Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Tran.
Cathy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started practicing yoga July 2013. I had moved to Texas the year prior and wanted to get back in some kind of fitness activity and meet new people.
I come from a dance background and yoga seemed like the perfect transition from my performance days. I can still maintain my flexibility and it seemed ‘easy’ enough.
My first year of practice was with the various teachers at the Tellepsen YMCA. They really set the tone for me to explore what yoga can do for the mind and the body. Thanks to their expertise and encouragement, I was wanting more of the physical practice and soon signed up for a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program at Pralaya Yoga in Midtown under the instruction of Robert Boustany. I wasn’t planning on teaching at all but the more I learned about yoga and its other benefits, the more I realized I only had a glimpse of the big picture. I originally picked yoga to be my physical fitness activity but it soon became a lifestyle – an incorporation of mind, body and breath. My initial intentions were just to pick up cool party tricks via yoga asanasa (poses) and it has since turned into a passion for teaching others and a more philosophical approach.
Today, I teach at Cherry Blossom Yoga studio and at various locations via Fitcasa. In addition to my 200RYT certification, I started my Children’s Yoga Teacher Training (The River Yoga, Denver, CO) and plan on working towards my 300RYT program as well.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My initial intentions were not to teach, but to simply advance my physical practice so I had little thought about teaching opportunities. At the time, I admit I got my ego a little too involved and thus began a series of yoga injuries from pushing my body too hard and too far when I wasn’t quite ready yet to let go. It put a hindrance in my YTT for a few months and it was mentally hard to want to come back. I was simply too focused on what my body could do and looked like rather than seeing the whole picture and really incorporating the other yoga limbs into my practice such as breath, mindfulness, compassion, patience.
Once I got a hold of the ego and put myself in check, that was when I wanted to teach. Initially, I was frightened – knowing that there’s so many other fantastic and experienced yoga teachers and fitness instructors out there. And even if I did get a teaching position, what if the students hate it and I basically ‘suck’? Who am I know to lead a class in the art of yoga when I feel like I barely scratched the surface on what it is? There was a lot of self-doubts and lack of self-confidence. Fear of letting myself down and the class.
I started teaching at Gracie Barra Champions November 2015 and that very first class was nerve-wracking. I had butterflies in my stomach. This was completely different from teaching 3-year-olds how to dance. These were my peers, my friends or people with much more experience than me. I was so nervous about the first class that I typed up verbatim everything I was going to say and do so I wouldn’t forget anything. I definitely overcomplicated things. Even now, I get nervous teaching when I know there’s going to be another teacher in the class, especially ones I really respect and admire.
The advice I would share is that it’s OK to not know everything. What you don’t know, ask, research, study! Teach what you know and teach from the heart. The students will sense that and will keep on coming back because you’re being genuine in your knowledge. They feel the compassion and connection in that we’re humans – trying to help one another. Not every student is going to leave raving about your class, there will be times when there are ZERO students coming and there will be times when you mess up, but never give up on your passion. You’re always growing and learning. Share THAT. Share the experiences that make you who you are and make you unique. Build connections and listen to your inner thoughts and listen to what the students are saying (or may not be saying). Have a mentor to guide you in your journey. It goes a long way to have a 3rd person point of view. Stay grounded and it will take you far!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Cathy Tran Yoga – what should we know?
I’m a yoga teacher with an Iyengar-style background teaching Foundations of Yoga and Vinyasa style classes for Cherry Blossom Yoga and Fitcasa. I also have additional training in Children’s Yoga.
I’ve branded myself as Cathy Tran Yoga and over time I have developed a particular style of teaching that makes it fun, challenging, and encouraging for all levels. I like to keep classes engaged and involved – laughs and questions are always encouraged. I tell my students that as long as you’re breathing with intention, you’re already practicing yoga. Simply try and see where the practice can take you!
You can always find me at Cherry Blossom Yoga either teaching, sitting behind the front desk or taking class!
Otherwise, I’m in and out of The Woodlands and Spring areas teaching at various locations through Fitcasa.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
There are so many resources out there in the yoga community – various teachers, books, workshops to expose yourself to. Teachers that inspire me to be better include Sara Turk, Kathyrn Budig, Kino Yoga, to name a few. I highly recommend anyone starting their yoga practice to read Autobiography of a Yogi and Light on Yoga. There is so much more than the physical practice and I love the other aspects of yoga. Even if you’re slightly curious, just search for yoga on the internet and see where your curiosity takes you! Research, read, ask!
Pricing:
- $15 Drop-In Classes at Cherry Blossom Yoga
- $90 1-Hr Private
Contact Info:
- Address: 16650 Champion Forest Dr, ]
Spring, TX 77379 - Website: www.cherryblossomyoga.com
- Phone: (281) 257 – 4245
- Email: cathytranyoga@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathytran_yoga/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CathyTranYoga/
Image Credit:
Joaquin Garay Photography (@joaquingarayphotos)
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