the group with other yogis. That and practicing near the ocean is amazing.

However, I also have a sneaking suspicion that Haligonians are hungry for yoga... and are struggling to find a practice that is affordable.

Halifax is an interesting city for it's yoga scene. The size of the city is quite small comparatively, with a population of almost 300,000, with a huge student population (5 universities). We also have anywhere between 15-20 yoga studios (some are in flux, and I can't ever keep up the count) in the HRM. Many of these studios have yoga teacher training programs.

At first glance this would appear as if Haligonians have a lot of choice when it comes to where they can practice their yoga. Upon further reflection, unfortunately, it would seem that "choice" is a relative term for a specific demographic: those individuals who can afford the practice have choice. The rest, well options for a studio practice continue to dwindle.

This became all the more obvious when I went to update my "Affordable Yoga" page on my blog recently. A few years ago the majority of studios (80%ish) were offering at least one "Karma" or community class weekly or monthly. The first time I organized the information from a blog post to an actual page I was disappointed with the studios I had to delete from my list. With each revision and update, instead of finding more to add, instead I was deleting more studios from my list.

I'm now left with a sad, measly little list of places where a yogi can access yoga on a budget in HRM.

I get it. It's expensive to run a yoga studio, pay rent, your teachers and yourself. Neither am I implying that the yoga is worth less than the prices charged. I'm just stating that at 16-18$ a class, a regular studio practice is unreachable for the majority of yogis.

Oh sure you can volunteer for unlimited yoga at Moksha... because a full time working mom has time to volunteer another 4 hours AND still attend a yoga class. Let's be honest, a full time working non-mother, me, doesn't have an extra 4 hours for her yoga practice let alone volunteering to GET a practice. And that isn't choice.

I have always had trouble with karma and community (and Moksha volunteer) systems for yoga: it's always made me feel like it was a hierarchy of quality: you can't afford our studio prices? Well you can have cheaper classes, but taught at inconvenient not-popular times (Friday nights at 8pm anyone?), by less experienced teachers and yoga teacher students, surrounded by yoga merchandise at Lulu or *only* if hot yoga is a good fit for you. It sets up a system that those who can afford classes get the best quality yoga and choice while those who can't get a lower quality of yoga. It's demeaning.

But at least this system was fairly universal across studios. At this point in time we barely have that. Studios have cut their community and karma classes with a ruthlessness that is honestly shocking. It's been a weirdly quiet event- without a dying peep. Maybe attendance was poor (should we blame the market, or should we blame inconvenient times and less quality class choices?), or maybe the cost to run a studio is just astronomical and something had to give. But then, maybe there just aren't enough people in our city that meet the socio-economic status requirements to stock-up full priced yoga classes.

Which came first? The Chicken: lower yoga class attendance or the Egg: jacking up the prices and subsequently less people can afford to attend a studio class? Perhaps that's why people are turning away from attending yoga studios- in Halifax we've had a few closures... and the rumour was the revenue wasn't such to support the cost of running a studio.

Yoga in the Park is free. It's not donation based, it's not "community" or "karma". It's free. Because it's not about getting a studio experience. It's about a group of yogis coming together to share yoga under the open sky with the ocean waves crashing into our practice.

It also shouldn't be a lower quality of yoga. It's not only for new teachers looking for experience or practice teaching (although we welcome those who are new and would like to share). It's not about "doing your community time" to check off some weird yogic sense of what it means to be a yoga teacher (doing prerequisite karma class, check).

I would hope that those teachers who choose to share their practice and lead YITP do so because they love to practice outside. Please don't brush off our beautiful, gorgeous practice under the sun as something only a "new" yoga teacher would ever consider leading.

Our YITP teachers are there to share yoga. New and well seasoned, from all disciplines, we practice together, wobble in the wind together, feel the grass under our feet, the ants creeping on our mats and the sun on our faces together.

From the bottom of my little yogi heart, I thank every single one of you.

Private Practice and Yoga in the Park 2013!

Oops, where did the week go?

Some news in the EcoYogini world (and the reason I've been a little absent in my posting)... I have taken the leap and am starting my own private SLP practice.

Introducing.... Parler pour apprendre/Talking to Learn! 

Setting up a private practice was more work than I originally thought, but I am happy with the effort I put into all my policies, procedures and fabulous website. Here's crossing my fingers!

Other news: YOGA IN THE PARK 2013!

It has been a dreary, cold and drizzly spring here in Halifax. Unlike the previous three years of YITP (wow, this is our 4th year!) where we were practicing intermittently from March onward, it has not been above 15 degrees on a weekend until now.

And today, just like THAT, we go from frost warnings in the morning to BAM 30 degree (celsius) humid weather. Ok, I promise I am not complaining. :) I'm actually excited to return to creating yoga sequences and drawing little yoga stick men. :) Fun!

First Halifax YITP 2013: Saturday*, June 1st!

When: 10am-11am

Where: Point Pleasant Park (Tour Site 10)

Cost: Free!

