Yoga by Degrees Traditional Hot Yoga Teacher Training – Information

June 1 – July 30, 100 Hours

SOUTH NAPERVILLE

Information:

Get practical and foundational skills to teach the classic 26 postures of Traditional Hot Yoga and deepen your own yoga practice.

In this comprehensive training, you will learn the sequence, specific cueing, and the form of the postures, vocal and public speaking techniques, and the timing for the 60 and classic 90 minute classes. You will not only learn to lead a class, but how to teach a class including offering modifications and personal feedback to your students. YBD is committed to our teacher’s growth and offers community class teaching and mentoring opportunities following the training to help the new teachers grow and develop their skills as teachers. This 100 hour training includes 40 hours of direct contact hours with the senior trainer registered with Yoga Alliance, and 36 hours of personal practice, anatomy, posture clinics, and yoga philosophy.

Training Led by: Erin Annarella, E-RYT 500, Juliet Low, RYT 500, Meghan Rohde, E-RYT

Free Information Sessions:

10:30am on Saturday, April 2nd in South Naperville. Sign up here!

8:00pm on Tuesday, April 12th in Downers Grove. Sign up here!

Ask questions, get answers, learn more about the program, and meet the facilitators. Advance sign up suggested but not mandatory.

2022 Schedule:

Tuesdays: 5-6p (recommended class) & 6:30-8:30p training

Wednesdays: 6:30-9:30p class & training

Saturdays: 9:30-10:30a class & 12:30-4p training

Community classes (Time / Location T.B.D.)

Certificate Requirements

• Attend all Class Lectures:
• 40hr Posture Clinics (Erin)
• 16hr Anatomy (Juliet)
• 3.5hr 8 limbs (Meghan)
• Personal Practice – Attend 36hr YBD Traditional Hot classes (at least 8 90min classes)
• Complete 5hr Community Class Preparation/Homework
• Teach Group Community Classes (scheduled by TT Leads)

Pricing:

$1,750 (Includes 2 months of free yoga)

$1500 Members

$200 off Early Bird Discount Deadline 4/30/22

Questions? Contact newinfo@yogabydegrees.net

Wellness Wednesday: Initiating Growth, The Last Post

Good morning and Happy Wellness Wednesday, friends!

It has come the day to share this will be my last Wellness Wednesday post. The growth of life has become so abundant over the year that it was necessary I reflect on how much of the things I love can be held onto one plate. The decision to release my permanent classes at the studio and remain casual was difficult to initiate. My heart held such a big piece for the studio and community and it felt as though releasing my permanent classes was cutting the last heart string of the suburbs as I fully transition into the city.

We know life is about growth, which is wonderful, though not always easy. Many of life’s lessons can be painful or difficult. Yet, such challenges are often the ones that present the most opportunity for spiritual growth. Initiations for growth come in many forms. They may be unbearable at times or call us to step up to the plate in ways that we may think we are not ready for. At such times, it can feel as if the world is testing us and that life is asking more of us than we think we can give. We may feel uncomfortable, anxious and unsure of what to do. However, life isn’t so much going against us as it is often encouraging us to grow.

During these periods, we can grow stronger by moving one moment at a time, as we work through our challenges. We may be asked to let go of old safety restrictions, shift old patterns of behavior, or step into the abyss of the unknown. When we do rise to the occasion, we end up better off for having made that journey. Not only do we end up learning and growing, but we inevitably become more compassionate to the challenges of others and wiser in the ways of the world. Our faith in the universe also grows because, ultimately, we can’t help but realize how much we are supported and taken care of all along.

Special Note: With this said, I want to share my immense gratitude for the YBD community. Thank you for sharing your practices, your presence, your stories, your love, support and endless amount of hugs. For holding space and providing warmth. You have grown me as a student, a teacher and human being in more ways there are words and there is no other community I wanted to experience that growth with and for that I thank you deeply.

let’s flow and breathe together one last time this Sunday, July 4th in Glen Ellyn at 10am (pst…i’m also bringing vegan donuts post class!)

See you so soon🖤

Namaste,

Angie

Wellness Wednesday: False Evidence Appearing Real

Happy Wellness Wednesday, friends!

Our time anticipating uncertainty seems as if we have experienced the ebb and flow of every possible human emotion. There is no wrong way to feel and it is important that we acknowledge our attachment to our fears. Our anxiety can only create stagnation in our mind as we become fixated on ideas and behaviors, becoming a cozy home for fear and anxiety to thrive in.

The uncertainty leaves us in suspense because we cannot know for sure how an event will turn out. We may play every possible scenario in our head but our understanding that we do not know for sure what will happening in the future can allow us to let go of our attachment to uncertainty. When we live solely focused on what the future may or may not bring, we are more likely to live in fear. This is because of our natural reaction to protect ourselves. Our mind would not resort automatically to the joy the future may bring, but instead the possible instability of the next moment. If we remind ourselves that the future is always unsure we can find comfort in knowing that it is out of our control. This can motivate us to engross into the present moment, for this could help us ground and view our thoughts unattached. If we allow the space to find a proper perspective then we will realize ease will encompass us in the warmth of its arms. 

