Having a child on the autism spectrum has helped me be a better yoga teacher. In fact, if I hadn’t a child on the spectrum I likely wouldn’t be a yoga teacher at all. During the very stressful early years, yoga helped me. I’d go to a yoga class frantic and in despair, and leave …
Approaching my six year mark as a yoga teacher my heart soars over the endless continuing ed opportunities to learn more, go deeper, and serve my students better. I love it. Lately, I’ve been immersing myself into the study of aqua yoga, using videos, books, and my own body. While getting into a bathing suit …
I could be having a bad day. I could be heartbroken about the state of my country. I could be tired, I could be hungry. I could be temporarily off coffee. I could be worried about my kids or a myriad of perfectly acceptable things to worry about. But stepping into the role of teacher, …
This is a guide to the best yoga mats out there. Pros, cons, etc. I personally use Jade mats, and find them to be the best, for me. I love that I never slip on them. They do have a rubbery smell that dies down after a while, and might take some getting used to. …
I am a stalker of sunsets. I will drop everything and hop in my car driving five minutes to a nearby lake if I think I might catch a two-minute glimpse. Driving down a rural highway, I will make a U-turn and pull my car over for the right sunset. I don’t understand why everyone …
Class was getting settled, I started them out lying on the back. I was guiding them to lengthen the breath, and just as they were dropping into their practice, a tiny elderly woman in sneakers entered the room and marched directly toward me. “I’m a hundred years old and I’m blind in one eye,” is …
After a recent yoga class a student came up and asked, “Are you always this peaceful?” I looked her in the eye and said, “Nooooo! I’m a terror.” And we laughed! (I do believe she thought I was kidding). Terror might be a little harsh, but no, I am not always peaceful. I told her …
One time, many years ago, in another state, I was a yoga student at a crowded studio. There was a teacher there everyone loved. She was bubbly and sweet and had studied with one of the best known and respected teachers in India. She knew her anatomy, knew her stuff. I do not think she …
Almost four weeks ago I did something, don’t know what, or when or how, but I twisted my rib and it was very sore. I knew to take it easy for a bit. Incidentally, I had scheduled a surgery to remove a lipoma from my lower back and had waited a long time to do …
One of my favorite films of all time is Beasts of the Southern Wild. A theme running through it is how our greatest challenges are sometimes there to make us strong. How they can be our friend if we stop running from them. I volunteer for Connection Coalition (formerly Yoga Gangsters) an organization that provides free …
Michelle O'Neil,Writer 