Pauline Villanueva - Trilogy Sanctuary Yoga Teacher Highlight

Pauline is one of our yoga teachers here at Trilogy. She teaches the 7am Power Hour bright and early on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Let's get to know her a bit better...  

How and where did your yoga journey begin?

I first stumbled onto yoga at a charity yoga event in 2013 to benefit the New Children's Museum. I wasn't there for the yoga--I was actually there to hopefully network with other attorneys! Little did I know that that one event would change so much. I've been hooked ever since. 

When not teaching yoga, how do you spend your time?

Working at my grown-up job as an attorney, reading, drinking craft beer, and playing with cats. Also probably napping.

What quote inspires your life and practice?

"Ego says, 'Once everything falls into place, I'll feel peace.' Spirit says, 'Find your peace, and then everything will fall into place.'"

What words do you have to offer for new yogis?

Remember that yoga isn't about the crazy ridiculous Instagram poses--it's about finding your practice and your peace. It's a constant journey and everyone has their own path. That being said, don't be afraid to try things! Our bodies are so much stronger and smarter than we realize most of the time and they'll tell us what we need to know. Trust yourself and your body. 

What is one of the things you are most grateful for?

One of the things I'm endlessly grateful for is that my life didn't go the way I thought it would. I'm grateful for all the twists and turns of the past several years that allowed me to realize that the only thing I can control is myself and how I respond to things. But I am also the one who controls my own happiness. It has been a very liberating lesson and one I keep learning.

Pauline's yoga teacher bio:

Pauline first stumbled upon yoga in 2013, during a fundraising event for the New Children's Museum downtown, and immediately got hooked. Since then, yoga has been a passion which has changed her life. She completed her 200-hour teacher training in April of 2016. Her focus is on the accessibility and sustainability of a yoga practice, as well as exploring new things and having fun! She hopes to share her experience with others, in the hopes that they will find their own path and discover the same benefits from yoga. Off the mat, Pauline is an attorney who enjoys reading, drinking craft beer, and hanging with her cats. 

Our power hour classes are held in our infrared heated Moon Room, learn more about infrared yoga HERE.

We offer infrared and aerial yoga classes throughout the day, everyday! Take a look at our schedule to see all of our classes. 

My Relationship with Aerial, by Britt Johnson

Trilogy aerial yoga teacher training teacher, Brittany Johnson, shares how she found aerial and how it has changed her life...

I met Aerial about 8 years ago. Aerial didn't even know I existed, but I knew Aerial did.  We certainly had things in common, but I never thought we would develop such a long lasting relationship. 

Aerial has hurt, belittled, humbled and insulted me, but also, inspired, fulfilled and encouraged me.  But our relationship isn't as crazy as it sounds.  Aerial is a metaphor for my life.  

My life was ready for something new when Aerial and I first met.  I was ready to dedicate time and work into accomplishing ONE THING:  to get a photo of myself doing the splits in the air.  Could I do the splits?  No.  Could I do a pull up?  No.  Did I have an excellent camera?  No.  But ALL of these things were possible.  

It started with classes, then meeting friends, then training with my new friends.  Over time, Aerial began to give me bigger ideas and dreams.  

The goal of doing the splits in the air was still the number one priority, but what was happening was self-discovery.  Self-expression and therapy in the air.  I loved the challenge of balancing strength and grace while silently moving to my story.  I was able to release energy I didn't even know I had.  And along the way,  I gained the opportunity to perform and travel... AND get amazing pictures of me doing the splits in the air:-)

A few years later, the conversation I was having in the air started to fade.  The soul of Aerial and I became silent, and it made me question more than my craft.  It was time to evolve.  

Aerial didn't leave my life,  we simply took a break so we could keep each other healthy.  During my break, I started to find the more therapeutic side of using a hammock and quickly found Aerial Yoga.  After a yoga certification and finding a safe place to train, the path naturally formed.  I found expression, physical therapy and peace of mind AT THE SAME TIME using Aerial Yoga techniques!  It has been rewarding to combine all the knowledge I've absorbed over these last 8 years. 

