What are you learning about yourself?

[Kimberly]

Now that are more than half-way through the program, you have likely have had some “ah-ha” moments about yourself…your personality, your past, your drive, your dreams, your style, your pain. Sometimes it comes through in a reading you do, or as you find your teacher voice. Maybe it has been a shift in where you intend to take your teaching. It may simply be a realization you’ve had about something that has just been under the surface and training has allowed it to burst to life. Please share any realizations you’ve had thus far in this program. How does this knowledge about you help as you start to teach?

[regmarlew63]

MAY 13 discussion

I feel like my first a-ha moments throughout this training came actually in the very very beginning when I was reading the yamas and niyamas. I remember reading one particular quote ” when it rains, let it”.
Taking on this teacher training course was a big leap of faith for me. I knew I had a strong interest in the whole philosophy of yoga, but I just didn’t know how I would feel tackling it from this angle. It started off very smoothly and strong, kind of surprising me, honestly. I was excited by my mind being opened up to so much of a deeper knowledge of what yoga really is all about. It gave me meaning behind why I’ve liked the practice of yoga all these years. The readings & the discussions gave me the “whys”, as to what it has been about the practice that appeals to me and why it is a good fit for my journey of wellness. Whenever I hit snags along the way, whether it was just understanding the process and being patient, and trusting it. Whether it was going out on a limb, and trying something totally new and foreign. Or if I just could not figure out how to turn in a homework assignment.
I started to just trust more, and realize no matter if I mastered something or not, it would be OK, and exactly how it was designed to be! This approach, I have to admit, even when it feels unnatural, has been so much better and healthier. I am always a work in progress, & I hope as I start standing in front of a class, teaching …that I can remember to not fret & to have faith in myself, my knowledge, my journey. I hope to always leave people better than when I found them.
Regina Lewis

[lisaclick48]

Lisa Click –
I don’t have a yoga teacher voice yet. I just don’t know what I’m doing yet and I’m ok with that. I’m not overly eager to do something that doesn’t provoke passion in what I’m doing. I think I’m a very old soul with watching and evaluating and then I take action. I don’t see myself acting quickly and doing yoga just to do yoga. I’m going to do it with gumption and fun-ness. I’m going to be exploding the world with my being but I’m not going to do that until I’m in my zen. Life is interesting and it’s been a really crazy ride this year. Thinking easy and fun and it hasn’t been that at all but I know it’s ok. Life is crazy and I know there is so much I don’t know yet….can’t wait to get to feel that new knowledge ……but I will be a yoga teacher when the wind blows the right way for me and the sun and moon are in alignment.. it’s just how I work. Could take me years….but I can’t wait to get there….

[betshellhaas]

This yoga teacher training has created many ‘ah-ha’ moments for me. First, the philosophy touched me deeply. It’s like I can see how I am suppose to travel through this life. A way of living that shows compassion, mindfulness and concern for others. It has made me want to be a better person and, therefore, I see myself slowly moving away from things that do not work for me anymore. I am having an easier time making healthy, good decisions for myself and leaving the bad habits in the past. Another ah-ha moment was when I was able to freely flow during my personal practice without any structure or guide. That was something I was unable to do before the training and I believe it has opened the door to allowing my intuition take over so I don’t think too much about it. I am so grateful for the process that is happening. I believe realizing what I have learned about myself helps me to grow as an individual. By finding myself more and more I begin to realize the core of who I am. I believe this is what makes a great teacher. Someone who is fully themselves, coming from a very humble and honest place. This gives me confidence in my knowledge and training.

