Inspiring Instructors - Jacoby Ballard

 As a teacher who offers classes specifically to the Queer and Trans communities, I have had some disheartening experiences and witnessed some students struggle to find a place for themselves in the yoga world.  While some studio owners have turned classes away because they want classes the can offer "to everyone", others have "scooped" requests for me to teach to a LGBTQ group because they felt "anyone can teach Queer and Trans Yoga". And, sadly, I’ve taught students who have experienced homophobic and/or transphobic experiences at other classes.  I know we can do better as a yoga community—to open our hearts and create more spaces that provide safety, understanding, and community building. Meet Jacoby Ballard, a yoga instructor and co-owner of a wellness centre in Brooklyn, New York, who is doing just that.
   
What led you to decide to offer yoga classes to the queer and trans communities?

 I came out as trans while training to be a teacher, and so yoga has always been a part of my gender. It’s been a very spiritual process, to transition socially and medically, that it has really demanded that I know who I am. Though I found support through yoga in yamas and niyamas and through the warmth of my teachers, I also found a complete lack of understanding of the trans experience.  

For the rest of the interview click below:

http://torontobodymind.ca/blogs/heather-douglas/inspiring-instructors-part-ii-queer-and-trans-yoga

Inspiring Instructors - Jennifer Musial

Ever since I became involved in the world of teaching yoga, I have been moved by my peer instructors’ unique approaches and individual dedication to increasing yoga’s accessibility by sharing its benefits beyond the mainstream audience.  I am inspired by this work and am always curious to know more and so I will spend my next few blog entries sharing my interviews with some of these fine folks with you.
Meet Jennifer Musial, a Hatha yoga teacher from Kingston, Ontario, who teaches within the walls of Joyceville penitentiary.
What drew you to teach yoga in prison?

Click here to read the rest: http://torontobodymind.ca/blogs/heather-douglas/inspiring-instructors-series-part-1

Music on the Mat

I’ve had three primary yoga teachers, none of whom had ever promoted the use of music during class--with the occasional exception of savasana.  Although my teachers taught me much of what I know about guiding students through a practice, on this note, I have found my own path.

The first group I taught was a queer and trans community class.  For many of us, gathering as a group to do yoga was something new, and the music helped us to settle into a comfortable space together.  As I branched out into other studios and teaching venues, I was hesitant about sharing the mixes I had delighted in making for my regular class as my mixes were not traditionally considered “yoga music”. I moved forward despite that, concluding that the best practice was to just  be myself and draw together students who enjoy my teaching style.

read more: http://torontobodymind.ca/blogs/heather-douglas/music-mat

Yoga is Going to the Dogs

 In the past I have been skeptical of yoga classes for dogs and their people. I wondered if it was yet another marketing ploy, or further humanization the animals we live with.  Then I started to reflect on some of the activities we do share with our dogs, like running, hiking, swimming, and walking.  We both benefit from physical activity, focusing our minds, as well as the communication and cooperation required while engaging in these pursuits together. Why would sharing yoga with our dogs be any different? 
 click below for the rest of the article
http://torontobodymind.ca/blogs/heather-douglas/yoga-going-dogs
photo credits to EK Park

Challenges of Being Both Student & Teacher

  As a novice student of yoga I had my struggles learning to be present in my practice. There were streams of thoughts, loops of negative self-talk, and disconnect from my breath as I was guided through movement, stillness, and pranayama.  As the years passed this inner chatter quieted, my movements became linked to my breath, and I was more often in the yoga – feeling the connection of mind, body, breath, and spirit. My experienced benefits and ever-growing love for yoga led to my desire to share by teaching after almost a decade as student. 
Read more http://torontobodymind.ca/blogs/heather/lessons-dual-practice 
*photo credit to EK Park

LGBTQ seniors & yoga

One of my long term goals is to combine my experience teaching yoga in the LGBTQ community and my Seniors Yoga training to create a local class for LGBTQ seniors.  The attached trailer is for a documentary about LGBTQ seniors and the challenges they face when needing care or assisted living.  This community needs all the support, love, and advocacy we can offer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV3O8qz6Y5g

great blog link

I came across this blog and entry today about a "queer fat femme's" intro to yoga.  I think you should check it out:
http://queerfatfemme.com/2010/03/10/the-queer-fat-femme-guide-to-beginning-a-yoga-practice/