Meet our teacher Kara
When and how did you come to yoga?
My journey into yoga began at a young age while in high school. I was an athlete seeking to find a way to stay in shape during the off-season. The very first class I attended was a 90-minute intense Bikrim class heated at 105 degrees. I went in looking for a physical work out but gained so much more than that. I really started to understand what it was to have a mind, body and spirit connection. I was instantly hooked!
As my journey progressed, I began to branch out to different types of yoga, which then lead to me to vinyasa while studying at University of Colorado in Boulder. This is when my true passion to teach was sparked. Vinyasa spoke to me on a deeper level. Using breath and movement during flow really helped me to find moving meditation in my practice, which is something I never experienced before.
Why did you start teaching yoga?
Yoga spoke to me on such a personal level that I felt a need to share the gift of yoga with others. I have always felt the need to be able to help people and yoga was the perfect way to do so. Being an instructor is a very rewarding position. Not only do you start to create connections with your students but also you have the privilege to watch their practices grow. The most rewarding part about teaching however, is the ability to have your students start to teach you. I have learned so much about myself as a teacher through my students. They are the ones who inspire me every single day.
What is your favorite pose?
Being a sensation seeker, I am always looking for the next challenge! I love arm balances and inversions. However, tree pose is my absolute favorite pose. Vriksasana keeps me the most grounded and stable. Balancing poses teach us a lot about life in general. If your balance is off on your mat, your balance is most likely off in life as well. Your roots, your standing foot, is your foundation. I feel connected with mother earth while having the ability to spread my arms, extended and stretch to new lengths.
Who inspires your teaching?
My biggest inspirations are my students and coworkers. Having opportunity to be able to teach at a studio like Yoga By Degrees is truly a blessing. All of our teachers here are so unique. I truly believe that this combination is what sets us apart from other studios. I love walking into a classroom and having the ability to learn and to be challenged. I look forward to coming to work every day.
Tips for beginners
Know that every yogi was a beginner at one point. Be open to exploring your body and let go of judgment and negativity. Your body is unique so it’s important to remember that you do not compare yourself to others in your class. Never let yourself become discouraged on your mat. Yoga is a practice and no one is “perfect” at yoga. Your practice will change from day to day and you have to find acceptance for where you are on your mat that day.
Also, make sure you explore and try out different teachers. You may connect with one teacher over another.
Most importantly, have fun! Don’t take your practice so seriously.
Favorite quote
“We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.”
-Charles R. Swindoll
Yoga By Degrees Fall/Winter 2013 Teacher Training
Yoga by Degrees Fall/Winter 2013/14 Yoga Alliance 200 Hour Teacher Training Information & Schedule Training
Led By: Samantha Raphael, E-RYT, Meghan Rohde, RYT, Loreta Medoniene, RYT & Other Yoga by Degrees Teachers
Informational Meeting: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 – 6:30 – 8:30 PM Western Springs
Every Tuesday In Western Springs 6 – 9:30 PM & Sundays In Wheaton (Aprox. Two Per Month) 10 AM – 6 PM
October 1, 6, 8, 15, 20 22, 29
November 3, 5, 17, 12, 19, 26
December 1, 3, 7 (Anatomy), 8 ( Saturday 10 – 4 PM Anatomy), 10, 15, 17
January 5, 7, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28
Curriculum Includes:
Opening Meditation
Pranayama – Breathing
Asanas – Poses
Teaching Skills
Review of Sequencing
Teaching In Small Groups
Yoga For Special Groups
Yoga Philosophy
Koshas – Sheaths
Gunas – Qualities of Nature
Chakras – Energy Centers
Ayurvedic Healing Techniques
Anatomy
Yoga Ethics
Business of Yoga
Video Review
Written Test
Requirements:
10 Classes of Observing & Assisting A
Senior YBD Teacher
18 Hours Elective Off Site Yoga Workshops