I once had someone explain to me that fear can be looked at as the acronym, “False Evidence Appearing Real.” Fears of being separated from what we feel we need for our security comes from a delusion-a distorted way of understanding ourselves and the world around us. When we understand that these thought processes are only representations of the energy we put to work then we realize we have the ability to shift our attention to a more productive place.

The only thing that is concrete in life is the present moment. While it is natural response to wander beyond the now about what the future will bring, it will always just be a conjecture. The more we acknowledge what we can and cannot control, the more clear our path becomes to accept the uncertainty. Our fears transform to shadows that slowly disintegrate when we focus our light on our fears . We can choose instead to direct our thoughts and creative power to things of great value as we learn to practice gratitude in the midst of the unknown.  Our ability to access these energies are always available to us when we place ourselves confidently in the ebb and flow of life. 

Namaste!

Angie

Wellness Wednesday : Power In Saying “No”

When our focus is largely external, it becomes difficult to determine where our world begins and ends when our inner and outer worlds often infuse. It becomes important to acknowledge a boundary must be set despite how much we adore the idea of being soft and overly resilient to our outer world. We must be confident knowing we are in control of how we respond to the world. 

We begin to learn the validity of saying, “no” and that saying yes when we want to say no can only lead to resentment. Fear can challenge us when we decide to set boundaries. We may worry that saying no will be seen as lazy or passive but to do so requires a great amount of awareness and presence. When we are nonjudgementally aware of our own needs and build the appropriate boundaries, we become better able to compassionately handle the emotional needs of others, becoming strong yet soft. 

But setting boundaries can require practice just like anything else in life. We may have difficulty accepting where our limits are or may feel sensitive to how people react when we present a new boundary. Once we establish what our limits are, it becomes comforting knowing how much freedom we truly possess.

Namaste!

Angie

Wellness Wednesday: Being Happy For Others

I often find myself at the lake front in awe of the amount of people that detach from the work day to spend a few moments in solitude with the people they appreciate most. This is shown through walks, snuggles, a picnic, a bike ride, field games, and the list can go on. Witnessing so many examples at once brings me so much happiness to see two or more happy people here on this earth because so often we compare ourselves to other’s happiness.

It is human nature to want to see how we measure up in comparison to others — especially if we think that they are better than us or have more of something that we want. Yet the truth is that it is not a good use of time to compare ourselves with others because there is no one like us and this makes us incomparable. It is sometimes almost easier to look externally and feel like we are deficient in comparison to other people rather than taking responsibility for our own progress in a sense of fulfillment of our life purpose.

Instead, if we can accept ourselves, appreciate the qualities that we alone possess, and realize that each of us is going through certain kinds of experiences for a reason, we are less likely focus so much on what other people have or are doing. Realizing and honoring that enables us to bring out the best in ourselves so we can get on with living rather than preoccupying ourselves with meaningless comparisons. If we avoid the urge to compare, it will come clear to what light we bring to the world.

Namaste!

Angie

Wellness Wednesday: There Is Still So Much Happiness To Experience

I had dragged myself to the lakefront right before sunset yesterday to continue my new summer tradition of practicing at sunrise. Without of doubt I would rather still be laying in bed but it was in this very moment I was reminded why these brief moments of ultimate peace has such an everlasting impact on the way we view life.

Somewhere along the pastel, glass skies that made me feel like I was in a parallel universe, the cool temperature with the right amount of warmth felt on my skin and the stillness and quiet of such a large city humbled me to appreciate the little things that occur. This presence that occurred during this realization made me acknowledge that life, in all of its fullness, is happening right now.

While our thoughts are sometimes elsewhere, beautiful opportunities and moments are being passed over and lost to the flow of time. And though we cannot possibly fully experience each beautiful moment, sometimes we get so attached to reaching our goals that we don’t pay attention to all that is around us. This way, we live in a world that exists only in our heads. There is so much to be enjoyed and appreciated that it is vital to remember to pay attention to the present moment, because it is the only space in which we can experience being alive.

Life must be tended to, and if we are mindful, we can enjoy it, too. We can begin again in the now by taking a deep breath and simply looking around. In doing so, we refocus our attention to our location in the real world. In balancing ourselves between the present moment and eternity, we can experience the reality available to us.

Namaste!

Angie

Wellness Wednesday: Kindness

Early this week I decided to get grocery shopping done after a 12 hour shift at the hospital. As I was walking into the grocery store along with the hustle and bustle of other after work errand-goers, I saw a homeless woman who I had seen before, malnourished and lonely. She simply was asking those entering the store if she could have something to eat or drink. Unfortunately not one person acknowledged her. I had been upset for some time in the way I have seen people treating each other, acts of violence, so much anger. I had asked the woman what she wanted and she excitedly shared, “chips and a soda pop!”. I continued with my grocery shopping and got her chips, soda and a case of water. When I returned outside to give her the items she was happily overwhelmed but humbled in shyness and embarrassment. I was in awe that this woman was able to remain soft and still so kind towards others despite the lack of thoughtfulness in people that we see.

