Where do I start??

This is a question that many, many people ask. With the 'mainstreaming' of yoga, more and more people are interested and seeking yoga to help with everything from stress relief to helping to rehab from an injury or to just to maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

So where do you start? 

First of all, TULA is an all mixed-level studio. I know that scares some people, but anyone is welcome in any class, anytime. Period. If you have any particular issues that you would like addressed, I would recommend that you come in early and talk to your instructor. 

Second, if you are a bit hesitant to just join any class, there are a few teacher's classes on our schedule that I do recommend as good starting places for people that are trying yoga for the first time or that are just getting back into yoga after a long time or are rehabbing from an injury.

Here is a little bit about each one:

Michelle Beuscher - A plus-size yogini, Michelle emphasizes appreciation of one's self and abilities as they are in the present moment to begin living a more joyful, liberated life. To this end, her inclusive and empowering teaching approach incorporates modified techniques and props to make the practice of yoga accessible and fun for people of all body shapes, sizes and conditions, including expectant and new mothers.

*Michelle currently teaches our "Yoga within Reach" class on Saturdays at 9:30am. 

Natalie McGreal - Natalie has been massage therapist since 2007, and bodywork is still a huge part of her life. One of her greatest passions is self care, and self massage. Taking ownership of our bodies to support healing, manage physical pain, and to cultivate relaxation are real gifts, and she loves sharing these gifts with her students.

*Natalie teaches on Tuesdays at 5pm, Thursdays at 6:30am & 8:30am, Saturdays at 2:30pm and she leads a Restorative Yoga class on Sunday mornings at 9am. 

Monica Brown - Monica is also a Thai Bodywork Therapist, artist, dancer and yoga teacher. She expertly combines her knowledge of the body into her yoga classes which are full of intentional breathing, slow-flowing movements and ultimately a non-intimidating & caring approach to yoga. 

*Monica teaches on Mondays at 10am, Tuesdays at 6:30pm and Sundays at 12:30pm. 

Rachel Duerkop - Rachel provides Thai bodywork, Chi Nei Tsang (Taoist Chinese form of abdominal work), and Reiki in addition to teaching yoga. Her classes seek to address the individual needs of her students and her knowledge, care, and innate nurturing nature shines through each time she teaches.  

*Rachel leads an amazing Candlelight Yin class class every Wednesday night at 8:15pm. 

Nathan Paulus - With a background and continuous studies in Chinese medicine, Tai Chi, Thai Bodywork and anatomy, Nathan brings a vast knowledge base to the teaching of yoga. In his classes you can expect to explore postures in the mechanical sense as well as the subtle qualities developed through the vibration of intention, breath work and sequencing.

*Nathan teaches on Friday mornings at 10am. 

Lastly, we routinely offer "A Beginner's Series" - usually held on Saturdays or Sundays and consist of 4-5, 75-minute classes that cover all the basics of yoga. Please check our "Special Events" page for details on upcoming series'. 

The most important thing? - just start. 

*Always check our online schedule for updates & changes

Michelle Beuscher

It's been a little while, but I am continuing my blog posts about my dear teachers!

Michelle joined TULA even before it opened. She contacted me via email about the studio and inquired if she could teach. She suggested that we meet up and chat. She met me for lunch and as soon as she started talking, I knew that she would be a great addition to the studio. She is a ball of sunshine. So optimistic and happy, that you just want to bottle her energy up and save it for a rainy day. Outwardly, she is not your stereotypical yogi, but inside she embodies the true definition of a yogi. She is confident in herself and cares deeply about her students and the process and practice of yoga. She teaches from a place in her heart that is caring, uplifting and oh so patient. Her class at TULA, Yoga within Reach, has grown to be an essential class offering for our community. It is highly accessible, has an almost cult-like following and I am grateful everyday that Michelle is part of our team. 

If you have ever been intimidated by yoga, had any bad class experiences, think it just isn't for you because of some pre-conceived notions about how you think should look in order to practice, you should try Michelle's class. She is challenging and squashing these notions, one class at a time. 

Yoga within Reach is offered on Saturdays at 9:30am. 

You can keep up with Michelle on her website:  michellebeuscheryoga.com

Turning 40 is awesome, except for.........

Okay, so I turned 40 in October and it's taken me this long to even write this post because it's really hard getting older. Especially in an industry that (unfortunately) values looks and being 'instagram-worthy', above all else. 

So it's not all "40 is the new 30", here's what Sucks:

1. For the first time in my life, I look at new fashion trends and ask myself "can I really pull that off?"

2. Pretty much everyday while talking to someone at the studio, I think to myself "could I be their mother?"

3. You spend more time plucking random hairs from your face than on the actual hair on your head. (if you don't know what I'm talking about, you haven't hit 30)

4. The most important thing to you is sleep - when do you get to, how long will you get to. 

5. Hangovers are now hangovers with a dash of the flu, insomnia, dysentary and intense migraines. (Yeah, no joke). 

6. You have to accept that you can no longer just go pick up some jeans or a swimsuit (or order online).  It's an all-day ordeal that you need to be mentally and physically equiped to deal with. 

7. You sometimes get in conversations with younger people and you really have no idea what they are talking about. 

8. The most important thing for you to do on the weekend is laundry or organizing the garage. 

The things that are Awesome:

1. You care less and less about what people think of you. 

2. You finally know what you are going to be when you 'grow up'. 

3. Mentally, you still feel 21, but have more money. 

4. You have learned SO much about everything and are smart beyond belief :)

5. The styles and music that were 'in' when you were a teenager are back (yeah 80's!!)

6. You accept who you are and stop trying to change it. (sooooo liberating!)

7. You truly start relating to your parents in a way that you have never done before because you realize and accept that you are not too far away from their position in life. 

8. You finally, truly make peace with your body issues. 

9. You feel absolutely fabulous everytime you are carded or mistaken for being younger than you are. 

10. The most important thing for you to do on the weekend is laundry or organinzing the garage. 

11. You find your VOICE. You develop strong, intelligent, verifiable and defendable opinions about things.

12. You FEEL grateful for everyone and every day. I don't think I ever really knew what it was to be purely grateful until now. 

