Hi!

This news update is only available to Attendees for the May 2011 Hot Yoga Doctor Pro 200 Teacher Training Program!

To find out more about The Hot Yoga Doctor Pro 200 Teacher Training Program, click here!

Namaste,

Gabrielle

]]> http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/so-you-are-coming-to-hot-yoga-doctor-pro-200/feed 0 http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/struggle-can-define-your-practice http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/struggle-can-define-your-practice#comments Sat, 18 Sep 2010 03:12:42 +0000 Gabrielle http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/?p=801 It's a continuing story ... So guess what? I actually had a great live Skype conversation with JT (Bikram yoga teacher) the other day. To refresh your memory, here's the link to the blog post called "The Dilemma of the Faithful" where you'll read JT's email to me: http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/the-dilemma-of-the-faithful We had a great time learning]]>

It’s a continuing story …

So guess what? I actually had a great live Skype conversation with JT (Bikram yoga teacher) the other day.

To refresh your memory, here’s the link to the blog post called “The Dilemma of the Faithful” where you’ll read JT’s email to me: http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/the-dilemma-of-the-faithful

We had a great time learning about each other and talking about coming to Hot Yoga Doctor Pro Teacher Training next year in May (you know, in Costa Rica!). And we kinda stumbled upon some amazing realizations and I thought you’d be interested to hear them … oh, ok read them!

Over the years I’ve toyed with this in my mind and when talking with JT we both realized something very pivotal about perceptions and beliefs and how they could be affecting your practice and your whole yoga experience (whether teacher or student).

In fact it could be the very reason why you and I are drawn together and exploring other ways of teaching hot yoga and why you’re even curious about coming to Costa Rica next year.

A pivotal ‘aha’ moment …

And I have to tell you that for me, personally, it was a big aha moment. Perhaps you’ve noticed that one of the major themes that goes through many hot yoga classes – and I particularly mean Bikram yoga classes – is the notion of struggle.

… about Bikram yoga and struggle

From my experience with Bikram I am of the opinion that he firmly believes that the yoga IS the struggle and if you can get through that then you can get through anything. More on struggle in a moment … but first …

It all depends on your world view

To be very clear, this is his world view, and we all have a right to view the world in any way we choose. Later I’ll explain why I have a different world view and encourage you not to think of this as who is right or who is wrong. But certainly, in your life, your power is in your moments of choice.

Should you let them ‘stumble and make tons of mistakes’?

So as a result of that world view, you’ll find that trainees at that particular program are told:

• You shouldn’t tell your students too much.
• You shouldn’t correct them too much.
• The technique’s not so important.
• Let them make lots of mistakes because basically the struggle they go through is where they’ll grow.
• So don’t worry when you see them hurting, or struggling, or pulling faces, or throwing up, or doubled over.
• Don’t worry if they’re not doing the poses correctly.
• They’ll eventually get it and find their own way.

On the surface that sounds as if it makes sense. But does it?

This world view has been adopted, probably unconsciously (maybe it’s some kind of osmosis?) by a large part of the hot yoga community that has trained with Bikram. And I realise that this is what doesn’t ‘sit’ well with me. Never has.

Mind you, it doesn’t change my love of this yoga or my commitment to it.

So that approach could work, couldn’t it? You could just show people a rough guide of the poses (recite them ‘that’ script) and let them at it … until they get it. Surely that would be OK!

Done well or badly … somehow you still FEEL good!

The truth is, that you will feel good going through the series even if you do them badly. And most people actually DON’T get all the benefits because there are many facets of hot yoga asana that are simply not covered in most hot yoga classes due to the observation skills, knowledge and habits of the teacher.

There is a better way. I KNOW you know that otherwise you really wouldn’t be reading these emails and blogs!

So on the surface leaving people to their own devices sounds fair – because we all have big challenges in the room at some time or another. And hopefully we all keep learning.

What if you believe that the yoga is a struggle? Or the struggle is your yoga?

But my philosophy is that the practice of the asana themselves and the YOGA itself, that experience of mindfulness and self-awareness requires you NOT to struggle, but to pay attention and be mindful of what’s going on.

Maybe something’s not right

For me, your struggle is a tap on the shoulder that something’s not right. Is it your asana technique or is it something else?

If you’re in a class where it doesn’t matter to the teacher whether your asana are sound then there’ll always be that question.

