"In my life I am often in the position of caring for others. I give to my husband, my sweet rambunctious kids, my friends, my clients, and my students on a daily basis. As a caregiver, I know that in order to be any good at any of these roles that I have to take care of myself first. As you can imagine, my life is fast paced and when I gave myself the time my workouts tended to be fast paced as well. I found that my spirit, mind and body were constantly racing. In the past year I have been listening to the voice that has been telling me to slow down and actually feel, sit with, listen to and savor myself, my life. I explored several types of yoga and Forrest Yoga at Turbodog Yoga resonated for me immediately. I appreciate the ability to focus on my breath, to hold poses and sit with and breathe through the sometimes difficult or exhilarating feelings that come with them and the delicious heat.
Since I started at Turbodog in September, I come to yoga 3-4 times a week. Several years ago, I tried yoga with a friend. Even with blocks, I could not hold downward facing dog. My belief was that I was not strong enough for yoga. I held that belief for years. With a consistent practice, I have been amazed to see how strong I really am. Now, I am not only doing downward facing dog, but downward facing dog on the wall. I am consistently more aware of my breath and find myself taking moments out of my day to relish the ability to breathe deeply and fully. I realize more now how I tend to hold tension in my jaw, neck and shoulders and so I remind myself to relax several times a day. My mind tends to race and wander less and when it does, I am less judgmental with myself in guiding myself back to the present moment. In setting an intention for each practice, I give myself the time and space to focus on my own needs, wishes and desires. It is my time to give myself the care and attention that I offer to others.
Two years ago I lost one of my best friends to breast cancer. It was a devastating time in my life and a wakeup call. For years I had been on the go and had not paid attention to the physical self with which I have been blessed. I went through a period of time where I could not take a deep breath. I had learned the healing power of breathing during both of my natural pregnancies, but I did not truly tap into it past the births. One of my essential learnings at Turbodog Yoga has been the therapeutic wonder that is breathing. It is simple, yet profound. I get to breathe." – Cynthia Langtiw, December 2011
Since I started at Turbodog in September, I come to yoga 3-4 times a week. Several years ago, I tried yoga with a friend. Even with blocks, I could not hold downward facing dog. My belief was that I was not strong enough for yoga. I held that belief for years. With a consistent practice, I have been amazed to see how strong I really am. Now, I am not only doing downward facing dog, but downward facing dog on the wall. I am consistently more aware of my breath and find myself taking moments out of my day to relish the ability to breathe deeply and fully. I realize more now how I tend to hold tension in my jaw, neck and shoulders and so I remind myself to relax several times a day. My mind tends to race and wander less and when it does, I am less judgmental with myself in guiding myself back to the present moment. In setting an intention for each practice, I give myself the time and space to focus on my own needs, wishes and desires. It is my time to give myself the care and attention that I offer to others.
Two years ago I lost one of my best friends to breast cancer. It was a devastating time in my life and a wakeup call. For years I had been on the go and had not paid attention to the physical self with which I have been blessed. I went through a period of time where I could not take a deep breath. I had learned the healing power of breathing during both of my natural pregnancies, but I did not truly tap into it past the births. One of my essential learnings at Turbodog Yoga has been the therapeutic wonder that is breathing. It is simple, yet profound. I get to breathe." – Cynthia Langtiw, December 2011
Warrior of The Month: Cynthia Langtiw
"I'm a runner. Over the years, most of my running injuries occurred as a result of weak core and hips. I started going to Steve & Talya's classes 3 years ago as a way of dealing with minor running injuries,
and I found that all my muscle knots would be smoothed out after a 1.5-hour class with Talya.
When Steve & Talya first opened Turbodog, I stopped going to their classes because the location was too far for me. I was training for the Chicago Marathon and began doing other strength building exercises that I believed would work as well as the yoga had. I was wrong. About a month before the marathon I injured myself. I kept training and even ran the marathon with a very painful piriformis muscle. After the marathon, with the injury not going away, I decided that I needed to go back to yoga. I returned to Turbodog and within one week the hip pain was completely gone. As a runner, this form of yoga is the best injury prevention there is!
For 2.5 years I practiced yoga only once a week and my body remained tight and stiff. In the last 6 months I've started coming to class more often. I've discovered that when I practice 3-4 days in a row things begin to loosen up and the practice no longer feels like "work." Rather than fighting with my body to remain in the poses, it feels like I can explore the stretches and the space they create. I always thought that yoga was like other forms of exercise where break-days were necessary. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that yoga works best when it is practiced consecutively.
Emotionally, working with Steve & Talya has helped me become skillful at handling intense situations with greater resilience. I used to suffer from social anxiety -- a condition that left me feeling isolated and fearful. I believed that every new person was threatening and judgmental and I would retreat as a safety response. I used Steve & Talya's classes as an opportunity to rewire my conditioned reaction. During my first class, I heard my brain saying that they believed I shouldn't be there, and all I wanted to do was run away. But instead of walking away, I stayed and practiced. I cried through that entire class. I kept returning over and over using every opportunity to rewrite my brain's stories until the fearful voice in my head began to change. I was seeing a therapist and that was not helping at all. However, the yoga along with my own mental processes have made a tremendous difference. Today, I am 95% healed. That feels empowering.
The classes are a 2 hour feel-good haven. When Steve & Talya tell me to pick a spot and to discover how I want that spot to feel, they are planting a "feel-good" seed in my body. That seed then amplifies throughout the class and continues to get strong even after class is over. It's so good to be able to come to a place and be able to feel good for a couple of hours!" – Yelena Koldobskaya, November 2011
When Steve & Talya first opened Turbodog, I stopped going to their classes because the location was too far for me. I was training for the Chicago Marathon and began doing other strength building exercises that I believed would work as well as the yoga had. I was wrong. About a month before the marathon I injured myself. I kept training and even ran the marathon with a very painful piriformis muscle. After the marathon, with the injury not going away, I decided that I needed to go back to yoga. I returned to Turbodog and within one week the hip pain was completely gone. As a runner, this form of yoga is the best injury prevention there is!