Next up........ "What's Awesome about turning 50". Stay tuned :)

Silly Questions asked of a Yoga Studio worker

You know the scene in the movie Clerks where is telling his friend about the silly things people ask while he works in the video store ("um, I'm looking for that movie that won an award with that actor and that song"). That really happens - I used to work at Blockbuster. 

Well, there are also many silly questions I get asked now that I work at a yoga studio. Here are some of them (and an explanation as to why they are silly, in case you need an explanation)

1. Is this class hard? 

There's no way for me to answer this question. "Hard" for one person can be extremely different for someone else. 

2. Is it going to be a crowded class on Friday at 4:30pm? (or will there be guys in the 6pm class?)

I really have no idea. These are open, group classes. We could have 1 person attend or 40 - all girls or all guys!

3. I can't do yoga, I'm not flexible. 

That's the point! To get flexible! (and strong and balanced and unstressed.......)

4. Do I need a uniform?

You think I'm kidding, but I'm not, this is an actual question I have been asked. Makes me wonder, what a yoga uniform would look like? 

5. Should I put my dirty mat in the bin labeled "Dirty Mats" or back in the pile? 

????

6. Can you do something about the city/train noise? 

Um, no. 

7. How many down-dogs is the teacher going to do? 

Yes, I have been asked this as well. I've never actually counted...... :)

8. Is yoga a religion? 

The definition of a religion is 'the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods'. 

There are no worship of superhumans here except yourself. 

Yoga is Different Everywhere and for Everyone, get over it

Recently, I've been seeing a rash of blog posts, articles, even whole books all about how Americans have 'ruined' yoga, how Instagram is ruining yoga, how gym rats are not doing 'real' yoga, how we have lost any connection with the true roots of yoga. I've been hearing all about how our American culture has materialized it and filled it with misogyny and made it into it's now unrecognizable form. Don't get me wrong, I get it, Americans are rich, racist, sex-crazed, greedy pigs and we have pushed our ideas of individualizism and commercialism all over pretty much everything and in the process have 'americanized' whole traditions, religions and even basic societal norms. (And those half-naked Instagram photos of too skinny white girls bending themselves up like preztels bother me too!)

But let's take a step back for a second. As yogis, don't we encourage differences, celebrate differences, are taught to be mindful and accepting of different ways of doing things? We preach about how yoga is different for everyone and every body, but then look down on the people that want their yoga in a heated room? Why is it that we feel the need to look down on the 'gym' yoga or the fusion of yoga with barre/pilates/dance classes - are we saying that the people that practice this way are somehow inferior to us? Just because we have a 'guru' or a teacher with a direct lineage that we can follow? Because we know all the Sanskit names of poses or because we know who Krishna is? Because we have mastered Lotus? Therefore, we must be 'true' yogis and everyone else are just posers that are ruining it? 

Yoga is Yoga is Yoga. 

I think that If you want to blast Marilyn Manson and move around your living room in your $150 spandex pants and call it yoga - good for you!

Cowboy yoga?

Each culture has put their traditions and cultural flavoring on yoga and America, as a melting pot, is no exception. Some might say we have diluted it or ruined it, some might say we have made it richer, deeper. I might go so far as to say that we are actually making it more accessible (with some bumps along the way, of course), more modern and in turn more people in America are doing their version of yoga. The steady distancing of it from religion, from esoteric beliefs and from it's native language (Sanskit) are helping it become more and more mainstream. By mixing it in with American ideas, beliefs and values we are actually opening the doors of yoga to a much broader, culturally diverse audience and what's really wrong with that??

Above all, make yoga your own. Yoga is a living, breathing, always evolving entity that can have profoundly positive effects on your view of yourself and the world. Take what you want from it, make it your own and make sure that you keep an open and accepting mind to others' versions of it along the way. 

(Even those verisons that involve hot rooms and Coldplay :)

Are Discounts Worth it?

Are sales worth the potential problems?

A few months ago, I introduced the 3-pack New Student 'deal' (3 classes for new students at just $30, expiring in 30 days). I have also had occasional sales on single classes/10-packs/memberships. Overall, most people are very receptive to sales, they abide by any expirations dates and/or stipulations of the specific sale and are very appreciative of the offers.  

So what's the problem? Without fail, every time I offer a sale or deal of some sort, we run into issues. People, it seems, begin to undervalue what it is that we are offering, they try to take advantage, they try and not follow the rules. All of the following have happened as a direct result of us having a sale or offering a discounted item:

1. Tula has received a semi-poor Yelp review.

2. One of my assistants was literally screamed at before a busy evening class.

3. I was berated by a student then received multiple harassing phone calls.

4. I was called at 10pm (on my personal cell phone, at home) and begged by a student to let them buy a sale package even though the sale had ended the day before.

5. We have gotten people to try and purchase 2 packs of whatever deal is happening by trying to use different names.

6. We have had people try and 'sneak' into class without signing in (so that we didn't see that their package had expired).

7. We have had people lie about being here before and try to use 'first class free' passes multiple times.

Almost every customer service 'issue' we had encountered has been the direct result of a sale or a discount that was offered. What is about sales and discounts that bring out the worst in people?

I have recently began to question - is offering a discount or sale worth all of this? Since the 3-pack is something that is ongoing, do the advantages of it outweigh these potential problems? 

Everyone loves a discount, everyone loves a sale, including me. As a business owner, I want to try and give people a good deal BUT also sustain a profitable, healthy business. 

So next time you see a discount or sale at Tula (or any other indie, small business) please keep the following in mind:

1. Almost all small businesses struggle from month-to-month and every dollar counts.

Please don't try and 'trick' us out of a few bucks. 

2. When a business offers a sale, there are always very specific, financial reasons why there are expiration dates, sale end dates or stipulations. 

Please abide by them and don't ask us to make an exception for you. (Because we really want to, but financially we shouldn't.)

