+ WHAT IS KAIZEN YOGA?
An amalgam of different training, social and work and life experiences- we focus on specialized sequencing and a partner-supported practice as a means for living better and doing good.
+ What style is Kaizen Yoga?
Short answer: Vinyasa.
Long answer: Kaizen Yoga is an amalgam of different training, social, work and life experiences from founder, Mindy Sisco. This practice is structured around the template of Ashtanga Vinyasa. (All trainees are expected to learn the AV standing sequence.) It goes further by focusing on the following:
a full commitment to *trauma-informed teaching that provides a safe space for students where they are free from harassment and have agency/control over their bodies and experiences;
*specialized sequencing to maximize benefits and limit risks for all different practitioners;
*partner-supported practice to reinforce learning and create an environment rooted in support rather than competition;
*a teaching approach that is student focused/led and works to encourage students to advocate for themselves and articulate their needs.
+ What style will I tell studios I teach?
A: Vinyasa.
+ Is this an AcroYoga teacher training course?
A: No.
Kaizen AcroYoga is a tool not the goal in and of itself.
Kaizen Yoga takes the benefits of foundational AcroYoga poses and principles and brings them into a wider context. We use AcroYoga with the following objectives:
AcroYoga is a tool to investigate and understand human movement;
AcroYoga infuses great therapeutic benefits through therapeutic flying and the cultivation of a partner supported practice rather than solo practice side-by-side
AcroYoga helps students cultivate, maintain and advocate for agency of their body- a practice that starts on the mat and begins to extend beyond. AcroYoga is an active practice of articulating one’s needs. This is a practice that permeates all aspects of life.
AcroYoga helps cultivate the art of touch which is so critical for teachers with adjustments and for practitioners of other sports, movement arts.
+ How is Kaizen AcroYoga different from other AcroYoga programs?
AcroYoga is a gorgeous practice as dynamic as it is varied. Starting with what are considered the founders of AcroYoga: AcroYoga Montreal (Jessie & Eugene) and AcroYoga International (Jason Nemer), these two streams both approach the practice of AcroYoga differently with different objectives in their practice. In no way does Kaizen do what either of them do, just as J&E don’t do what Jason does and vice/versa.
My personal practice rooted in AcroYoga Montreal style has pushed my body and creativity beyond points I ever thought possible. Therein lay the distinction: I use the flows as a means to an end to drive my personal practice. My work as a teacher and teacher trainer diverts from the “tricks” or the “big moves” of the main streams of AcroYoga. There is an ever growing list of experts in their fields that will take you further down this path as a practitioner should you be so inspired.
AcroYoga with Kaizen Yoga differs in that AcroYoga is a tool as much a props, the wall, etc. rather than the practice in and of itself. We believe in the benefits of AcroYoga as they extend to regular yoga classes, other sports, educators in other arenas, social workers and being everyday citizen.
+ Why do I need to learn AcroYoga for teaching yoga?
A: In addition to the benefits listed above, from a physical perspective, AcroYoga is an active investigation, a physical problem solving.
Learning how to read body
AcroYoga gives feedback that wall, floor can't give. AcroYoga illuminates so much that goes unnoticed in traditional solo practice: For example, many students realize they have different length legs for the first time. Body imbalances and compensations are revealed by constantly needing to adapt the body to new situations and partners.
The “Whys and Hows” of yoga practice.
I’m guilty of it- we put our hand here in Triangle Pose because the teacher said so. We do Darth Vader breath because the teacher said so. Yoga- both as a student and teacher is a long process. More important that exact alignment or memorizing sequences is understanding “Why?” Why does my hand go here? How is the breath moving or supporting this pose? WHY DOES THIS HURT? Rather than merely going through the motions, AcroYoga gives us a unique opportunity to take complex movements and break them down into digestible parts. From there- how do we adjust, modify, move around, edit- to live better through yoga?
Simplify.
As part of his vetting/hiring process, Snowden (a computer genius) is asked: “How do you explain the internet to an eight year old?” The greatest command of knowledge is the ability to make it understood on the most fundamental level. Cuing AcroYoga tightens verbiage and directness of communication by breaking the message down into the simplest and most direct parts. Rather than a long winded explanation- how can we widdle the direction down to two basic actions: a push and a pull? This keeps the teacher in the student’s experience rather than trying to pull them into theirs.
+ Why do Yoga Alliance and being a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) matter?
Yoga Alliance is the most widely recognized yoga organization in the world. Though not required by law to teach yoga, many places require staff to carry a certification under this banner. This ensures that the curriculum has gone through a vetting process and meets agreed upon standards.
+ For whom are you recommending this ttc?
This program is for those that want to be better educators. This applies to arenas beyond yoga. We envision this ttc as an investigation of both the teaching a learning process. Rather than giving you a set script to mimic we want you to take this knowledge along with all of your combined educational and life experiences and bring this teaching to life. We compare this to playing music- some schools want you to follow the sheet music. We want to give you the tools to write your own.
+ Is this only for people who want to become yoga teachers?
Absolutely not! We welcome all those interested in growing their practice and embarking on a new educational opportunity. We look forward to having you join us.
