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How is 502 Power Yoga’s Teacher Training different?

How is 502 Power Yoga’s Teacher Training different?

by | Jun 20, 2016 | Teacher Training, Uncategorized

How is 502 Power Yoga’s Teacher Training different from others in Louisville?

by Cat Scott

There are now several places throughout Louisville you can get your 200 Hour Yoga Instructor Certification, so we thought we would explain how 502 Power Yoga’s Teacher Training differs from the other offerings in town:

  1. You will learn to teach a powerful yoga class.

    Maybe this seems like an obvious thing to learn in a Yoga Instructor training, but surprisingly many programs do not spend ANY time–as in zero hours–dedicated to standing in front a group of people and teaching a yoga sequence. We focus on Practice Teaching through many different scenarios and teach our trainees how to really see and connect with students.

  2. This is also a Leadership program.

    In order to stand up and lead a powerful yoga class, you have to drop anything that’s holding you back (fear, doubt, concern for looking good) so you can truly be present for your students. So in addition to learning anatomy, yoga philosophy, and a power yoga sequence, you will spend a portion of the training digging deep to uncover your truest, most authentic self so you can lead from that place.

  3. It isn’t just about teaching a yoga class.

    The discoveries you make about yourself will lead to powerful changes outside of the classroom as well. We’ve seen graduates of our program go on to start their own businesses, begin exciting new relationships, make huge career shifts, deepen bonds with family members, clean up messes with old friends, embark on exciting new endeavors that have always seemed a little scary… I could go on and on. Several graduates of our program choose not to teach yoga but now have the tools and the strength to create the shift in their lives to live authentically and happily.

  4. It’s really f*!&ing hard.

    You will sweat and cry, have breakdowns and breakthroughs, and will be pushed to your edge physically and emotionally. And that’s why this program is so effective. Baron Baptiste says in his book, 40 Days to a Personal Revolution:

    “The question isn’t will I survive if I step out of my comfort zone…it’s will I survive my comfort zone?”

Embracing the Sweaty Hug

Embracing the Sweaty Hug

by | Apr 13, 2016 | Life Experience, Off the Mat, Uncategorized

Embracing the Sweaty Hug

By Britt Bertolotti

My first class at 502 Power Yoga was a Karma class. The room was packed beyond capacity, and the energy was high; you could feel the love when you walked in—which, when you’re new to this style of yoga, like I was, can feel overwhelming. My friend and I were the last two people to lay our mats down and I was ready to get my zen on and tune the world out — which is my default.

When class started and the instructor asked us all to generate hellos/give hugs/shake hands, I freaked out. She wanted me to what? No. I had come to do some yoga and stay in my own secluded world, not to meet new people or hug strangers. Not to mention, I was already sweating, as was most everyone I was asked to hug. Instinctively, I went directly to my friend and hugged her, but soon found I couldn’t avoid contact with other yogis any longer. I hesitantly shook hands and hugged two other already-sweaty people. I felt self-conscious for the entirety of my practice, worrying that the people I hugged were judging me for sweating before class had even started.

Coming into a class at a new yoga studio can be intimidating. However, when I started to meet new people at 502 Power Yoga, I realized that I was NOT alone. Instead, I was in this together with every other yogi in the room. I was connected to a room full of 30+ people—talk about powerful! Side note: The room is hot, full of badass yogis, and everyone is sweating. Nobody is judging!

In that same class, the instructor had us support our neighbors in Airplane Pose. I remember internally having a strong “Nope, nopeity, nope, nope” reaction to this; there was no way I was throwing off my balance to put my sweaty hands on someone else’s sweaty body. And then I felt another yogi’s hand on my shoulder supporting me, which gave me the nudge I needed, and I reached out to support my other neighbor.

