6 Tips to Make the Most of Introspection

"...I think we are well-advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind's door at 4 a.m. of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends. "
– Joan Didion

This week I had a Zoom reunion with my grad school cohort from American Conservatory Theater. I did the normal reunion crap I think most people do – put on makeup for about the third time in quarantine, got my camera angles right, and almost didn’t show up at the last minute. My fears were, in no order:

• That I wouldn’t like my former self - reflected in their treatment of me

• That they would ask me about the dreams or goals that have not materialized in this life

Luckily what I found instead was a pretty fricking cool group of people who were warm, grounded, hilarious, and kind. No one was interested in comparing. No one really rattled off their resume, but people shared – shared about their kids, their work, their art. We had some teachers in the Zoom room too, and the reunion evolved into a moment to deeply thank these teachers and repeat the lessons from decades ago – lessons that we have repeated as teachers ourselves, and lived as human beings.

I wish I’d had the magical wherewithal to inform my former self that life is not a competition, and that when comparison is removed from the recipe of friendship, the experience is so rich, and so sweet. But this is a lesson that had to be learned in real time. Things had to fall away. I had to stew in my introspection in order to find this sweetness of meeting others without foisting on them the obligation to tell me who I am. I had to learn to be myself.

As we are approaching month 11 of quarantine, I know that the days can get boring, and that like me you might be faced with your former self – “unannounced” as Joan Didion wrote – and I want to kindly suggest that you let her in. She didn’t suck, she wasn’t ignorant – she was just young. Maybe it’s time to take control back from the 7-year-old that wanted a church wedding or the 25-year-old that thought power was more important than kindness. These are examples, of course – it will take some introspection and space to allow your former self to emerge. Instead of avoiding it – I recommend it – if only so that you may kindly show her the door.

Here are some guidelines that are helping me in my extra introspective winter:

1. This kind of evolution thrives in silence. One moment isn’t going to define you, nor is one day watching Real Housewives or binging a car show (that one’s for my partner!). We have time now to turn off the devices – and you can do that at anytime. Really. They have off buttons for a reason. :)

2. Get in nature. Yes, a park will do, and I know they may be scarce in some places, but get there if you can – and if you can, walk there. In a pinch, spend time with an animal or tend to your plants – other species ground us too.

3. Write it out. Pick up a pen if you get stuck stewing. You don’t have to write the great American novel, either – just let the words flow, and if you find some sentiments that you’re ready to release, tear them up or burn them. Yes, burn them.

4. Emotions pass. Keep breathing, and wait till the storm passes. Introspection can be an emotive process, but there’s something on the other side of that story. If you get stuck in a nasty pattern, proceed immediately to #5.

5. Get on your mat. You knew I’d say that, right? “The issue is in the tissues” and truly processing the past requires moving blood and breath through the memories in your body.

6. Seek out the comfort of others. Yes, this seems counterintuitive for my lil’ introspection list, but humans are not made to always be alone. Enjoy your vision quest, and then come back to your pack.

I’m looking forward to seeing my pack in Prema Yoga Therapeutics Essentials soon! We have 3 spots for the 100-hour program, and plenty of spaces to take a shorter CE course if you’re watching your time/money budgets. The door is open! But registration is closing soon…
Email me if you need any special consideration. Let’s get you there.

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Dana Slamp is a yoga therapist and teacher who founded Prema Yoga Institute - New York’s premier IAYT-accredited yoga therapy school. She’s a frequent contributor to Yoga Journal and currently teaching live at PYI and on demand at YogaAnytime.com and Variis.

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4 Tips for Choosing Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Programs

4 Tips for Choosing Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Programs

After completing your RYT200 training, you meet the minimum requirements to start your own personal yoga practice. However, many yoga instructors discover that the 200-hour yoga training program is not enough to help them stand out and decide it is wise to invest in an advanced yoga teacher training program. 
 
If you feel like you want to continue your yoga teacher training, go deeper into your craft, and set yourself apart from other yoga teachers, then it might be time to find the right advanced yoga teacher training course for you. You will also want to ensure you choose a yoga accreditation program that you will enjoy because you are likely to be spending 100 to 300 hours to reach your goals.  
 
To help you find the best advanced yoga teacher training courses, Prema Yoga Institute has put together some helpful hints and tips on what to look for in a continuing education program for yoga instructors. 
 

1. Double Check Certifications and Accreditations

The first thing you need to do when looking into advanced yoga teacher training is ensure the training course is certified by the Yoga Alliance. There are many wonderful non-accredited yoga teacher training courses out there, but the benefits of Yoga Alliance accredited courses will prove helpful down the road.  

You should also investigate the certifications and memberships held by the teachers at your program. This can help you get an idea of their experience, specialties, and philosophy of yoga. 
 
For example, Prema Yoga Institute lists all of its faculty bios on its Faculty page. Give the faculty bios a read and research the instructors online to see if you think they would be a good fit for you. Often, accredited yoga instructors will have free videos for you to watch – this is a great way to get a feel for an instructor before you commit to a yoga teacher training course. 

2. Narrow Down Your Teaching Focus 

Before you can find the perfect yoga teacher training course for you, you must know what you want out of your yoga teacher training. Do you want to be a better teacher in a specific area? Learn more about the history of yoga? Or maybe you’re looking to level-up your spiritual growth. 

