"Steve and Talya take you back to basics. Instead of working through and past poses you’ve done time and time again, they challenge you to stop and bring your awareness to the details: slight movements and active intentions that simply will not allow you to ignore the true elements of the poses. Their careful attention to the nuances of different bodies is really refreshing and so necessary in yoga. Despite how hard we worked, the amazing energy they bring to the class, and that which they help you channel in yourself, left me feeling awakened and energetic. As a teacher in training, I’m grateful beyond words to have been a student in their class. Such a wonderful experience!"

-- Inner Fire Yoga teacher in training Jessica Dias

"I was leading Sun Salutations at Turbodog's teacher training and the bratty critic in my head was going insane.

"Wait, you idiot," it screamed, "you just said 'Inhale,' twice in a row... no, no, it's right foot back now, not left foot ... or wait, it is time for plank?... Oh, crap ... You're messing it all up!" Panic flushed over my face and I could feel my confidence start to crumble. Then, I heard a voice from across the room.

"Make your mistakes big!" said Talya. "Make them proudly!" Suddenly, the voice-POOF!-vanished. I swear the room got brighter. My shoulders, my legs, my heart, everything felt freer as I dove into the next Sun, feeling more liberated than I had in years. Instead of tumbling down a sad spiral of self-doubt, now I was letting go, having fun, and being big! So what if I messed up? I just went with it. It felt dangerous, exciting, and incredibly exhilarating!

Being encouraged to own my imperfections like that turned my perfectionist's worldview completely upside down. Now when I hear my inner critic piping up, I know I have a choice: listen and cower under the stress of trying to be perfect, or say 'screw it' and embrace my mistakes boldly. How much more joy and aliveness there is in the latter! Every time I remember that, it's like a giant weight is lifted off my shoulders. Who knew messing up could feel so amazing?"

- Turbodog 4-day teacher trainee Brooke O'Neill