Yoga W/ Ali

First I always want to know why they are looking to take yoga.  What is it that they want to accomplish.  I like to discuss what thier typical day looks like, how each part of the day effects them physically and mentally.  And the we see if we can break things down so that we have smaller goals that can be achieved more frequently.  For example I have one client who suffered from pain in her knees.  It turned out that that she wasn't utilizing her glute muscles and going up the stairs primarily on the ball of her foot.  By learning how to walk up the stairs by pushing through her heel and activating different muscles, she had less pain in her knees and strengthened her upper legs and buttocks.  

My family has a history of spinal deformities, arthritis, and other health issues.  Growing up seeing them suffer and knowing that could be me someday had an impact on me.  Then my back went out and I had to have surgery on my back. This really made it hit home.  I sought out an alignment based yoga training to create space and strength in my back.  It has helped me greatly.  I furthered my training with Yin Yoga and Yoga Tune Up which helps work with the fascia, joints, and connective tissue create ease as well as strength.  

For private lessons with me, my pricing begins at $75 for one session.  For purchasing multiple sessions there is a savings.  As for group classes with me, it depends on the location/studio but generally a drop in for a class is around $17-$20.  

I decieded to take the teacher training after I felt the benefits of alignment based yoga on my back.  I realized while paying out of pocket for Physcial Therapy that so much of what they were having me do was like yoga.  I still have all of my physcial therapy exercises that were given to me after my surgery (2009) and have turned each move into a yoga pose.   Once you have a compromised joint, you will always have a compromised joint.  You must continue to move, strengthen, and mobilize that area to keep yourself feeling well.  

I have worked with a range of students.  Personal Trainers, Spartan and Tri-Athletes, Former Dancers with aweful knees, hips, and ankles.  I have students who are Post Hip, Knee and Back Rehabilitation, women after mascetomies, pre-natal students, and kid/teen athletes, SO many more!

Recently I taught a Yoga for Back Care Series.  We worked through some of the exercises I did while I was strengthing my back.  I taught them about the posterior chain and helped my students understand thier bodies and how to use them with more awareness.  

Make sure they are relatable beyond thier expertise.  Book knowledge is great, but experience is also just as important.  

It's important that you both can feel comfortable to discuss very personal things.  What is your learning style.  A good teacher can adapt thier teaching based on your needs and energy.