Kindness in a way acts as the oil that makes our world move more smoothly and with less friction. We can still get where we are going but the journey is more pleasant, and those around us can share in the ideal world that we help to create. We are all fortunate that kindness is limitless in its supply and available to everyone.

Whether giving way to someone in traffic or letting someone go ahead of us in line, donating clothes or sharing our homes in a crisis, we put action in creating a universe of kindness and giving with every choice we make. The smallest gesture can bring light to a shadow of an unpleasant situation or remove tension from a difficult task, but it’s effects can echo and extend far beyond the moment. We can be sure that we will receive a kindness in return, but giving is its own reward. Kindness expands the light we hold and reaches out to touch the light in others as well, giving us all a glimpse of the glow that has the power to enhance our world.

Namaste!

Angie

Wellness Wednesday: Living In Our Truth

There was a moment this week on my mat while practicing that I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my practice and how it has evolved specifically for my needs. I adored the fact that overtime I have gained confidence in my ability to add movements outside of a class sequence that will allow me to feel even more whole and how it has adapted me to clearly acknowledge what my needs are on and off the mat to ultimately live my truth.

Many of us tuck away our authentic inner selves, afraid or embarrassed to seek out our innermost desires in fear that it may hinder us in our success. We may find ourselves conforming to society while embracing secret passions when alone. We may withhold certain opinions, though it doesn’t change the fact that we possess them. It is important, however, to never stray too far from that youthful inner child and self-interest as they are qualities that help make us who we are. Our authentic self is our true self and, in living authentically, we live our truth, making time for the things you love and projecting who we really are. The simplest way to live our truth is to leave the expectations of other behind and live the way you feel most worthwhile.

So for the times we feel unsure of who our authentic self really is, we can look inward and ask ourself what your purpose, values, and needs are. From there we can honor what is and the state we are in if we avoid being guided by what others expect from us. At this time we may explore neglected passions by trying new things, and sticking to the ones that piece our soul together. As we infuse more passion and purpose into our life, we live more satisfied and whole all because we lived authentically.

Namaste!

Angie

Wellness Wednesday: Savoring More Than The “Daily Grind”

Most of us have adapted to seeing the big picture because we have adopted the same unnecessary frenzied pace of the world. We feel compelled to immediately distinguish what is important from what is not. We tend to admire this “daily grind” — everything relating to success seems significant and everything else seems questionable in terms of purpose. But what is most precious in this life often are the least momentous. They are these pure moments in which we are simply in awe by what is in present time. However our perception of these moments may be blocked by external influences so to experience them fully, we must learn to open ourselves to their existence.

These moments are not measured by the composition of an experience but rather by our reaction to it. Do you ever notice how in memory, we recall how this memory made us feel rather than the small, crisp visuals of that moment? Since such moments come and go quickly, they should be consciously savored and noted. They stick with us only when we recognize the impact they have had on our mental and emotional bodies.

In a mere moment, we may find we are suddenly and blissfully aware that we have evolved or that those around us have changed in some positive way or we may witness incidents of innocent kindness and compassion that do not directly involve us yet touch our heart space immensely. When we cherish these occurrences, we condition ourselves to take acknowledgement of them when they happen and allow their value to deepen the sense of fulfillment to our life.

Namaste!

Angelina

Wellness Wednesday: Between Our Dreaming and Waking State

On my days off I have been waking up to go practice at the yoga studio followed by going across the street to grab a coffee and there is this brief moment in waking up that there is a sigh of relief that the day can be slow, the destination i am going to is a space of gentleness and somewhere along the commute between my apartment and yoga studio there will be a sunrise to watch between the skyscrapers that will remind me that the world will continue to buzz, reality will settle into the days tone but i still have a firm grasp on this sense of stillness.

Each day we experience a magical twilight between our dreams and waking state. During this brief period of time, our minds still remember that all things are possible. We can smoothly transition into our physical world without losing a sense of hope when we check in with our heart center first,. Our heart center is the link between body and spirit, instinct and inspiration. In a mere moment we can review all that we want to accomplish, value, desire. When we get into the habit of beginning our day from the heart, all of our activities glow with the infusion of conscious intent and all interactions are done with compassion.

We can restart our day right now by imagining how love and inspiration feel. noticing that radiance, any feelings of stress or frustration become small. Now, we see each person we encounter as fellow travelers in this life, and every activity becomes part of a spiritual ritual and this can be contagious to other conscious participants.

In the intersection where our body and soul meet, our physical heart beats in time with the rhythm of the universe. It does the physical work of supplying our body with life force without our awareness, but for its spiritual work, we need to be conscious. When we concentrate on its rhythm and radiance we are practicing gratitude for where we are now.

Namaste!

Angie