*Except for tomorrow, YITP will be on Sunday mornings btw 10-11am. For the MOST up to date YITP info- please join our facebook group: Halifax Yoga in the Park.

Yoga peeps- if you haven't already, check out your local city's YITP- seriously the best way to practice yoga. If your city doesn't have one- start one!

A Call Out To HRM Yoga Instructors: Sharing Your Practice with Community

My Haligonian Yoga Peeps: Yoga in the Park is upon us!!

This weekend it has finally felt like Spring has a glimmer of hope of arriving in Halifax. (Even though this coming week it's giving a possibility of snow...) With this glimmer comes the realization that as soon as it's above 15 degrees (C) on a Saturday we will be practicing yoga near the ocean once again!

This summer will mark our fourth summer practicing yoga in Point Pleasant Park. The fourth summer where anyone who is interested may pop in and practice yoga amidst the sun, atlantic ocean and wind with absolutely no charge, without even the slightest suggestion, implication or pressure to pay (ie 100% free, no donation necessary).

I am so proud to say that throughout discussions, space change and a few dramas, we have kept YITP to equate the opportunity for all to practice surrounded by nature in a public place free of charge. 

Practicing yoga outside makes me happy, and the purpose of YITP is to simply share that moment with others... practicing yoga while listening to the waves of the ocean as a community.

(YITP 2010 at Point Pleasant Park)

This summer, I would like to send out a call for any Yoga Instructor who would love to share this practice and their sequence with us. 

What sharing your practice and love with the YITP community would look like:

• Choosing a Saturday morning this summer that works for you and committing to this morning.
• Either: 
• Leading the practice simultaneously while you practice (talking through your practice)
• Or, "teaching" a class in the formal sense- it is completely your discretion.
• Practicing with other yogis in a casual, safe and informal atmosphere.
• Sharing the joy of your yoga practice with others in the beautiful setting of ocean, wind and forest. 

If you are a yoga instructor and you are interested please email me at earthyogini (at) gmail (dot) com with any questions, concerns or even dates you'd like to share your practice.

If you are a HRM yogi (or instructor) who would love to simply attend and enjoy your practice with Halifax YITP this summer the BEST way to keep up with times and dates would be joining our facebook group: "Halifax Yoga in the Park". 

Happy Spring!!

How To Practice Yoga Outside: How the Cool Kids Do It

Summer is in full swing and let me tell you, the BEST part of being an EcoYogi is practicing yoga outside. It's an important part of truly living the glamourous crunchy EcoYogi lifestyle. No really, you haven't lived until you've surya'd under the sun next to the ocean, practicing one armed downdog so you can flick ants off your mat (perhaps accidentally squishing them... you know- by accident).

 (Salutation Nation last September in Halifax Commons. Choice of event wasn't the greatest as there were THREE softball games going on with balls flying into the crowd a few times!)

Beyond the silliness of some ridiculous capitalistic "raising money to practice for free in central park", Outside Yoga is all about connecting with Nature and your green crunchy self. If you ever need a bit of motivation to crunch-ify your life, practicing yoga outside can give you a boost.

As this will be my sixth summer of outside yoga practice, I've gathered up a few tips on outdoor yoga practice that I thought I'd share. Especially for all my EcoYogi peeps who have yet to take the outdoor yoga plunge!

(equipped with my old flaking mat I saved for Yoga in the Park, my Klean Kanteen water bottle and sunglasses!)

Outdoor Yoga Mat Tips:

• Choose your yoga mat carefully. Now, I don't want to endorse buying several mats, cuz that's wasteful... but if you have a less preferred mat I would suggest using that one outside. Outside Yoga can get dirty and messy...
• Be prepared to clean your mat more often, or to accept that your outdoor mat will be messier.
• TPE and rubber yoga mats are ruined by the sun's rays. No lie.

(practicing on the red beaches in PEI last summer. Although it was overcast, the temperature was warm and the ocean was so powerful)

Weather Tips:

• Check the weather before practicing outside. I know this sounds silly, but if it's giving 30 degrees outside you might choose something you'll sweat less in... That and practicing in a torrential downpour might not be your plan for that day.
• Wear sunscreen and sunglasses. Skin cancer isn't cool.
• Bring water and extra sunscreen. You never know.
• If it's windy- rocks, flip flops or blocks work really well to keep your mat from blowing up around your legs. Cuz that's just awkward.

(practicing on the dock at the cottage this summer. studiously facing away from the neighbours)

Space to Practice Tips:

• Choose a flat surface to practice on. Scope out your spot- it might look like a slight incline, but when you've only ever practiced on a studio floor, you'll feel like you're listing to the side or about to fall flat on your face. 
• Check for dog poo. Seriously, parks are terrible for this. Last year during our practice a poor girl put her hand in the grass only to find out it wasn't just grass. :S
• Remove rocks, broken mussel shells or any other sketchy debris. 
• Practicing on a dock can be fun... but remember docks typically move on the water. Be mentally prepared to have a bit of a tipsy practice. Hangover yoga could be a bad idea. (trust me).
• Choose your level of privacy. Practicing in a public space means accepting that people will see you and perhaps even take your picture ("look honey- a yogi!!"). More privacy=a tree-friendly area in the park, less privacy=the dock. You might like the idea of practicing surrounded by water, but all the other cottages or lake people can see you clear as day.
• Be prepared to politely ask some creepy old man in a motorized chair to stop zooming in on you and your friends' chests and taking pictures from 5ft away. (this happened two weekends ago).

