Scoliosis and Why I'm not Yoga Alliance Certified

Why I'm not Yoga Alliance Certified

While I was riding my bike this morning spirit guided me to write this for my blog. I think this is an important topic because people might wonder why I do not have the E-RYT 500 credential by my name.

I started training and teaching yoga 25 years ago. I was already and nationally certified fitness instructor with several fitness certifications. The most well-known is the ACSM (American Counsel of Sports Medicine) fitness instructor certification. I worked really hard studying and training for all of my fitness certifications and had already been working as a fitness professional for 10 years before I started my career in yoga.

When elite sports clubs started to offer yoga, there was no one to cover for their classes if the instructor couldn't make the class. So a TriYoga instructor trained me to help her when she needed a sub and then she eventually asked me to take over the class. I enjoyed yoga so much that I continued training in Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Bikram, Yin, Restorative, Yoga for Cancer and Breast Cancer, Viniyoga, Krishnamacharya Yoga, Paramahansa Yogananda, Kundalini, Sivananda, Yoga Tune-up and more. I started teaching 25 years ago and have had a successful and happy career. I do not stick with one school of yoga but I teach mostly from the styles of Krishnamacharya and his students. I also enjoy Bikram and Yin.

I have been asked to do teacher training but for some reason I never felt a calling for it. I have taught private teacher trainings to other fitness instructors and they were able to use my training as continuing education. I think the reason is because yoga teacher training is quite a business. Because it is difficult to make very much money teaching classes and it is easy to get depleted of energy (instructor burn-out), many seasoned yoga teachers go into the business of teacher training and trying to run studios. This was not where my path was to be. I enjoy being more of a service provider than running a business. I enjoy doing healing work and training people in energy therapy. Getting back to Yoga Alliance.

Yoga Alliance started to become a popular organization about 10 years after I was already teaching yoga for private clients and group classes. I don't think Yoga Alliance is bad for yoga but I did not feel attracted to get involved unless I wanted to certify and train instructors. There are many international organizations such as the Yoga of Krishnamacharya (which I received my certificate in India) that have no interest in being involved with Yoga Alliance either. I do feel like it's a little disturbing that Yoga Alliance has become a monopoly for instructors to get Certified through. It seems like more people are more concerned about Yoga Alliance certification than what yoga schools you were trained in and how much you can work with other people's bodies. I can always tell a good long-term yoga teacher because they can spot anyone in class and know how to work with them. From an advanced fit individual, to an injured person, an out of shape person, a person with a spine condition, etc. For example, I have a double curve in my back, or double Scoliosis. It is really rare to find any Yoga instructor, or any other medical professional to see and realize that I have a back condition. Even though I have had an X-Ray of my spine showing a curve when I was a teenager with back pain, the doctors thought the curve was due to my pain. It was my gymnastic coach that noticed something was unusual about my back but no one ever treated it and since I always exercised it never bothered me. I have seen so many Osteopathic doctors, Chiropractors and Physical Therapist, and not one diagnosed my condition. A double curve in my spine! Finally, I diagnosed it myself. I knew it right away after watching "Yoga for Scoliosis" with Elise Browning Miller, a senior Iyengar yoga instructor. This was at AGE 50!! When I went to my Osteopathic Doctor for body work, I said, "I have a double curve in my back right?" He said said,"Yes, you do!!" He then pointed out where they were on my back. From what I understand from looking at her website, Elise is not a Yoga Alliance Certified instructor and she conducts teacher training without Yoga Alliance Certification. So I think that when you have been teaching yoga and fitness as long as I have, it's more of a matter of choice than necessity regarding Yoga Alliance. If I was just getting into teaching yoga now, Yoga Alliance would be a natural part of my training.

Creative Expression

Creative Expression is important to overall wellness/wellbeing and important to others too! I get to have a career to express myself creatively. Today I will teach a senior fitness class, a group cycling class, and a gentle yoga class. I have been teaching fitness for over 30 years. With all of my training, education, and experience, I put it all together creatively while I teach. I also get to put together music that helps me with my creativeness. When I teach I usually let myself be guided by drawing on my extensive fitness/yoga background, combined with the music, and most of all the energy of the students. I like to add some playfulness to our experience and try not to be too serious, although, I am very serious over everyone’s safety and wellbeing. Other ways I express my creativity is cooking (rarely do I use a recipe), dressing/shopping, planting flowers and vegetables, taking art classes, planning classes and workshops, learning new things, reading, watching a movie or show, going to a performance, drawing with my grandkids, playing with my grandkids, family and friends, walking the dogs, exercising, writing, singing, dancing, speaking and making love. I bet so many people express themselves creatively without even realize it. Our bodies are an amazing outlet for creative expression. I always encourage students and clients to connect with their bodies and to breath. To those of you, who read this post, let go of self-judgments, have fun, be like a child and play. Don’t worry about drawing inside the lines, be more colorful, and let go a little of your perfections. If you are at work and sitting in front of the computer, take a moment to stretch, smile, and breathe deeply.

