Namaste Series: I'm Teaching

So the hard work and challenge of Yoga teacher training came to a close upon leaving Austin, TX, and I have to admit, I had a strong mix of emotions at the conclusion. I was sad not to have our close group training sessions, I was anxious at the prospect of leading my own classes and I was uncertain as to what the next step in my yoga life would even be with this experience under my belt.

Upon arriving in Santiago, of course I scouted out local yoga classes for my own personal practice. After discovering there were virtually no classes to be found in the city in English (thank god for YogaGlo), I started trying various styles at local studios in Spanish. After a visit to a class at my favorite vegetarian restaurant, El Huerto, I met with the teacher who told me he was in need of some extra help during the week due to his shift in schedule. Que Suerte! I thought, how lucky to find an opportunity to begin my yoga teaching career. After a test run of teaching the teachers, I was hired for Mon/Wed night classes, with the intention of teaching in English while incorporating as much Spanish as I could. And that's when it sunk in….holy Sh*t!  What am I doing? I don't know if I'll be a good teacher? What if I mess up? I don't even know how to speak fluently in Spanish, how can I teach in another language? thoughts, nerves, anxious worrying swirled around for a bit, until I came to terms with my options. I could be scared, say no and go on about my day. Or I could be brave, face my fears and jump in.

It's hard as a beginning teacher to think about the teachers you respect and learn from and try and picture yourself at that level. And I finally convinced myself to realize that I'm not at that level yet, and hopefully I can be one day, and that every teacher had to have a first class. So with that intention, I started the journey of creating my own yoga community in Santiago.

Now, 6 weeks later, I am amazed at how enriched this experience has been for me and, I hope, for my new students. I have grown in confidence, I am taking risks in the studio and I am making new friends along the way. This opportunity has allowed me to aspire to grow my own yoga community, and specifically English speaking yoga community, here in Santiago. I've created a page for us to collaborate on this adventure, so share the love and give it a like! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Community-Yoga-Santiago/101018096757664?fref=ts

I'm looking forward to the journey ahead in my yoga career. I can only my own positive intentions, spirit and challenges are impacting my students each time they step on their mat. Namaste.

A Life Abroad

View of the city from my Providencia apt

I apologize for the absence of posts for more than a few weeks now…Unfortunately, life tends to get in the way of some of our extracurricular hobbies and it has certainly been a busy one for me as of late.
But now, after beginning to find a balance and routine, I have finally begun to feel a bit more settled in a new life abroad.



Backtracking a few weeks, I was so privileged to be part of the Wanderlust Chile festival in mid- February.  3 days filled with yoga, music, nature and community in the beauty of Termas de Chillan (in the South of Chile). The yoga was blissful, the music vivacious and the energy contagious and, fortunately for me, I made some very dear friends from the experience.

Wanderlust Chile

In addition to new friends, I had the opportunity to experience a traditional Temazcal ceremony during the festival. Temazcal in Spanish refers to the small enclosed structure where hot stones are introduced, over which is poured an infusion of medicinal plants and water to produce steam. This creates a type of "sweat lodge" or sauna in which people are gathered inside for a ceremony led by a spiritual guide who uses chants, visualizations and meditation exercises among other tactics that serve to guide the emotions and group dynamics. The Temazcal is recognized as a place of ritual ceremony that improves the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual being.  Percussion instruments and songs help participants release and express emotions, while assisting in the focus of the true purpose; connecting with mother nature. I am fascinated with learning about new spiritual activities and, this one in particular, was so impactful for its ability to open my heart, connect with the energy of the people around me and connect with mother nature. A few weeks later in Santiago, we were able to reunite with a Temazcal in Cajon del Maipo. I feel very lucky that I have been able to take part in this ritual both times amongst the majestic beauty of mountains and greenery.

Temazcal in Cajon del Maipo

Also in February, I had a wonderful visit with my mom who traveled over from the States. We spent two jam packed weeks touring Santiago, enjoying very fine cuisine, escaping to the Atacama desert for the weekend and relaxing along the coast in Valparaiso. It was so special to share my Chilean life with family from home and have a familiar face around. Definitely bittersweet to say goodbye at the end, but I have the excitement of looking forward to another family visit from my sister very soon.

Me and mom in Valparaiso

Now, back in Santiago and finding my groove, I have spent the last few weeks balancing a full time job with meeting new friends, taking advantage of the still-summer weather with outdoor runs and al fresco dining, teaching and practicing yoga (more on that later), planning some upcoming travel and even filming a commercial that will run in the USA in the spring!

Summer nights in the city

So it seems, the gypsy has found a state of being, staying in one place and creating a "normal life" at least for the moment….