For 2.5 years I practiced yoga only once a week and my body remained tight and stiff. In the last 6 months I've started coming to class more often. I've discovered that when I practice 3-4 days in a row things begin to loosen up and the practice no longer feels like "work." Rather than fighting with my body to remain in the poses, it feels like I can explore the stretches and the space they create. I always thought that yoga was like other forms of exercise where break-days were necessary. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that yoga works best when it is practiced consecutively.
Emotionally, working with Steve & Talya has helped me become skillful at handling intense situations with greater resilience. I used to suffer from social anxiety -- a condition that left me feeling isolated and fearful. I believed that every new person was threatening and judgmental and I would retreat as a safety response. I used Steve & Talya's classes as an opportunity to rewire my conditioned reaction. During my first class, I heard my brain saying that they believed I shouldn't be there, and all I wanted to do was run away. But instead of walking away, I stayed and practiced. I cried through that entire class. I kept returning over and over using every opportunity to rewrite my brain's stories until the fearful voice in my head began to change. I was seeing a therapist and that was not helping at all. However, the yoga along with my own mental processes have made a tremendous difference. Today, I am 95% healed. That feels empowering.
The classes are a 2 hour feel-good haven. When Steve & Talya tell me to pick a spot and to discover how I want that spot to feel, they are planting a "feel-good" seed in my body. That seed then amplifies throughout the class and continues to get strong even after class is over. It's so good to be able to come to a place and be able to feel good for a couple of hours!" – Yelena Koldobskaya, November 2011
Warrior of The Month: Yelena Koldobskaya
"My gym was really competitive and I used to get blisters from working out. I was ready for a change. My girlfriend Alix suggested I check out Turbodog Yoga. I started with the 10-day new student offer and liked it so much that I became a member. I've been coming to Turbodog 3-5 times a week since June and aside from it being really fun it has made a big difference on my body as well as on my life. First off, I've noticed that my posture has gotten much better -- my shoulders, a place I carry a lot of tension, are more open and my hips are slowly opening too, even though I realize that I still have a ways to go. Also, all the hand opening poses we've been doing recently have made a big difference on my creative flow. I'm a musician and I've noticed that yoga has helped me get in touch with my creativity in a new way -- I experiment more in my music, trying out new things, and it's all coming with much greater ease. I've learned that the harder I force, the less I can do. I have to try not to try :)
I am much more connected to my body now and to its signals. When I feel that my body is tense or anxious, I pause and explore what might be going on emotionally to explain the physical reaction. Uncovering the emotional issue then allows me to do something to address the situation. Or if I'm feeling emotionally upset, I check out how my body is responding to that, which allows me to stay present with what's going on and to keep my body from going into further pain.
One of the things I learned in Anne Paulson's Friday night class -- I love that class! -- which really resonated with me was that we carry things in our body, especially when we feel responsible for other people, but that we can only be responsible for ourselves. That was really groundbreaking for me, the notion that I only need to be responsible for myself. So now I take care of myself more and don't take on other people's stuff as much.
One of the ways that I take care of myself is by taking 2 hours a day that are just for me, the 2 hours that I come to yoga. It feels really healthy to me to take that time for myself, to take care of myself." – Andre Foisy, October 2011
I am much more connected to my body now and to its signals. When I feel that my body is tense or anxious, I pause and explore what might be going on emotionally to explain the physical reaction. Uncovering the emotional issue then allows me to do something to address the situation. Or if I'm feeling emotionally upset, I check out how my body is responding to that, which allows me to stay present with what's going on and to keep my body from going into further pain.
One of the things I learned in Anne Paulson's Friday night class -- I love that class! -- which really resonated with me was that we carry things in our body, especially when we feel responsible for other people, but that we can only be responsible for ourselves. That was really groundbreaking for me, the notion that I only need to be responsible for myself. So now I take care of myself more and don't take on other people's stuff as much.
One of the ways that I take care of myself is by taking 2 hours a day that are just for me, the 2 hours that I come to yoga. It feels really healthy to me to take that time for myself, to take care of myself." – Andre Foisy, October 2011
Warrior of The Month: Andre Foisy
"When Steve and Talya told me they wanted me to be the honorary Warrior of the Month, my first reaction was something along the lines of, "You must be
joking. I've only been doing Yoga for the last 5 months. And I'm still in the Intro class. I'm no warrior." But then I started to think about the things that both of them, and the other instructors at Turbodog, have been trying to teach me since my very first class. That I should be grateful for the hard work I've been putting in and how proud of myself I should be for the advances I've made in class.
I'll tell you, I was a little intimidated upon first walking in. I had spent the 12 years prior working myself to the bone, sitting in front of a computer most of the day, and not really doing much for my personal well being. I had bad knees, a sore back and felt very "out-of-shape." But what I was hearing from everyone at Turbodog was that Forrest Yoga was designed exactly for my needs and that, in time, I would get stronger, more flexible (open) and most importantly, would start to feel better almost immediately. Honestly this sounded a little much to my ears at the time.
So there I am in class. My mind is reeling. Left foot back. Fold over my mat for knee support. Lean forward into lunge. Keep my tailbone tucked. Lift my ribs toward my face and the top of my head towards the sky. Press my left shin/foot into the ground. Pull my abs in. Oh, and don't forget to breathe. They say that's important. Am I doing this right? Ugh.
After those first few classes, I walked out of the studio literally drenched in sweat and was so sore the following day I could hardly walk right. I mean seriously sore! But I made a promise to be better to myself and I intended to honor it. Also, it actually felt really great to allow myself the time to do something only for me. With help of all my amazing instructors, I now am stronger. I do feel better. Much better, actually. I look better, too. And I'm pretty proud of what I've accomplished in such a short time. I must say that I never imagined having a group of such caring instructors. Gia, Martha, Michelle, Anna, Stacy, and, of course, Steve and Talya, I want you all to know that I feel fortunate to have such an amazing group of teachers.
