Yoga Through The Ages
It struck me last night that I have used some tool of yoga nearly every day of my adult life.
That’s how infinitely helpful yoga has been to me.
How many tools can you say that about? Toothbrush, phone, car, clothing, indoor plumbing. It’s a short list of tools with that much utility.
I was introduced to yoga in college as a skinny girl with back pain. My back pain was so bad my freshman year I considered dropping out.
In my early 20s, I became a Bikram Yoga junkie. This hot, sweaty style of yoga helped me with insomnia and the stresses of going to graduate school in NYC.
A love for Bikram Yoga followed me to Los Angeles. In my 30s, yoga helped my recovery from high heels, long hours spent working in finance, and night and weekend training for marathons.
First car I bought myself
Yoga helped open my hips, lengthen my hamstrings, and strengthen my spine and upper back so I could run with good form.
Marathon 1 of 2
I fell in love with Power Yoga, a vigorous flow style of yoga immortalized in Southern California by Bryan Kest. I remember the long lines winding around the corner of Santa Monica Blvd for his classes.
Crescent Pose
I’ve never wanted to be part of any scene or moment, but I’m grateful to have taken so many classes from Bryan in the early 2000s. The Santa Monica yoga scene back then was truly something special; little to no retail, zero social media, authentic.
Headstand, late 30s. Don’t practice these anymore.
Don’t practice Lotus or Headstand any more as I don’t want to compress my cervical spine, and I can get all the benefits of an Inversion from a safer pose.
In my 40’s, I officially began teaching group yoga classes, again in this sweaty flow style. I also began teaching privates almost immediately after my TT, and was introduced to the needs of the general population, which are totally different from those of your average yoga class attendee.
A very early photoshoot – I’d just begun teaching
Beginners were interesting to me as they posed a challenge—how can I make these tools accessible, fun and effective? There was no module of my TT devoted to this. I had to go on instinct and improvise often.
I’ve taught many event-type yoga classes on the beach in Santa Monica
Now in my 50s, I’m diving into Yin Yoga, Rebound postures and Restorative Yoga. I’m lit up by the anti-aging, nervous system regulation and creativity boosting effect of these modalities!!!
No one could be more surprised by this than me. As a sensation chaser, I used to hate these styles of yoga – both teaching and practice. They seemed slow and boring, even pointless. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit this, but it’s true. It shows that it’s wise to stay open, curious and teachable.
Still a sensation chaser but probably a more contented one in my 50s
I have also studied and currently practice (and teach) Tai Chi, Pilates, Meditation, Breathwork and Myofascial Release but Yoga will always be my first love.
Classical Pilates-Full Teaser
Yoga is the practice that I seemed to take to naturally; the practice that showed me I am a teacher.
All the Love & Take Care of Your One Precious Divine Body Temple,
Catherine
p.s.
Yoga with Baby Goats!
Catherine Tingey
Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
About the Author
Catherine Tingey+ Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
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