3. Most sales are done with the intention of offering a deal to customers without jeopardizing profit margins or the health of the business while still paying fair wages to employees/instructors.

Please be respectful.

Veronica Rottman

The first class I took with Veronica, I hated it. I realized later that what I hated about the class was not her or her teaching abilities it was actually the environment of the particular studio that her class was in. The studio room was lined with mirrors, it was REALLY hot and cramped and I just couldn't get comfortable in my body enough to enjoy myself. This taught me a valuable lesson that Tula was modeled after - environment matters in yoga class. 

Once I got Veronica to Tula, I fell in love with her. She doesn't care about what people think, she is authentic, true to herself, humble and you can tell that she lives her passion everyday. She has a heart of gold. She has volunteered to teach yoga to cancer patients in Haiti, she works as a Doula as well as a yoga teacher and is consistently trying to improve her skills and help people in any way possible. She seems to be absolutely fearless in her endeavors, which I find remarkable and inspiring.

Her classes are challenging, uplifting and fun and I always come away with more knowledge about what I am actually capable of. There is always laughing and jokes and she imparts these little nuggets of 'wisdom' as she teaches. One of my favorites is "you are still a lovable person, even if you can't.... (insert here = 'get your leg up there', 'your arm over there', etc). Her classes always feel unrehearsed (in the best way possible), but absolutely well put together and complete. She will make bend you like a pretzel while making you feel like the most loved and cared-for person in the world (and isn't that what it's all about?)

Oh, and her music is the BEST. 

Basically, she's my hero and I'm so happy she is here. 

Veronica lives in Logan Square with her Fiancé, Marc. She is an active Doula around the city and has a fascination for all things birth and baby related. 

She leads classes at Tula on Mondays at 12, Tuesdays at 8:15 and Wednesdays at 12 and 6:45pm. 

To keep up with all her activities, go to: happybabyyogi.com

She will also be leading our annual Backpacking & Yoga Retreat to Yosemite in June 2015!!

Rhiannon Kirby

When I think of Rhiannon, I think of confidence, natural beauty and grace.

I first met Rhiannon when she was recommended to me by a few of my teachers shortly after we opened. I didn't have a proper audition process back then so I had her sub a class and I was taking it in order to 'audition' her. She came in introduced herself and started to speak - all I could think was wow, she knows what she's doing. She wasn't at all preachy or yelling but you could tell that she was confident in her body, in her style and in her Yoga. 

You can tell right off that she used to be a dancer. You will twist, you will turn, you will flow with a dancer's fluidity in her classes. What I love about them is that as I watch her and move, I can imagine that I have the same grace and beauty as she (even though I really just stumble around :) She is able to transport me to this inner, strong place within myself that only occasionally gets tapped into and I leave class feeling beautiful and confident in my own skin. 

She is a very talented teacher that is knowledgeable and ultimately true to herself. She is a meat-loving, beer-drinking, heavy metal listening, cool, hipster chick, yet nothing but authentically herself. You will definitely learn something in her classes and I truly think she is one of the top teachers in all of Chicago and I am honored to have her here at Tula.

Rhiannon lives in Humboldt Park and can be often be found hanging out at all the neighborhood hotspots with her partner and friends, usually with drink in hand.

You can catch one of Rhiannon's classes at Tula on Mondays at 6:45pm, Wednesdays at 9am and Fridays at 12. 

Yoga in Yosemite Retreat 2014: Om to the Dome

It's really hard to write this post. Words/pictures just cannot do the experience justice, but I'll try. 

Our Yosemite Yoga Studio

First off, I'll start by saying, I've never been much of an 'outdoorsy' person. Until this trip, I haven't been on a camping trip longer than 3 days (and certainly not in the backcountry!). I don't really like being dirty and I certainly don't like pooping in holes (or so I thought!). 

The first day, I was nervous. Nervous about the hike (4.5 miles) and about how much I had prepared (or not prepared). When we showed up at the trailhead, we were greeted by Dashielle and Jesse. They seemed very warm and showed us how to properly pack our packs with our personal and some group gear. Then we started. I won't lie, the hike was hard for me. I don't do anything cardio and I certainly don't hike in my everyday life. But it was doable and we all made it relatively unscathed (I had some sore knees and blisters). 

Snow Creek

When we entered our campsite, my breath was literally taken away. I couldn't believe the view. I couldn't believe this beautiful, serene place was our home for the next 5 days. There was a creek that flowed on the side of of campsite (Snow Creek) and our 'yoga studio' sat on a promenade that overlooked Half Dome, North Dome and Yosemite Valley. We set up our tents and got settled. We were asked by our guides if we wanted to have Thai, Indian or Italian night for dinner (what?!) So we decided on Italian.

Before our meal, we did a 'welcoming circle' around a camp fire - lead by Dashielle, we were asked to introduce ourselves and tell the group why we came on a trip like this and what we wanted to gain from the week. Unsurprisingly, most of the group cited 'getting away' and 'unplugging' from our stressful city  lives as the biggest reason for the trip. Then we dug into our gourmet pesto pasta with kale, goat cheese and pine nuts! As the moon crested over the mountain range, we saw that it was almost a full moon and it lit up out entire campsite. Along with the moon, the temperature dropped and we all bundled up into our cozy tents, exhausted from our first day. 

In the morning, I awoke to Dashielle's beautiful, soft voice singing me awake (how awesome is that!) outside our tent. Hot coffee and tea was waiting for us and breakfast was scrambled eggs, grilled veggies and hash browns. 

Full Moon. 

Around the campfire. 

The next few days we spent on day-hikes, doing yoga, dipping into the creek, or just laying on rocks, talking and napping. The evenings we spent talking, sipping whiskey and relaxing by the fire. Each meal was more impressive than the last. Our guides brought books with quotes and poems that we took turns reading aloud before each meal. Our guides also told us stories about the wild life, plants and the native people of the land that we were so privileged to be able to visit. On the third night, we were treated to a completely full moon and took a walk away from our fire for just taking it in and trying to capture it's glorious beauty. There were 3 deer that continually roamed our campsite and looked at us not with fear, but with wonder and curiosity, just as we marveled at them. 

