Teaching Journey: Conquering Fear.

Think of a situation in which you are afraid of failure. Visualize yourself now hitting an obstacle, allow yourself to feel the fear, and then see yourself moving forward. Next, spend a few minutes planning how to overcome whatever obstacles may stand in your way. Then see yourself succeeding despite these obstacles.

Confidence is not something that can be learned like a set of rules; confidence is a state of mind. Positive thinking, practice, training, knowledge and talking to other people are all useful ways to help improve or boost your confidence levels.

Today, I was invited in to do a "pep talk" to the teacher trainees of batch 2. Amazing how time flies.... I am now sharing my struggles and successes and learnings to this new group.

It felt great going back to what I was before and now looking at how I've grown as a teacher.... and a student.


I've learned so much from my Teacher Training last year and now Im sharing tips on how will you face those struggling times during your TT journey (or whatever journey you may face).  Hopefully, this blog post is a detailed one. :)

1.Breathe.... We all have our stories... I am sure you can finish every challenge in your life. Being a yogi is an advantage because you know how to breathe. Inhale... long exhales. :)

2. Always always fix your mindset. If you think negative then negative vibes will come near you and you are going to fail..... but if you are positive everything will be okay. Believe me.

3. Do Powerpose.

4. Come back to your goal... Why are you here? What's your teaching goal? What's your goal after...You've started it already what's the sense of giving up in the middle? Remember when you are about to give up... there will be always a good result at the end.. It will be all worth it.

5. FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT. 

6.  Get support group. Surround yourself with positive people... People that will help you go up the ladder. Stay connected with your students. Get energy from them.

7. Just be yourself. Show them who you are. ;) Be authentic. 

8. You cannot please everyone so... accept the criticisms, feedback... these will all make you stronger.

9. Teach what you know. Don't invent.... but remember just a thought even if you cannot do a specific pose... you can teach it. :) That's why you're there in teacher training... to learn. :) 

10. Ground down. Root down. Get energy from the earth. Honor it.

11. Take care of your body. Its a temple. Eat. You need food and water. Don't allow yourself to get injured.... i know its impossible but you have to be extra careful. REST even for few hours.

12. Study, Read, Read,.... practice, practice.. keep on practicing. Buy yoga books. Feed your mind.... Practice. Meditate. Personal practice will be a struggle now but you should make time. find time. Remember that yoga is NOT more of a workout... its more of working on what's inside of you. Let go of your issues. embrace them accept them and let them go.

13. Cry. Laugh... go crazy..... express what you feel but you have to control all of it once you are inside the yoga room. let go of your ego. ;)

14. TEACH. Show them that you are the authorized person inside of the room. If you made mistakes, missed a pose... its okay carry on. Just keep on going.. tell your dialogue. pam pam pam pam pam. change! 

15. And lastly, When you are teaching already.... It's not about you....  Imagine you are now at the heated room... and you felt fear... your students will smell it and they will never see you as teacher so don't let fear eat you up!!!! So again, It's not about you.... You have students now - Remind yourself of the same thing as a yoga teacher. People are coming to yoga class to get to a better place somehow, and they've chosen your class because they think you might help do that. They want you to succeed. They aren't coming to class to critique you. In fact, they're probably seeking your approval much more than they're deciding whether you get theirs. Make your instruction more about them than it is about you. You chose to teach so that they could practice. Speak the words that allow that to happen without fear of criticism.

16. And.... if you want start a journal. start a blog. write everything what you think, what you want.. and things to let go..........

I guess that's it. If I have more ill share it soon.

I will always be grateful to my batchmates, to my mentors, family and friends who supported me all the way. Also to Miss Dinah for inviting me in today. I also had the chance to sit in and be the guest teacher to evaluate them during their Practice Teach... Awesome experience! :)

Keep on practicing, Keep on teaching... Don't stop teaching!!!!!

Be open and hungry for learning.

Let me know if you need to talk to me.

Ill see you soon. NAMASTE. :D

Flexibility not Required.

I always invite people to join me in yoga... Whether to practice and or take my classes. Seems that people are so afraid to take it because number 1 reason : "Ay, Hindi ako Flexible, Baka di ko magawa.. Wag na lang.." Or "Pang Girls lang yan eh!" That's why they don't want to try it anymore... Let me tell you that Yoga is not just about standing on our head or bending in all sorts of contorted positions. It is the uniting of body, mind, and spirit. Ultimately, yoga is about self-realization, true freedom, where the individual self merges into the universal self. (This can be deep as of now - if you're just trying yoga for your first week or month but eventually you will understand....) As long as you are breathing.... You are practicing Yoga. 

So Try it. Just show up. Whenever you're ready. Don't hesitate. I promise you... There are a lot of things to discover who you are inside and outside of your mat. Something Magical!

Here are my tips for my first timers in yoga :

1. Come to class 30 minutes before the schedule. You have to be oriented by your teacher. Know that it's not really nice to be late during your first time. 
2. Don't be scared... We all have our "first times" in life. 
3. Dress comfortably. 
4. Once you are inside the yoga room - let go of your day, stresses, worries etc.. it will not serve you inside.
5. Hydrate. Before class but no water intake 30 mins before class. Whether a hot class or a flow class or whatever style you will be attending. Drinking water during the class will not really help you at all. But still bring your water bottle inside. 
6. Rehydrate after class. Your body will need it. 
7. Don't base your opinion about your first class, second class, third... just keep on coming back and you will find the beauty of yoga. take your time.
8. Breathe.
9. Don't push yourself too hard. Yoga is not about winning... There is no competition here. Remember this is just your first time, so just start where you are and be gentle to yourself.
10. Have Fun!

It doesn't matter what you wear, what's your age, what is your gender, what's your height, what's your weight.. Or if you can touch your toes or not and all of the reasons in the world that can stop you doing / trying out yoga. For me, Yoga is an amazing gift. There's a lot of magic in it! Yoga is for everyone. Yoga is for everybody... Know that Yoga has no judgements and expectations... 

I'll see you soon. Namaste! ;)

Xo,
Carz

You can go to a studio or have a home practice.
Of course if in a studio I recommend where I teach and learned what is yoga.
YOGA+  
For class schedules and rates please visit-
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If you want a home practice or privates and it will be led by yours truly.
Please contact me through email carinasilerio@gmail.com