This is me, receiving my teacher's certification. 7 years ago I traveled to India to become certified as a Yoga teacher. Forever it will be one of my most memorable experiences. For a month, I lived at an ashram in South India. I was completely immersed in Yogic philosophy, asana (physical practice), meditation, chanting (Bhakti Yoga) and anatomy. Our days began with a bell ringing in the courtyard at 4:30AM. We'd gather in the main hall for an hour of meditation, followed by a 2-hour asana class. Then breakfast, lecture, lunch, and more lecture. We'd spend our late afternoons completing our assigned chores/jobs around the ashram (Karma Yoga) and daily homework. We ate dinner (on the floor, with our hands - traditional Indian style) and during our hour of free time, many of us were studying, memorizing, and practicing how to teach to our fellow students. We'd finish each day with a 2-hour Yoga class and an hour of meditation. Our 'lights out curfew' was 10PM, though most of us were asleep well before that. I remember how terrified I was to teach to the group (there were 70 of us). There was so much to remember, on top of keeping an eye on the clock, getting my rights and lefts in order, moving around the room, keeping my voice audible, and managing to remember all the Sanskrit names for the Yoga poses. This was a very traditional style of Yoga I trained in, and we chanted at the beginning and the end of class... in Sanskrit! SO much to remember. AND we were being critiqued by our peers, so we had THAT to agonize and worry about as well. When I think back to that time, I wouldn't have predicted I'd be running a Yoga studio... in Port Angeles, WA. It's interesting to look back on my life, and see those corners that completely changed my life and took me in new directions. Sometimes the corners were predictable, and welcomed. Sometimes they were sharp, came out of nowhere, slapped me in the face, and made me question EVERYthing. These corners are the scaffolding we build our unique stories upon. I've taught many, many classes since those first days as a teacher, and though I'm not nearly as nervous anymore, I still get butterflies when I teach. I get butterflies because my job is important to me. I take my job seriously. Human beings are willing to show up, and let go, and feel exposed to vulnerability, and I'm proud of the fact that I get to hold the space for them them to do that. I get to share what I love with others, and together, we are transforming the world. Sometimes it doesn't seem like it's enough, and then I remind myself that change can ONLY begin with us. If I've helped raise a few spirits during my day, I'm pleased. If I've helped a person feel good about them self, or helped someone shed the weight of emotional turmoil for an hour... I feel like my day has gone well. These people will leave the studio feeling affected, and they will in turn affect others in powerful ways. This IS enough. This is EVERYTHING. To view more photos of my time in India, the link below will take you to one of my albums.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150403633105714.617399.664860713&type=1&l=e13d188d30
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Who am i?I'm a busy gal with lots of things on the go. I'm a new mom, I'm a business owner, I'm a Canadian living in the Pacific NorthWest. I'm a wife, I'm a creative, free-thinking, wear-my-heart-on-my-sleeve Yogini who likes to write about whatever's on my mind. I carve my own path, and strive to live my life without permission or validation from others. I'm moved to tears when I get to witness those bold enough to step out of their comfort zones, and I'll passionately stand for anyone willing to be own their unique, authentic, genuine, vibrant self. Archives
September 2017
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