One of our Deer friends. 

One of my favorite mornings, was a 'silent' morning that was suggested by our guides. We awoke a bit before sunrise by song, had hot coffee/tea and, without speaking, each took our drinks, found a secluded, scenic spot and sat in silence by ourselves as we tried to take in what was around us. Later, as we discussed this time, watching the sun rise over the mountains, we were moved to tears. In our everyday lives of constant conversation, deadlines, machinery and concrete, it was incredibly powerful to have this solitary, silent moment where you are watching nature at it's most beautiful, unfold all around you. 

On the last day, we hiked out of our little campsite and made our way into bustling Yosemite Valley to spend our last night. We were excited for showers, pizza and cold beer. But as we drove into civilization, we were all immediately aware that this was a great and abrupt departure from our beautiful, serene world of the backcountry. 

The whole crew!

Half Dome.

The next morning, we again gathered as a group for our 'closing' circle. Dashielle told us that she wanted each of us to recall one memory from the trip and also pick one person with whom we got to know on the trip and tell the group why we were happy they were part of this experience. During this conversation, there was lots of tears shed. We had all emotions unveiled and ultimately gratefulness that we had all shared in this amazing experience. We had bonded with one another in a very unique way, had all bonded with nature in a life-changing way and it was inspiring to acknowledge it. 

Rhiannon in headstand.

Dashielle left us with the thought that when we visit places, we leave part of ourselves at the places and the places became a part of us that we can access at any time. We leave our breath and our energy and in turn we breathe in the air of the place, our skin absorbs the sun, we drink the water and even the dirt under our our nails came from this place. Knowing almost immediately how much I would miss Yosemite, this gave me some comfort. 

After returning to the city, I slowly began to realize how truly life-altering this experience was. I was now an 'outdoorsy' person, as I think that all of us are at our essence and core. We all come from the earth and as hard as we try to build our environments to be sterile, clean and to shield ourselves from nature and the elements, we all crave the peacefulness and bliss that being in nature provides. Whenever I miss it, I know that I can access it inside myself, breathing and remembering.

Om to the Dome. 

(Yoga in Yosemite Retreat 2015 with Veronica Rottman is already being planned. Watch for details in the coming months about how you can be a part of the next trip.)

Day-hiking. 

The Leveling of Yoga

On the student survey we received quite a few comments about the 'leveling of classes'. Asking about why we don't have them, suggesting that they would be helpful, etc. I have a few opinions about this that I wanted to share and to explain why I ultimately made the decision against using them. 

What level are you?

First of all, I never know what level I am, do you? Even after practicing 6+ years, I think I may be a 2? But I can do a handstand, does that make me a 3? But only at the wall, does that make me a 2/3? The point being that I don't think that anyone really knows and it I think it just confuses people. Also, I have taken "Level 1" classes that kicked my ass. I have taken "Level 2/3" classes that were rather slow and easy to me. Who actually determines the level (is it determined by pace, intensity, or maybe temperature in the room?) and are they truly defined at all? No. Levels are completely subjective and can be defined a million and one different ways. One persons "1", is another person's "3".

Second, logistically speaking, Tula only has one studio. If I was to focus many evening or weekend classes to a small group of people that consider themselves a Level 3, I would be essentially be turning away all others. There is a 'bell curve' of most things. There is big, wide space between the 'never done yoga before' level and the 'very advanced' level people with several decades of experience. There are a million steps within this big wide space and this is where most people fall and where Tula lives. In order for Tula to survive, we must appeal to this big wide space and not just the outliers.  

I think mixed level classes can be inspiring to newbies and very beneficial for advanced practitioners. I am big believer that you need to see where you can go in yoga. If you are brand new, you can either be intimidated by the more advanced practitioners in class, or inspired. I sincerely hope that it's the later. For the more advanced, I think that sometimes one needs to go back to the basics, find new intricacies in familiar poses and be reminded of the road behind (as well as in front) of you. 

Overall, I know that mixed level classes can be challenging for the instructors and the students. For instructors because they need to break things down more and speak to a wider audience. For students because you need to know when to 'get off the train' and do what is right for you at that particular moment. Both of these things require patience and practice. Ultimately, I believe that the attainment of these skills make better instructors and better students.

Like life, yoga is a journey and not just a destination. Continue to learn, continue to breathe, continue to enjoy it and don't worry about your level. 

Amanda Brizic

I met Amanda when I attended a early morning class at a small studio near here. I was the only person that showed up that morning and Amanda seemed to take it in stride. That morning, somehow, Amanda convinced me that I could stand on my head in the middle of the room - something that I had never done before (and rarely since). 

Okay, let's back up....... when I say 'convinced' I basically mean she said something like 'let's do a headstand' - I said 'I usually do them at the wall' - she said 'let's do it in the middle of the room - I'll help you" and that was that. I did it. After class, I gave her my card and told about the soon-to-be Tula Yoga Studio. 

Amanda is not quiet. She is outspoken and confident, always serious (with a smile) and unwaveringly believes in the power of yoga. She believes that anyone can do yoga, everyone can do things they think they can't do and she's unapologetically tough. Her classes are filled with laughter and lots of challenge, but you always walk away with a smile. She is clear, easy to understand, easy to follow and has some the most well thought-out and detailed descriptions of poses that I have ever encountered. She makes you believe in yoga and believe in yourself and that's a rare thing. She has contributed so much to our community, it's impossible to list. She worked as an assistant manager for 2 years and has literally put blood (stepping on a tack) sweat and tears into this space. She is loyal, super-reliable and always willing to help out where needed. 

Oh, and she can bend - boy, can she bend. I think sometimes that she doesn't have a spine (in the very literal sense). The picture to the left is one that Andrew uses for an ad for Tula Software and it gets more clicks than any of his other pictures, simply because it is pretty amazing. 

Amanda is simply amazing and I am grateful everyday that she s part of the Tula family. 

