Student of Life, Student for Life
by Adri Kyser • Mar 9th, 2010 • Category: Pilates, YogaEver since yoga has been a part of my life I felt the need to learn more about this amazing tradition and way of life. To many of my friends and family members, it seems that I finish a training and then enroll in another one… Some think I am crazy; I like to think I am a student for life.
“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”
— Chinese Proverb
Last year I decided to embark in a new challenge. I decided to include Pilates in my life and maybe introduce it to my yoga students. Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive about the level of commitment this would require, and that it meant my yoga practice was not going to be the same. After seven months of studying, practicing and teaching, a few weeks ago I finished my Intensive Teacher Training in Pilates, where I put in over 600 hours of hard work to learn how to teach Pilates not only on the mat (which I’ve taught since 2006), but using all the Pilates equipment.
I found that combining yoga and Pilates has been a blessing in my life and body. I notice how I’ve become stronger physically and more versatile in what I can offer. Yes, my yoga practice changed. I was not able to practice as often as I did in the past, but to my surprise Pilates helped me with yoga. Not only that, but I realized that thanks to yoga my Pilates practice is great too!
Now I incorporate both yoga and Pilates in my classes, and my students are loving it. Even those who in the past did not like Pilates (like me) now love it, and those that did not like yoga now feel they need to incorporate both.
I thought I would take a while from trainings and enjoy some free time, but to my surprise last weekend I found myself applying and being accepted in an 800-hour training program with a well-known and respected scholar Georg Feuerstein. I will start in June 2010 and it will be a two to three-year commitment. I cannot be more excited about this! I will be learning about yoga history, philosophy and literature.
The more I learn, the more I realize there is much more to learn. I want to learn something new everyday. I want to get inspired and challenged so I can give and share some of that inspiration with those willing to receive it.
I am eternally grateful to all my teachers, friends, family and students for inspiring me to be my best everyday. Thanks to their unconditional love and support, I am able to do what I love to do — be a student of life and a student for life.
Related Chi: The Visual Language of Yoga
New Life
I would love to find a class or DVD that successfully combines yoga and pilates as I like both of these practices but can’t always fit each into every day. Do you have a suggestion for a DVD?
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Hi Sandy,
I am not familiar with any DVD’s that combines both practices… If you are looking for yoga dvds the options are endless. I love all the yoga dvds from my teacher Shiva Rea. For Pilates you can go to Power Pilates.com and you can find dvds or classes you can download on you mp3 player. I like that I can put my headphones on and do my pilates workout anywhere I go.
I hope this helps. If you have any more questions feel free to ask!
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Thanks for the great post Adri! I love the Yogalates DVD that is out. It is a nice flowing practice and gets your abs ready for the yoga. Pilates helps build all the great muscles needed to be activated in yoga class…belly, quads, and back muscles! Enjoy your 800 hour training. Sounds like fun!
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I recently posed the question to our fans, “What kind of teacher inspires you?” on our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/childlightyoga . The comments were so interesting. To me, keeping that ‘beginner’s mind’, always learning, is the sign of superb teacher. Here’s to many more years of staying inspired to remain a student of life! Blessings, Lisa
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Hi Adri,
It’s really wonderful to feel your passion for yoga and pilates in thinking as a student of life, student for life. Your attitude is right on here!!! Both practices have helped me in building my core strength incredibly. Recently, I learned that my eldest son uses both practices to vastly improve his athletic pitching ability while playing in college. Wow, it’s versatility of application is truly amazing! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. All the best with your extensive 800-hour training upcoming. Learning is exciting!!!
~Catherine
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I believe that ‘cross training’ in a sense is the best way to condition our minds and bodies. When I focus on just one thing, just one belief, I get stuck. Keep on learning!
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