And hence why most students end up having an internal battle and try to find the answers by trying to reach for that perfect bow, or those locked out legs in Hands to Feet. Because they think the struggle’s about the outcome of their poses.

Take the asana out of the equation … and grow!

On the other hand, if your pose technique is sound and you’re struggling then you know it’s not the asana creating the struggle.

The asana is one of your most accessible and tangible tools to your awareness and to your benefits. The better you can learn the techniques, the better you’re taught them, or the better you can teach them to others, the more you can facilitate the REAL yoga, and that means the better the benefits! Bingo!

I love to put it this way: The asana is what you do, BUT the yoga is how you are in your asana.

So if you can give and receive the best instructions you can remove the ambiguity from the asana practice. Then the struggles you will experience will by default be more intangible and even easier to let go!

What my teacher training program will coach you in, is recognizing the struggles in the room and in people’s practices based firmly on skilling yourself in strong teaching technique and deep pose knowledge.

Teach HOW to teach, your students have a FAST-TRACK to practising yoga

If you can learn how to TEACH and I mean REALLY teach these poses so that your students experience challenge in their poses, and the only struggle they encounter is their relationship they have to the poses and their internal or external environments, then everyone will have a better experience.

Realizing this dichotomy of ‘philosophies’ was for me a huge blinding flash of the obvious and explains what makes our approaches to yoga so different. Now, realize that I am NOT saying that one way is better than the other. But it’s my preference that I choose NOT to approach it Bikram’s way.

A quick perusal of our busy forums will show you that a ton of people are still looking for answers. And maybe trying to find a better fit for their own world view.

So what does it all mean … in a practical sense?

Basically, when you can look around the room and help facilitate good quality asana, based on sound techniques and principles and you correct what needs to be corrected, then the struggles that remain for people (or the obstacles that they encounter) determine and even define their journey toward self-enlightenment.

In a real way it clarifies your experience because your defining moments in the room will rarely be muddled up with the ins and outs of pose technique.

Is it you? Or is it the way you practise your poses?

Put it this way, your struggle could be because of the way you do Standing Separate Leg Intense Stretch Pose. Or, your general yoga pose approach could be rock solid, with only minor finessing so that you can finally put your asana technique aside and just get on with the yoga!

In my experience students respond infinitely more positively when the guesswork is taken out of the equation.

And when they emerge from well run classes they don’t spend unnecessary time obsessing over their technique, wondering ‘if only’ they could get ‘this’ pose right then they’d feel so much better about their practice. They can actually ‘let stuff go’ — and practise non-attachment to their asana.

And when the asanas themselves and ‘struggle’ do get muddled up, you’ll find that (to their detriment) students really are more concerned about the poses themselves rather than experiencing yoga. (And I spose we have to leave THAT for another discussion!)

Your choice: Solid asana work means you know you can let go of ‘stuff’

So by focusing on solid asana technique you can remove the guesswork. Which means that for me, suddenly your practice is (perhaps paradoxically) no longer about the poses because your mind and body are free to experience ‘what really is’ in an unhindered and unfettered way.

You completely take away the confusion so that when struggle really does come your way you can notice it, respond, go with the flow, and grow. And that to me is where the true yoga begins.

So if I hear someone say that they don’t get corrected because they tell me that ‘it’s not about the poses’, then you’ll now know why I think that just doesn’t work.

So here it is! I want you to come to Costa Rica and spend 4 weeks demystifying this asana practice so that you can really learn how to facilitate true change in yourself and your students that’s not simply about emerging through struggle where your practice is defined by how well you do the poses.

Instead base your classes on solid technique so that it no longer matters. And what you’re left with is the yoga.

For 4 weeks I will show you how to do that, and how to teach that

When you learn asana with great technique and breathe through your own intense sensations then that’s where you grow. It’s even better if you’re a teacher who can be more in control of the manner in which this growth occurs! And where people learn that their limitations are just temporary boundaries they butt up against from time to time.

When you come on this journey with me you’ll learn to use struggle as a great tool for change. But possibly in the opposite way to what’s been taken as the norm … up until now.

In fact you’ll find out that creating growth and enlightenment through yoga is not about struggle at all but so much MORE about ease and challenge instead.

I’d love you to join me!

Namaste

Gabrielle

I have word of a few beautiful and passionate people out there who are singing the praises of coming to Costa Rica!