Where can you go in your practice once you’ve moved past what is blocking you? For me, letting go of insecurities led me to become more consistent in my practice and made me fall in love with the Baptiste Methodology, which led me to taking the BIG leap to sign up for teacher training with 502 Power Yoga. Removing my rocks opened me up to following my passion and creating some pretty amazing friendships in a community that thrives off of supporting others.

It works that way; the support and community. You may come in feeling nervous, scared, or vulnerable, and then you realize we are here for each other. That support can move mountains (or fly airplanes in my case.) From that, strength in your practice happens. Growth in your life off your mat happens. Big things happen. The sweaty hugs are actually something I look forward to now.

Embrace the sweaty hugs and handshakes—it’s the beginning of something spectacular.

Week One: Vegan Chili & Black Bean Salad

Week One: Vegan Chili & Black Bean Salad

by | Feb 1, 2016 | Recipes, Teacher Training

Week One: Vegan Chili & Black Bean and Corn Salad

by Laura Olinger

Week one of 40 Days to Personal Revolution (40DPR) is here! For many, the most challenging part of 40DPR is sticking with the healthy eating habits. Laura Olinger has taken the time to create some ideas for meals for each week, and she starts us off with some wholesome Vegan Chili to support a heating diet. This chili is great because you can share it with your spouse, kiddos, or save the leftovers for meals throughout the week!

Enjoy!

Week One

For a heating diet: Vegan Chili

Ingredients:

1/2 cup bulgur wheat*

1 cup hot water

28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 yellow onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed

1 heaping teaspoon cumin

1 heaping teaspoon chili powder

1 heaping teaspoon cayenne

2 bell peppers, chopped

15-ounce can corn, drained

15-ounce can black beans, drained
 and rinsed

15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

 

Directions:

Place the bulgur and hot water in a small saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil on high heat, then turn down low and simmer gently for about ten minutes.

 

While the bulgur cooks, heat the olive oil in a large soup pot and sauté the onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne. When the onions are soft and a little translucent, stir in the bell peppers and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes.

 

Add the tomatoes, corn, and beans into the pot. Stir, and continue to heat thoroughly on low heat.

 

Taste the bulgur. When it is cooked and chewy, add it to the pot. Simmer for a few minutes for the flavors to meld.

Serve and enjoy!

 

*Bulgur wheat can be found in the bulk section of many grocery stores; I buy mine at Whole Foods

 

 

For a Cooling Diet: Black Bean and Corn Salad

 

Ingredients:

2 15-ounce cans black beans

1 15-ounce can of no-salt added corn

1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 yellow pepper, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

6 green onions, thinly sliced

Fresh cilantro (optional)

Lime juice, to taste

Salad greens, such as romaine or spinach

 

Directions:

Combine prepared black beans, corn, avocado, bell peppers, tomatoes, green onions, and optional cilantro in a large bowl and mix.

 

When ready to serve, place a bed of salad greens on a plate and spoon mixture on top. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice if desired (or top with another light dressing.)

A Teacher in Training Log

A Teacher in Training Log

by | Nov 10, 2015 | Uncategorized

A Teacher in Training Log

By Jess Malloy

It is the one-week countdown for Winter 2015-2016 Teacher Training (see Becca’s guide on what to bring) and I know I’m not the only one who has mixed feelings about it. Starting something new is always a little unnerving, even if it is a positive thing. Lately, life has been crazy and at times things have been packed so tight that it seems impossible to shove in one more responsibility. And yet starting next weekend, that’s exactly what is going to happen.

When I feel myself start to resist the process, I try and lean into that resistance. It makes me think about Frog Pose and how sometimes I just want to cry, or how I feel I can barely breathe but in a really weird way I kind of like it. It can still hurt, but taking it to that edge makes me better. I’ve learned these lessons already on my mat as a student. I think that through the training I’m going to start to see what it means to take that surrender off my mat.

