Hey Hey TYA!
Darla has a message for Houston's Haters!
Texas Yoga Teacher Training Regs
I find it very unsettling — the brouhaha I’m hearing that the regulation of teacher training programs is being characterized as the regulation of all yoga classes and studios.
The fact of the matter is this: ONLY teacher training programs are subject to regulation. Yoga classes, yoga styles, yoga knowledge and tradition are not up for regulation by the state.
As a yoga teacher myself, I understand the reasoning behind regulating teacher training programs.
Ever had a really crappy yoga teacher? It’s likely they were not trained at all — or WORSE, they were trained in some fly-by-night weekend teacher training course that was unregulated. Teacher training SHOULD be reeled in!
Yes, after much thought, and after watching the Texas Yoga Anti-Regulation Show from the inside (and then bowing out and taking my money with me once I got a look at the real motives of those who are most loudly protesting)…
I have come out on the other side. I’m in full support of regulation.
I don’t love what’s happening, but I do want teachers who want to train people to teach — to have someone to be accountable to. If you are calling yourself a “school” or offering a “certificate for training” for “a job,” i.e. teacher, it is my opinion that you need more than just a “yoga woo woo all is love and light” mindset. You need to be legit. We all want yoga to be legit in other ways: for instance, so that it will be covered by insurance; so that it will be considered a real medical alternative; so that money-challenged yogis can get student loans for teacher trainings. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP. Why are so many yogis against legitimizing yoga teacher trainings?
With regulation of teacher trainings comes opportunities to spread yoga beyond our little community. Imagine getting the Federal Government to bring yoga to the military! Imagine getting your health insurance to pay for your classes! Imagine government money and student loans for teacher training! For all of these reasons and so many more, the state’s acknowledgment of yoga opens many doors toward making yoga mainstream, accessible, and affordable to all.
I ask, why are you standing in the path of that?
Manduka eQua plus Towel Review
Last month I was called by a representative for Manduka yoga products. She told me that they had a new towel for hot yoga that they would like for me to try and write a review here for. Of course I immediately agreed because I LOVE Manduka and use Manduka products all the time, their black mat pro- long, is the foundation of my yoga practice. They say you can’t do yoga without breathing, and I can’t do yoga without my Manduka yoga rig! It goes everywhere I go!
I already use Manduka’s current and older model eQua towels it so I guess I am a pretty good candidate to compare the new one to the old ones. The towel came in the mail a few days later- it is the eQua plus. According to the tag this mat is supposed to be more grippy and stink proof. They say it’s more stink proof because it’s “infused with activated carbon which spreads and evaporates moisture.” It also claims to be more echo–responsible- It has “natural coconut carbon for quick drying and odor management”. (coconut carbon?) I was sent the standard size which fits most yoga mats 72 inches long. As I mentioned a moment ago I use the long black mat so I will eventually need this in a long size for my mat. But I digress… I washed the mat before I used it in cold water and dried it in the dryer without fabric soft. This is my standard care of Manduka towels.
I teach and do HOT yoga- I have used this a few times in class and it is definitely grippier than the other. I notice it more though when it’s wet. I loved the way that felt underneath my feet, it was soft but I could tell that I wasn’t going anywhere. A little sweat and moisture on the towel makes it more available for traction, so I always sprinkle my yoga towel with a little bit of water when I get started practicing to give me some grip right away. That’s all this towel needed to hold me. Regarding the stink proof claim- it’s too soon to tell. Odor really isn’t an issue for me. I wash my towels the same day that there used so they don’t in an opportunity to get stinky. Although, I imagine for someone that didn’t have a washer and dryer and didn’t access laundry facilities daily this might be an issue. Quick drying? Certainly! But I don’t really wanted to dry quickly in yoga class, and it doesn’t. It stays wet as long as I wanted to, and stayed grippy inspite of the gallons of sweat. I dry it in the dryer everyday so I can’t really judge if it dried faster in the dryer. But I can tell that if I were camping I would definitely take this with me. It dries very fast when hung up, and that can be helpful for the traveling yogi indeed!
The bottom line is, I love this mat! Once they come out with a long mat that covers my black mat Pro completely- like the old eQua towel I will buy several.
I recommend this yoga towel to you. Like all Manduka products, this is a super high quality beautifully made yoga towel and will last forever. Buy one! Buy two!