Whatever your goals, one of the best ways to find the right advanced yoga teacher training program is to look at the yoga courses’ outline or syllabus. While the 200-hour RYT pretty much covers the general basics, as you get into advanced yoga training, things tend to be a bit more niche. 

By checking out the yoga training program’s curriculum, you can get a better idea of what you will be focusing on. Some advanced yoga programs spend a lot of time on anatomy and posture, some go deep into the history and philosophy of yoga, and other programs are all about spirituality and healing.  
 
Ask yourself who your ideal client is and how you can use advanced yoga training to help them. Once you discover a group you would enjoy serving, your niche may become clearer. 

Remember to take your time. You may go down several different paths before narrowing down your niche and that is okay. Enjoy exploring your skills and passions as a yoga instructor. 
 

3. Consider Whether You Prefer In-Person or Online Advanced Yoga Training Courses 

This is a big question to ask yourself when looking for an advanced yoga teacher training course, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and the rise of online courses. Is it important to you to be able to go to an in-person yoga class with a hands-on teacher? Or does an online yoga training format work better for you? 

Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for this question, so it really depends on your preferences and schedule. If you’re the type of person who wants a hands-on, intense yoga training experience, a yoga retreat might be the right choice for you. But if you want to go at your own pace in your own space (or if you are practicing social distancing), online yoga training courses might be a better fit. Additionally, some yoga training courses are available both online and locally.  
 
One thing is certain, online yoga courses have recently been elevated to a whole new level due to remote learning necessities. It may be wise to consider taking full advantage of these online yoga teacher training courses while they are available. 
 

4. Ask the Right Questions 

Before you choose an advanced yoga teacher training program, do some background research and make sure to ask the right questions. Some questions to try and answer: 

• What teachers do they work with? Are these teachers experienced in aspects of yoga I want to learn more about? 

• What do other students have to say about this program? Are there reviews or testimonials I can check out? 

• Is there a way to contact the program with questions before investing in their courses? 

 
Never be afraid to contact a program in advance. A good program will be willing to answer your questions before you invest in their advanced yoga training courses. 

Finding the Best Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Programs 

These days, there are so many advanced yoga teacher training programs out there that it can be tough to know which one is the right choice. But if you use these tips and tricks, you should be able to find the perfect program for you. 
 
If you found this information useful, visit our Blog often or subscribe to our Mailing List for similar content. 

Currently, Prema Yoga Institute is offering online study options for ALL of our yoga trainings in 2021. PYI has a variety of programs with a focus in therapeutic yoga and aging bodies. Should we be able to study together in person in late 2021, you can choose the online option of live study, or join us in person at our studio in New York city. 

We hope you’ll consider Prema Yoga Institute for your online advanced yoga training program. We’re an accredited program based in New York city, teaching students around the globe through online classes. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you advance your yoga practice and teaching! 

Building Precious Immunity

Hug a tree to build your Ojas, they said.

Tree, photo by A.MacMullan

My teachers in ‘Ayurveda and Immunity’ at Prema Yoga Institute are sharing ways to retain and build your vigor and resiliency that is the root of our immunity.

Ojas is an Ayurvedic concept and refers to that shield that helps us ward off stress and sickness. When our Ojas is good we have a glowing complexion, a sense of well-being, the ability to endure, and a feeling of lightness in body and mind.

A person with high Ojas

On the other hand, when we have low Ojas, we feel depleted. Signs of low Ojas include:

• Dry skin

• Cold hands and feet

• Sensitivity to light and sound

• Muscle or joint pain

• Heaviness in body and mind

• Drowsiness or fatigue

• Tendency to get sick frequently

• Lack of focus

• Anxiety

• Constant negative attitude

“We must guard our Ojas like a savings account,” Ayurvedic practitioner Julia Abramova says, taking care not to withdraw too much and potentially experience depletion and eventually disease. 

So how to you build up your Ojas if it’s depleted?

Recipe by Julia Abramova, Jyoti Yoga and Healing

• Strengthen your digestive fire (get on a good eating routine, don’t overeat, etc)

• Eat Ojas-building foods that are sweet, heavy, smooth, cool, stable (avocados, bananas, soaked dates, soaked raisins, fresh figs, sweet potatoes, mung beans, ghee, milk, almonds)

• Do restorative yoga

• Rest! All healing begins in rest.

• Practice Abhyanga or Self-massage with Oils

• Practice Pratyahara - disconnect from sensory overload

• Walk in the moonlight

• Forest bathing

So here’s a suggestion: go stand in nature and put yourself on “receive” mode, taking in the soothing sounds, gentle air, and life force of the beings around you. Drink in the beauty that surrounds you. Build your Ojas!

Sunsets are a marvelous way to drink in Ojas

Resources:

• Ayurveda and Immunity Course, Prema Yoga Institute

• Julia Abramova, E-RYT500, Founder and Program Director of Jyoti Yoga & Healing, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT)
  
  

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Ann Grace MacMullan is a yoga teacher and owner at Team Sun Wellness, a Philadelphia-based company whose mission is to help people of all walks of life take care of themselves through mindful movement and focused breathing. She is also a yoga therapy student at Prema Yoga Institute.

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