Nourish Grow Blossom
What is Healing Bloom Yoga:
Healing Bloom Yoga is Ja'net Barchard-Smith and offers personalized Yoga practices to people and groups so "any body", of any ability can develop towards a state of Yoga through the practices taught. Classes are taught with attention to moving the body with a steady pace of breath to create stability and ease of function. Various tools of Yoga are used depending on the students needs and interest, such as breath practices (pranayama), philosophy, meditation and sound.
Why I Teach Yoga:
For me Yoga reflects many of the natural processes we go through in our own lives. We learn through experience, we develop new capabilities and grow, continuously moving step-by-step in a chosen direction. At times, we lose our direction and we realize we are moving towards something we do not want or that is not supportive of our self, and at times life presents us with illness, challenges and hardship where it is hard to know what direction to go in. Yoga has helped me move towards greater balance and enjoyment in my life, even amongst life changes and challenges, expected and unexpected,. With the guidance of my teacher, my Yoga practice has helped me discover greater enjoyment and peace in my life. The intention behind Healing Bloom Yoga is to offer this same opportunity to others seeking to find greater well-being amongst the natural growth, changes and challenges that life brings.
The Tradition:
I initially completed my Yoga Teacher training through Trinity Yoga in 2005, and have specialized training in Yoga for Pregnancy and Beyond, as well as Anatomy and Therapeutic Applications of Yoga.
Since 2007, I study and teach in the tradition of Sri Krishnamacharya and his son Sri T.K.V. Desikachar. This approach to Yoga has been referred to as Viniyoga which refers to the application of Yoga to suit the students needs rather than a one-size fits all approach. I have completed a three year teacher training with the Healing Yoga Foundation of San Francisco in this tradition and continue to study and be mentored by my teacher, Chase Bossart. I have also had the opportunity to study with Sri T.K.V. Desikachar, his son Kaustub Desikachar, and Kate Holcombe.
My areas of special interest are teaching and study of the Yoga Sutras, Vedic Chanting and Yoga as a tool for Healing.
The Path that Brought me Here:
For me, Yoga was initially a practice to help me deal with a low back injury that began affecting my ability to be fully active and work comfortably. I quickly discovered that Yoga not only helped my body feel better, it also made me feel more energized, calm and clear. Wanting to learn more about Yoga, I began my first Yoga Teacher training in 2004 and began teaching shortly after.
My Yoga teaching and my personal practice has developed particularly through dealing with life challenges that have helped me grow and develop not only as a teacher but also as a student. Some of these challenges have been managing a rare neurological condition, recovery from major surgery and career changes. Amongst these challenges, blessings have also permeated my life. I am happily married and healthily pregnant with our baby son to arrive in early July 2010.
Thanks to my teachers and the teachings of Yoga, I've been able to find greater well-being through these challenges, which have also enriched my relationships and physical healing and overall health. I feel healthier, more joyous, calm and balanced in all aspects of my life thanks to these experiences and the practice of Yoga. My wish is to help guide others to discover this same balance and well-being for themselves with the tools of Yoga.
Certification
& Training
* 500-hr Yoga Teacher
through the Healing Yoga Foundation of San
Francisco in the tradition of Sri Krishnamacharya
and his son T.K.V. Desikachar
* 200-hr Yoga Teacher through Trinity Yoga (now
Gaiatri).
* Yoga Alliance (YA) certified Yoga Teacher.
* Certified in Pregnancy & Beyond Yoga
(Prenatal & Postnatal)
* Member of IAYT
(International Association of Yoga Therapist)