10 YBD Paid Yoga Classes
6 Hours of YBD Paid Workshops
12 Anatomy Workshop
Teach Two Community Classes
Observing and Assisting Reports From 5 Classes
CPR Training
Monthly Homework Assignments
Written Thesis
Required Reading:
YBD Yoga Teacher Training Manual
TKV Desikachar – “Heart of Yoga – Creating A Home Practice”
“Anatomy of Movement” By Blandine Calais-Germain
“Inside The Yoga Sutras: A Comprehensive Source Book For The Study & Practice of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras” – Jaganath Carrera
“Light On Yoga” – B.K.S. Iyengar
Pricing and Discounts:
$250 Deposit To Reserve Space (Limited to 20)
Early Bird Price Due By Sept. 3: $2400
Regular Price Due By Sept 24: $2600
Payment Plan: $1500 Down / $500 x 3 months
First Payment Due By: Sept. 24, 2013
20% Discount For Current Teachers
10% Discount For Autopay, Annual &
Annual Plus Members
To Meet 10 YBD Class Requirement:
Optional $50 Monthly Autopay (Reg. $99)
Specialty Discount Drop In Rate ($14 per class)
10 Class Packs ($125)
Additional Costs:
$30 per YBD Workshop x 3 = $90
Anatomy Workshop at YBD = $200
Offsite Yoga Workshops Aprox. $350
Book Costs = Aprox. $100
In The Event of Cancellation Refund of Full Amount Paid Less:
Before Classes Begin – $150
After 1 Week – $250
After 2 Weeks – $500
After 3 Weeks – $750
No Refunds Given After 3 Weeks From Start Date
Space limited to 20 Students; Stop by either Yoga by Degrees location or call for more info.
Email: info@yogabydegrees.net for application and registration information.
Yoga by Degrees Locations:
241 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton IL 60189 – 630-690-9642
4700 Gilbert Ave. Suite 16, Western Springs IL 60558 – 708-783-1226
Yoga Sculpt Teacher Training Summer 2013!
Inspire, Grow and Change lives by becoming a Yoga Sculpt Teacher!
Yoga Sculpt teacher training will help you reach new heights in your personal practice, while giving you the tools to teach a safe, effective and inspiring Yoga Sculpt class
Step outside of your comfort zone, embrace the teacher within and discover youself in a way you never thought possible!
Yoga By Degrees Yoga Sculpt Teacher Training
Summer 2013
All Sculpt Teacher Training Sessions will be held at the Western Springs Studio:
4700 Gilbert Ave., Western Springs, IL 60558
Saturday, June 15 – 10:30am – 5:30pm
Sunday, June 16 – 10:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday, June 22 – 10:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday, June 29 – 10:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday, July 6 – OFF
Saturday, July 13 – 10:30am – 5:30pm
Certificate Requirements
Lecture (5)
Observe YBD Sculpt (2)
Assist (1)
Homework (4)
Practice (8)
YBD Sculpt (4), YBD 1 (2), YBD 2 (2)
Successfully complete Practicum (Final) Exam
Community Class (1)
Optional:
Karma Yoga
Group Fitness Classes with weights and music
YSTT Leads
Ken Jones
Ken@yogabydegrees.net
Meghan Rohde
Meghan@yogabydegrees.net
Pricing
$1199 (includes 1 month of free yoga)
$1100 early bird and YBD Teacher Training Alumni (includes 1 month of free yoga)
$999 for Members (auto pay, annual and annual plus)
$850 for current YBD Teachers
*Yoga by Degrees wants to offer you any help we can in being a part of our teacher training programs. We will work with your individual financial situation to help give you the opportunity to be a part of the program.
*Limited to 30 students
Teacher of the Month
Meet our Teacher, Lara. She is one of the many amazing teachers here at Yoga By Degrees as well as our featured teacher for the month of February! Read how Lara first came to yoga and how her yoga journey has lead her to where she is now.
When and how did you come to yoga?
I was a gymnast and dancer from the time I could walk. Elements of yoga have always been a part of my life. I didn’t start a truly dedicated practice until a few years ago. Began, looking for cross-training to help my distance running. Started with a solid Bikram practice and fell in love with the heat! I quickly branched out to Ashtanga and Vinyasa. My soul felt SO alive, again. It truly was a homecoming of sorts. What started as a practical cross-training idea, quickly morphed into an opportunity to come to my mat and work on other stuff, too… perfectionism, anxiety, etc.
Why did you start teaching yoga?
