featured graduate #yogastory: Haley Jahrmarkt
Name: Haley Jahrmarkt
Lives in:Long Island, New York
Trained in: Santa Barbara, March 2014
Where do you teach/practice: Hot Yoga Massapequa, on Long Island, which is my home studio. I also practice at numerous studios all over Long Island and NYC.
What have you done since we (evolation) last spoke?
Since I last spoke with Evolation I have been teaching non-stop. As soon as I got home from my training, I walked into my home studio the next day for my first audition class. I now teach regularly 6 classes per week. I’ll also be starting back at school in January for Nutrition.
Is there something about teaching that you didn’t at all expect beforehand?
When I taught my first class I was so nervous. You could hear the trembling in my voice, and actually see my body shaking in fear. Public speaking was never my strong suit. After a year and a half of constant teaching, I have become something I never thought I would be, confident. Teaching has turned my entire world upside down for the better, helping me in every aspect of life from public speaking, to eating healthy, it has given me guidance towards goals, and introduced me to amazing people.
How has teaching affected your personal practice?
Teaching has re-wired my personal practice. I get to my deepest points faster and more correctly than I ever could when I was just a student. The asana essentials is always subconsciously in my mind telling my body what to do and where to go, allowing me to focus more on my breathing, and mediation during class, taking me to a constant deeper level. I practice much harder now. I like to find key cues and pointers while I practice to find what works best in each posture to relay to my students in a way they can understand. I also like to teach a class I would personally like to take.
What is your main tip for new trainees starting their teacher training?
My biggest tip for new trainees starting their teaching training is to not be afraid. Understand that everyone starts somewhere. You can not get discouraged by comparing yourself to others. Find your strongest suits, and also your weakest suits. Work on both of them, and allow yourself to be vulnerable. Your life is going to change for the better and you have to be open to it. Find out who you are, and what you want your classes to be like (calming, intense, hot, spiritual etc..) keep your practice alive as you start to teach, your practice is your biggest tool. One thing that truly helped me was when someone told me “Fake it until you make it, and then fake it some more” Become the person you want to be by acting like it, and one day it will all come naturally. Just keep going.
Where would a cool place to do yoga be?
I would love to do yoga at some of the beautiful ancient temples in Cambodia or Thailand. Anywhere with a breathtaking scenery that instantly connects your body and mind to nature.
evolation
Evolation yoga is devoted to helping you become more Self-centered – in an ego-free way. By combining the powerful physical properties of hot yoga with the awareness-enhancing effects of meditation, evolation’s aim is to make you healthier, happier, and more in touch with that elusive little thing called the Self.