 Aerial and I started a new version of ourselves, and I was able to dedicate time with new friends Hannahsita and Leila.  Together we dedicated time, knowledge, sweat and some secrets to create an Aerial Yoga manual we all believed in.  

 I'm thankful to Trilogy Sanctuary for encouraging and hosting my relationship with Aerial.  

Britt will be leading Trilogy's Spring Aerial Yoga Teacher Training along with Leila and Hannahsita. Learn more and apply soon because training begins April 27th!

Lessons from my Yoga Teacher Training Immersion

By Rachel Lubich

Lead teacher for Trilogy's spring 200 hour teacher training.

Every student I’ve mentored through a yoga teacher training program has expressed their own unique story of the pivotal transformation they experienced through their journey. Not only does a YTT prepare you to share the science and art of yoga with your community, it presents tools to help open your mind, body and spirit to a deeper awakening of your true nature. The decision to embark upwards upon the rungs of the ladder of your spiritual journey is a personal one. If you are open, then you will learn, you will grow and you will experience a transformation that is uniquely your own. Let me share a piece of my yoga teacher training transformation with you...

Learning to live my yoga
A few days into studying for my yoga teacher training program our teacher assigned each of us with the task of giving up something for the duration of the program in order to help us focus. Many of my peers chose to forgo various vices and indulgences to keep their minds clear. I immediately knew what sacrifice would serve me best: letting go of negative thoughts.
This task required me to pay attention to each passing thought as it arose and truly listen to the sentiment and tone it conveyed. If I noticed negative speech bubbling up in my mind from leftover personal struggles, I recognized my thought, chose to rewrite it into an increasingly more positive one, repeat the more positive speech and move on without judgement. This process of self-awareness continued for weeks; eventually I was able to transcend my former thought patterns and elevate my attitude to one filled with unlimited potential and contentment.
 

This is an example of the power of actively listening to your thoughts and making the choice to reshape the quality of your internal self-speech. It has the power to transform your life. This is what the practice of yoga asks of us; to show up, observe ourselves and put in the effort. Once we learn how to tune in, we are able to shed the layers obstructing the Self and embody our true nature within.

Ready to start your journey as a yoga teacher? More information on our Spring YTT with Rachel is HERE

Bryan Heil - Trilogy Sanctuary Yoga Teacher Highlight

Bryan is a Vinyasa Teacher at Trilogy Sanctuary, we asked him some questions so we can get to know him better:

What quote inspires your life and practice?

The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.

-Bob Moawad

Apart from yoga, what are some of your passions?

I am a huge music enthusiast, love playing guitar, taking photographs, writing poetry, and attending local art and music shows.

Who inspires you and why?

I find inspiration in so many different forms. People inspire me. Nature inspires me. Sounds inspired. They all inspire me because they are always changing.

What words do you have to offer for new yogis?

Every time you walk onto a yoga mat, let your practice space be a canvas to express your life. Your entire body is the brush, and your imagination the colors. The picture you paint within that space is like no other. Strive to create a different work of art every time. Do not be afraid to go outside the lines.

What is your biggest dream or aspiration?

To be a songwriter.

Bryan's Yoga Bio

Bryan fell in love with yoga in 2013 and has since fully committed to developing his practice. For him it is the ultimate form of individual expression. A journey inwards where physical awareness and spiritual enlightenment come together. Complete balance achieved through patience, discipline, focused breathing, concentration, and mindful movement. “The most important part of my practice is not the postures, but the intention I approach each one with. I want to give back to my students what my instructors have given to me; a safe environment to challenge themselves and to take their practice to the edge.

Practice with Bryan Friday mornings at 7am in our Infrared studio

See more of Trilogy Sanctuary's teachers HERE