For those who don’t know, Tina Guelda wrote all the incoming trainees a letter and she didn’t sugar coat anything. She suggests bringing Ibuprofen regularly because, “Your body and your brain will probably hurt at some point.” She concludes the letter by reminding us all that we are going to need support from family and friends even when we won’t be able to see them. When I first read Tina’s letter, I may have freaked out a little. What have I gotten myself into? But re-visiting it I realize that while it wasn’t coated with sugar, Tina instead dumped a whole lot of salty flavor all over the truth. And my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

What surprises me the most from all of this is how even though I’m a little nervous and I have definitely already held back a few melt-downs, I’m not doubting myself one bit. I’ve seen the support system 502PY has created already through its programs and when it comes down to it, I am not afraid. I have doubts about myself, my abilities, my schedule, my finances, and my mental will to carry on when things get tough, but I have zero doubt that when things get rough that I will have my support system to push me through it all.

As this new challenge sits in full Lotus Pose right on the strong, sturdy, and looming gate of Friday evening, I shudder to think of all the tears, frustrations, and emotional highs that wait for me right on the other side. But then I lean into the challenge, I read comments from my fellow trainees, and in a really weird way, I realize I’m going to like this.

 

 

 

The Survival Guide for Teacher Training

The Survival Guide for Teacher Training

by | Nov 6, 2015 | Teacher Training

The Survival Guide for Teacher Training

By Becca Washer

Next week is the start of the 2015-1016 Teacher Training at 502PY and for those who have signed up, there are probably a lot of questions with what to bring. Though you will want to take the usual items for a power yoga class (see some pro-tips here) you will need to add some additional items to your list. Here is the very unofficial, not-all-inclusive, 502PY TT packing list. All of these things are items that I found to be personally useful, have used again in various workshop/program capacities, and would recommend.

What to Pack

1. Bag – Choose a bag big enough for all your stuff, but that can be squeezed into a lobby cubby. Mine has a zippered part for wet clothes, this was an awesome feature, but if your bag doesn’t have a separate zipper for sweaty clothes, bring some Kroger bags for your post-practice goods.

2. Lunch Bag/Cooler – Nothing huge, just something to keep your cold stuff from getting up to 90 degrees in the steamy studio.

3. Water Bottles – I had two bottles, one for water and one for Powerade. Personal preference here but make sure you always have water with you and something with electrolytes to replenish. Coconut water is another great option in addition to your usual water. #Protip: Hydroflasks keep water cold throughout the day (and they are sold in the studio!)

4. Yoga Clothes – I recommend two full sets of clothes for each full day.

5. Comfort Items – For me this was Glide, deodorant, contact solution, and chapstick. #Protip: Vaseline on the brow can help keep sweat from dripping into the eyes.

6. Liquid BandAid – Lots of yoga means dried feet and hands in the winter months. I had cracks/cuts on my toes and this is the only thing that stayed on during sweaty classes.

7. Baby Wipes – a.k.a “showers”

8. Towels – Mat and hand towels. I also used two mats during teacher training, so I could have one drying and one in use.

9. Pens/Pencils – Bring extra, they get lost and you will loan them out.

10. Hair Bands/Bobby Pins

11. Electrolytes – Personal preference here and there are lots of options, I like Honey Stinger Chews and Powerade.

12. Study Materials – Breaks are for eating, changing, and studying. BONUS: Here are my online Sanskrit flashcards, because I love you all! 

13. Nail Kit

14. Selfie Stick (Optional) – Because it’s fun to act like goobers.

15. Lululemon Vinyasa Scarf (Optional) – the most versatile piece of gear you can have.

Not Pictured: Binder, journal, and books. A watch. Food and snacks (bring a variety – sweet and salty, granola bars, fruit, sandwiches, salads, chips and salsa or guac – whatever you will actually eat and will not make you want to throw up after a few leap frogs). Wallet – I just threw my wallet and phone in my bag.

Fellow TT Grads comment below with your must-have items!

Most importantly, know that all you need is to show up ready and willing! And that CVS is right across the parking lot and Jimmy John’s delivers.