IntenseDebate - jenifermparker

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Yogis, Be Careful with... · 1 reply · +1 points

I also have this criticism of Yin Yoga, and here, it's also practiced *in heat* which only makes it more risky for the ligaments (cold ligament theory backs this up).

Like you, i focus on the function of the poses in terms of how they improve posture. Understanding how everything works together (how a shoulder pain could come from how a person stands, not necessarily something they 'did' to their shoulders), and guiding people to utilize the postures of yoga to create a stable, balanced and agile posture that works for them and decreases risk of injury as well as pain and stiffness. It's amazing stuff.

You're not alone, for sure. BUt it sometimes feels like it, doesn't it? :)

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Yogis, Be Careful with... · 1 reply · +1 points

Same. Not to mention, I don't even bother to teach lotus. It's an extremely difficult, advanced posture for most people -- particularly people with whom I work: those who are basically sedentary during the work day and then "weekend warrior" training folks (lots of triathletes, distance runners, and guys who lift weights).

We do a "power yoga" -- but it's modified deeply to meet their needs (calling it "power yoga" also meets their needs!). We work from the point of strength/stability to develop flexibility and good posture (by which I mean whole posture -- standing, sitting, walking, sleeping properly a la Katy Bowman and my own teacher, Nik Curry of Postural Patterning).

It's amazing to see people transform over time just by applying the same alignment principles and also *teaching* them how the joints/muscles/etc work and what they are trying to accomplish and how what they "think" it should look like/feel like/etc isn't necessarily what it *should* look like or feel like based on their own limitations and seeking to find stability. And out of that, flexibility and adaptability/agility is developed.

I love my people. They're so awesome to get to teach!

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - 4 Easy DIY Body Care R... · 0 replies · +1 points

my favorite sunscreen is coconut oil, beeswax, and zinc oxide powder. Works great.

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Why I Teach Old-School... · 0 replies · +1 points

I'll zip you a line. :)

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - On Aging. ~ Kimberly Lo · 0 replies · +1 points

I'm blessed to have some awesome seniors around me -- people who are really vital in their 70s and beyond. It's a real inspiration.

In terms of "not worrying about looks," at 37, I feel like I've finally gotten there. I'm very happy and comfortable with my (very young) body, but I can also see that I'm aging, too. Not old, just -- I don't look 20 any more! But moreso, I don't have all of the worries and hang-ups about my body that I had in my 20s, and even my early 30s. It's like a distant memory -- I'm just not worried about it.

My focus is really on nourishing my body with good rest, good nourishment, meditation, and movement (yoga, pilates, belly dance, swimming and walking). I *finally* think my body is beautiful, even though it's nothing like what I thought it needed to look like just last year. I mean, I think it's truly beautiful -- but last year I was convinced that this same body needed X, Y, and Z changed. I'm not sure HOW this change came about fo rme, but it has.

Yes, I am still very young. And, I'm very fit and healthy. But I have felt that "as i've aged" the fears and anxieties that I had around my body -- from the time I was a teen until just within the last year -- have really dissipated.

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Why I Teach Old-School... · 2 replies · +2 points

free of charge, btw, on the marketing help. i just like problem solving with people. I also have different ways of approaching collective models (as I've worked in different collective model and my current process is part-collective -- long story). so, if you are interested. :) just peer to peer discussion on how to make sure that the people who want what you do -- and there are a lot of them -- can really find you.

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Why I Teach Old-School... · 3 replies · +1 points

A collective is a great idea, but either way, the real trick is in the marketing -- as you say, raising the profile so that you are on-par with the yoga studios.

Before moving here, I basically started to market my classes at a local dance studio -- only 2 of the classes that I taught -- as if they were a single studio. This raised my profile to equal of other studios, and as such, I did see an increase in my client base. It was a great way for me to learn about how to market effectively to attract people to my classes (because people DO want this sort of yoga and they DON'T necessarily want to go to a studio . . . sometimes that is really intimidating).

When i started my studio here, I only had 6 classes. It's a small number -- hardly 'on par' with a full blown studio. But, the method of marketing and the process of expanding as need arose (which is a great way to rely or develop your collective model -- even if you are renting a church hall or dance studio) is what created the larger profile that we now enjoy.

If you'd like some help honing your marketing, just zip me an email and we can chat about it. It takes some thought, planning, experimentation and longevity for analytics, but it can make a huge difference. :)

10 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - Why I Teach Old-School... · 7 replies · +2 points

In the article, I was really curious about the idea that you are attracting fewer people or have fewer clients than your counterparts. I haven't had that be the case with me.

Like you, I started practicing and teaching before the boom. I teach a mindfulness based, alignment-focused class. I can do that in nearly any setting, as the boom made me quite adaptable as I was called on to teach in a variety of locations (and thereby cultures).

I was excited to open my own studio because I could really bring the aspects of both cultures that I valued to the table. It's mostly "old school" -- but what I learned from modern yoga is how to reach people who want to find you and how to make what you do accessible to them. But the yoga -- how I teach and the other cultural elements of the studio -- is 'old school.' :D

We opened two years ago. We moved to a new city, and I had no established client base. In two years, we went from a 6 class schedule in a room that fits 12 people to a 20 class schedule in a room that fits 26 people. I'd say we are doing quite well -- even without being all "new fangled."

Or perhaps, what is old is new again? :)

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - I've Got a Bone to Pic... · 0 replies · +1 points

Yes, the FB rules changed, and so the client either has to opt-in a second time OR you have to pay to make sure everyone who "likes" you has viewed it. We opted to just allow the opt-in to do it's work. Our FB is pretty minimal -- we mostly share our blog posts, blog posts from others whom we really like (like my friend Nadine in Aussie -- is that cross promoting? LOL), and then anything that I find funny. . .like Gonzo's (the muppet) DIY enlightenment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IRQaeE4z4Y

That cracks me up every time!

11 years ago @ elephant journal: Yoga... - I've Got a Bone to Pic... · 0 replies · +1 points

Only if you need a refill for your chia pet. ;)

IntenseDebate Comment System

Connect with jenifermparker

People I'm following

jenifermparker