The first month I went once a week. The second month, twice a week. And now I go three times a week. I've even started taking some Level 1 classes. While I'm still not ready for the "All-Levels" class yet, I now know that I'll get there. After all, I'm not in any hurry. I've got a long road ahead and the rest of my life to improve.
So maybe I've made a few small breakthroughs. I'm trying not to be so hard on myself. (This is no easy task I can assure you!) But me? A warrior? Maybe not yet. But definitely someday. After all, every warrior needs to start somewhere, and I'm very grateful that I got my start at Turbodog." – Josh Bizar, September 2011
I'll tell you, I was a little intimidated upon first walking in. I had spent the 12 years prior working myself to the bone, sitting in front of a computer most of the day, and not really doing much for my personal well being. I had bad knees, a sore back and felt very "out-of-shape." But what I was hearing from everyone at Turbodog was that Forrest Yoga was designed exactly for my needs and that, in time, I would get stronger, more flexible (open) and most importantly, would start to feel better almost immediately. Honestly this sounded a little much to my ears at the time.
So there I am in class. My mind is reeling. Left foot back. Fold over my mat for knee support. Lean forward into lunge. Keep my tailbone tucked. Lift my ribs toward my face and the top of my head towards the sky. Press my left shin/foot into the ground. Pull my abs in. Oh, and don't forget to breathe. They say that's important. Am I doing this right? Ugh.
After those first few classes, I walked out of the studio literally drenched in sweat and was so sore the following day I could hardly walk right. I mean seriously sore! But I made a promise to be better to myself and I intended to honor it. Also, it actually felt really great to allow myself the time to do something only for me. With help of all my amazing instructors, I now am stronger. I do feel better. Much better, actually. I look better, too. And I'm pretty proud of what I've accomplished in such a short time. I must say that I never imagined having a group of such caring instructors. Gia, Martha, Michelle, Anna, Stacy, and, of course, Steve and Talya, I want you all to know that I feel fortunate to have such an amazing group of teachers.
The first month I went once a week. The second month, twice a week. And now I go three times a week. I've even started taking some Level 1 classes. While I'm still not ready for the "All-Levels" class yet, I now know that I'll get there. After all, I'm not in any hurry. I've got a long road ahead and the rest of my life to improve.
So maybe I've made a few small breakthroughs. I'm trying not to be so hard on myself. (This is no easy task I can assure you!) But me? A warrior? Maybe not yet. But definitely someday. After all, every warrior needs to start somewhere, and I'm very grateful that I got my start at Turbodog." – Josh Bizar, September 2011
Warrior of The Month: Josh Bizar
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago and started coming to Turbodog 1 year later, just after a series of reconstructive surgeries. I'd been doing yoga for over 15 years but came to Turbodog because I wanted to develop and deepen my practice around healing and repairing myself. Coming out of a double mastectomy and then a hysterectomy, my body felt foreign to me -- I had lost parts of my body, gained new parts and nothing seemed to move or function as it used to. My chest and armpits were very constricted due to the scar tissue and it was painful as it began to stretch and open up. Rather than sitting at home and feeling sorry for myself, something I had learned long ago doesn't work, I made a commitment to come to yoga at Turbodog at least 3 times a week.
I remember when I first began coming, right after the surgery, I couldn't lift my arms nearly as much as I can today, and now there is no pain or pulling. Today, my elbows are behind my head and I can stretch my arms up towards the ceiling and towards the back of the room. On my last visit to my surgeon he was very impressed with the extent of the mobility I have acquired since my post-operative period. I have even surpassed the mobility I had prior to the surgery. What I have accomplished is beyond what I ever thought I would be able to do!
Steve and Talya were amazing at learning about what was going on with my body and then coaching me on how to use my breath to open the areas that were constricted. Talya would put her hands on my chest or press against my ribs to help me relearn how to breathe up into my chest. My breath seemed to be blocked and no energy was being allowed to circulate through the areas that needed it most. Now I feel the movement and strength of my breath enabling the energy to circulate freely in those areas that had been traumatized. This is very healing and has given me a sense of normalcy, which is what every cancer patient strives for.
Turbodog has become a safe haven for me. I can be driving towards the studio on a Wed. night after work and my head will be telling me all the reasons why I should go right by the Damen exit and head home -- "I'm so tired, so stressed etc etc", but the minute I walk into the peacefulness of the studio, my body relaxes. By the time I leave, I could care less if an atomic bomb went off. Without fail, I always feel that good! The space is bright and welcoming. I wouldn't change a thing about it. On those days when the sun streams in through the windows and caresses my face, it feeds my soul. I have scheduled my classes in my calendar so no matter what is going on, I make sure I come to class at least 3 times a week. At Turbodog, I feel cared for and truly held. I am not treated like a cancer person, which is so common in so many other situations. Rather, I am a courageous warrior and I get the space to practice fully embodying that spirit.
There have been so many breakthroughs for me. Steve and Talya are very skillful at teaching the physical elements of the poses -- but they take it further, they also teach life skills that support me on a daily basis. I am constantly applying things I learn in their classes.
