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"Inspiring You to Lead a Healthier, More Fulfilling Life"
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yoga news: featured teacher
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An Interview
with
Kathy Mucha
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"I recommend Kathy Mucha as a yoga teacher, especially to those who have been hesitant about trying yoga for the first-time, or to those who have not done yoga for a long time."
-Lisa Blacker
Q: How did you become interested in yoga?
A: When my daughter was 15, she was experiencing horrible pain in her lower back. The doctors x-rayed her, it seemed, until she glowed in the dark. After all that, they said there was nothing wrong and advised that she simply take Tylenol every day. That did not sit so well with me. I had gone to park district yoga classes and asked her if she would go with me once a week if I signed us both up. As a side note, this was a time in our relationship where it was difficult for the two of us to be in the same room together without arguing, yet she agreed to go with me. Not only did her back pain ease up, it gave us an hour together without bickering. She stayed with it until she finished high school. I continued the practice because I found myself growing in unexpected, new and joyful ways. Eventually I became the teacher of the very class I was a student in.
Q: How did that come about?
A: The teacher, Rita was leaving. The classes were provided to the park district thru Kay Clay at that time, and she asked if I would take over teaching the class. Back then I worked teaching adults to use personal computers, so I had those sorts of teaching skills; I just needed more yoga information.
Q: How did you come by that?
A: Well, of course I learned much from Rita and Kay – they helped me to see yoga classes from a teacher’s perspective. However, I wanted to have a more formal yoga teacher training experience, so I looked into some of the few programs then available. In 2000 I found the perfect course for me – The Temple of Kriya Yoga’s Hatha Yoga Home Study Teacher Training program. This program provides many great books and manuals that I continue to use as reference materials to this day, and teachers are available thru the internet for questions. We gathered for weekend retreats four times in 12 months for hands-on experience with master teachers. Goswami Kriyananda, Kim Schwartz, William Hunt and Carol Moritz were my primary teachers that year.
Q: And now?
A: I like to keep a beginners mind and be open to every opportunity to learn something new or experience the same old thing in a new way. The Temple offers alumni retreats on occasion and of course, I attend workshops and classes whenever I can. I believe I have learned something in EVERY class I have ever taken. It’s amazing to me how you can hear the same thing over and over, and then one day, you hear it differently and viola! – you have that ‘ah-ha’ moment. I have been very fortunate in finding GREAT, kind and gentle teachers. And, of course, I learn from my students every time I teach. I have been blessed with people who are receptive to what I have to offer and they share so much of themselves in class – it is heartwarming.
Q: What is your personal teaching philosophy?
A: I try to make classes I offer appropriate for beginning as well as experienced practitioners. Especially here at The Shala with all the great props available, I believe everyone can do some version of every pose. I love the “Ahhhhhh…..” that a person expels when they take all the needed height under their hips so they can be comfortable in virasana (sitting on their heels). Same thing with simple crossed legs – supporting the hips, and using a few folded blankets or yoga blocks under the thighs can make sitting that way comfortable for just about everyone. Also, I stress safety and stability. This is not the place to compete – even with yourself. I ask that each person tune in to how they feel THIS day at THIS moment in THIS pose. My hope is that everyone leaves feeling better than when they came in.
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Here are what students have said about Kathy’s classes!
"You're all about yoga for your everyday life - in sickness and in health. You don't just teach yoga movement - you heal a person's spirit. It's about wellness. You are the best. I would choose you over any other world master - because I believe this is what you were born to do - helping others feel good about themselves."
-Marsha Droz
"Kathy is a knowledgeable and effective yoga teacher and meditation guide who is kind, gentle and patient, even with beginners. She meets each student where he or she is in their practice, then helps the student move forward. Kathy makes the yoga or meditation experience more pleasant and rewarding by encouraging the student to practice with awareness and self-care.
I recommend Kathy Mucha as a yoga teacher, especially to those who have been hesitant about trying yoga for the first-time, or to those who have not done yoga for a long time."
-Lisa Blacker
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