I am so honored I can’t tell you. My humble thanks to you for actively spreading the word. You know who you are!

You said to me that there are people who want to come that would love to be in Costa Rica but are not necessarily wanting to teach… So in response to that I wanted to put something together to answer the questions that are clearly on a lot of people’s minds.

So is the training only aimed at people who want to teach?

Well, basically as I explained in my video series, not everybody who goes to any teacher training actually goes on to teach. In fact some open their own studios, others teach at one or more studios, some full time, some part time, some occasional and some never. The process of learning to teach simply becomes part of their journey and that journey is different for everyone.

Did you realize that the fastest way to improve on any skill that you already have is to learn to teach it?

So when you stir into the mix, a very practical skill or application such as hot yoga, in order to teach it you pretty much have to understand your own practice: And that means the inside out of the poses, the techniques, the mistakes, the fixes, the modifications, the generalized yoga principles that apply to all or most poses and then particular techniques too. And so when you go to our teacher training program, you end up with an understanding so deep that you surpass what you could learn on any yoga centric retreat.

The fact that that we’re using Generative Learning™ as the adult learning methodology, guarantees a full immersion experience by virtue of its interactive and experiential nature. The main sticking point that I could see for someone who really has no aspiration to teach is that some of the sessions – on being a confident and articulate facilitator and some sessions where an attendee would be invited to speak in front of the entire group – might be:

a)    something they don’t wish to participate in and

b)    something that paralyzes them with fear and could even cause them to run a mile in similar situations.

So as a result there are really 3 alternatives here:

1)    Treat your fear or challenge or obstacle as a stretch! Go for it and take whatever learning that comes. In the same way that you would enjoy the fear and the thrill of white water rafting, learning your teaching skills could be considered as a challenge that contributes to your personal development.

We will of course provide support and we have systems and processes that can even make the most nervous person become a confident presenter. And it is never really harder than getting over that very first barrier!

2)    You could opt out of being nominated for full group teaching practice. But I would strongly recommend that every attendee participates in the small group teaching practice sessions. There are only great reasons for this: For the camaraderie and connection, and the wonderful learning that you can internalize and take away. Because as I said above, the way to really deepen your knowledge of a subject is to learn how to teach it, and there’s no safer and more supportive environment than this.

3)    You could come and choose to participate only in the sessions that are about the practice of yoga, and opt out of the sessions that are about the practice of teaching (ie those that are not about the practice of yoga). But, and this is a big but: Because of the way that generative sessions are structured you’re actually going to find it difficult to work out which sessions these are! Where it IS actually possible to distinguish the difference (!), we will gladly provide alternative activities for hands on learning.

4)    And before you ask, the cost of tuition will be the same!

If you have any questions go and check out our newly reorganized FAQs. If you still have a question that’s unanswered then contact me using the form on the Contact Us page and we can continue by email and even arrange for me to call you! As always Robert and I are always happy to help. So just ask!

Namaste

Gabrielle

Yesterday I received an interesting email from JT in California, a Bikram Yoga Teacher. And I thought that you might like to read that email! So here it is (of course afterward I want to share with you my response):

Hi Gabrielle,

I have been teaching Bikram yoga for 9 months, 10-12 classes per week, and for the past two months have been trying to reconcile my training with your Hot Yoga Master Class (as informative as it is beautiful).

I also practice in the hot room at least 5 days/week. It’s been challenging for me. I must admit, my first reaction to some of your teaching was “no, that’s not right.” Well, I also quickly realized that my dogmatic reaction was a result of the training I’d received!

I know that you believe just as firmly in your teaching as Bikram does. And in the short time I’ve worked with your book, and through the forum, I’m starting to see the benefits, in practice and teaching, to a different way of doing things.

It has, however, made it difficult to keep my focus during class. I seem to constantly question the dialogue, and yet it is the foundation of the training I’ve received to teach.

I’m interested in coming to Costa Rica, but a little apprehensive. I spent a significant amount of money going to TT, and the idea of doing so again is, frankly, pretty scary. I went to TT to get certified to teach. As a learning experience it was, well, pretty pitiful. I’m wondering how you made the transition from your own Bikram teacher training to “hot yoga doctor?” I guess I feel that asking you personally might help me make this decision in the coming week.