[Beth]

I have learned or rather internalized the idea that “pain is in your mind”. My migraines and the associated stress have plagued me for years. I moved back to Ohio, to my home, last May, one year ago, after having been gone for 10 years. I honestly realized in this teacher training that being away has been one of the causes of my fear, stress and anxiety. Not having the family support and being distant from my home and my family have caused me to develop severe migraines. Since I have returned, slowly but surely, they have dissipated. They haven’t gone entirely, but they’re leaving me slowly. When we talked about “pain” being manifested by our thoughts I wanted so much to understand that, to believe it and make it real in my life. I wanted to be rid of my pain through my own understanding. At first, I thought it was teacher training that was relieving my headaches. But when I realized that one of my many goals was to become a yoga instructor, I also realized I was living another goal, I was home. I had never understood that deep down, underneath my pain was a desire to be home, with my family again. So much of my pain was coming from that desire and now having achieved that goal, my soul is more settled. I feel more like myself than I have in years and the pain, which has been so prevalent in my life this last decade, is fading. I feel in control of the pain more than I did before and I didn’t believe that possible.

I am not sure I could have pinpointed what it was that was helping my pain until I began yoga teacher training, the tribe of women around me. I felt at home and that’s what was missing all this time. I am so grateful to have realized this and it is deepening my practice. I can focus more intensely and for longer periods of time because a part of me that was so aimless is still now. Of course, I’m not free of stress and anxiety, but the deep, misunderstood source of pain has been identified and can be conquered. This was my great realization and I thank you for bringing this to my attention. I am not afraid of the pain, I want to understand it.

[sally200]

My shifting moments in this class have been often. How strong I feel, my waist line, my desire for calm, my commitment,
My feeling joy after a class, and more.

Yogis are amazing people and I want to hang with them. How I look at life differently. The variety of classes and the content is rich over the top. Very complex and challenging, I feel challenged and have goals mentally, physically, and soulfully to reach as a Yogi. I love being called a yogi!!!

It is the most well rounded life changing experience I have had for years. It has made look at older age as a very good thing with depth and curiosity.

I just hope I can bring all of the above to students, so the keep coming back. Spread the chi, the love, and get more folks to the mat, where the can thrive.

[melross1]

I have had a lot of ah-ha moments, on and off the mat. I still love power yoga. I don’t know that I will ever learn to completely slow down. I love, love, love yin! And I just found a whole new me this week in meditation. I didn’t think I could meditate properly. What I mean by that is I’ve always taken time to meditate and try to listen to my God and spend time with my spiritual being. This week I had a break thru for me and it was powerful and amazing and refreshing and so many things, and I cannot wait to share this journey with others. And help others to grow deeper physically and spiritually. I have combined this training with warriors at ease teacher training, I feel like a different person and the same person because I already know so much more about me. And the things that I knew about me that I kept from other because I didn’t want to seem odd or crazy, I’m finding are normal. It’s so freeing!

This is such an amazing journey! I’m so inspired, I look forward to the future for myself and my students. My hope is that I touch and inspire others with yoga the way it touches and inspires me. Yoga really is a journey not a destination.

[CindyHurst]

My first “ah-ha” moment was the level of students I want to teach. Since teaching yoga will be my retirement career, I had in my mind that I wanted to teach what I lovingly call “Old Lady Yoga.” I’m not sure what triggered the change – perhaps it was the advice to teach what you know and love. I’ve had a strong yoga practice for years and I don’t know why I thought I wanted to teach beginner or gentle yoga exclusively. I still want to share my knowledge and experience with an older population, however I am definitely drawn to teach Slow Flow or Empowering Flow classes (level 2-3) because that is my practice; what I know and love. Perhaps when I’m approaching 100 years of age, I’ll dial it back to just teaching gentle yoga. 😉

My second “ah-ha” moment was in relation to finding my teaching voice. This occurred to me at the Yamas and Niyamas workshop with Deborah Adele. She spoke about Satya and referred to the story from the book about her friend that said, “I always show up differently with different people. My biggest fear is that everyone will be in the same room at the same time and I won’t know who to be.” Most of the time, I’m a “what you see is what you get” kind of person with everyone. I have no idea why I felt I needed to be someone different as a teacher. When she spoke about Asteya, two quotes from her book came to mind: “From the fullness of our own talent and skill, we automatically serve the world rather than steal from it.” and “The jewel of nonstealing, asks us to build our competency with life itself.” This was very powerful.

As I practiced for my recent Karma Yoga class, I really focused on just being me, interjecting my personality and teaching with the intention to share my version of a yoga lifestyle with others.