Amanda lives in Andersonville in a beautiful sun-drenched apartment. She loves yoga and is also an avid runner. 

You can catch her at Tula on Mondays at 9am & 5:30pm, Fridays at 10am and Happy Hour Yoga at 6pm and Saturdays at 3pm (Vin & Yin Class). She also teaches at other studios and gyms around the city. 

Vital Energy: Beginner's Guide to the Chakras

Teacher Post by Claire Staszak

I am excited to be teaching Vital Energy Centers: A Beginner’s Guide to the Chakras on Saturday, April 5th from 5pm – 7pm at Tula. The first hour of the workshop will be spent learning about the seven chakras or main energy centers of the subtle (non-physical) body, and then we’ll spend the second hour flowing through a practice to awaken each chakra!

Here’s a little taste of what you’ll learn.

Illustration of the Chakra system.

The seven chakras and their locations are:

1. Muladhara – Root (between genitals and anus)

2. Svadhishthana – Below Navel

3. Manipura – Solar Plexus (navel or right above)

4. Anahata – Heart (breast bone)

5. Vishuddhi – Throat

6. Ajna – Third Eye (point between eyebrows)

7. Sahasrara – Crown of Head

Each chakra is associated with a color, element, sound, sacred truth, issue, goal, malfunction and asana. For instance, the root chakra’s element is earth and the sacred truth is, “all are one.” The main issue concerning this chakra is that of survival. Goals for an individual to achieve with this charka feeling balanced are stability, a grounded life, physical health and stillness. If you are having issues with this energy center you may experience constipation, frequent illness, fears or over eating.

I learned about the chakras and human energy fields during my teacher training with Hot Yoga of New Zealand in 2011, and I’m looking forward to sharing another layer of yogic knowledge with the Tula community. Recommend reading if you’re interested in the energy anatomy of the human body and spirit is, Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing, by Caroline Myss, PhD.

Cassi Stuckman

This is the first on a series of posts that I will write about the amazing team members at Tula. How they came to Tula, what their classes are like and what they like to do when they are not teaching. I must tell you upfront that this is all from my perspective and the teachers themselves had no input into what I'm about to say -

First on the list, Miss Cassi Stuckman. 

Cassi was the only teacher that I hired when I opened the studio that was not recommended to me nor had I taken any of her classes. She called me (on my cell phone) before the studio was opened and inquired about a teaching position. She said that she had just moved here from Kansas and was looking for a 'home' studio. I saw that she had training in Kids yoga, so I took a chance and put her on the schedule immediately. 

I met her for the first time at the Logan Square Farmer's Market. She walked up to Tula's booth in overalls with her English bulldog, Floyd, in tow. I thought, wow, she really is from Kansas! 

Cassi and her friends attended Tula's Opening party and she lead the first class that I took at Tula! I could tell that she was new and a bit nervous, but she lead a solid class and I knew that she would grow. When I attended her first 'Family Yoga' class at Tula, I knew she was really something special. Her energy, her passion, and her playfulness shined right through and the kids loved her. I was very impressed. 

Like I anticipated, Cassi has grown over the last few years and is now a confident, highly skilled teacher and leads some of the best, most energetic classes (both for big and little people). She is a determined and bright young woman. When my husband offered to help the teachers set up their personal websites, she was the first one there and has been blogging ever since. She knows how to market herself, takes a ton of pictures (I think she might be behind or in front of the camera in just about every picture I have at Tula) and is not afraid to take chances on her crazy ideas for workshops, etc. Her classes are filled with music, playfulness and Heart. She has a easy-going quality to her classes that makes you feel like you are taking a yoga class from your best friend in your living room (rather than at a public studio in a room of mostly strangers). Her 'spiritual' side is rooted in midwestern practicality - just the way I like it. She is messy - leaves her stuff all over the studio and is often known to fall fast asleep in savasana, but this all just contributes to her lovable charm. She has contributed so much to the studio, from working the front desk, cleaning the bathroom, to helping promote/market the studio at various events. She is basically up for anything - from doing birthday parties for 15 screaming 4-year-olds or teaching yoga to kids in the rain at an outdoor event and I know that's because she loves Tula about as much as I do.

When I think back to why it was that I took a chance on her, sight unseen, I realize that maybe something bigger was at play when I decided to hire her. I don't know what I would do without her.

She was always meant to be here. 

Cassi lives with her boyfriend, Scott, in Rogers Park (why does she live so far way!?) and her beloved bulldog, Floyd.

Check out her website at cassiyoga.com for her full schedule and blogging fun. 

Student Blog Post: 30-Days of Yoga!

Anne Weisgerber started at Tula about a year ago and there is not often that a few days go by without us seeing her. Not only did Anne start coming to Tula on a regular basis, but she also brought a group of her amazing mom friends with her! 

Anne and her group of friends make me especially proud of Tula and the community here because one of original intentions with Tula was that it would be a great place for moms (like myself) to practice. I know that it is a hard thing to make time for yoga for anyone and especially difficult when you are raising children, working, and juggling all these responsibilities of life. But I also know that by making this time for yourself, you become a better care-taker to those around you and the benefits reach well beyond your mat. 

I am so proud of Anne for not only making yoga a priority in her life, but completing 30 straight days of yoga! Here is her story:

30 Days of Yoga

by Anne Weisgerber

I started going to Tula regularly in January of 2013 after a broken ankle from a hot air balloon crash left me seeking strength, physically and emotionally.  That month, I saw yogis working their way through the experience of their 30-day challenge.  I knew immediately that I needed to do the challenge the next time it was available.

My personal goals for the challenge were to learn to allow myself breaks during my physical practice, to journal daily about the experience, to get up into handstand, to try new things without fear, and to release myself to the experience.  I knew that it was going to be a powerful experience, but didn’t know how life altering it would be.  

I find that now I need to practice daily.  In the same way that I need to eat and sleep, I need to practice yoga.  I practice best in a place where I feel at home and am surrounded by the energy of others engaging in their practice as well.  So, I find myself at Tula nearly daily now.  

