WOOHOOO! I’m starting yoga teacher training! I’m SO excited!
Image from stgeorgeyoga.com
Yes, I’m a little enthused, can you tell? I’ve been wanting to do this for over a year, and I think the time is right. I’m beginning my 200-hour training at my favorite yoga studio, Yogawood,in Collingswood, NJ. I can’t say that I don’t have some nerves about it all, primarily related to my physical challenges with rheumatoid arthritis and being able to “keep up” with the program. But, I’m feeling quite dedicated to it, so that’s something, right?
There are a number of things that I hope to achieve in my training, and since I’m sure I’ll be blogging about it, it seems fair to lay them out here and then I can revisit them later as I go. But, before I do, I just want to give a shout-out to my family for supporting me in this adventure. It’s going to take some time and effort, and not just from me, so I really appreciate theVeganAsana family buy-in (extra thanks to the spousal unit for sponsoring these classes for mother’s day, b-day, and anniversary gifts). Ok, so on to the four big goals and hopes for the training.
- I hope to deepen my practice. I’ve made a lot of changes in the last few years of doing yoga, and particularly over the last 2 years with more dedicated and regular sessions. But, I know there is so much room to grow, both physically and mentally.
- I want to grow my understandings of yoga history and philosophy. I read (a lot), but there is something about sitting with a group of peers and talking through what you are reading that really helps you to own the knowledge. When my students (not yoga, the other ones) are trying to learn something and struggling, I tell them to talk about it with their parents and roommates and romantic partners. That act of verbalizing and engaging about what you are reading and learning really helps to bring it home.
- I want to be a part of a group of people dedicated to exploring yoga. In Buddhist thought, we might call this a sangha. I’m not sure what the term is for a group of yogis (gaggle? herd? hive? school? murder? clutch? swarm? coven? dunno). But, whatever it is, I want to be part of one and share that energy.
- I want to share my excitement about yoga with others – those in my class and eventually beyond. I’m sure my family and friends get tired of hearing about it. (Have I mentioned how much better my body feels? Have I told you that I don’t yell much anymore? Have you heard that my resting BPM has dropped substantially?) So, I need new victims listeners.
And then there are the mini-goals (things like learning to reliably get into handstand without the wall and figuring out how to get from Chaturanga to Urdhva Mukha Svanasana without my thighs touching the floor). So, yep, that too, but those I can flex on some (ha ha! what I did there, you saw it?) because the body has a will of it’s own.
Anyway… YOGA YAY!
Namaste,
L