Yoga Tips:

• Your practice might not be exactly the same. It's amazing how our foundation is so essential to what we expect from our practice.
• Balance postures are tricky when the ground is uneven, your drishti (focus) is on swaying grass or moving waves and the wind is actually pushing on you. All the cool yogis fall over more outside.
• Focus and concentration are a bit trickier to come by when there are squirrels, crows, ants crawling on your mat, container ships and small children screaming "look mommy! YOGA!!!". 
• You may feel more vulnerable in savasana with your eyes closed. 
• Using a water bottle as a block is completely acceptable.
• Outside Yoga is the perfect environment to have a playful practice!

Now- google your city and "Yoga in the Park" and you are as good as ready!!

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

The Difference Between Leading and Teaching a Yoga Class

This summer marks the fourth summer of Halifax Yoga in the Park. There have been some disheartening dramas over the past four seasons of fire and light, but the yoga on the ocean... that has only gotten better.

(Our first YITP spot summer 2009) 

A result of this journey has been accepting that if I want YITP to stay free and accessible to all and to continue to be a shared outside yoga experience, I need to accept the responsibility of this shared practice. I can count on my hands how many times someone else lead the class.

But wait. I'm not a yoga instructor.

I do create the sequences and lead classes though. Does that make me a yoga instructor? Heck no.

What I have learned from the past four summers is that simply creating an asana sequence and talking through your own practice does not a yoga teacher make. Far from it.

Sure, it takes some thought and experience to think up a sequence that makes sense from a movement perspective, covers your asana bases (see Michelle Myhre's post on what to remember) and will last about an hour with potential modifications and upgrades for different levels of yogis. But that's not teaching.

 (YITP on top of a fort spring 2010, before we were asked to kindly find another spot by a local yoga instructor, or to join her by-donation class that was taking place same time, same day)

Sure, talking about loud cueing appropriate breath and little tips while you yourself are moving through the sequence can be tricky (especially if you want to sweat too!). But that's most certainly NOT teaching.

(after an hour of wondering the park, we found our new YITP home for the remainder of 2010, 2011 and now 2012)

Nope, what I do is lead. A dvd could take my place. Why? Because I most certainly do not have the knowledge or training to help adjust, modify and TEACH the postures for each yogi.

(of course, not long after attempts were made from this local yoga instructor to also move her not-free yoga class to the same spot, only 30minutes sooner. YITP kept it in the end, but not without cost...)

How is teaching different from leading?

When the instructor helps each yogi to specifically meet their own asana and yoga potential during a pose, sequence and class so the yogi can grow in their practice: that is teaching.

(Our Warrior III's circa summer 2011- YITP as it should be- Community)

article and photographs copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com

Flipping over for Yoga in the Park!

Tonight we practiced our first Yoga in the Park 2012. It was in the mid twenties- freakish climate change type weather for March.

After a week of being sick, presenting for Andrew's business communication second year university course, an emergency trip to the vet for Atreyu AGAIN (UTI this time, and apparently last time as well) and craziness at work I needed some outside yoga love.

Although it wasn't nearly the quiet sound of ocean waves against the shore, feeling the sun on my face and the wind over my skin was pure magic. 

Three of us YITP peeps faced the ocean and quietly moved through five surya a's at our own pace. The beauty of practicing sun sals quietly is the ability to allow your mind to explore and experience the breath and the postures. I've had much less patience for instructors who just can't seem to allow space for silence (do I really need to hear about the minute adjustments or some karma one liner while in downdog for five breaths?).

As YITP is more about practicing as a group of yogis together outside in a free space, and less about teaching and learning yoga- this is the perfect environment for "less is more". 

After five surya a's I led us through an easy flow-y sequence opening our hearts, preparing our sides and hips for an eventual triangle and ending with a fun new asana: "fallen angel". YITP is the perfect space for trying silly new asanas in a safe non judgemental space. 

I had the urge to try to feel light, and hopped my legs up a few times. It's been years that I've been doing this, never coming close to hovering- handstand a far away dream. So a few kick ups with a muttered "someday I want to do handstand" and HOP..... my legs go up.... and up.... and up..... and there goes the sky.... and oh I'm going over... OVER!!! I think: "Holy shit, I actually did it! and SMACK. My back lands on the mat. Thankfully the soft grass makes for a cushy landing and I managed to protect my neck. I'm sure it was pretty darn comical to see.

Hello Yoga in the Park- I have missed you.

article copyright of EcoYogini at ecoyogini.blogspot.com