Freedom Lies In Being Bold

-Robert Frost

Stepping into leadership is not an easy task and can in fact be downright intimidating. What we know to be true from our experience at every new level of training is that taking the next step is going to be BOTH exciting and scary. In moments of “decision,” the fear or resistance we feel should not make us retreat but causeus to move forward. Consider that often the thing we avoid or find excuses not to do, is the thing that we are MEANT to do.

We are thrilled to begin “BE BOLD: Advanced Leadership Training” at Spotted Dog Yoga this Saturday AUGUST 12th. This program has been created as an access for SDY teachers and “LIGHT UP!” 200 Hour Teacher Empowerment graduates to continue and expand their development as leaders. 

Congratulations to Kristin Obregon, Jennifer Cox, Stephanie Tice, Rick Cheney and Emily Kendall for being accepted into “Be Bold!” In the next year, they will revolutionize and transform themselves as human beings, students, teachers and leaders in our community!

Wherever you are in your yoga journey, Spotted Dog Yoga has a great program for you.  We invite you to enroll for “Learn Yoga” Beginners Series starting August 15th, “40 Days To Personal Revolution” starting September 5th and apply for “Light Up” Teacher Empowerment Program starting October 21st.

The Spotted Dog Yoga family acknowledges YOU for taking the lead in your practice and growing our community from the inside out!

-Nick and Katie

Meet SDY Teacher Jillian Clark

Meet Jillian Corwin Clark, one of our fantastic teachers who was born and raised here in Folsom! Jillian’s top 5 favorite things about Folsom are: gorgeous bike trails, its growing diversity, its close proximity to Tahoe and the beach, its historical value and its family friendly environment. Jillian has been married to her husband, Danny, since 2012 though he was her childhood sweetheart as they first met in Kindergarten. They have a 3-year-old daughter named Halle and value family, community and love above all else. You’ll often find them riding bikes, doing house projects, playing in Tahoe and building Legos and forts. They describe themselves as simple and wouldn’t have it any other way.

Aside from yoga, Jillian’s hobbies include DIY home improvement, interior design, photography, reading, quality journalism and watching Netflix. She has been skydiving over the Swiss Alps, lived in London for a short time and attended college there, danced pre-professional ballet throughout most of her childhood/early adulthood and used to live 2 doors down from Nick and Katie.

Jillian has been practicing at SDY for over 2 years and is most inspired about teaching at SDY because of the students. Through her yoga practice, Jillian has discovered that she often worries too much about what people think, which gets in the way of her authenticity. She has realized that she has so much potential to connect with others and really shine when she is truly being herself. Jillian feels most grounded and present when she moves her body and breath simultaneously. She was a dancer many years ago, and yoga is the next best vehicle through which she feels present and alive.

Jillian loves SDY and calls it home because of the community and fun! She thanks each and every one of you for giving her the freedom to be herself and lead from her heart! Join Jillian for “Learn Yoga” starting Tuesday 8/15!

We love Jillian for her dedication to creating community at SDY! Her passion for teaching inspires us to share this yoga practice with as many people as possible!

Yoga for Runners

In an ideal world I would run most days and practice yoga at Spotted Dog daily. (In this ideal world I also never get angry and weigh 123 pounds!) If you’re balancing real life and running, and want to stay strong and flexible, here are some key poses that will help balance your body on the days when you’re pressed for time or have to choose between going on a run and getting to a yoga class. These poses are best practiced after running when your muscles are warm and most receptive to the benefits of stretching.

1.Child’s Pose – This pose releases tension from your shoulders and lower back, and stretches the fronts of your legs and feet.

2. Ragdoll – In Ragdoll your hamstrings are stretched and the lower back continues to get some love.

3.Downward Facing Dog – Down Dog is a great pose for strengthening the upper body, plus it stretches tight calves. To intensify the upper body benefit and add hip opening to the pose, move into Three Legged Dog by lifting one leg behind you, then bending the knee of the lifted leg and opening your hips to the side.

4. Half Pigeon Pose or Figure 4 Pose – Both poses will open tight hips and you should choose whichever pose feels best for your body. We practice Half Pigeon Pose in most classes at Spotted Dog. Figure 4 Pose has the same benefits, but you lie on your back, which can feel great after a run, and may be better if you have knee issues. See any of the great Spotted Dog teachers if you have questions about Figure 4 or any other pose.