Mother Healing

 "As your feelings toward your mother heal, your desires manifest more rapidly and accurately."

At night before I go to bed, I like to pick a card from my Magical Mermaids and Dolphins cards from Doreen Virtue. These cards help to show us what blockages we have in our subconscious mind that might interfere with our goals and manifestations. The card I pulled last night was "Mother Healing." I have had this type of card come up several times with other decks in the past, but didn't understand what the message was since I already am quite healed regarding my mother issues. Before I drew the card I was feeling some anxiety so I was really curious of what card I would pick to see if I would get some insight. So...I was a little disappointed when I drew the Mother Healing card. 

As I opened myself up to guidance I was told that there was more healing to be done with my mother and it directly relates to my anxiety I suffer with. As I listened to the counsel from my Angeles, I learned that when I was young I felt disappointment from my mother and other negative energies that are still in my system. These old negative energies are influencing my feelings of fear and anxiety that I have sometimes. So I prayed and opened myself up to the Angels to heal me. I had an immediate response of healing. I also did this first thing when I woke up before and after I said my morning affirmations. 

I share this publicly not because I wanted to, but because I was guided to. Anxiety and fear is a real problem for so many people. Anxiety and fear is like a energetic blockage of like a "field of onions" for most people. It also seeps into your energy system like a virus, and it starts to take on a life of its own. Sometimes its right in your face and other times it's hidden and you don't realize it's there until "Pow" it socks you in the stomach. 

May 9, 2016

Environmentalism and Self-Wellness
I am so excited to share with you that I just completed Doreen Virtue's course on Fairyology. Fairyology is the study of fairies, elementals, mermaids, etc. I learned the history and how all of this relates to environmentalism and manifesting on earth. I also learned how to give ferry readings. In addition to my fairy cards that I've used for 10 years in my practice, I recently bought the Mermaid and Dauphin cards for readings. I love them! The Mermaid and Dauphins are water elementals. They assist us to manifest goals especially regarding career and or other big life changes, by helping us realize what might be blocking us in our deep unconscious or subconscious mind.
Completing this course has made me even more aware of world wide environmental issues. One of the new things I do is actively bring bags with me to put litter/trash in when I take my dogs for their daily 3-4 mile walk. Environmentalism covers a wide range of topics including animal care, and rights, Air pollution, chemicals in products that will pollute our environment, clean water (ocean and fresh water), recycling, etc. I'm not perfect but I am striving to do better to be an environmentalist. 
After taking this course I became very interested in researching the topic on if people have experienced a healing from acts of environmentalism. As a Wellness Professional, I have learned about, researched, and witness the benefits of many forms of: fitness/exercise, diet, alternative medicine, psychology, energy therapy, yoga, qigong, meditation, vacations/retreats, petting animals, spirituality, attitude of gratitude, prayer, etc., benefiting a persons' overall health and wellness.
I am looking for participants who are willing to give me their story and let me share it publicly on how acts of environmentalism caused a healing for them-self or someone they were praying for. A healing could be mental such as healing a mood disorder, attitude shift, answer to a problem or challenge, a physical healing such as an injury or disease, or any other intense healing you would like to share. 
You can also share how not being environmentally conscious or acts of non-environmentalism caused some sort of reaction towards self-wellness. I think this is also good to look at.

May 2, 2016

Environmental Awareness

Working on my Fairyology Certificate has really helped bring fire to the flame of my interest in Environmentalism. I had an amazing realization recently that I wish to share for on this blog. I had an insight that Environmentalism is just as much a part of fitness and wellness as diet, exercise, yoga, meditation, therapy, friends, vacation, etc. I don't think it is possible to practice wellness and not be conscious of how animals are treated, the pollution in the air and water, litter on the ground and water, pesticides on our food and stuff being sprayed in the air, GMO's (some are good some aren't) etc. We are spiritual beings living in earthly bodies and therefore we are apart of great mother earth. I feel in my heart the more we take care of the earth, plants, animals, etc., we will naturally feel joyful and blessed. I need to go for now but I wish to inspire people to incorporate environmentalism into their wellness program.