I know that I could always wait, continue to teach, and perhaps attend another teacher training in the future. Something tells me not to wait, but to find a way to make this happen. Bikram’s way is the only way I know, as a student and a teacher (and I’ve only been practicing for two years). I’m also absolutely convinced that Bikram yoga has changed my life for the better in ways I’m not even aware of yet. It’s just the beginning.

Any thoughts you have on how your upcoming training would benefit someone like me would be welcome. It seems like a very large leap of faith for me.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Namaste

JT California

I actually have already answered JT in a personal email, but I thought that YOU might want to read what I said and possibly benefit from this too! So here’s what I said, in essence:

Thank you JT for writing to me and expressing your thoughts so eloquently. You’ve raised a good many points in your letter. So I want to dissect the issues and firstly chunk them down into the main key points for clarification! You’re wondering:

1. That as you’re a teacher you want to know how my program at Costa Rica could possibly benefit you. (And additionally to my letter to JT, perhaps you wonder how, even if you’re not already a teacher, if you too would benefit from coming along!)
2. And maybe you wonder if you have been using a script recital method, how you could break free and get past that limited mindset.
3. And perhaps, you’re finding it hard to reconcile the notion that many people think there’s only one way to do hot yoga, when your recent experience is telling you something else.

As I see it perhaps you have become aware that there’s more to this yoga stuff than you’ve been led to believe given:

• The limitations that you’ve unearthed in the training you’ve received;
• In the discoveries you made in your own personal practice by choosing a different path;
• In the responses you’ve noticed in your expanded way you’ve been teaching
• … and the way your curiosity has been awakened recently….

Life is an evolution. You’ve heard the saying “you learn something new every day”. Well, I believe you can choose to enrich your life by being curious and entertaining new or different ways to do things. To create a new awareness about experience is what I really want to offer people.

By offering people their own choice I believe that you can offer them the power of discovering the best way to do something … and something that’s not based on a dogmatic ‘my way or the highway’ approach. And I believe I offer a way to learn, practise and teach hot yoga that’s grounded in practical techniques that can be easily taught and replicated.

I wondered when I read your letter if the difficulty in focus you experience from time to time, might be when all of a sudden you become consciously aware that you’ve reverted to reciting the script. Perhaps you have programmed your mind to question what you’ve been saying but have not quite yet removed yourself from the automatic habit of reciting at least some parts of ‘that script’.

I see that stumbling or lack of focus as a good thing. It won’t and can’t last. Basically your mind is coming up with ways to replace your old habit. It is a vestige of your reliance on something which I believe deep down you know doesn’t serve you fully anymore.

I was going to write something about teaching methods but I reread your email and I realize I picked up on something that I find is sometimes ingrained in comments (not just to me, or in the forum but about Bikram yoga in general). And that is the concept that for some reason there are people who feel, (by the very fact that they recognize there is more substance to a subject or skill that they have already “learned”), that they are somehow “betraying or discrediting” the source of the first exposure to that skill.

In this case people feel that they owe Bikram something and that somehow by acknowledging existence of instruction beyond his specific teachings, they are switching allegiance and / or they are somehow betraying the origin of their transformation.

Many, as a result somehow lose track of the fact that you can acknowledge the provenance of your skill and still welcome newness. It doesn’t have to be one or the other – both can co-exist. I believe that there is sufficient space in the hearts and minds of humanity, in the yoga world, for acceptance and sharing and to allow for evolution.

I can understand the place that Bikram has played in your own personal history and thousands of others, including mine. My aim is not to go up against Bikram but to enhance those teachings. And yes, where I find flaws I will challenge them, although my aim is never to be dogmatic. In challenging I also offer myself as challengeable. Let’s be honest, there is a Bikram propaganda machine. He’s got a lot of influence and he’s a very enigmatic and interesting character.

I too believe that this yoga has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I do believe that that fact can always be acknowledged and can also be part of one’s history. I don’t wish to invalidate it. My aim is to expand on it, move beyond it and continue to grow.

Change … evolution … happens. It’s natural. We could still be driving around in Model-T Fords if we resisted evolution. Ford’s place in history is there, cemented. Of course there are a million other examples that we could throw into the mix.

As for my own Hot Yoga Doctor Pro Teacher Training Program, I am crystallizing the way I have always taught yoga. Because I could NEVER bring myself to teach the verbatim script. It has never felt right to do that, I could never teach a class and ‘catch everyone in my teaching net’ that way.

