It’s the one-year anniversary of the Flagstaff YogaSix studio…
…which means it’s also my one-year anniversary of teaching (and practicing!) at YogaSix.
Time flies!
I posted last year about receiving my job offer from YogaSix — which was brand new and just opening at the time — and then about undergoing Bridge Training, but then after that, I’ve mostly been quiet about teaching yoga.
…which is weird, because it’s been such a huge part of my life for the past year.
I wanted to give a little update now that I’m a full year in.
I’m still teaching two classes every week — a Y6 Hot class, which is the set sequence, and a Y6 Power class, which is a fast-paced vinyasa-based class with a sequence that changes every month.
With 52 weeks in a year and two classes a week, that means I’ve taught about 100 classes in the past year, give or take a few for cancelations and subbing.
After those 100 or so classes, I can safely say I’ve become so much more confident in my teaching!
I’ve also gotten a lot better at distinguishing my rights from my lefts. 😉
When I accepted my job at YogaSix, I hadn’t taught yoga since I lived in Chicago and taught two classes a week at my little independent studio in Rogers Park that I came to love. After taking a good amount of time off teaching due to Peace Corps and the pandemic, I was so rusty, and that really reflected in my confidence. Plus – YogaSix has a very distinct style of teaching. Most studios — especially chains — have a very particular way they want you to teach. The way YogaSix wanted me to teach was a little different than the way I was taught, so there was a bit of a learning curve at first.
However, after a full year of teaching, I feel so incredibly confident using all the techniques YogaSix wants me to employ while teaching. They’re second nature at this point, and I don’t feel myself second guessing anymore.
I’ve also had SO MUCH FUN creating sequences, playlists and themed classes.
I’ve been able to work some fun peak poses — like headstand with eagle legs, eight angle, side crow and partridge — into my classes.
I’ve also held some pretty damn fun themed classes, like emo screamo night, Halloween glow flow, animated Disney musicals, “pop punk is not dead,” and ’90s boy bands.
(You can click those links for the playlists.)
In addition to gaining confidence as an instructor, I’ve also gained an entire community!
Not only do I get to work with some insanely talented instructors and staffers, I also get to hang out with them outside of the studio.
I’ve had studio friends over for house parties. I’ve met some of these friends out for bar nights and hikes as well.
I’ve made friends with students, as well! I’ve met some of my students at concerts, shows and bars too.
And — so many of my friends from outside the studio have made it a point to come take my classes.
At one point, I had an entire handful of my non-yoga friends show up in my studio to roll out their mats and let me guide them through a practice, and then ask if we could all hang out afterward!
I am a little embarrassed to admit that I went home and cried after that class.
Thank you Jane, Jenni, Lauren, Marissa, Megan, Jody, Ivan, Ryan and Lexie for showing up and supporting me. It honestly means SO DAMN MUCH.
And, of course, I’ve been privileged enough to practice at this studio as well.
And, because YogaSix is “corporate,” I’ve been able to get to know some of the instructors at our sister studio, CycleBar, which is also under the Xponential Fitness franchise umbrella.
I’ve also been able to participate in some fun CycleBar events and classes for free, thanks to my complementary membership over there.
It’s been such an incredible year full of fitness, friendship, community, good music, hype flows, juicy stretches and all-around positivity, wellness, strength and happiness.
I cannot WAIT for another year full of YogaSix!
