Blog: My Journey to Become a Yoga Teacher

On February 28th I received my first official certification to teach Yoga, something I have practiced all of my adult life.  

How it began?  

It was in an Eastern Studies stack of the library at Lake Forest College that I first discovered The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnu-devananda. It had been published in 1960. It was filled with illustrations of yoga asanas, ripe with information on vegetarian nutrition, breathing excercises, fastidious and strange cleansing traditions and a spiritual world view that fascinated me.

I was an Anthropology student and drawn to the diversity of world cultures. I delved into Eastern religion and traditions... and as a fledgling yogi, I practiced asanas and breathing exercises from Swami Devananda's book as a diversion from hours of studying under flourescent bulbs, in cubicles and dorm rooms, and the constant hunch of my shoulders from carrying, reading, writing - as well as the general physical wear and tear of student life (late nights and partying included).  

The fascination stuck with me and over the years, throughout my varied career paths, theatre, film, business. Throughout motherhood, teaching, non-profit work and a consistent artistic practice, I always found time for my yoga. When I worked as a performer, yoga was a part of our daily warm ups. When I was a mom, yoga was the turn-to de-stresser and tweaked-limb unwinder.  Ultimately, when I founded my own non-profit, California Living Histories, which was my last day job, I studied yoga two to three days a week to keep me focused, balanced and occasionally serene in the process of delivering art and cultural programs to thousands of city kids.  

It never occurred to me to study to become a yoga teacher throughout all that time. My kids had mentioned it to me once or twice, and a couple of friends... but I never really considered it. Yoga was my personal luxury, my private go-to to get away place.  So when I began to consider "well, what's next?" last year, I mentioned possibly teaching yoga to my husband. He responded immediately.  He said, "that makes more sense than any idea you have had in the last two years." Strangely, my kids (now adults) concurred. So, I decided to give it a try.

And last week after seven months of study, a trip to Rishikesh, India, and hundreds of hours on the mat, I turned a lifetime of practice into the beginning of a new chapter in my life. It really is a dream come true. The opportunity to teach my passion and show what it has done for me to others is exciting.  

I will be posting class opportunities along with articles explaining more about yoga and opportunities available in our community.  I hope you will join me on a most fruitful journey towards and supple mind and body.