you too could be a cover model! if...

If you're involved in the yoga "world" you have probably seen all the commotion about Yoga Journal's "Talent Search".

Since when did yoga become a talent? Okay, we can look back in history and say, "oh yeah, that Leonardo da Vinci was a talented fellow!" Some argue about the talent or lack there of in regards to Andy Warhol or Jackson Pollock. What about Lady Gaga? Talented evil genius or spoiled rich girl from New York?

So what is it that makes a talented yogi/yogini? Well, here are YJ's official guidelines to be considered a searchable, potentially talented cover model:


Make sure we can see your whole body in the frame.

Show us your face, if possible.

Wear something form-fitting and bright, so that you stand out from the background.

Show off a pose you’ve mastered, rather than something more advanced that you can just barely do. (Great alignment impresses us more than difficulty.)

My kind of talented yoga person doesn't need to wear tight clothes, or have a pretty face, nor do they have to have the kind of body that generally graces the cover of yoga mags. In my talent search this yoga person is compassionate, knowledgeable, playful, humble, able to listen and learn to each student, artful in their way of teaching, inspired and in love with life. I mean, when was the last time someone like this was on the cover of YJ?

I guess those are difficult concepts to translate to the cover of a magazine though? But hey, we're selling yoga these days right?

prelude...

After a couple of weeks of hard work a day off is on the horizon. I'm sad to see this last group of ladies leave but very excited to be heading out of town for a couple of days. Today we leave by bus from Tulum to Valladolid for the next day and a half. Little colonial town, tons of cenotes to get our swim on. Being on the giving end of things everyday all day for the past few weeks...well, I'm ready to receive. More on that later, right now my brain, body and heart can't write another word.

Like whoa...

Week one (and almost two) down!!! What an amazing experience this has been so far. It feels like everything I've learned in these past 31 years has been for this. We've been talking a lot this past week about intention and letting go. It's interesting that when you start talking about these things with your students how much it effects you, how much you also start delving into these ideas. Sometimes it's hard to separate yourself and continue to be the teacher when this happens but sometimes that's okay. I think it's good for your students to see you as a real person that deals with the the same emotional obstacles they face. It allows a space for you to share your own experiences in a way your students can relate.

We have had some extraordinary people pass through these doors the past two weeks: a gold miner, traveling yoga goddess, stay at home mamas, bankers, photographers, and a singer or two. One of these amazing humans did an interview with me about yoga and the like. She's been traveling around doing these little one on ones with yoga teachers for awhile now and I feel absolutely honored to be included. She is rad, I love her and what she is doing in this world so please check out her website. She's trying to figure out the process of getting youtube to select another cell since you know...I generally tend to have a smile on my face :) And yes, that beautiful scenery is my front yard. We happen to be sitting right outside our beachfront yoga palapa. Not to shabby right? Let me know how it is since I can't seem to watch it with as slow as the internet is around these parts. Hugs and love to all of you. xo ks

Beginning...

Bartendress extraordinaire gives up amazing life to become a traveling yogi in Mexico. Shirking off all adult responsibilities and absconding friends and family she finds herself in paradise. Paradise? We'll see how this little country bumpkin, workaholic fares in the amazing jungles of Mexico!!! So on and so forth it goes. It has been interesting getting here. Only took me two years....or two weeks depending on how you look at it. Two years from the first time that little seed was planted about attempting to make a little life here and two weeks since I was here last on vacation, offered two opportunities for rooming and board in exchange for teaching, and took them without hesitation.

Yep, two weeks ago. I absconded. Left behind 3 amazing jobs, wonderful roommates, family, friends, and a lover. All to teach yoga in this little town along the Mayan Riviera. I flew home two weeks ago with a laundry list of things to do...quit jobs, make as much money as possible, sell my camper van, transfer bills, rent my room, and pack. Oh the packing!!! I hurriedly searched for more yoga clothes about my home, knew I had buy copious amounts of underwear, and figure out how to fit 50 tampons into my suitcase. You see, the underwear purchasing situation down here is fairly non-existent. It's at least an hour drive to any store where I could buy something and having spoiled myself on American Apparel undies and fancy french silk things makes the all cotton, full coverage options they have here less appealing. I won't even get into the tampon thing. Not on here anyhow.

So, here it goes kiddos. My little adventure. I'm curious to see where it takes me, who it puts in my path and how it shapes my life. The very first entry in my book of daily Taoist meditations talks about Beginning. We are always beginning something, even if we are unaware of it. Beginning a new job or task, new friendship, new day, new breath.


currently residing::Amansala Resort