What I Do outside of Yoga And How These Activities Have Shaped Me As A Teacher
Y’all already know I love yoga, but you might not know that I don’t solely depend on yoga for my fitness or use it as my main form of exercise. I actually found yoga as a cross-training activity (before I really knew what yoga was) for running. So even my reason for initially practicing yoga is rooted in these activities. My reason for practicing yoga now has evolved into something much more—but that’s for a different post.
Why am I writing this?
Because these other activities have played a major role in shaping who I am as a yoga student and teacher. My needs, my priorities, and my education have been shaped by these forms of exercise. When you know what is important to me and what I like, you understand why I teach the way I do and you know the specific benefits you will reap by practicing with me.
I seek challenge, strength, and endurance, and I teach to give you those things through yoga. I also seek balance and recovery, and I teach classes with a special focus on rest and non-doing.
Knowing about my lifestyle will help you better know me as a teacher and connect with the practice I offer.
So let’s get to it!
Here are my top 3 non-yoga fitness activities and how they have shaped me as a yoga teacher!
Rowing
I found rowing as a freshman in high school. It was a love-at-first-row experience, and I continued throughout high school and rowed varsity for a D1 university for a year.
Why I love it:
The water. I have always felt connected to the water and love being near it, despite being really inept at swimming.
The attention to detail. The physics of rowing and the rate and manner in which you move, even on a rowing machine, are important. You have to focus on everything you’re doing in order to move effectively (and to not flip the boat) so it’s totally immersive, which I love.
The mixture of strength and endurance. Rowing is the sweet spot for me. It requires both strength and endurance, which means the training is extensive and also interesting. There is always something to work on in rowing, whether it’s cardio, strength training, or technique.
How it’s shaped me as a yoga teacher:
Attention to alignment. My attention to detail in my students’ alignment is evident in my yoga teaching. That doesn’t mean I’m a stickler for people doing postures in specific ways, but I’m very keen on people practicing in a way that makes sense for their body. So instead of forcing people to fit the mold of the posture, I help them mold the posture for their own body. I have had to make intricate adjustments in rowing and picked up on my coaches’ use of detailed language. The language I use in my classes provides specific information so that students can achieve their optimal alignment.
Focus on strength and endurance. My flow classes are all about getting stronger. Strength and mobility go hand in hand and I present these strengthening movements in a way that simultaneously builds muscular endurance.
Running
To this day, running provides the quickest avenue for me to get my heart rate up. It also requires no special equipment (other than shoes) so I can do it whenever and wherever. Running was not easy for me when I started, but I have improved by leaps and bounds over the years. Since I didn’t start with a lot of natural talent, the progress I have experienced through dedication and practice has been really rewarding.
Why I love it:
Accessibility: I don’t need to prepare or drive somewhere. I can just walk outside and go.
Cardiovascular endurance. When I’m running, I can tell that many activities in my daily life are made easier as a result. Dropping into Yoga HIIT, yard work, even walking up stairs are all easier when I’ve been running regularly.
It’s hard for me. I love a challenge, what can I say?
How it’s shaped me as a yoga teacher:
Recovery and balance. Before I found yoga, I was running myself too much (literally) and knew I needed time and space for something gentler. I found yoga because I was seeking a practice that offered a counterpart to running. Something that would help me relax, slow down, and learn how to still my mind. My love for practicing and teaching restorative and gentle yoga came from this need for balance in my life and movement.
Powerlifting/Lifting Weights
I lifted on and off for years for other sports, but really got into it about 4 or 5 years ago. Since my background was mostly in endurance sports, lifting provided an interesting and new way to move and challenge myself.
Why I love it:
Easily measurable progress. It’s simple to see you’re getting stronger because you’re able to lift or do more. Progress can be measured by the amount of weight you’re lifting, the number of reps you’re able to do, or the ease with which you’re able to do something. The path of progress isn’t always linear—you need recovery and deload weeks. Sometimes you also might just be in a slump. BUT over time with dedication and consistency, you see bigger numbers, more reps, and muscular gains.
Understanding of programming. When you lift, at some point, you can’t just keep maxing out every week. You have to get smarter about how you’re approaching your goals and put a plan in place that includes rest and recovery. Lifting solidified my understanding of the non-linear progression of strength training.
Translates to other types of strength. I feel better in rowing, running, and yoga when I’m lifting. When I’m lifting, I am better at all of my other physical pursuits.
How it’s shaped me as a yoga teacher:
Creativity. My experience in the gym has translated into some unique, non-traditional yoga movements and transitions with a strength-building focus. Moving my body in strength training lights my creative fires and helps me think up new body-weight movements for my classes.
Core for days. I’m talking about literal core work. I have so many ideas now and use yoga props in all the ways. I can clearly see when someone is having trouble moving or feeling a part of their trunk and my background has given me numerous tools to help them with.
Plans for private clients. The understanding of programming lifting gave me has helped me create long-term and detailed plans to guide clients towards their goals.
When you practice with me, you benefit from my background knowledge and experience in many other movement modalities.
I love doing different types of movement because it feels good and allows me to understand firsthand what my clients feel like coming into yoga after doing other activities and exercises. I know how my clients feel, and I know how yoga can help them feel even more amazing.
What’s your favorite non-yoga fitness practice? Tell me in the comments below!
You can practice with me in-person or virtually at Yoga Baum, or check out one of my on-demand series such as Daily Yoga for Strength <3 You can also inquire about private sessions here.