True story… knew it was deep in my soul, when I began to literally demo postures in my sleep (my own version of sleep walking, I guess). When you’re dreaming about it and acting it out, it’s probably something you should explore. I found a big part of myself in yoga and hoped to help others find the best of themselves there, too. Teaching is at my core. Spent my post-college years teaching in Corporate America and definitely spend lots of time teaching as a mom of four. After class the other night, one of the students described me as a teacher who, “hugs with my words.” How neat is THAT?! The opportunity to share yoga and connect on that level, fills my heart with gratitude. Best feeling ever.
What is your favorite pose?
Hard to choose just ONE! Depends on the day, I guess. There’s nothing like coming into your breath, while flowing thru a series of sun salutations. Lots of days, I’m alllll about inversions to lift my spirits. I’ll rock out a headstand just about anywhere! Child’s pose helps me get quiet enough to hear my soul. Heart and hip openers are deeeelicious. Balancing asanas take me back to countless hours, spent on the beam. Oops. You asked for ONE.
Who inspires your teaching?
SO blessed to practice and teach at Yoga By Degrees. There’s inspiration everywhere in this beautiful community: the brave students, who open their hearts; the most amazing, supportive, fun and diverse group of teachers ever; the exceptional musicians who make time to share their talent in the live music class; the hesitant students who find a way to push fear aside and try their first few classes. YBD rocks!!
Everyday LIFE, nudges me, too… my four courageous babies; stuff I read; conversations with friends; my own struggles as a student.
Tips for beginners
The other day a friend of mine asked for tips, prior to his first class. Said this, essentially… Quiet the inner critic & enjoy. Someone next to you may look completely different in the postures. That’s THEIR journey. Be YOU! Have FUN! You are enough, just as you are. Rest, drink water, breathe, smile. Repeat.
Get lost in the feeling. It’s not just about the asanas. Read something many months back, about a group of monks who set out on a trip, in the early hours of the morning. Although they’d been rowing steadily for hours, the sun came up & they discovered they were still in the same spot. No one untied the boat! The book likened that, with doing YOGA & only putting your energy into the asanas… never connecting to the FEELING underneath, them. Untie your boat! Close your eyes and FEEL it. Mind. Body. Spirit.
There are so many different types of yoga and teaching styles. Keep searching until you find something that speaks to you.
Favorite quote
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. It is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of the Universe. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of the Universe within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
—Marianne Williamson
Acrobatic-Partner Yoga “Playshop”
Come and join us on February 3rd in Wheaton for a Acrobatic Partner Yoga “Playshop”! You can sign up online or in the studio. Space is limited. See you there!
YBD 200 Hr. Teacher Training Certification Program Kicks-Off March 19th – Reserve Your Space Today!
Yoga By Degrees Spring/Summer 2013 Yoga Alliance Certified 200 Hour Teacher Training Information & Schedule
Training led by Samantha Raphael, E-RYT, Meghan Rohde, RYT, Loreta Medoniene, RYT
and other YBD Teachers
Informational Meeting: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 – 6:30 – 8:30 PM Western Springs
| Tuesdays 5:30 – 9:30 PM In Western SpringsMarch: 19, 26
April: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May: 7, 14, 21, 26, 28 June: 4, 11, 18, 25 July: 2 |
Sundays 10 AM – 6PM In WheatonMarch: 24
April: 7, 14 May: 5 June: 16, 23 July: 7
|
| Curriculum Includes:Opening MeditationPranayama – BreathingAsanas – Poses
Teaching Skills Review of Sequencing |
Teaching in small groupsYoga For Special GroupsYoga PhilosophyKoshas – Sheaths
Gunas – Qualities of Nature Chakras – Energy Centers
|
Ayurvedic Healing TechniquesAnatomyYoga EthicsBusiness of Yoga
Video Review Written Test |
Requirements:
| 10 Classes of Observing and Assisting a Senior YBD Teacher18 Hours Elective Off Site Yoga Workshops10 YBD Yoga Classes10 Hours of YBD Workshops
Teach 2 Community Classes Observing and Assisting Reports From 5 Classes CPR Training Monthly Homework Assignments Written Thesis |