What is your HOT Yoga Style, Darla?
I am Bikram Certified I’ll never forget the 2000 Spring session. I am also certified by Ana Forrest (2009) and Jimmy Barkan. (2007) both hot yoga style teachers- internationally known.
I am also certified by the Justice Resource Institute to teach Trauma Sensitive Yoga for PTSD sufferers and also certified to teach “Yoga Warriors”- also a PTSD – veteran specific trauma sensitive style. These PTSD classes are ongoing and are not on the main website schedule. All trauma sensitive classes are held in an ambient temperature room. (not hot) They are closed classes that require a direct inquiry or referral. Inquire to: yogadarla@gmail.com
I no longer teach BIKRAM yoga, I have serious issues with the style of teaching and the “cookie cutter” one-yoga-fits-all mentality. I have grown as a teacher and see the need for more variety, opportunity, personal-instruction, compassion. So that is where my path has lead.
With that said- I teach wonderful loving HOT yoga classes that will challenge you and help you grow your practice.
They are all 90 minutes long. All classes require a reservation to keep classes small. They are never over booked. I supply your towels water and all your needs except for your sticky mat. No BS. Just show up ready to sweat.
So if you want the Bikram 26 and all the same stuff every time my classes are not for you.
If you think they might be for you I’d love to have you. Please go to the website and fill out the “new student form”.
And lastly, here are a few links to articles I have written about hot yoga. They might interest you. Especially if you are new to yoga- or hot yoga.
If you need to know about eating on the day of class
Are you curious about why I process my clients in this manner- requiring reservations?
Do you wonder what to wear to class?
Would you like to read some reviews of my teaching?
Any other questions? yogadarla@gmail.com
Damn fine Healthy Food Blog!
God has looked down upon up Dear Readers. This may very well be the best food blog since the last great food blog! Introducing to you (and me) Coconuts and Quinoa !!!
Look at this breakfast recipe for warm weather! oatmeal RAW!
I intend to make this recipe part of the spring cleanse for Mr. Darla and myself, Darla. Doesn’t this sound heavenly???
The Drunk Diet- From GaGa
Great. I am so happy to know that we (yoga teachers- hot yoga teachers specifically) are available as part of a new fitness regime called the “Drunk Diet”.
Thanks GaGa.
from http://www.rte.ie
DO you “Like” me?
I want to be loved by you! Well, at least “liked”.
Cook this Today
I love this recipe. It’s really a basic kichari recipe that you can add veggies to or just have plain. Kitchari is a wonderful satisfying- easy to digest food that is considered to be tri-doshic in Ayurveda. (beneficial to all) I found this recipe in the Yoga Journal Magazine few year ago.
Kitchari and Raw Kale salad
Basic Kitchari
3 tablespoons of clarified butter
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup yellow Mung beans or red lentils rinsed
1 cup basmati rice rinsed
6 cups of water
In a pot, heat clarified butter over medium heat. Add the cumin and mustard seeds, wait for them to pop. Add everything but the water and simmer for a few minutes (this is the time to add shredded carrots, chopped greens, or another vegetable of your choosing. Add the water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low and cover, stir occasionally. Cook until tender about 25 minutes.
This is wonderful all alone as a cleansing fast, or as a side dish with greens such as kale.
YUM!
What a circus!
I am so disgusted. I am so not amused. I am frankly SHOCKED. (again)
This article on Bikram shines the same old light that “cult of crass”. It’s all the same, but worse. Click here to read the full article in Details magazine about the Bikram teacher training under the big top. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. Here’s a photo I took of Bikram in 2000 at his pool during my own teacher training experience. But I don’t need to tell you about that. you can hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. None of this is new behavior for “The Boss” (shudder) is new but it does seem to be escalating. How long can this go on? I am sure the backlash is coming.
Ring Master=Clown
I am EVERYWHERE!
The new Total Body Magazine is out.
I am a columnist for this ultra cool Houston Fitness Magazine. You can check out the digital version here if you don’t live in Houston. If you DO live in Houston you can pick up Total Body at Whole Foods and EVERYWHERE else all the cool kids go. Page 8 has an amazing article about yoga props and your practice. Page 32 has a beautiful ad for my awesome yoga studio! Go SEE! And offer our feedback.
darla cooks 