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-
www.yogaplus.ph
@yogaplusph on IG, Twitter and FB.

If you want a home practice or privates and it will be led by yours truly.
Please contact me through email carinasilerio@gmail.com

Teaching Log # 6 : Mission Accomplised... I hope it will be like this forever....

May 25, 2014

Delayed blog as my macbook was broken... and my heart is sad. But anyway... I had the chance to borrow my brother's macbook.


Here we go. I just needed to blog this.

It was a sunday! a happy happy sunday. I was tasked to cover for Chi as she's out of town. I arrived at the studio an hour early. I was expecting 10+ number of students as it is a sunday.... Since it was early I read through my dialogue... prayed.. became still. power pose. I was nervous yes but i really had the feeling that that day was really for me. 8:50am students were coming in... I was so excited to teach at makati.. I felt different, I felt awesome, I felt happy about the environment... and seeing the students (Oh! there was this one student that was my hire at work! - How cool was that?!)

So i started on time... everything went well. I really felt I glued everything in between.. Of course i had my weaknesses too but this class was the best class from all of the classes I taught. Not to compare the crowd at the other studio but this was more welcoming, this crowd was like "please teach me more... i'd like to know better about the poses..." I liked the people around.. they make me feel "you're okay... you will be okay.." its like everyone was really listening to me. awesomeeeee! even if there were people doing auto pilots - they stop and do it again....

I was standing at the back, going around the room to feel the temperature... and I know my left and rights still sucks but this time i didnt messed up.. I was grounding myself that this will be okay, I can finish the class... I felt i was teaching with my heart, my soul was alive.....


Savasana came and i was like - wow that was fast.. and i didnt want to end the class. I just want to hug everybody for the energy they shared... I was roaming around to fix everyone's savasana....  and they were all relaxed.... I went out.. and 5 mins they are all still resting... How beautiful to see that all of them are restoring and taking full benefits of the asanas.

Class ended... and students came to me, waiting for me to finish talking to another student... and personally they went to me to say thank you... How wonderful to hear those words from your students... THANK YOU FOR CLASS. YOU WERE GREAT. ID LOVE TO TAKE AGAIN YOUR CLASS......  my heart was crying with joy... I was like. Thank you Lord... I hope this I can keep this up.

Grounding myself.. and accepting that there will be good days and rough days too...

I will be forever grateful to teach... I have a lot to learn, a lot to hear and a lot to see.

Namaste!

Headstand.

"The best way to overcome fear is to face with equanimity the situation of which one is afraid."  - B.K.S. Iyengar

9/11/13 Headstand Progress!
Photo by: Marian Manuel

Being upside down was never easy but I figured there is beauty with inversions!

Headstand. I always wanted to master this pose. It was one of my dreams to perfect, to do and to hold this pose for even few breaths.   I am one of those flexible yogis... My teachers usually say, I should learn how to protect my back and take care of it. How? Practice Tummy in, Ribs in, Core in, uddiyana bandha.

By practicing everyday or 5 times a week strengthening my core was part of it. I had several attempts to go up. I'd like to share my experiences and learnings on my headstand practice... and I am still learning.:)

(I will be quoting my teachers here for the whole blog that I'll be writing...)

1.You should have a strong base. 

"Do dolphin push ups" - Mae

"Work on your boats / Navasana so you'll have a good foundation for your inversions" - Chris, Lisa and Emma

It is called headstand but the weight should not be on your head. It should be on your arms. strong arms. strong core. never ever collapse your shoulders. 

2. There are many ways to go up. You can walk your feet near your head and it will naturally lift you from there or keep your knees curled near your chest (tummy in of course!) or bring both feet to rest on the wall behind you. (You can use your wall!) With any of these - you can pick what is comfortable for you.. don't forget to relax your neck and do it correctly so you'll get the full benefits of a headstand pose.