For example, one of the greatest lessons I have learned and continue to develop through my practice at Turbodog is the art of waiting. When I get into a posture I can't do or struggle with, I've learned that rather than freaking out or just reacting out of fear, I wait and just focus on my breath, knowing and trusting that something will eventually open up. This has been invaluable in my journey in life -- especially with my healing process. There were so many opportunities along the way where I got close to letting it all go or reacting from fear -- hearing the diagnosis, the invasive surgeries, etc -- but instead I chose to wait -- breathe and wait, breathe and wait - and always, information would come to me that would allow me to make good decisions. This ability to hold steady has permeated my daily life and my job as a nurse. At one nursing job, giving medications was always a hectic and stressful time- exactly the time you don't want to be stressed. I developed a technique: when I had to give medications to my patients, I would always stop and take at least 3 very deep breaths in front of the medication cart, to get centered and focused. Only then would I pick out the medications I needed. This breath ritual of mine brought me into the moment with clarity in order to avoid making an error which could harm someone if I accidently grabbed the wrong medication. Being able to steady myself and breathe in various situations in my life has served me well and I am sure will continue to do so!" – Carol Griffith, August 2011
I remember when I first began coming, right after the surgery, I couldn't lift my arms nearly as much as I can today, and now there is no pain or pulling. Today, my elbows are behind my head and I can stretch my arms up towards the ceiling and towards the back of the room. On my last visit to my surgeon he was very impressed with the extent of the mobility I have acquired since my post-operative period. I have even surpassed the mobility I had prior to the surgery. What I have accomplished is beyond what I ever thought I would be able to do!
Steve and Talya were amazing at learning about what was going on with my body and then coaching me on how to use my breath to open the areas that were constricted. Talya would put her hands on my chest or press against my ribs to help me relearn how to breathe up into my chest. My breath seemed to be blocked and no energy was being allowed to circulate through the areas that needed it most. Now I feel the movement and strength of my breath enabling the energy to circulate freely in those areas that had been traumatized. This is very healing and has given me a sense of normalcy, which is what every cancer patient strives for.
Turbodog has become a safe haven for me. I can be driving towards the studio on a Wed. night after work and my head will be telling me all the reasons why I should go right by the Damen exit and head home -- "I'm so tired, so stressed etc etc", but the minute I walk into the peacefulness of the studio, my body relaxes. By the time I leave, I could care less if an atomic bomb went off. Without fail, I always feel that good! The space is bright and welcoming. I wouldn't change a thing about it. On those days when the sun streams in through the windows and caresses my face, it feeds my soul. I have scheduled my classes in my calendar so no matter what is going on, I make sure I come to class at least 3 times a week. At Turbodog, I feel cared for and truly held. I am not treated like a cancer person, which is so common in so many other situations. Rather, I am a courageous warrior and I get the space to practice fully embodying that spirit.
There have been so many breakthroughs for me. Steve and Talya are very skillful at teaching the physical elements of the poses -- but they take it further, they also teach life skills that support me on a daily basis. I am constantly applying things I learn in their classes.
For example, one of the greatest lessons I have learned and continue to develop through my practice at Turbodog is the art of waiting. When I get into a posture I can't do or struggle with, I've learned that rather than freaking out or just reacting out of fear, I wait and just focus on my breath, knowing and trusting that something will eventually open up. This has been invaluable in my journey in life -- especially with my healing process. There were so many opportunities along the way where I got close to letting it all go or reacting from fear -- hearing the diagnosis, the invasive surgeries, etc -- but instead I chose to wait -- breathe and wait, breathe and wait - and always, information would come to me that would allow me to make good decisions. This ability to hold steady has permeated my daily life and my job as a nurse. At one nursing job, giving medications was always a hectic and stressful time- exactly the time you don't want to be stressed. I developed a technique: when I had to give medications to my patients, I would always stop and take at least 3 very deep breaths in front of the medication cart, to get centered and focused. Only then would I pick out the medications I needed. This breath ritual of mine brought me into the moment with clarity in order to avoid making an error which could harm someone if I accidently grabbed the wrong medication. Being able to steady myself and breathe in various situations in my life has served me well and I am sure will continue to do so!" – Carol Griffith, August 2011
Warrior of The Month: Carol Griffith
"When I first attended a weekly Forrest yoga class at my gym several years ago, I learned to breathe deeply through challenging work assignments, healed my back-pain from a car crash, and experienced a profound sense of peace following classes.
The instructor moved to another gym and I ended up doing Core Power Yoga and various other types of exercise for a couple of years. Then I was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst (had surgery to remove it) and Painful Bladder Syndrome. Overall, I was feeling anxious and experiencing pain in my pelvis/lower back. My doctor recommended for me to stop exercising, including any form of yoga. I, however, felt a calling back to the healing power of Forrest Yoga and was lucky to find Turbodog!
With a sense of panic about diagnoses that would potentially lead to chronic pain and no yoga for the rest of my life, I called Steve. He listened to all I had to say (a lot, I believe!) and then calmly said…. "come to class and see how you feel."
Talya recommended for me to keep a journal about my symptoms before and after classes. Within a month my pain started to subside substantially! Now, a year later, I am taking classes approximately four times a week. I view them as my nightly date with myself (smile). Classes help me gain insight into the source of my pain. They encourage me to breathe deeply into those areas of my body that are stuck, and free them. The practice brings me a great sense of mental, physical and spiritual peace.
Of all I have learned from my yoga practice at Turbodog, there is one concept in particular I have integrated into my daily life: become aware of where I have pain, choose NOT to go into struggle and suffering, and then do something nourishing instead. If I am in a yoga pose and become aware of pain in my lower back, I have started to notice the pain rather than reacting by fighting with it. At that moment I also ask myself what is a healing action I can take.
Sometimes the answer is taking a few extra longer and deeper breaths, and sometimes it's moving into a modified version of the pose. Similarly, when in a situation in life that is painful (i.e. a difficult conversation with a loved one), I have started to pay attention to emotions such as anger and frustration that arise. I recognize them and then wonder what would allow a shift to a more healing state. Sometimes just recognizing the emotion and imagining touching it, as if with a feather, can help it dissolve and morph into a more relaxed mode." – Emma Shiver, July 2011
The instructor moved to another gym and I ended up doing Core Power Yoga and various other types of exercise for a couple of years. Then I was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst (had surgery to remove it) and Painful Bladder Syndrome. Overall, I was feeling anxious and experiencing pain in my pelvis/lower back. My doctor recommended for me to stop exercising, including any form of yoga. I, however, felt a calling back to the healing power of Forrest Yoga and was lucky to find Turbodog!