So transitioning from TT to Hot Yoga Doctor was natural. It was the biggest shock when I arrived at training and found out I was supposed to recite a script. I had written my own words to review (and not learn verbatim) because I thought that was what I was going to have to do. I thought I was going to learn to chunk poses, break them down to understand them, learn more than I already knew (not do less). Hmmm.

So coming to spend 4 weeks with me I offer something much more than script regurgitation and learning a few body parts. I offer the opportunity to learn, debate and discover. I will give you the tools to expand your toolbox enormously.

• Not just sound technical knowledge of the poses
• But how a holistic knowledge of the workings of the body can enhance your and your students’ understanding of the body and your / their  practice.
• You’ll learn how to improve your observation skills,
• The art of linguistics and how to influence your students in a way that’s entirely consistent with supporting and facilitating their growth.
• And I will help you hone your group facilitation skills.
• All these skills together will help you teach a better class that allows you to express more of your own unique essence and create a satisfying result for your students and yourself in your own transformation as teacher and student.

Yes, I will teach you my way of doing things because I do believe that’s what people want to know. But I hold your opinion highly too so if you challenge my beliefs I will pay attention, try it on see to if it fits and incorporate it if it works for me and I see it of benefit to everyone. I will ask the same of you when you come to Costa Rica.

Warm wishes

Gabrielle

Learn more about my Hot Yoga Doctor Pro 200 Teacher Training Program in Costa Rica May 15 – June 12, 2011 by clicking here!

Oh, and if you want to read the update then I have now written a post about JT’s and my Skype conversation last week where we had some great ‘aha’ moments. You’ll find that here:
http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/struggle-can-define-your-practice
See you over there. I would love to read your comments.

Hi again!

I hope you’ve had time to watch and download Videos One, Two and Three … if not then get cracking because they’ll only be publicly available for a few more days!

I’m really happy to receive all the wonderful comments – thank you so much … and now it’s my turn to make a “Special Announcement”.

What is it?

You’ll have to watch Video Four to find out …

Click here to watch Video Four

Namaste,

Gabrielle

Hello again!

Video 3, “Becoming A Pro” is now released and awaiting your viewing pleasure …

>> http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/free-video-series-hot-yoga-doctor-pro-teacher-training-magic/becoming-a-pro

As you might remember from Video 2, I promised to reveal my “bombshell”.

You’ll have to watch to find out!

I also recommend that you go back and watch all THREE videos and you’ll see how the structure has come together – all to help YOU with YOUR practice and your students!

I hope you like it … please leave your comments!

Namaste,

Gabrielle

Hi again!

In this 26+ minute Free Video, “Mapping Your Class“, I give you my own pose instruction formula which includes specific techniques for managing the flow, nesting your chunks even further – and learning just how to remember what to do every step of the way!

Watch it here:

>> http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/free-video-series-hot-yoga-doctor-pro-teacher-training-magic/mapping-your-class

As always, I’d love to hear your comments (scroll down after watching the video!).

And just a couple of updates:

1. These videos will only be available publicly for a short time – so get them while you can!

2. Anyone still having access issues (we’re using a new system and we’re still learning it ourselves!) please email us help@hotyogadoctor.com and we’ll sort it out pronto! Can’t have you missing out now …

Namaste,

Gabrielle

Hello there!

I’ve just released the FIRST in a Free Video Series all about Hot Yoga Teacher Training.

Watch it here:

Video One: Creating Magic And Flow!

Whether you are already planning to become a Hot Yoga teacher, or are just curious, you enjoy the techniques I’ve PACKED into them!

They’ll not only help you in understanding more about what it takes to instruct a “blockbuster” Hot Yoga class, but they’ll also help you simply as a practicing student on your transformational journey.

If you haven’t already grabbed your free login for the videos, you’ll want to do that now … use the link below:

http://hotyogadoctorpro.com

Namaste,

Gabrielle

If you’re interested in Hot Yoga Teacher Training – then I have some great goodies on their way to you!

There are some key things you’ll want to know about Hot Yoga Teacher Training to make the right decision – even if you are never planning on teaching, but just want to “take your yoga to the next level”!

Stay tuned … and make sure you have joined the “inner circle” and have access to all the Free Videos!

Just head over to the sign up page (see link below), enter your email address and you are in!

http://hotyogadoctorpro.com/

Namaste,

Gabrielle