The Skating Yogi

My roller derby persona aka Jannarchy is a little different than yoga teacher Janna — but maybe not as much as you’d think. 😜

My teammates and derby friends who are on other teams are so supportive and encouraging. Having a community backing you up in your endeavors is such a game-changer. I can’t express how much I appreciate y’all. 💛

I’m so excited to share that I’m undertaking the next step of my yoga teaching journey — I’ve started a 300-hour training program! The retreat last weekend really solidified my desire to further my education, so I went for it. ☺️ Best of all, I’m going to be sharing insights and lessons throughout the program via my Skating Yogi blog and here on social media. I can’t wait to dive in!

It’s always a joy to spend time with a yoga sangha, or community. There’s something magical and reverent about deepening your yoga practice in the presence of others doing the same. HereNowYoga’s mindfulness retreat was just what I needed. I’m thankful for the conversations, lessons, meditations, meals, and rituals. The fire ceremony led by Ashley at Earthkeeper Yoga was particularly sacred to me. I could write so much more, but I’ll leave you with a Brene Brown quote:

“True belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.” ❤️ So much gratitude for the women who held space for me to be exactly who I am over this weekend.

What’s your favorite music to listen to while you practice what you enjoy? Today, I’m skating and stretching to the sounds of Ghost. My playlist can be all over the place with lots of punk, indie, folk, metal. I actually enjoy practicing asana to punk and metal instead of more typical ethereal sounds. There’s something wild about doing a Warrior II while Danzig or Ozzy are singing in the background — I find it helps me bring even more awareness and strength to what I’m doing. That’s not for everyone though, and if I teach a class, I usually choose something a little more low key.

If you have a song that motivates you like no other, tell me what it is and why you love it.⬇️

I had coffee with the wonderful on Sunday. She and I completed our teacher training together, and I’m always inspired by her. We talked a lot about how we’re still figuring out our personal relationships with yoga and with ourselves — and that’s okay! My relationship with my practice is in a constant state of flux. Sometimes I’m all in. Other times I’m “meh.” And there are spans of time when I have to take a break from asana altogether. But mindfulness is something that remains constant.

Ram Dass says, “If you listen to your own inner voice, it will tell you where you are now, and which method will work best for you in your evolution towards the light.”

It was a beautiful morning at the park. These Moxis were my first pair of skates as an adult, and it’s still weird (but cool) how much progress I’ve made since I got them.

As I was gliding around on my weekly Saturday outdoor skate this morning, I paused for a second to appreciate having a hobby that allows me to move, lets me forget my worries for a time, and is truly fun to do. It never feels like work when I’m on skates, even though I usually try to drill things I need to improve. I feel the same way about practicing asana on the mat.

May you all find something that brings you this much joy. 🤗

I tend to get mad at myself if I’m not good at something right away. Last night at derby practice, I started getting annoyed because even though I can skate and (sort of) move in a pack on the track, it’s utter chaos when you’re a new player and a jam starts. 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 I had to take a step back and remember that first yoga sutra I studied in teacher training: “NOW begins the practice.” The journey is the destination, and learning and growth will always happen. I’m leaning into the notion that I won’t be great or even good at this sport at first — but I’ll absolutely learn by just getting out there and trying.

My skate park setup when it was brand new vs. now. The accessories have changed, and the color has faded, but these skates have served me well. They’ve been to parks here in AL, Asheville, Nashville, and the D.C. area. I do kind of miss how they looked when they were new, but their battle scars make them extra special now. 🛼

If you’re a new roller skater, figuring out what upgrades to make to your skates can be intimidating. I’ve tried out a LOT of skate hardware, and I’m sharing some of my favorites over on my blog. From wheels to tools, I’ve got you covered! Link in bio. Drop a comment and let me know what wheels, toe stops, or other skate accessories you can’t live without. 💕

Yesterday was a little too stressful for a Friday, so this morning I braved the cold to skate my troubles away.

If you’re following the January Yoga Refresh, how are things going? I’ll be honest — there have been a couple of days that I’ve skipped, and I’ve been beating myself up about it. Like, I thought my dedication to skating every day last year would roll into 2022 and I could effortlessly apply it to a new daily goal. Surely it should be that easy, right? It’s the full moon tonight, though, and I’m taking a ritual bath and reminding myself of 𝓷𝓸𝔀. We can decide NOW to try again, to be better, to be who we want to be to face the day. Take care or yourself right now. 🌕

This account isn’t a fitness account. I’m never going to give you weight loss or nutrition tips. Not only am I not qualified to do so, but I’m also extremely anti diet culture. Although I have a personal trainer certificate, I’m not going to tell you how to bulk up or how to get abs. My purpose is to share yoga, both the physical and mindfulness aspects, and how much I enjoy skating. It’s to encourage movement and meditation as ways to feel more confident in what YOU can do. It’s to meet you where you are and to inspire you to step outside your comfort zone every once in a while. Thanks for following along! 💕

The Skating Yogi updated their website address.

Sunday Yoga for Skaters, 4/25 at Railroad Park. Register with link in profile!

Lean into the week with my gentle Tuesday yoga class on Zoom! 6PM Central, $5 — register with the link in my profile or at theskatingyogi.setmore.com.

I’m so thankful for everyone who showed up to skate and practice at my inaugural Yoga for Skaters class. It was a beautiful morning!

📷:

There’s still time to register for Yoga for Skaters on Sunday! I have 5 spots left. Class is at Railroad Park at 11am, and cost is $10. Bring your own mat, and bring your skates and show up at 10 if you’d like to skate beforehand. Registration is required and you can sign up using the link in my profile. 💕✨

Do you journal before your yoga practice? For me, it’s an excellent way to set intentions. I also frequently pause during practice to write about parts of the sequence I like and want to remember later. I used this fun Pop Star Goddesses book today to guide my journaling — my boss Carrie gave it to me recently at the office, and I love it!

You have two chances to practice yoga with me this week! My gentle class is Tuesday evening at 6 PM on Zoom ($5), and I've also added an in-person Yoga for Skaters class on Sunday at 11 AM at Railroad Park ($10). You can register right here: https://theskatingyogi.setmore.com/.

Book Your Appointment with The Skating Yogi Book an appointment with The Skating Yogi using Setmore

I did not want to practice today. And even during my practice, it was hard for me to keep going. But I drew this card prior to beginning, and I kept coming back to “adaptability”. When a posture was particularly troublesome, I adapted it to suit my needs without a second thought. I think over the last year, we’ve all become more adaptable — whether it’s working from home, changing our routines, or just living our lives differently. When we’re adaptable, we tend to notice what we didn’t before. And that’s sometimes hard, but it can also be rewarding.

✨Mindful Monday✨
“Real courage often happens in quiet moments with no fanfare; sometimes it’s in the simple decision to take one step and one day at a time.” – Morning Meditations

This was exactly what I needed today! I encourage you to think about the small acts of courage that you do every day. Remember that you’re your own hero!