Happy Birthday!
Celebrating One Year of Teaching Yoga
Time flies when you are having fun. It feels like yesterday when I sent my first email announcing that I was starting Limber Llama Yoga. In one year, the Llama has morphed from a simple concept into an actual business. I've moved locations, changed logos and toyed with social media. Owning and operating a small business has opened my eyes to what many of the local businesses in Hagerstown deal with. From mananging the day-to-day tasks to brainstorming ways to grow the studio, there is hardly enough time in the day to complete everything. Year two brings about new beginnings with the arrival of our first child in June. I sure hope our "Baby Llama" is ready for the ride!In addition to growing Limber Llama, I've also grown as a yoga teacher. You have all given me great feedback on my classes, workshops and special events. (Don't stop now!) I keep a journal filled with ideas for future events and an email folder with client feedback. As I grew comfortable speaking in front of you, life answered my prayers with a little Llama. I slowly began to realize I couldn't teach or continue my home practice the same as I had before. I had to adapt to the changes coming up with new ways to demonstrate cobra, maintaining a rigorous class for my evening devotees and finding energy to teach 6 classes a week.
Surprisingly, pregnancy helped me learn how to be a beginner again. Stepping forward in lunge with a belly in the way does slow one down. I learned to embrace props not as crutches but to further enhance my practice. Using blocks in lunge opened more space in my hips which allowed for a deeper stretch and release. Not being able to lie flat on my belly? No problem. I began practicing other postures like ardha dhanurasana (half bow) on my knees - a pose I neglected in lieu of the full version. As I've said many times, yoga is for "every" body. You may only need a few modifications to make it perfect for you.
Open your heart to celebrate each anniversary, birthday or any day that is special to you. It may be as small as learning how to fix a leaky faucet by yourself to as large as beating cancer. Celebrate victories, memories and people we love. Don't let everyday tasks keep you from finding a few mintues to blow out the candles.
Thank you for making my first year as a teacher and Limber Llama Yoga a huge success. Join the celebration with me on Friday, May 18 from 6-7pm with a free yoga class. Namaste - the lights in me honor the light in you.