With a sense of panic about diagnoses that would potentially lead to chronic pain and no yoga for the rest of my life, I called Steve. He listened to all I had to say (a lot, I believe!) and then calmly said…. "come to class and see how you feel."
Talya recommended for me to keep a journal about my symptoms before and after classes. Within a month my pain started to subside substantially! Now, a year later, I am taking classes approximately four times a week. I view them as my nightly date with myself (smile). Classes help me gain insight into the source of my pain. They encourage me to breathe deeply into those areas of my body that are stuck, and free them. The practice brings me a great sense of mental, physical and spiritual peace.
Of all I have learned from my yoga practice at Turbodog, there is one concept in particular I have integrated into my daily life: become aware of where I have pain, choose NOT to go into struggle and suffering, and then do something nourishing instead. If I am in a yoga pose and become aware of pain in my lower back, I have started to notice the pain rather than reacting by fighting with it. At that moment I also ask myself what is a healing action I can take.
Sometimes the answer is taking a few extra longer and deeper breaths, and sometimes it's moving into a modified version of the pose. Similarly, when in a situation in life that is painful (i.e. a difficult conversation with a loved one), I have started to pay attention to emotions such as anger and frustration that arise. I recognize them and then wonder what would allow a shift to a more healing state. Sometimes just recognizing the emotion and imagining touching it, as if with a feather, can help it dissolve and morph into a more relaxed mode." – Emma Shiver, July 2011
Warrior of The Month: Emma Shiver
"I used to have a vintage Mercedes convertible and spent a lot of time on ebay, shopping for shirts. I was part of a masters swim team. We pushed each other, but not nearly as hard as I pushed myself. One part of my mind was a riding crop; another part was a jockey; and when I swam, (or did anything, really) I flogged myself relentlessly. The nights I didn't swim, I ran on the lake, no matter how cold it was. The nights I didn't swim or run, I felt guilty. I never stretched. The Mercedes often broke. The shirts I bought rarely fit.
It took a few years, but this way of living ceased to be viable. The hot start-up I worked for went out of business. I was in a lot of pain. I rarely slept well. How could I sleep when I'd worked so hard and none of my hard work had paid off?
I first started going to yoga because I felt like I'd tried everything else. My girlfriend (now wife) Michelle often went, and she always came home feeling better. She'd just moved to Chicago and was trying out studios, trying to find her yoga home. I went with her a few times. It was okay.
Michelle finally found one of Steve's classes. I was in London on a freelance job and she was so excited she emailed me. She used a lot of exclamation marks, as is her custom. She'd found an amazing class. It kicked my ass, but I loved it! she wrote.
And Steve had a wife who also taught yoga! And they were opening a new studio!!!
When I got home I went to one of Talya's classes. It kicked my ass, but I'm not sure I loved it. People were jumping into the air and doing splits. I was sweating profusely and struggling to touch the ground with straight legs. And I couldn't flog myself forward, because the class just went on and on. There's something about holding positions that makes it clear flogging doesn't work.
I liked it enough to keep coming back, and when Turbodog opened I signed up for a membership. I used to have wars with myself. Go. Don't go. Go. Don't go. Why am I going? I don't fight those wars so much anymore. I do yoga three or four times a week now. When I'm on the road, I take a mat. I've been doing yoga for almost two years.
Why have I kept it up? I stand taller. I have less pain in my neck and shoulders. My core is stronger. I find it easier to keep weight off--even easier than when I was swimming and running every day.
I've had a lot of breakthroughs in yoga classes and on retreats. It's hard to pick one. They share certain commonalities: waves of breath rolling through the length of my body, a sense of expansiveness, an openness to possibility, the ability to hold things a little lighter. I don't know. When it's there, it's there. I know it sounds abstract. I feel like I should tell a specific story.
I guess the story I'll share is that not too long ago, I had a job interview for a full-time position. It was a great opportunity, and I'd worked my ass off to make it happen. For my final interview, I'd have to stand up in front of twenty people, describe myself, tell my story, and explain why I should get the job. It was for a creative position, so I'd have to be creative. As a writer, I'd have to tell great stories. And be funny. And not ramble on. And breathe! I'd done enough yoga by that point to know I'd have to breathe or everything would go to hell.
I'd put a lot of time into the presentation. I'd rehearsed in front of Michelle. Still, the stakes were so high: I'd put my work up in front of everyone and they'd decide whether or not I'd get the job. I could feel the jockey and the riding crop perking up. What if I wasn't good enough? What if I didn't deserve it? What if...
An hour before the presentation, I went for a walk around the block. It was the middle of winter and everyone was out for lunch in the loop, wearing their hats and their scarves and their puffy jackets. It was all dramatic, cold, severe. No doubt, I'd been doing a lot to make it feel that way. For some reason, I started thinking about my yoga retreats, about singing "The River Song." You know, the wishi-ta-do-ya one.
I sang the song in my head. I sang it out loud, right there in the loop, surrounded by business people. There was something in the song itself: its exuberance, its fierceness, its build. It got all the fears and doubt to move. Singing the song reminded me I'm not afraid of taking risks, of trying things, of putting myself out there. Suddenly, I could breathe.
Going back in and doing the presentation in that spirit was a huge victory for me. I got the job too." – David Berthy, June 2011
It took a few years, but this way of living ceased to be viable. The hot start-up I worked for went out of business. I was in a lot of pain. I rarely slept well. How could I sleep when I'd worked so hard and none of my hard work had paid off?
