Yoga Instructor

Yoga Instructor

JYogi

9 Years Experience

Delray Beach, FL

Female, 34

I'm a certified yoga instructor specializing in Bikram Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Children's Yoga. My style of teaching emphasizes a safe, supportive environment in which students can explore, be challenged, and find their own inner teacher. I want students to emerge from the classes feeling relaxed, open and alive. Ask me anything about yoga. Anything!

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81 Questions

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Last Answer on September 05, 2017

Best Rated

Do you incorporate music into your classes?

Asked by PennyLane over 12 years ago

It depends on the type of class that I am teaching, the mood I sense from the group of people, etc. When I teach in Vinyasa Yoga class, I usually like to play music. That type of yoga is a meditation that is often done with eyes closed or blurred gaze known as drishti (drishti is a point of focus where the gaze rests during asana and meditation practice). When I am teaching a Bikram Yoga hot class, I don't play music. Some studios do offer Bikram classes with music, but those require you to have an advanced practice because the teacher practices with you. Bikram is a 90-minute open-eyed meditation, done facing the mirror. I find the music to be incredibly distracting to a beginning student because the instruction is so specific.

What are your thoughts on Lululemon clothing? Grossly overpriced, or worth every penny?

Asked by yoga_budgeteer over 11 years ago

Lululemon has some clothing that is worth every penny, and some that is not. Overall, it doesn't matter. It has nothing to do with your yoga practice and shouldn't. Your yoga clothes should allow for room to stretch and move freely. That can be purchased anywhere.

Does yoga build muscle? I just want to tone and not be bulky. All yoga teachers are lean and toned, but they also say it builds muscle, so I'm confused.

Asked by Carolyn over 11 years ago

Yes Yoga builds muscle. A very common misconception about yoga is that it is only stretching. Practicing yoga has three major benefits. The components of stretching, strengthening and compression. A deeper and more focused practice is necessary to strengthen, because most poses are held for five full breaths versus the usual one to three breaths. The muscles are challenged while the mind and body have to work together simultaneously to hold a position without giving up. Breath, posture, movement and more flexibility happen at the same time, which allows for a deeper practice.

Does doing yoga make you taller?

Asked by Steph over 11 years ago

It will certainly make you stand taller, which will give the perception of becoming taller.

What is a good way to combine a physically demanding yoga flow such as ashtanga yoga with strength training? How can we allow enough time for our muscles to restore between each practice?

Asked by Mads over 11 years ago

Ashtanga Yoga is strength training. Any yoga is strength training. Yoga is not just physical. We train our minds to accept where we are in our journey. Acceptance takes STRENGTH! Listen to your body, and you will know how much time is needed for restoration. No one can tell you how much time your muscles need. God is your best teacher, and we listen to God. We know when we are listening, and when we are fighting truth.

Does hot yoga really DETOX your body? Every actual doctor I've heard scoffs at the notion of 'toxins', and says that SWEAT is just regulating your body temperature, not getting rid of anything bad for you.

Asked by jessica over 11 years ago

Yes It absolutely is a detoxifying practice. Sweat is not the only indication of detoxification. However, your doctor is correct in that sweat is primarily regulating your body temperature. Much of the detoxification takes place internally as opposed to externally. Stress actually releases a TOXIN in your body which builds up around your muscles and joints. When we stretch and moves these parts of the body (passively and deeply) we are releasing these toxins into the bloodstream which we eventually release when urinating. This is largely why teachers will stress the importance of drinking water!

To what degree is your responsibility to your students mental empowerment vs. physical empowerment? Are they there to get in shape, or be enlightened?

Asked by maktub! over 11 years ago

As teachers, it is our responsibility to teach what we have learned. The student teacher realtionship is simultaneous. We learn from eachother. As a human being, it is our responsibility to put forth the effort to grow. As teachers, we are students. As students, we are teachers.