April 27, 2016

Fairyology

One of my favorite teachers is Doreen Virtue Ph.D. I learned about Doreen shortly after I became a Master-Instructor Integrated Energy Therapist (IET) connecting with the Angels and doing healing work. Doreen Virtue is also a teacher of Angels and gives Angel readings. She has written many books and designed many decks of cards, i.e. Angel Cards, Fairy Cards, Mermaid Cards, Ascended Master Cards, and many other decks of cards that are uplifting and helpful to my clients. Doreen also gives weekly and sometimes daily readings on YouTube. I resonate with what Doreen teaches and I like how she teaches. Just last week she introduced her brand new Fairyologist course that I just "HAD" to sign up for. 

I have been enjoying the course so far. Doreen (a clairvoyant), has traveled around the world researching fairies, mermaids, elementals, unicorns, genies, and on and on... It is so interesting the ancient history and writings about this topic. I love learning about history. She even talks about the old the tradition of the tooth fairy is. As a clairvoyant, Doreen can see the fairies and hear them communicate. The most important message that is stressed is that fairies are earth bound, so they have a sort of body, and an ego, and they care for the environment. So throughout this course it is stressed to care for the environment and to pick up litter. I will share more about this course in future blog posts.

April 23, 2016

Farewell to Prince

I was surprised to read that Prince died at such a young age at 57. I am a fan of Prince and admire his hard work and dedication to his music. It is clear that he is another example of someone so dedicated and disciplined to doing what he loves most and he started at such a young age. His hard work and self discipline inspired, healed and brought joy to so many. His creativity reached the stars. I listened to my recent Prince CD 'Art Official Age' on the iphone this morning as I Jogged my dog Maia. I usually take the dogs out about 3.5 miles daily. Today Scooter decided to stay home. The writing and music seems personal with so much depth. I found the last song, Affirmation III, to be very special. I particularly enjoy the line towards the end of the song:

"Remember, there is only one destination and that place is you! All of it, everything is you."

Prince

April 22, 2016

Earth Day and Passover

I thank the Goddess for the creation of an amazing planet! If there is one thing I can be certain about, the divine God/Goddess is so creative. I am so humbled by how vast and amazing the universe is. I love watching and learning about science and learning about the earth, how it was formed and everything else about the history of earth. My mind has a hard time wrapping its head around the seemingly infinite amount of the plants, creatures, colors, weather, land,water, and just everything about the earth. It is amazing to me that I can feel the energy of stones, trees, climate and altitude shifts, animals emotions and sometimes thoughts. Finally, I am amazed by people, another one of earths creations. I am constantly amazed by how intelligent and creative people are. How we know and have learned, all of the things we know about the universe and of earth. The amazing things people invent, the humor, the entertainment, the art...But most of all, the acts of kindness and love that people do. There is no end to creation's creativity and that creativity exists in us!!

April 21, 2016

Full Moon Blessings

I wish blessings, love and healing light to all divine creations of this planet. I wish for peace and wellness in each soul. I am so thankful to be alive. I am thankful for my home, family, friends, animals and the work that I do. I see, how the divine universe loves and supports me through people, animals, spirits, angels, earth, elements, and fairies. I am excited to get started on my faryologist course with Doreen Virtue.

April 20, 2016
Insightful Relaxation
A few years ago I decided to create a new website and get rid of my old one. I thought long and hard to find a way to describe the work that I do and create a new name. It was challenging because so many of my ideas were already taken. The Angels and the Goddess helped me and when Insightful Relaxation came to my mind I felt really excited about it. 

Much of my work involves helping people relax. Relaxation helps reduce stress and mental/energetic blockages. I have found that when my clients come to me they are open to doing what it takes to manifest their goals and intentions. Their ability to trust in healing and relax has been an important step to this process. What is amazing is the important insights that deep relaxation and healing brings. 

I have worked with people facing so many challenges. Some are going through law-suits, relationships/marriage problems, divorce, job/carrier changes or problems, illness, injuries, etc. When faced with big changes and challenges clients seek clarity on making decisions and understanding their current/past situations, and how to proceed with future goals. 

I have witnessed amazing Insightful realizations during deep relaxation process. Through relaxation, clients have become intouch with their intuition, visions, divine guidance, and messages to their angels and guides. 

April 19, 2016

My word for today is Success

An insight was given to me today by one of my mentors regarding success that I thought was wonderful and I'd like to share it with you in my own words. When creating success in my life, remember that God/Goddess or Universe is Success! And...Because God is in me,  I am success. 

I found that I have a blockage or Psychological Reversal towards creating success. I discovered that i have a fear of success because I will be more known by others and there is a fear of criticisms or saying something that other people might take wrong, or making a mistake, etc.

I did one round of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) around this and wow! There was so much energy there to be cleared. Just one round of treatment really helped because I finally started this blog! Something I haven't wanted to do even though I have been counseled to do it for so many years!!