Hellooooo!
I haven’t really been posting about too many weekend adventures lately because, well, I haven’t had too many weekend adventures.
Instead of hiking around northern Arizona, I’ve been busy practicing yoga, building playlists, designing sequences and refining cues because…
…I’m going to be teaching studio yoga again!
I’m REALLY excited! The BRAND FREAKIN’ NEW YogaSix Flagstaff studio opens TODAY, and my first class is TOMORROW!
It’s been several years since I taught a permanent studio class due to both my Peace Corps service and COVID, so I truly cannot wait to be back in a studio sharing my love of yoga with my fellow Flagstaff residents!
If you’ve followed along with my yoga teaching experience, you know that I did my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with CorePower Yoga in 2018 before accepting a job at an independent Chicago studio called North Loft Yoga in 2019. I taught a few classes at North Loft weekly for the better part of 2019 until I left for Ukraine that August.
I taught a few classes to other volunteers and to Ukrainians during my Peace Corps service, but for the most part, my teaching just completely came to a halt — especially when I got back to the U.S. and studios shut down due to COVID.
I tried to look for a teaching job (and a regular studio to practice at) when I first moved to Flagstaff. But, after shooting out a few applications (and trying to network), it became very evident that pretty much every Flagstaff resident is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and it was practically impossible to get a job at any studio.
So, I gave up. I kept trying out a few Flagstaff studios just for my own personal practice, but didn’t connect with any of them the same way I connected with my CorePower Uptown studio. While I have a deep respect for and love of ALL forms of yoga, and I do really embrace the history and traditions of the practice, I personally really enjoy practicing upbeat, fast vinyasa-focused fitness-style classes with varying sequences. Especially if they’re hot! And, Flagstaff just didn’t really have any studios that offered exactly what I was looking for.
Plus, Flagstaff’s studios just didn’t really offer the class variety or availability I was looking for. A lot of studios offered daytime classes and set sequences, which didn’t really jive well with my 9-to-5 government job and love of variety.
So, I focused on my own home practice and transitioned from studio practice to self-guided sequences, virtual classes and online subscriptions. I kind of just accepted that I likely wouldn’t find a Flagstaff studio to call home the same way I found a Chicago studio to call home.
Until…
…YogaSix!
Back in November, I saw (via Instagram) that YogaSix would be opening a Flagstaff location and I immediately applied. I knew enough about YogaSix (class offerings, teaching methodology, studio mission and philosophy, etc.) that I knew my style of yoga practice and teaching would fit right in.
So, after a few phone interviews, an audition video and a three-day training program, I was hired!
My first class is TOMORROW!
I’ll be teaching Y6 Hot (YogaSix’s set sequence) and Y6 Power (a fast-paced vinyasa flow-style class with a changing sequence) Monday and Wednesday nights.
The next week is totally free to the public, so download the YogaSix app and book your spot in my class.
I can’t wait to see you on your mats!
Namaste!