Required Reading: YBD Yoga Teacher Training ManualTKV Desikachar – “Heart of Yoga -Creating A Home Practice”“Anatomy of Movement” By Blandine Calais-Germain
“Anatomy of Hatha” Yoga By H. David Coulter |
Pricing and Discounts:
| $250 Deposit To Reserve Space (Limited to 20)Early Bird Price Due By Feb. 28: $2400Regular Price Due By Mar. 15:$2600Payment Plan : $1500 Down / $500 x 3 months - First Payment Due By: Mar. 15, 2013
20% Discount For Current Teachers 10% Discount for Autopay, Annual and Annual Plus Members |
To Meet 10 YBD Class Requirement:Optional $50 Monthly Autopay (Reg. $99)Specialty Discount drop in rate ($14 per class)10 Class Packs ($125)Additional Costs:$30 per YBD Workshop x 5 = $150
Offsite Yoga Workshops Aprox. $450 Book Costs = Aprox. $200
|
In The Event of Cancellation Refund of Full Amount Paid Less:
| Before Classes Begins – $150After 1 Week – $250 | After 2 Weeks – $500After 3 Weeks – $750No Refunds Given After 3 Weeks From Start Date |
Space is limited to 20 Students; Stop by either Yoga By Degrees locations or call for more information or to register and reserve your spot today! Yoga By Degrees Locations:
241 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton IL 60189 – 630-690-9642
4700 Gilbert Ave. Western Springs Suite 16 IL 60558 – 708-783-1226
Into The New Year On To The Mat – The “Hottest” Resolution For A Lifetime
As we enter into the New Year, many people seek ways to improve their lives by setting resolutions. This often includes health conscious goals. Starting a yoga practice is a guaranteed way to improve your overall physical and mental health. Unlike so many physical exercises, yoga is a life-long practice with physical and mental benefits. It’s suitable to any body type or age. Whether you’ve been practicing for years or it’s the first time on your mat, yoga doesn’t discriminate and invites you to start where you are. The practice embraces change on a daily, yearly and even decades-long basis.
It’s no wonder yoga has been around for over 5,000 years and currently more than 11 million Americans practice it on a regular basis. The continual rise in popularity can only be attributed to the many benefits.
In the past several years, Westerners have discovered the numerous benefits of practicing in the heat just like in yoga’s typically hot Motherland India. Studios such as Yoga by Degrees offer heated vinyasa (flowing) classes. The heat along with this style of yoga allows for a deeper cleanse of the body than other forms of yoga in non-heated rooms. Heated vinyasa yoga loosens the muscles, boosts the body’s circulation and allows for a greater range of motion in joints, muscles and ligaments.
“We have really stepped ‘out of the box’ with our Yoga by Degrees concept. At Yoga by Degrees, not only are our facilities immaculate, modern and equipped with amenities like lockers, showers and blow dryers, the studios are heated just right. We control the humidity and ventilation to help oxygenate the rooms. Instead of being suffocated, you actually feel your lung capacity expand and experience a wonderful sense of detoxification, comfort and freedom that helps to facilitate full deep breathing linked to flowing beautiful movements,” says Samantha Raphael, Yoga by Degrees Senior Manager.
Yoga, heated vinyasa especially, detoxifies the body by cleansing out potentially harmful substances we breathe, eat and drink. During a twist, for example, prayer twist (parsva utkatasana), the organs are compressed, pushing out blood filled with by-products and toxins. When we release the twist, fresh blood flows in, carrying oxygen and the building blocks for tissue healing, which stimulates circulation and has a cleansing and refreshing effect on the internal organs and associated glands.
Yoga also increases flexibility, which prevents injury, improves posture, reduces low back pain and increases blood supply and
nutrients to joints and connective tissues. It also improves metabolism, which helps to decrease body fat. For example, plough pose (halasana) includes chin to chest compression. This chin to chest compression stimulates the parathyroid and thyroid glands which regulate metabolism.
Other benefits include an increase in bone density, stress reduction, stress relief and better sleep. The list of benefits goes on and on and the really great news is, it’s never too late to discover them for yourself! So why not make one of your New Year’s resolutions to try heated vinyasa or other types of yoga and discover how it can change your life forever.