I first started going to yoga because I felt like I'd tried everything else. My girlfriend (now wife) Michelle often went, and she always came home feeling better. She'd just moved to Chicago and was trying out studios, trying to find her yoga home. I went with her a few times. It was okay.
Michelle finally found one of Steve's classes. I was in London on a freelance job and she was so excited she emailed me. She used a lot of exclamation marks, as is her custom. She'd found an amazing class. It kicked my ass, but I loved it! she wrote.
And Steve had a wife who also taught yoga! And they were opening a new studio!!!
When I got home I went to one of Talya's classes. It kicked my ass, but I'm not sure I loved it. People were jumping into the air and doing splits. I was sweating profusely and struggling to touch the ground with straight legs. And I couldn't flog myself forward, because the class just went on and on. There's something about holding positions that makes it clear flogging doesn't work.
I liked it enough to keep coming back, and when Turbodog opened I signed up for a membership. I used to have wars with myself. Go. Don't go. Go. Don't go. Why am I going? I don't fight those wars so much anymore. I do yoga three or four times a week now. When I'm on the road, I take a mat. I've been doing yoga for almost two years.
Why have I kept it up? I stand taller. I have less pain in my neck and shoulders. My core is stronger. I find it easier to keep weight off--even easier than when I was swimming and running every day.
I've had a lot of breakthroughs in yoga classes and on retreats. It's hard to pick one. They share certain commonalities: waves of breath rolling through the length of my body, a sense of expansiveness, an openness to possibility, the ability to hold things a little lighter. I don't know. When it's there, it's there. I know it sounds abstract. I feel like I should tell a specific story.
I guess the story I'll share is that not too long ago, I had a job interview for a full-time position. It was a great opportunity, and I'd worked my ass off to make it happen. For my final interview, I'd have to stand up in front of twenty people, describe myself, tell my story, and explain why I should get the job. It was for a creative position, so I'd have to be creative. As a writer, I'd have to tell great stories. And be funny. And not ramble on. And breathe! I'd done enough yoga by that point to know I'd have to breathe or everything would go to hell.
I'd put a lot of time into the presentation. I'd rehearsed in front of Michelle. Still, the stakes were so high: I'd put my work up in front of everyone and they'd decide whether or not I'd get the job. I could feel the jockey and the riding crop perking up. What if I wasn't good enough? What if I didn't deserve it? What if...
An hour before the presentation, I went for a walk around the block. It was the middle of winter and everyone was out for lunch in the loop, wearing their hats and their scarves and their puffy jackets. It was all dramatic, cold, severe. No doubt, I'd been doing a lot to make it feel that way. For some reason, I started thinking about my yoga retreats, about singing "The River Song." You know, the wishi-ta-do-ya one.
I sang the song in my head. I sang it out loud, right there in the loop, surrounded by business people. There was something in the song itself: its exuberance, its fierceness, its build. It got all the fears and doubt to move. Singing the song reminded me I'm not afraid of taking risks, of trying things, of putting myself out there. Suddenly, I could breathe.
Going back in and doing the presentation in that spirit was a huge victory for me. I got the job too." – David Berthy, June 2011
Warrior of The Month: David Berthy
"When I was in my early 20's, I began to notice that my left shoulder constantly ached. I tried several different chiropractors and physical therapists, but nothing helped. Finally, one chiropractor discovered that I had acute scoliosis in my upper back. He warned me that my back pain would only get worse as I age and suggested that I start making yoga a regular part of my routine.
A Google search brought me to Moksha, where I discovered Steve and Talya. At first I thought of their classes as something I had to survive. Every pose was difficult and brought me into a state of panicky shallow breath. So what kept bringing me back? I loved the challenge, I loved the teaching, and I loved how I felt after class. Parts of my body that were usually locked up started to move.
I used to come to class about 2 times a week, and each class was like starting from the beginning. I'd be sore for a few days after class. Then, once my body recovered, I'd go back to class and begin the cycle again.
Last year, I decided to make a larger commitment to my practice. I've been coming to class about four times a week on average. This has allowed me to move beyond "survival mode" and feel how the poses are affecting my body. Now, breakthroughs are less about "big moments," like getting into handstand, and more about small shifts, like feeling how nauli breathing loosens up my lower back. I have more ownership of my practice. If something feels off, I feel inside and listen to what modification my body needs.
None of this would have been possible without the knowledge and dedication Steve and Talya have shown as teachers. Their safe, knowing adjustments and coaching have encouraged me to go deeper into my practice than I would have on my own. Thank you, Steve and Talya!"
– Cassie Mayer, May 2011
A Google search brought me to Moksha, where I discovered Steve and Talya. At first I thought of their classes as something I had to survive. Every pose was difficult and brought me into a state of panicky shallow breath. So what kept bringing me back? I loved the challenge, I loved the teaching, and I loved how I felt after class. Parts of my body that were usually locked up started to move.
I used to come to class about 2 times a week, and each class was like starting from the beginning. I'd be sore for a few days after class. Then, once my body recovered, I'd go back to class and begin the cycle again.
Last year, I decided to make a larger commitment to my practice. I've been coming to class about four times a week on average. This has allowed me to move beyond "survival mode" and feel how the poses are affecting my body. Now, breakthroughs are less about "big moments," like getting into handstand, and more about small shifts, like feeling how nauli breathing loosens up my lower back. I have more ownership of my practice. If something feels off, I feel inside and listen to what modification my body needs.
None of this would have been possible without the knowledge and dedication Steve and Talya have shown as teachers. Their safe, knowing adjustments and coaching have encouraged me to go deeper into my practice than I would have on my own. Thank you, Steve and Talya!"
– Cassie Mayer, May 2011
Warrior of The Month: Cassie Mayer
"Not long ago, I was having a difficult time dealing with stress and change. I had recently started a new job and was fearful that I would not succeed. My mind was chaotic and I found myself questioning my role in the world. My self confidence was low and I was ready to try something different. I thought yoga might help and I began looking for a studio that felt right.
