I started teaching in 2001 and became a full-time yoga instructor in 2005. My practice and understanding of yoga is constantly evolving. It began as a great physical workout that has now become a sublime exploration of my energetic body as well. Through the pervading uncertainty and chaos in life, yoga reminds me to appreciate the exquisite simplicity of what I am here and now.
I owe my highest gratitude to the following people who helped to shape my yoga studies and career: Katharine, my then roommate and still very dear friend, who, in 2000, convinced me to try out my first yoga class. She thought it would compliment all my jogging and rollerblading. I took the class and became hooked from that day forth. Monti Mayrend, an Iyengar teacher, who taught me the importance of progression and patience in a yoga practice. Monti gave me my first teaching opportunities. Robert Boustany, a master yoga teacher, who taught me that it's really not about the yoga. I completed his year-long teacher training - one of the most comprehensive trainings I've experienced thus far - in 2002. Dharmavirsingh Mahida, my teacher in Pune, India during summer 2002, who encouraged me to teach. He was a scholar, a musician, and an amazingly skilled and intuitive yoga adjuster. Ana Forrest, founder of Forrest yoga, whose teachings have given me the courage, compassion, and intuition to connect to the very core of my breath and being. I completed Ana's Advanced Teacher Training in 2007 and will be completing her Foundational Teacher Training in July 2008. All my yoga students, past and present. I thank them for their diligence on the mat, their many questions about how-to-do's, injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, and much more. They make me learn the answers if I don't readily know them. I'm inspired by their commitment and dedication to yoga. And last but not least, my husband, who critiqued my teaching style. It is because of him that I instruct classes with better conciousness, conciseness and poignancy.
When teaching, I keep a close eye on my students. My classes are vigorous yet still accessible to all levels. Beginners and experienced practitioners alike can attend. I teach poses in stages so that everybody in the room is able to do something interesting. Every pose gives you a chance to learn and grow, no matter what stage of the pose you're in. I want my students to build up their own body heat in poses rather than rely on a heavily heated room. Most of my classes are vinyasa-based and are designed to make you sweat out and strip away stubborn layers of stress that stiffen your mind and body. The combination of strength, flexibility, and breath power you develop through yoga will help you to realize the amazing potential for your mind and spirit. Class tempo varies from slow to medium-fast with exploratory holds to give beginners more time to learn and experienced students more time to venture deeper. Be prepared to play with the edges of your breath and body, to make new discoveries about yourself, and to leave class feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated. See you in class!
On-going Public Classes
Check out my schedule if you would like to attend a class. Most studios will have mats and props for you to borrow, but it is always better to bring your own for hygienic reasons. If you have any injuries, concerns, or are pregnant, please tell me before class starts so that I can modify poses for you. Most people sweat in my classes (no, I don't teach hot yoga), so it might be a good idea to bring a towel and some water in a re-useable bottle with you.
Private Lessons
In your private lessons, I create an entire sequence of poses that are tailored to your specific needs. There is more time for me to answer questions and to provide you with more hands-on adjustments in a private setting. Your lessons can take place in a studio, in your home, or at your office. Private lessons are good for students who can't fit public classes in their schedules, have physical conditions that need special attention, want to progress faster, or just prefer the comfort of privacy. Contact me for more details. Click here to register for private lessons.
Yoga at the Workplace
Yoga at the workplace creates a sanctuary for employees to recuperate from the daily stresses of work. The daily confinements to a desk can cause undue tension in the neck, shoulders, and hips. Employees can learn stretching techniques that improve circulation and rejuvenate all those bodily areas that are commonly over-stressed from sitting all day. Yoga is not just a great workout for the body; it also exercises and calms the mind. Many employees work long days, commute long distances, take care of their families in the evenings. It would be difficult for them to exercise regularly amidst their busy schedules. Regular exercise promotes good health and high spirits. Healthier employees take less sick days and create a happier and more productive work environment. I recommend either morning or lunchtime yoga classes at the workplace. Contact me for more details.
Below are commonly asked questions that people ask me about yoga. If you have a question, I'd love to try and answer it! Email me at catherine [at] yogasublime [dot] com or fill out the contact form.
What is yoga?
You can google "What is yoga" to get a more thorough and scholastic definition. Since you're already reading this, stick around for my rudimentary answer...Yoga is an exercise science for the physical body (including brain) and the energetic body. In my classes you practice a series of poses combined with breathing exercises (asana and pranayama) that exercise your brain, body, and character for about 60-90 minutes. Yoga can be a life tool for heightening your love for living and learning by unleashing the power of your courage to relinquish any emotional and/or physical trauma trapped in your body. Talk is cheap. Come to class to find out what yoga is and how you can use it to improve the quality of your life :)
Should I weightlift/run/cycle before or after yoga?
If you're taking my class, I don't think you will need to do any of those things immediately before or after my class. But if you really love lifting, running, cycling, etc, (which are all wonderful forms of exercise) I suggest that you do it before yoga. Yoga will stretch and balance your body and brain. The modern forms of cardio exercising only work a limited number of muscle groups and are relatively imbalancing. So do your lifting, then come to yoga class.
Is yoga only for women?
Ironically, for centuries yoga could only be practiced by men of elite stature. In my classes, sometimes the women outnumber the men, sometimes the men outnumber the women, and sometimes they're equal. Yoga benefits all people, whether they are men, women, green, orange, big, or small.