When I’m away from my mat, I still find the lessons that I have learned through my practice running through my mind.  I remember to have fun while seeking connection with others.  I’m making choices by listening to my body, my heart, and my mind.  I remember that my breath is essential and that I am good enough as I am in this moment.  I’m cultivating my own happiness and then send that out to others.  Sometimes I’m fierce and strong, other times I’m calm and centered.  

I’m getting better at allowing myself to take a break in Balasana (child's pose).  Some days I can get into handstand.  I continue to try new things.  If you’ve taken class with me, you’ve probably heard me fall out of a new pose I’m trying.

The 30-day challenge gave me space to begin to find my true self.  It is incredible to be on that journey and I couldn’t ask for a better space to do it in or people to do it with.

Guest Blog Post: The 30-day yoga challenge- How I made friends and stopped making excuses

Despite 'polar vortexes', sub-zero temperatures and snowstorms that just wouldn't quit, 16 determined individuals made it to a Tula class for 30 straight days. Dana Ardell was one of those people and I asked her to share her experience with making yoga a priority for a month. Look for more inspirational stories from our challengers in the coming weeks.

Here's Dana's story ---

The 30-day yoga challenge - How I made friends and stopped making excuses

by Dana Ardell

I'll be the first to admit it. The 30-day yoga challenge isn't easy. I signed up for the challenge previously and lasted a total of five days. I gave up, felt defeated and didn't bother trying to pick it back up, letting the rest of the month slip away with a complete lack of yoga.

As we all know too well, life is busy and it's easy to make excuses for ourselves. I was pretty sure that I was way too busy just with having a full-time job (not to mention life outside of that) to be able to make my way to yoga class thirty days in a row, but I was determined to make some changes this year and my health was at the top of the priority list. I decided it was time to stop making excuses and time to figure out a sustainable path to fitness.

So, I signed up for this year's challenge and even after blocking out the month's classes in my calendar to ensure that I'd be able to complete the challenge, I wasn't so sure that I could.

I was pretty fired up to begin the challenge and I was even more excited when I made it past day five because at least at that point I could say I had done better than my previous attempt.

But I actually found myself wanting to come to class. I wasn't dreading it like I thought I would. I kept seeing familiar faces in class and many of those familiar faces became friends during the challenge. We began encouraging each other and making plans to attend the same classes. Having supportive new friends who were undertaking the same challenge was a serious motivator as letting myself down is often easy, but letting someone else down isn't. Accountability can be a game changer!

I hit a major hump around day 14, but knowing that even though I didn't want to go to class, I would be happy once I got there and even happier on the walk home from class kept me going. And it always held true.

The most important thing that became apparent to me throughout the challenge was that I do have time for yoga. If I was able to carve out an hour or two of time to attend class every day for a full thirty days straight, my previous insistence that I was too busy for yoga was just an excuse I had made up for myself. The realization that I DO have time for the things I enjoy (which are often the things that are good for me) has been empowering.

My 30-day journey wasn't about physical transformation. I do feel stronger and I do feel like a more balanced person, but I still can't jump into handstand or even touch my toes without bending my knees...and that's okay. 

The various teaching styles of the wonderful teachers at Tula and the support from them, as well as from other students, have made me realize that I am exceptionally lucky to have found the community at Tula. Now that the 30-day challenge has come to an end, I am excited to continue a regular yoga practice and to meet many more yogi friends at Tula.

Be Nice to your Subs

I think it's great that you have your favorite teachers. I really do. But sometimes they have other obligations, get sick, or take vacations. In some cases, they have to ask for a sub for their classes. Fortunately, Tula's software (Tula Software) shows you the name of the substitute teacher as soon as they pick up the class.

Don't skip class!

Go to the class!

Keep an open mind!

Yes, they are not going to have the exact same personality as the regular teacher and they may, to your despair, do different things in class, BUT you are are also experiencing someone else's point of view. Please remember that every Tula teacher has a following now, so you are most likely taking class from someone else's favorite teacher. Really.

So if you come in and unexpectedly see that your class has a sub - introduce yourself, kindly keep an open mind to what they have to offer you and thank them for being flexible and willing to sub your favorite teacher's class.

You may just find your second-favorite teacher. :)

Teacher blog Post: Why Restore? by Lisa Pickert

If you know Tula teacher, Lisa Pickert, you know she's a little firecracker and can lead one bad-ass Vinyasa class. You may not know, however, that she also leads sweet, stress-lifting Restorative Yoga classes as well. I asked her write a blog post on Restorative yoga - what is it and why do we want to do? 

So, read her blog post and then mark your calendar to come experience this 'restoring' first hand at her Restorative Yoga workshop on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 5-7pm.

After all, who couldn't use some stress relief? 

Why Restore?

by Lisa PIckert

In our fast paced forward-thinking society, "doing" is valued more than simply "being," and we need to slow down, calm down, and nurture ourselves.  

   "To his detriment, modern man is often unable to resolve his stress so directly, and lives chronically stressed as a result. Still responding to the fight or flight response, the adrenal glands continue to pump stress hormones. The body does not benefit from nutrition because the digestion and elimination systems are slowed down. Even sleep is disturbed by this agitated state.  In a chronically stressed state, quality of life, and perhaps life itself, is at risk. The body’s capacity to heal is compromised, either inhibiting recovery from an existing illness or injury, or creating a new one, including high blood pressure, ulcers, back pain, immune dysfunction, reproductive problems, and depression. These conditions add stress of their own and the cycle continues."  

- Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph. D and PT, Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times

That sounds pretty grim, but there are ways to alleviate chronic stress.  Yoga offers us so many tools!  You can learn, and re-learn, how and where to identify tension in your body and release it.  Restorative yoga, with it's longer, supported holds provides a healing space for the physical body, and also can have a transformative effect on the mind.  

What's different about a restorative yoga class?