After my first class at Turbodog I felt great! I thought, "this will work... I will quiet my mind for a bit and get a good work-out (for a Type-A woman who was at the gym 5 times a week at 6:00 am I was initially most concerned with the quality of the work-out)."
However, after a few more classes, I quickly learned that Turbodog offers so much more than just exercise for my body... more importantly, it provides exercise for my soul! I've been moved to tears on many occasions because of simple guidance delivered during practice that helped me execute a pose for the first time... which makes me feel both completely empowered and totally blissed out!
Prior to yoga, I worked out with a personal trainer for many, many years (2x per week). Of course, I thought I was strong then. But Now I feel "strong" from the inside out. I am so much more flexible. It's been amazing watching my body move into poses. I find myself sitting straighter...standing taller... moving effortlessly through life.
Another amazing benefit is that as my body has slowly opened and strengthened, my mind has also opened and begun to remove the layers of doubt and fear. One thing that has changed dramatically is my "I can't" attitude. Prior to yoga I would dismiss a situation or challenging task by saying "I can't do that." Through yoga, by working through the challenging poses, I learned what I can do! My approach to these situations has completely changed on and off the mat. Yoga frees me from my limiting thoughts and helps me detach fromthings that really aren't important in my life!
With this yoga, I feel better than ever. I can be completely exhausted or stressed when I walk into class... but when I leave, I feel like myself, connected to myself. And to be surrounded by the other students in the wonderful Turbodog community who are feeling the same thing, I know I've found my home away from home. What a gift that is for me. Thank you Steve and Talya for doing what you do... I'm so very grateful to have found you."
– Marissa Nunez, April 2011
After my first class at Turbodog I felt great! I thought, "this will work... I will quiet my mind for a bit and get a good work-out (for a Type-A woman who was at the gym 5 times a week at 6:00 am I was initially most concerned with the quality of the work-out)."
However, after a few more classes, I quickly learned that Turbodog offers so much more than just exercise for my body... more importantly, it provides exercise for my soul! I've been moved to tears on many occasions because of simple guidance delivered during practice that helped me execute a pose for the first time... which makes me feel both completely empowered and totally blissed out!
Prior to yoga, I worked out with a personal trainer for many, many years (2x per week). Of course, I thought I was strong then. But Now I feel "strong" from the inside out. I am so much more flexible. It's been amazing watching my body move into poses. I find myself sitting straighter...standing taller... moving effortlessly through life.
Another amazing benefit is that as my body has slowly opened and strengthened, my mind has also opened and begun to remove the layers of doubt and fear. One thing that has changed dramatically is my "I can't" attitude. Prior to yoga I would dismiss a situation or challenging task by saying "I can't do that." Through yoga, by working through the challenging poses, I learned what I can do! My approach to these situations has completely changed on and off the mat. Yoga frees me from my limiting thoughts and helps me detach fromthings that really aren't important in my life!
With this yoga, I feel better than ever. I can be completely exhausted or stressed when I walk into class... but when I leave, I feel like myself, connected to myself. And to be surrounded by the other students in the wonderful Turbodog community who are feeling the same thing, I know I've found my home away from home. What a gift that is for me. Thank you Steve and Talya for doing what you do... I'm so very grateful to have found you."
– Marissa Nunez, April 2011
Warrior of The Month: Marissa Nunez
| "I used to make my life decisions based on what I assumed others expected. Through studying with Steve & Talya I've discovered how to listen to my own authentic voice and how to make decisions based on my own truths." -Kim Greeff |
"I fell in 2001 and herniated 3 discs in my lumbar spine. I am a physical therapist; physical therapy and massage weren't alleviating all of my pain. Since committing to frequent Forrest Yoga classes with Steve I have begun playing competitve tennis again, something I gave up because I could not tolerate the pain when running and twisting my spine." -Stacey Knowles |
| “I started yoga at Turbodog in my 60s and it has corrected a condition that was going to require surgery… Additionally, when I began yoga at Turbodog 6 months ago I could not sit on the floor without the support of the wall. Now, not only can I sit on the floor without the wall, but I can sit up straight! It is helping me tremendously with my posture. I drive to class from the suburbs, 1 hour each way, and it is absolutely worth it!" – Linda Estrada | "I have been through years of therapy, and I never made anywhere close to the progress there as I have through Forrest Yoga. Once I started digging into my stuff and getting rid of the extra emotional weight I had been carrying around for years, I found I more easily lost body weight and kept it off." -Gia Craig |
| "I had much trepidation about yoga because I was afraid of making my [hamstring] injury worse than it was… Steve and Talya knew how to work with injuries and modify poses to protect and even help heal my injury." -Elizabeth Mora |
"It's where i personally feel most at home to discover and be truly myself and feel inspired by the journeys of those practicing around me." -Doreen Stelton |
| "After years of not doing Forrest Yoga, I took a class. I woke up the next morning feeling like I had had a full-body massage." -Gina Marino |
"Through practicing Forrest Yoga with Steve and Talya, I feel more confident in my own skin, and in my interactions with others. I no longer feel trapped anymore by things in my life which are less than ideal." -Kate Tummelson |
| "A heart-felt thank you for the Compassionate Relationships workshop. I loved it. I have never done anything like that rewiring work. It was challenging and utterly fascinating to me. I also am enraptured by your "formula for change." Mostly, I wanted to say that I feel so nurtured by both of you, and that you both radiate a kind of love and healing energy--one that is not at all soft and mushy, but is more along the lines of challenging me to think about things in a different way. That is exactly what I need in my life. I feel blessed that I am able to spend time in your classes and workshops. I treasure it." -Kathy Bedward |
