DUCK YOGA

Hey everone! The above picture on the left is of Chris Yax, a wonderful inspiration in my yoga journey and his brother, John. Thought I would put a little about Chris in case anyone is intersted in checking out Hot House. Christopher Yax

Christopher graduated from Old Dominion University in June of 2003 with a B.S. in International Business. He was awarded the International Business Student of the Year in his senior year, as he graduated near the top of his class. He has 8 years of martial arts experience, studying and teaching the philosophy of Jeet Kune Do Concepts. One of the main tenants in JKD is to keep evolving within your own practice, never becoming confined to any one particular way, changing paths when the time is needed. Incorporating this philosophy into his life helped him realize that something was missing in his martial arts training. He was not giving his body time to restore and heal itself. Two years ago, Christopher found the path of yoga, specifically Hot Yoga. He quickly felt and understood the power contained within the Hot Yoga Series, experiencing the amazing healing benefits offered to the body and quieting effects given to the mind. In April of 2004, he became a certified yoga instructor through Jimmy Barkan’s Teacher Training Program in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He received his Level II Vinyasa certification from Jimmy the following month, and frequently reconnects with his Ft. Lauderdale family for continuing education. Christopher is very passionate about yoga and the ability it has to transform peoples’ lives. This is a fact that comes through in his teaching. 

Beside Chris.is my love and support group and thank goodness we have stayed so close even after Nosara. Without love and support and the support of the pillars in our yoga path, we can’t become who we truly are. Chris,Hot Houes Yoga, talked about pillars of support yesterday and it kind of stuck with me throughout my day.  Check out Hot House Yoga they have 2 studios now, one in Va Beach and one in Norfolk. (p.s. when I mention different studios, in no way am I trying to say that ones better than the other, all i’m doing  is stating the facts along with my experience. each of us is different, and to fully KNOW you have to GO)

Went to Hot House Yoga yesterday for level 2 vinyasa! It’s been a long time since I’ve had the opportunity to get to Va Beach and man was I glad. We did our vinyasa flow with warriors, lunges, arm balances (crow, crane and your choice), and headstands with partners. I love to break in to partners, and fortunately I got a teacher who was my size so that was refreshing. Her name was Lisa and she was very detailed in her explanations and very helpful in adjustments. Head stand is so much fun, but yet must be slow and controlled. It’s so easy to want to kick up  being all out of controll, but must engage bhandas, the core, and use the kick up leg as your guide and strength. We then ended with some pidgeon and twists. Chris, is a wonderful teacher. His voice is so hynotizing and really helps you go inward and stay focused. I like the way he talked about leaning on each other as a group  and how some people might feel like they want to leave, but to use the older students as their pillars of support. Older meaning the more practiced student.  He said there were times all of us have wanted to leave and give up, so just stay in the class and stick it out. Rest in child’s pose or do whatever you need to get thru. Class was good for me b/c I feel as though I’m shedding a lot of layers, and really revealing my heart and soul. I think my students can feel this in my practice and my students are actually the ones that are empowering me. Yoga is about empowering each other, and that’s so easy to lose sight of. It’s not about competition, and being better than the other, it’s more about finding you and making you all you can. Appreciating all your light and dark sides, and embracing both equally.

What has your yoga done for you? My yoga, is my life ring actually. It helps me go deeper into areas I would normally be fearful of. Layer by layer getting into areas I wouldn’t look before. Now I can open my heart, my soul, and slowly reveal all that I am. Are you scared to look inside? Yoga will help you! Practicing the asanas while keeping your focus on your breath, the ins and the outs, will get your closer and closer to inward knowing. How? PRACTICE, all is coming, and eventually you start seeing that! Are you opening to all you are inside? Are you being the real you and letting all your emotions and feelings come to surface or are you shoving everything inside? Trying to be the perosn everyone else wants you to be, or you ”think” you should be. What would happen if you let go, and let all of you shine?????????? 

This is why I like Anusara yoga living from the inside out! not the outside in! Like so many of us do, and it’s just what we’re accustom to. it’s about doing the work and really going inside to look at all you are. Not shoving things inside, and putting this facade up. Very hard to do, but that’s why we have our yoga, so we can practice in our laboraotories on our mat.

I’ve really enjoyed my monday night crew! I just have to mention a student that touched my heart. Well several do and did, but this really stuck with me. One of them just got a set of mala beads and she told me that she said the OM GUM GANAPATAYEI chant 108 times touching every bead as she said it. WOW! That was powerful and made me want to do during my next meditation. She said it was hard, and I’m so proud of her. I can’t wait to try and share our experiences! teaching is so special, you really do become attached to your classes and students. it’s almost like a love affair b/c everyone is being real and empowering each other to live a more balalnced harmonious life. 

I’m blessed to be where I am right now! 

Namaste

Heather