Some of the poses might be familiar to you from a vinyasa, hatha, or yin class, but the approach and benefits are unique.  In a restorative class, blankets, bolsters, and blocks are used to support the body so there is little muscular effort.  It is without effort that the body can move into a state of deep relaxation, releasing tension held deeply in the muscles and joints.  The poses are held for a greater length of time, so that the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for our "rest and digest" instincts and actions is triggered.  It takes the average human body about twelve minutes to find complete stillness and ease in a particular position.  During this time we can cultivate the habit of attention, and we must allow ourselves to switch from 'doing mode' to 'being mode.'  

What are the effects?

If we truly give ourselves the important task of doing nothing besides taking in and letting go of deep breaths, a restorative yoga practice can be transformative.  Scientifically and specifically, it can lower blood pressure and heart rate, ease respiration, quiet the frontal brain lobes, enhance immune response, reduce fatigue, improve sleep, and help to manage chronic pain to sustain and restore balance in the body.

I'm convinced that the less time you think you have for this type of practice, the more you need it!

Give yourself the greatest gift, that of your own attention!  Chicagoans, winter warriors, I'm writing to you.  

Questions?  Email me at Lpickertyoga@gmail.com

The Greatest Gift I Ever Received: My Yoga Practice

Continuing with our guest blog posts, this one is from our newest instructor, Claire Staszak. She has been attending classes here since we opened and we recently added her to the schedule on Thursday mornings at 10am. 

Her post is especially relevant as we enter into the 'gift-giving' season and it's a good reminder that sometimes the best gifts we can give our loved ones and ourselves are not tangible 'things', but are experiences that help to create happiness, memories and meaning in our lives.  

The Greatest Gift I Ever Received: My Yoga Practice

By Claire Hurwitz Staszak

I was recently at a daylong retreat that involved art and yoga. As the morning began, each participant introduced him or herself. The retreat leader asked us to share with everyone a brief story about the greatest gift we had ever received. Pretty deep question for 10am! But as everyone started sharing his or her stories it quickly dawned on me that the greatest gift I was ever given was my first yoga teacher training. My mom paid for my training as a gift, because as mother’s intuition is usually right, she knew I really needed it at that point in my life’s journey.

I had just moved back home to Chicago from San Francisco after my idealistic first year out of college and jump into the real world had gone drastically wrong. A terrible breakup and the crumbling of my future as I had always imagined it had sent me into my first real battle with depression. At the time, I was living in an intentional community and working for Habitat for Humanity—and even with my wonderful roommates and lovely co-workers, I was still barely making it through each day. I couldn’t eat and each day as a forced down my oatmeal and cried into my tea I felt like I was losing a little piece of myself. I felt like a failure, lost and not lovable. Moving back home was the best option for me to get back on my feet.

San Francisco introduced me more fully to yoga and I knew I felt good when I was practicing. Ana Forrest was holding a teacher training back in the Chicago area. Mom said, “Come home and I’ll help you pay for the teacher training. You’re going to be okay.” The training really changed my life. I spent 6 weeks waking up at 4am to arrive at my mat at 6am and practice until 6pm, 7 days a week! It was a transformational experience. Ana Forrest created a safe space for people to be themselves and part of a larger community. I felt like I had a purpose again. I met other wonderful, struggling people like myself and learned that everyone has hardships and problems. It is how we choose to overcome these issues that defines us and keeps us strong. 

Today, I know that it is my yoga practice that keeps my grounded and in-touch with my deeper self in a world that is frankly too busy, crazy and depressing. It is my yoga practice that makes me emanate with gratitude for all the beauty in the world and the amazing people who come to the mat for their own reasons. It is my yoga practice that shows me how to be a better teacher by honoring my limitations, my fears, my hopes, my accomplishments, and myself. I am forever grateful to my mom and dad for their support during that first teacher training. I am grateful for the yogic path that lights my way would have been harder to find without them. 

As the materialism of the season swirls around us…take a second to pause and consider the greatest gift you have been given. What is it? What has it meant to your life, to the person you are today? Can you thank the person or people involved? I encourage you to meditate with thoughts of gratitude in your heart, and send loving kindness from the center of your being to that person. Gifts of the season are all around us and taking your yoga practice off your mat and into the world is surely the greatest gift we yogis can share. 

Happy Holidays!

How to Get a Job

This post is a bit off the topic of yoga, but I needed to express it and I think it can be helpful for those of you out there in the job market......

I have had to hire a few studio assistants since the studio has opened and the process is always stressful and time-consuming. One thing for sure, there are a lot of people that need jobs, even part-time jobs like the ones that I offer. Unfortunately for the job-seeker, this means that the employer most likely has their pick of many, many applicants and can hold out for the perfect fit (rather than having to compromise on much). Here are a few tips for landing an interview, interviewing, and ultimately making yourself stand out a bit from the crowd, no matter what industry you are in or what position you are applying for. 

1. Express how you are perfect for the job, not how the job is perfect for you. This is a big one. I often hear things like - 'it would fit perfectly into my schedule', or 'I really need this type of job in my life'. I want to know why you are a good fit for the job, what skills and experience you bring to the job and how you can help me, not how the job can help you. 

2. Be sure you can meet the minimum requirements of the job outlined in the description before you apply/interview. I don't how many times I would list the shifts required, but still get inquiries about the job with the suggestion that I change the shifts. Like I said, in this market, employers can be picky, so if you can't meet the minimum requirements of the job, don't waste everyone's time - don't apply. 

3. Be on time. This may seem like an obvious one, but if you lucky enough to land an interview, be on time. Not 10 minutes early, not 2 minutes late. On time. 

4. Make sure that you are reading the way in which the employer would like you to apply. I specifically ask for no resumes in my descriptions, but continuously get resumes. I ask for an email, I get phone calls. This may be harsh, but If you can't adhere to basic instructions, you are not going to get hired. Period.

5. Do your research! Spend at least 5-10 minutes on the employer's website finding out about the company, the people, and getting a feel for what they do. I never again want to hear on an interview "so, do you do Bikram?". The apathy is just insulting. If you care so little that you can't spend 5 minutes on the internet finding out about the company for an interview, what amount of effort can I expect that would you put into the actual job? 