"Steve and Talya, Thank you! This weekend was incredible for me. I feel invigorated and powerful. Yes, really powerful! I feel connected to myself and those around me. I’ve always benefited from your breadth of knowledge and wisdom. And now more than ever I see the immense gifts you have to offer. You are both wise way beyond your years." -Betsy Grimm |
| "Steve is a powerful and motivating teacher who helps me reach my potential during each and every class. He has a wonderful balance of strength, compassion, and insight..." -Michelle Dougherty |
"A year and a half ago I happened upon Forrest Yoga and Steve Emmerman. After a single class, I knew I had found the ultimate yoga. I had practiced with many yoga teachers in my life and without hesitation I would have to say that Steve is by far the most present and connected teacher I have ever experienced. And Talya's enthusiasm and playfulness shine from within and are inspiring. Her adjustments are intuitive and I can feel her whole-heartedness." -Donna Der |
| "The first yoga class I took was with Steve. What I didn't know at the time was how much that class would change my life. Steve and Talya are both wonderful teachers, and I gain something unique from each of their classes. I cannot stress enough what a positive influence they have both had in my life and how grateful I am to know them and participate in their classes." -Jennifer Blagg |
"We wanted to let you know how grateful we are to have you as a teacher. Every time we come to your class you help us understand the strength we have within. Thank you for your guidance in developing our practice into an important part of our daily lives." -Nan & Thomas |
| "Talya is more than just my yoga teacher, she is my partner on my healing journey from breast cancer. With her support I have gained physical and mental strength. Talya is very gifted." -Annie Bork |
"As far as I understand, Forrest Yoga is about moving beyond one's comfort zone and habitual limitations, sometimes through crisis and panic, into deep reserves of physical, emotional, and spiritual power. Steve guides us through that with clarity, a steady calm voice, and a fantastic sense of humor. He provides an amazing and rare level of care, which gives rise to a space in which people practice with great respect for themselves and each other. The class kicks ass." -Leslie Buxbaum |
| "A friend brought me to Steve's class, and I soon found Talya. It truly felt like a door opened to a world of healing that I didn't know existed. Peace of mind and strength in my body were just the beginning of what I found in a Forrest Yoga class. I have caught sight of a vastness inside me that is a beautiful, endless, great mystery, and every day I cultivate courage to go inside of it and get to know who I really am. These gifts that Steve Emmerman, Talya Ring, and Ana Forrest have given me through their teaching are among the things I cherish most in life. I completed the Forrest Yoga Foundation Teacher Training in October 2010 because I decided I wanted to offer those beautiful yoga gifts too! Before deciding to teach, it had been a long time since I felt truly excited and enthusiastic about something, and now I feel like a kid in a candy shop at the very thought of teaching Forrest Yoga!" -Martha Gaines |
"Before I began teaching, I had a corporate job in publishing / advertising; my life was competitive and stress filled. I was sick frequently and my body was often injured and in pain. When I began practicing Forrest Yoga, dramatic changes happened: my ankles and wrists healed, my daily headaches disappeared, and I learned to feel parts of myself that had been numb for a long time." -Anne Paulson |
| "I started practicing Forrest Yoga with Steve Emmerman just after I turned 50, about ten years ago. Now that I am about to turn 60, I can hardly believe my rocketing self-confidence, my continuous energy, and most important, my sense of control: I say where I am going and I am designing my future. But it wasn't always this way. I can still see myself, so many years ago, trudging to the train on my way to work shouldering a heavy, book-filled leather backpack feeling a constant grinding pain. This pain was nothing new; I'd felt it all my life--my mother will tell you that AnnMerle always had a headache. This incessant neck and shoulder pain emanated from inner fears and anxieties that never left my body. I didn't need a backpack to ensure that my shoulders would be hunched forward; my non-stop worries took root in my chest, clamping down my ability to breathe and contributing, in turn, to chronic bronchitis and a series of other ailments. I began to unwind this cruel set of constraints the moment I stepped into Steve Emmerman's yoga class nearly a decade ago. First, I felt my abs. Bingo! Hello! Then, I learned how to breath in juicy, hydrating breaths. Soon I could use my breath to get through difficult moments (which my children really appreciated!). This amazing yoga practice is actually making me younger, happier, more energetic, more focused on my goals and aspirations. I feel now, like I'm the 50 (or maybe even 40!) year old I wanted to be back then. It's not just that I can do a handstand now; it's that I've recognized and shed the fear that kept me from doing handstand and lots of other things as well." -AnnMerle Feldman |
"This community is so important to me because we value integrity, and for both myself and my students, that quality of community is a rare and precious gift. As for my own journey, I have healed so much through my Forrest Yoga practice! I had a bunch of athletic injuries, like tendonitis for example, which are now completely gone. I have also enjoyed some deeper gifts like a release in my jaw and face muscles, which I had been seeking for years, through learning to speak my truth. I developed the ability to feel by using my breath to clear out the cobwebs in my heart and to clear out the gunk in my gut, allowing me to feel into my pelvis. Once I was able to connect to feeling, I could feel my Spirit coming home. My Forrest Yoga practice has become a ceremony that nourishes my Spirit!" -Michele Blouin-Vinezeano |
| "After practicing yoga for many years within my comfort zone, I came to Forrest Yoga and had my world turned quite literally upside down...I love the challenge of Forrest Yoga—how it makes me feel stronger and more alive. It has changed my practice completely, and has made me consciously move out of my comfort zone and into that fun place where potential is explored. I was challenged to do things that I thought were absolutely impossible, and this process of constantly redefining and expanding my potential has had a huge impact on my life. I am constantly amazed by how the practice of Forrest Yoga has made me stronger in every possible way, and feel blessed to be part of such a vibrant community of practitioners." -Sharon Burdett |
"I had herniated my L5/S1 disc which created incredible stiffness in my hips. I would get tight and sore just sitting at work. I've started practicing three times a week and I no longer have that pain. My posture is better and I feel stronger." - Beth Sandon |