Question 1: Hi, I'm Elena from Spain and first of all I would like to congratulate you for such amazing website. It's fantastic and I like it very much. I'm interested in becoming a yoga teacher and I would like to ask you, if you don't mind, how I become one. Where did you take your training? Thank you very much. Best wishes.
Answer 1: I did my teacher training in Thailand through Tribe. The husband and wife team who lead my program just welcomed a baby, so I think they're taking a break from trainings, but here's what to consider when looking for a yoga teacher training program. And what they don't tell you at yoga teacher training. All the best to you!
Pin it! Lizard pose.
Question 2: Whenever I attempt lizard pose, I have an issue on my left side. It feels as though something "pops". I would say it most feels like a tendon or ligament "snapping" over a joint. Until this happens I am not able to get a stretch on this side and the actual "popping" can be quite painful. Any idea whats going on? Any advice on how to overcome this?
Answer 2: This happens to me, too. You're right, it's likely just the tendon moving over the joint. The best advice I can give is to approach that side (well, and everything) with a sense of ease. Always move slowly into lizard, and with total awareness and sense of presence. It's a major hip opener, so being sure you're properly warmed up is key. (You could do this yoga video for hips to warm up.) The other thing I suggest is using yoga blocks as shown above to modify.
Related: Here's a great yoga video to warm up for lizard pose.
Question 3: What are the best yoga poses or yoga flows for relieving or reducing headaches and migraines? I've done internet searches for yoga poses, but I wanted to know if you had any recommendations of poses.
Answer 3: I can't say for sure what will work, just because I think there are so many different types of headaches and they all stem from different reasons (sometimes a big glass of water and a couple hours of sleep the best medicine), but when I get tension headaches, the following feels really good: Cat/Cow (especially cat pose), seated twist (shown above), and a yin yoga practice.
Question 4: Hey there! I'll keep this quick. I have been practicing yoga for about 7 years, pretty consistently. I have recently deepened my home practice and have become more committed to my yoga overall. I am interested in doing a 100 hour yoga teacher retreat training through a studio in my city. My reasoning for choosing a 100 hour vs 200 hour training is that I am not looking to be a career yoga teacher, and am mainly doing the training to help strengthen my own practice and see what it may lead to for me spiritually, socially, etc. Do you think a 100hour yoga teacher training is worthwhile? I know this is the bare minimum in terms of teacher training, but like I said, I am basically doing this for myself, and not as a change in careers.
Answer 4: Hmm. I could definitely be wrong, but usually a shorter training like that is presented as an add-on to those who have graduated from 200hr teacher training, and generally has a focus on something designed to improve an instructor's teaching. Is the focus something new to you? Something you feel you would benefit from? Is it advertised as a teacher training? If so, find out specifically what will be covered. I think if I were in your shoes I would look for a yoga retreat that has a focus on going deeper (I've heard great things about 10 day silent retreats. Or, shameless promotion, consider coming to one of mine), only because a teacher training may include classes on business, ethics, how to give adjustments, etc., and that may not be interesting for you if you're not looking to become a yoga instructor.
Related: 9 things they don't tell you in yoga teacher training.
Picture from our Santa Barbara retreat. Me, wearing: Liquido active leggings c/o, soft joie tank (similar)
Question 5: I came across your website a few weeks ago and just wanted to write to you to say thank you for all that you do.
I'm currently doing my yoga teacher training here in Australia and I feel a huge connection in the way that you teach. You have such a beautiful, calming energy and strip away all of the yogi-ego that I sense in some other teachers. I think it's so important to be a guiding hand for students to discover their own truth and you do that wholeheartedly.
As I'm studying, sometimes my ego pops in with wanting to be the 'perfect' yoga teacher. This doubt and strive to be something more than I am, makes me want to turn away from teaching sometimes. Did you ever experience that while you were doing your training?
Thanks again - for bringing me back to my heart. I can't wait to keep learning and growing with you.
Answer 5: Thank you so much for your kind words. I had to take a couple of days to really think about your question. Not only did I sort of experience that with teaching, but I still do. All. The. Time.(When I'm teaching other teachers, when students critique me, when I'm teaching yoga abroad.)
And I'm not sure that's really a bad thing. I mean, the reason why I say I 'sort of' experienced that is because for me it wasn't about wanting to be perfect, but wanting to be the best I could be. I was (and am) always studying, researching, experimenting, trying new things, thinking about how I can deliver a better class, write a better blog post, create a better yoga video. I'd go to sleep thinking about new songs I couldn't wait to play in class, and how I could sequence the class better when playing x, y, or z song.
Take away the word perfect. You're just trying to be the best you can be. And what's wrong with that?
I understand what you're saying about the yogi-ego, greater-than-thou thing some teachers have going on. That's been a turn off for me, too. But I think that's just because that style isn't what speaks to us. While we might see it as a yogi-ego, it might come across really genuine to other people. I have to not pass judgement toward that teacher because she or he is likely being the best version of themselves that they can. At the root of it, they're essentially doing the same thing we are - trying to be their best. The thing I've learned is that yoga really is for everyone, and different people will gravitate toward different teachers with various ways of teaching, tones of voice, styles of practice, etc. There's room for everyone. I don't think there's a problem with wanting to do your best, study and soak up as much as you can so you can be your version of a perfect instructor. What's wrong with that? Stay positive, and don't let that little voice of self-doubt creep up. You are already amazing because you're thinking about these things, staying curious and keeping yourself in check. You'll be an incredible teacher!
Related: My thoughts from taking a bad yoga class.
Question 6: Hi Candace! My friend and I read your blog daily and we find it hugely inspirational and informative! We're very passionate about yoga as well and considering starting a blog. How did you get your blog started and what advise do you have for aspiring bloggers? Thanks!
Answer 6: Thanks for the love! I followed a bunch of blogs, but never was able to find one about yoga that was regularly updated, so I started my own. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to write about what you love, and write about it often. Try to find a way to make your blog stand out - whether it's through your tone of voice, the style of your photos, or a certain way you present new content. Keep the creativity going and your passion with shine through. All the best!