Tag Archives: Yoga

A Yoga Adventure in Belize

I was going to write about this in my San Pedro, Belize re-cap but I thought that post was long enough!  Plus my yoga adventure in Belize could definitely use it’s own post!

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We arrived in San Pedro on Sunday after already being in Belize for a few days.  The only taste of yoga I had gotten was practicing on my own, teaching Andy, or studying my manual on the beach.  So when we arrived at our hotel in San Pedro I was eager to find out the yoga schedule at their yoga studio they had advertised.  Well guess what?  “No yoga this week.” How rude!

As soon as we got to our room I fired up the wi-fi on my phone, and went searching for where I could get my fix.  I came across Ak’bol Yoga Retreat & Eco Resort.  I had actually stumbled upon this place when I was researching Belize, and also got a recommendation from a friend to go there for breakfast.  Perfect!

The only problem was that it was about 3 miles north of where we were staying.  It would be a $15 taxi ride or $5 water taxi.  I decided to try the water taxi.

Andy and I headed to the water taxi very early in the morning.  He was going to walk me there, I would take class, and then take a land taxi back.  I bought my ticket and waited for the boat.  It was sort of cool because I really felt like I was traveling like a local!  I was probably the only tourist on the small boat, everyone else being workers going to resorts on the north side of the island.
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After a short boat ride the pulled up to a long pier and yelled “Ak’bol!” I stepped on to the pier and took in the stunning view.  I walked down the pier to be greeted by a whole group of yogis sitting at a bar, drinking organic fruit juices and smoothies.  It was sort of funny.  It kind of reminded me of a scene in “Couples Retreat.”
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It turns out this group was at Ak’Bol on a retreat with Beach Body.  They were all fitness coaches there for a yoga and leadership retreat.  Because of this, a lot of them were beginner yogis and therefore the class was a bit beginner.  With that said, I think I can easily say this has been the most beautiful yoga setting I have experienced yet!

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If you find yourself in Belize and looking for Yoga definitely visit Ak’Bol. They have classes for $15 US every weekday morning at 9AM.

Yoga Teacher Training – Weekend Eight

This past weekend I completed my eighth weekend at Yoga Teacher Training a.k.a Yogaversity!  This weekend was dedicated fully to teaching each other and finding our voice.

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I practiced teaching a little in Belize, instructing Andy through some sun salutations, but am still just getting my feet wet.

When we arrived on Saturday Mitchell told us that we would all be teaching for about 20 minutes! We would be teaching a 75 minute express class or a 60 minute beginners class.

I volunteered to teach part of a beginners class.  Most people in my life have hardly practiced yoga before but keep asking me to teach them. For that reason I really want to perfect teaching beginners so that I can practice teaching my family and friends.

The thing is…teaching a beginners class is really hard! Think about it…someone who has never stepped foot on a yoga mat before may have never even heard of downward dog.  While you can demonstrate some poses, you should also be observing your beginner students and adjusting them to correct alignment.  This means you have to be overly clear in your instructions and cues.

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Yoga Teacher Training – Weekend Seven

Happy Thursday friends! I procrastinated a bit with my Yoga Teacher Training post and re-cap this week. I had a ton on my to-do list and so it got pushed off until now, sitting on the plane to Belize!!

Last weekend was yet another beautiful one, shared with my fellow teacher trainees, my Yogaversity family. This weekend was a bit different though. This weekend we were introduced to Bhakti Yoga and Kirtan.

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We had the privilege to be led all weekend by Sean Johnson and The Wild Lotus Band. Sean Johnson is a Bhakti Yoga teacher from New Orleans, LA. He owns his own studio down there and travels the country with his band singing Kirtan at music festivals and yoga studios. They actually just played Jazz Fest and were even voted top 4 bands to see along with Phish, Robert Plant, and Robin Thicke!

So you are probably thinking, ‘What the heck is Bhakti Yoga?” Bhakti Yoga is often referred to as the yoga of love. Sign me up right?

To give a little more insight I will quote Sean Johnson himself because his explanation is much more beautiful than mine could ever be: “I think many of us can relate to the joy of falling in love, and perhaps to the shattering experience of having our heart broken, and the longing to fall in love again. Bhakti yoga is about channeling this kind of an emotional experience into a love affair with Life itself.”

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