3. When your ready. Lift the first leg and the other. If not. Stay there and still find your balance. 

4. If you can go up and have a strong base - go on. take it slow. no rush here. And BREATHE. 

5. Going down - curl the knees, bend the knees or you can come down with legs outstretched. Then Child's pose. Rest. Relax for the hard work.

Okaaay, so this is not just about going up. This is what I've learned and my realizations how to go up, and how I was in the middle for a long time. My very first try with the headstand was with my yoga teacher, Mae. I thank her for introducing this pose to me and guiding me how to do it as a beginner. She always reminds me, 6. "Tummy in, tummy in, ribs in ribs in. Hips forward, Hips forward". I started my headstand practice late 2012 (I can't even remember the dates). But it became more serious when it was in 2013. Until it became my frustration. 

7. Very important to eliminate the ego. Never ever compare your practice to others. Every body is unique.

8. Remove the FEAR. In yoga, "where the mind goes and the body will follow". Change is not overnight. It can be done baby steps. little steps. 

9. Falling down. You should learn how to fall down safely. Why? So you'll know the feeling and by the time you'll get used to it how to fall down. Nancy, my Jivamukti teacher said "Falling down is fun!" 

And in Yoga+ we have the soft floor to fall down. VERY SAFE! :D

10. If you can't do today you can try again tomorrow. "Maybe not today, maybe tomorrow" - Aisa

11. Practice again. Never stop. 

"Don't give up! Push Carrrrina!" - Ryan

But don't be hard on yourself. Be patient. 

"It's like learning how to ride a bike" - Neil

12. Don't think too much. Yoga is all about journey.... Journey of the self. Through the self and to the self. 

13. Attachments. I became attached to the results that I can't go up and I became frustrated and I was sad about the outcome... But I realized this feeling needs to stop. Mind over matter. Breathe. Inhale. Exhale. 

"A yogi doesn't get attached to the results of her actions. Just keep doing. Someday it will just happen" -Neil 

"Practice everyday, not just getting up but also with the mindset that you are not attached to the result, whether you can do it or not." - Nancy

14. Acceptance - "allowing things to be as they are. Its not about settling or deciding to care less, its about realizing that the only one we really have control over is ourselves. The more we know and understand ourselves, the less we'll be shaken by whatever reality brings." - Manduka

15. Let go. Letting go. Inhale Let. Exhale Go. 

16. Believing in yourself and doing the best that you can. "Kaya mo yan!" - Marc

17. If you're already up... Nice! Now, "You just need to find the center" - Will 

Then Relax. 

18. Find your focus. Practice your drishti. 

19. Remove Pride, Find progress in every practice. Set your goals. Find commitment. Find Freedom.

20. Find your inner peace. And everything will follow. Think Positive. If you think it is hard then it is going to be hard... If you think it is going to be okay it will be okay. It's like law of attraction. Don't complicate. Again.. Mind over Matter. It starts within you. :D

These are things that I've learned on my mat with my headstand practice that is really applicable out of my mat too. I hope I shared enough and I can add some more in the future or sooner. I am still learning things, I don't play as the master here... :)

Sharing my thoughts and good vibes to the earth!!

I thank for the gift of yoga. Words aren't enough to explain. It became a huge part of my life or shall I say it is my life now. :)

I thank you yogi friends who is around to help, give tips, support and cheer for you. :)

(Chi, Kat, Ais, Anna H. Anna S., Edel, Binx, Marian..et al.. If I didnt mention you it means i forgot you already.. NO :D. You know who you are.. Thank YOU. :)

And of course my yoga teachers who I look up to every practice... You know who you are... :D 

I am blessed to have yoga teachers who inspire me every time I practice.

Lastly, remember to embrace every moment, with an open arms, open mind, open eyes, whether upside down or not. 

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

(May all things be happy and free!)

In case you may want to practice at my studio and meet my awesome teachers- 

visit - www.yogaplus.ph

Love,

Carina