6. Enthusiasm goes a long way. Especially, when the position has minimum formal qualifications, you really need to stand out from the literally hundreds (if not thousands) of other people that are that are also qualified for the position. If you are enthusiastic about the position, express it - smile, compliment, ask about the company and the story of the company. Express your enthusiasm every chance you get and you will stand out. 

7. After an interview, follow up with a thank you email. Thank the employer for taking the time to meet with you. Interviews are exhausting and time-consuming for employers and we want to feel like you recognize this and appreciate that we took the time out of our busy schedule to talk with you. Bonus points for again expressing your interest and enthusiasm for the company and position. 

Good luck job-hunting!

A Student's Story: Jen Lee

Jen Lee has been attending classes here since opening day. Currently, at 38 weeks pregnant with her second child, here is her courageous story of yoga, loss, and truly listening and honoring your body's individual needs. (be sure to check out her bad-ass slo-mo handstand video at the end:)

I'm Pregnant - Not Dead

by Jen Lee

When Maile asked me if I would be interested in writing a post about my experience with doing yoga during my pregnancy, I was excited to share my story. But when I sat down to actually write about it, I struggled as to where to start.

You see, until Tula opened its doors 2 years ago, I had never actually done yoga before. I was always that girl in the camp of “yoga isn’t a workout”. I had been an athlete my whole life and felt that if I wasn’t sweating and panting, it wasn’t worth the time. 

So what made me finally decide to try it? My doctors. I have chronic pancreatitis – a disease that has caused me to lose 3 organs, to endure severe pain on a daily basis, and to spend a lot of time in the hospital. Stress makes my condition worse and the doctors thought it was worth me trying yoga. I remember the first time I went to class, I was so worried that I wouldn’t know what I was doing - and I didn’t - but Amanda was amazing and so patient with me. That next morning I could barely get out of bed. Muscles I didn’t know existed hurt. It was then that I realized that my perceptions of yoga were completely wrong, it definitely wasn’t just a stretching and meditation class.

I began going to yoga regularly and loved it. I began feeling more in control of my pain and my husband even commented on my calmer demeanor when I would get home from class. In November of that year, we found out that we were pregnant with our second child and couldn’t have been happier. I continued to go to class and all the instructors were great about showing me how to adapt my practice for the pregnancy. I was excited for yoga to be part of my journey. 

Unfortunately, for whatever crappy reasons, that January I lost the baby.

To say I was devastated is an understatement. I didn’t leave the house for 2 weeks except to go to the necessary doctor appointments. I didn’t want to do anything. Finally my husband, as harsh as it felt at the time, told me that I needed to work on moving on. He told me to just start by going to yoga. He reminded me how good I felt when I was going and I finally agreed. I think that first class back I was just going through the motions of the poses, not really putting my whole self into the practice, until savasana came that is. It was like a huge wave of emotion just hit me at once. Tears just started coming out and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I was so embarrassed, not being one for public emotion. After class Maile and Cassi, who I barely knew at the time, just hugged me and made me feel that it was ok to not keep it all bottled up. Yoga proved to be just what I needed again.

During the next 9 months or so, I kept going to class, however far less than I would’ve liked. Between work and my family, I never felt that I had enough time for everything and the natural choice for me at the time was to sacrifice yoga. Well, the stress and my health caught up to me again and in October of 2012 I was hospitalized for a month with one of the worst pancreatic attacks I had in years. After this hospital stay my husband and I had a “come to jesus” and decided that it wasn’t worth it for me to work anymore, that my health was more important. It was a tough decision, but I retired from my career in advertising.

So what does one do with a sudden surge of time on their hands? Exercise! I began running and doing yoga every day. It wasn’t about losing weight or de-stressing anymore, it was about me and just me. Me showing myself what I could do – and that my health wasn’t in control, I was.  I was setting goals and accomplishing them and felt better than I had in 10 years. I honestly had been at a point in my life that I hadn’t thought I could feel this good ever again. My doctors even said they underestimated how much stress I was under and how it was affecting my health. My pain had gone down and I had more energy – I felt amazing! 

In April of this year, we found out that we were pregnant again. As scared as I was about losing the baby again, I knew I had to take care of myself as well. I knew that I had to keep doing what I was doing.

Because of my health, I go to a high risk OBGYN and discussed with him my routine. He said that since I was in the routine already that he had no problem with me continuing it, in fact, he encouraged it. So I kept going on my daily 5 mile runs and yoga class. I felt great.

What I did find about my decision is that everyone has an opinion, and most times they are unfounded ones, but they are still compelled to share them with you. Many people have disagreed with my choice to continue my routine. I have heard everything from that I was creating unnecessary risks to that I was being selfish. I was given guilt trips like “wouldn’t you just feel horrible if something were to happen”. I was also told that pregnancy was the time to relax and take it easy, and even to the extreme that I was being ‘stupid’. But for each of these people – there was another one that congratulated me and cheered me on – so thank you to all of you. And to all the others – I’m pregnant, not dead.

At 28 weeks pregnant I stopped running, I listened to my body and it was just getting too uncomfortable. However, what it ultimately did for me was allow me to solely focus on my yoga practice for the first time ever.  I soon found that unlike running, my yoga practice was constantly evolving. In running I could go faster or farther, but that was really it. In yoga, everyday was a chance for me to do something new, or better, or longer. I never felt the need to go to prenatal classes and can honestly say that my yoga practice has considerably improved during my pregnancy.  Did I WANT to go everyday? Hell no! Anyone that has been pregnant will tell you how tired you get. But I always made myself go and told myself that I could leave the class at anytime if I didn’t think I could finish. Happy to report that I haven’t had to take myself up on that deal yet. I feel stronger than ever and my husband even commented to me this weekend that my butt looks better than even before I was pregnant (I’ll take that!) 

So here I am – 2 weeks to go until my second baby girl comes into this world – and I am doing handstands, can get into full splits, and still rocking every vinyasa. After all, I’m only pregnant, not dead.