Commit to taking 5 minutes after your run to run through these poses. If you have more time, add in a minute or two in Savasana and send gratitude to your body for letting you run.

See you on the mat!

Leslie

Owner/Blogger Leslie Gandy Yoga and Fitness

Upcoming events at Spotted Dog Yoga in Folsom, California.

Teacher Training Essentials

Nick and Katie, assisted by Dawn, will be leading a new group of students through the “Light Up!” 200 Hour Teacher Training, starting on September 24th. I completed teacher training through Spotted Dog Yoga in April this year and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. Here are a few thoughts on being prepared for teacher training.

1. Have a regular yoga practice. I hadn’t practiced yoga consistently in more than a year when I started teacher training. This was not ideal (sarcasm, understatement). A foundation of 3 to 5 classes per week will help you withstand the physical rigors of the training program.
2. Get comfortable with not knowing. Teacher training is designed to challenge you and to disrupt business as usual. So don’t be surprised when you find yourself out – way out – of your comfort zone.
3. Find deodorant that works. You’ll be sweating a lot in close proximity with other yogis. A great deodorant will make you smell, if not great, at least less bad.
4. Prep quick healthy snacks. Breaks are often short and have to be used for many purposes, and bringing snacks means you’ll never have to choose between a shower or food when you’re dying for both.
5. Trust the process. You’re in great hands at Spotted Dog and even when things feel tough and you don’t think you can go on, remember that you are stronger than you know, and that everybody guiding you through has been in your shoes.

I’ll never regret doing teacher training. If you’re considering it, just do it. Even if you don’t think you’ll ever teach. Even if you’re not sure you’re strong enough. You’ll be amazed at who you can become at the end of the journey.

See you on the mat!

Leslie

Owner/Blogger Leslie Gandy Yoga and Fitness

Back to School for Grownups

For many people a new year represents a new start, an opportunity to begin again, a time to disrupt business as usual. To me, fall offers that very same opportunity. Maybe it’s the memories of my own new school supplies and the excitement that came with meeting your teacher and entering a different classroom. Although my kids always complained about summer coming to an end, there was the same kind of excitement for them. But as grownups, unless you’re a teacher, you don’t get the back to school experience (and for teachers it’s way different than it is for students, I would guess).

This year I intend to treat the day after Labor Day as my own personal reset date and I hope you’ll do the same. This weekend I’ll revisit some goals I set at the end of SDY’s Teacher Training and identify specific actions I can take to move closer to what I want the most. Then I’ll have two weeks of gentle implementation, which enables me to further refine whatever I’ve committed to. For example, in a perfect world I would practice yoga and get 20,000 steps every day. But experience has told me I’m setting myself up for failure if that’s what I’m aiming for, because that just doesn’t work for me. Those kinds of issues can be worked out during those two weeks.

Come Tuesday, September 8^th, it’s time to get serious. And the timing of this school year new year is beautiful, because it gives some structure and weight to your commitments at a time when it’s just so easy to lose steam as the days get shorter and the weather more unpredictable (can we get some rain please?) and staying in bed becomes more appealing than ever. Another great thing is that staying disciplined in the months leading up to the holidays means you won’t start the calendar new year with big sweeping changes that need to be made.

If any of your commitments have to do with healthier eating, consider signing up for Christine Ice’s “Rejuvenate and Reset: 5 Days to Vibrant Health” class at Spotted Dog on Saturday, September 12^th. In the two-hour seminar, you’ll learn how cleansing and detoxing your body will revitalize and start you on a path to more vibrant health. The seminar will be followed by five days of mindful yogic eating, based on a foundation of fresh, organic, beautiful foods. Your health coach, Christine, will provide daily check-ins and support to keep you on track. This process will remove toxins from your liver and colon, fire up your digestive energy, boost your immune system, and increase mental focus and clarity.

That’s my plan. So who’s with me? I’ll post some of my commitments in the Comments section, and I’d love it if you’d post yours too.

See you on the mat.

Leslie

Owner/Blogger Leslie Gandy Yoga and Fitness

Connect: SDY ASSISTANT PROGRAM.

The Spotted Dog Yoga community is getting more and more EXCITED!  Congratulations to all of the amazing people who completed the first ever SDY assistant program this weekend. You are in great hands!

Folsom, El Dorado Hills and surrounding areas, this community is bringing the energy!  Get ready to create something special together!