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Before we became yoga teachers, we were once and still is students of yoga.
Every week I am sharing some insight from some inspirational yoga teachers I meet over the years. I hope their stories will inspire and motivate you in your yoga practice. This Week I am highlighting ……. @LittleYogiJay
SFCY: Tell us a little bit about yourself :)
LittleYogiJay: I'm into a little bit of everything I teach, create wellness products, l do what feels right depending on the space that I am in. I'm a HUGE J.Cole fan 📷🏾 and love anime as well (Dragon Ball, Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, Castlevania) and whatever else I happen to come upon. I'm random lol literally marching to the beat of my own drum.
SFCY: How did you get introduced to yoga and when did yoga get serious? LittleYogiJay: I was introduced to yoga for the very first time when I was in middle school when my substitute teacher showed my class a few basic poses. I started to take it seriously in 2015 when I was on IG and came across @ladydork and @superdopemin page and decided to start attempting poses and ever since then I been practicing. SFCY: Can you share your biggest challenges you face as a yoga teacher?
LittleYogiJay: The main challenge I tend to face as a yoga instructor is being taken seriously as an instructor when I teach. I don't look like most yoga instructors.
I'm curvy, have tons of tattoos, and really short lol so usually I get a lot of weird looks initially from students when they come to my class because they were expecting someone or something else. I've even had people walk out of my class and wait for the next instructor class instead. In the beginning of course this bothered me, but now that I am more comfortable with teaching it doesn't phase me at all. SFCY: Where do you find your motivation to keep teaching?
LittleYogiJay: I'm motivated by so many things: a particular song that I like, smoking cannabis, seeing my fellow yogi friends share their journey, it's not one thing that motivates me it is this journey itself that is a constant reminder to do what feeds your soul.
SFCY: What was your most embarrassing moment teaching a yoga class? LittleYogiJay: I was subbing a nude yoga class for a friend and one of the students needed to be adjusted and so when I went to do so as she was on her mat. I leaned over not realizing that my titties were resting right on her chin smh she looked up at me and burst out laughing, but needless to say I am way more aware of my closeness lol when I do teach nude yoga classes.
SFCY: How did yoga influence your life beyond teaching?
LittleYogiJay: Yoga has allowed me to seek balance in all things that I do on a daily basis. I try to remember that whatever stress, frustration, or trying time is only temporary. When I am having a particular difficult day I listen to certain mantras and try to find a way to remove myself both mentally and physically from whatever is causing my aggravation.
SFCY: What does your typical day look like? LittleYogiJay: My usual day involves working my regular job, then some days I have a class or I'm meeting with one of my one-on-one clients for a session. When I'm home there's usually more practice and responding to emails. Nothing special.
What is your favorite style to teach?
It honestly depends on my mood but its between restorative and vinyasa flow
SFCY: What type of yoga classes do you offer?
LittleYogiJay: Restorative and Vinyasa
SFCY: What are your future plans/goals/dreams for your yoga teaching business?
LittleYogiJay: My future yoga goals include working full-time as an instructor (next year) completing my 500HR training, and in the long term opening up my own yoga studio/cannabis dispensary.
SFCY: Any tips for passionate people who interested in becoming a yoga teacher?
LittleYogiJay: Go for it. Know what you want out of your training and don't get discouraged. The yoga community can be an amazing space to grow as an individual and learn from your students and fellow instructions.
SFCY: How can people get in touch with you? Website? Social Media?
LittleYogiJay: I'm available on Instagram & Facebook: @littleyogijay and my website is currently under construction so stay tuned for that relaunch.
Well, that sums up this weeks Yoga Teacher Highlight. If you want to be featured send an email to Info@Simplyfitandcurvyyoga.com
Namaste!
Related Reading:
Kenya Marsh is the founder of SimplyFitandCurvyYoga (SFCY) and Author of several books including Yoga for Beginners: A Great Way to Start. As a wife, stay-at-home mom of two, and yoga teacher. Kenya knows how challenging and beneficial a steady yoga practice can be. She understands it can be hard to start a new yoga journey alone. She created this website, along with courses, books, and more materials to help provide support to busy yogis elevate their yoga practice.
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