[EmilyD]

Over the last five months, I’ve learned that many of my life struggles are rooted in my third chakra. I struggle with self-confidence and have a difficult time making decisions. My lack of confidence leaves me nervous, and sometimes anxious to the point where I freeze. I catch myself pushing off things that I am afraid of, telling myself I just need to learn “a little more” to be better and feel safer as I proceed. This fear of failure can be paralyzing.

Knowing this about myself will help me as I start teaching. First, I am not going to be able to just jump right in and have each class be completely different. I need to get some classes under my belt so I feel comfortable and realize that I can do it. As I gain the confidence that comes with practice, I will be able to branch out more.

I know that I will need a “cheat-sheet” of my plan as I go into class. while I may deviate or omit from the plan, I need it there so I don’t worry so much about forgetting where I want to go.

And finally, I have to be kind to myself. I am a perfectionist at heart. I will never be perfect. Yoga is a journey…a life-long journey. I need to keep going, take some unepected paths, and never stop watching, listening, and learning.

[KHuttsell]

A few years ago, I lost my grandma. It was devastating for me – as we had such a close bond. She was an amazing woman & someone who shaped my life. We talked every day – just because. And after I lost both my mom and my dad – she was the rock I needed to move forward. And once she was gone – I didn’t realize how much it would impact me.

After my grandma was gone – my yoga practice basically evaporated. All the exercise and mental awareness I practice was pushed aside. I found myself not working out the way I once had. I also ate badly. What was really happening was I was not truly experiencing my loss. And ironically, I had been more realistic when my parents were gone – grieving and taking care of myself as I dealt with the loss. But my grandma felt like the last chapter – and I wasn’t sure how to move on.

So about a year ago or so, I started taking yoga like I once had. I began to feel like myself again. Embracing emotions and trusting who I was. I realized yoga helped me integrate the pain and the good feelings. I loved how I felt. I loved the way I was human again – accepting the things that hurt and feeling joyous during the happy times.

As a teacher – I want to allow my students to get into this state of mind. The healing state of mind – where is it acceptable to feel both sadness and joy all at once. Where students of all experience levels find a common ground.

I realize that for those who never have experienced yoga – the physical healing may be a first step. I just found this in my first karma yoga class – the new students liked how yoga helped them recover from aggressive workouts and physical discomfort. I didn’t discuss spirituality or mantras – but just allowed them to rest and be at peace. This is the outcome I hope continues in my future classes.

[heatherfly]

There at two clear ideas that come to mind in response to this. I’ve wanted to do a YTT program for a long time. Maybe 12 or so years. And in that time I’ve had some real and some imagined impediments. Real of course is family and not wanting this endeavor to cost them anything in terms of my time or energy available to them. And real(ish) is also the questions about whether my interest is vocational or avocational. Is it a calling or a hobby? And I wouldn’t want to take the resources away at this intense time in family life if it were purely a super enjoyable hobby. Finding this program was sort of a fluke because for the first time in many many moons I found myself wanting to go to a yoga studio instead of just doing yoga on the rug in my pj’s at 6am. So I looked around for classes available that day, saw balancing owl’s schedule, then website, then info about the ytt program, then noticed how easily it would fit in my family’s schedule. So my dormant-at-the-time interest was awakened and some force plunked me right in the midst of it a few months later.

That said, at the outset I had no idea why I was doing it. What I’ve realized is how it is a branch of my overall sense of purpose in my life: to teach suffering people the skills to find ease and to gently and over time put out the angry, anxious, sad and disconnected fires that get passed from generation to generation. All my life I’ve wanted to save the world. And every wish I’ve ever made is for world peace. And that is the energy underneath the work I do in counseling and I’ve learned that it is definitely the answer to the question of why I’m doing this program. In a class I can reach more people. I can try to teach more than just one at a time to bring ease into their own bodies. So the first A-ha was the recognition of yoga as definitely vocational.

The second a-ha was smaller. You see I have an inner critic like everyone and mine tells me that no one cares what I have to say. Which makes it feel like a big risk every time I open my mouth to speak. But many of these wonderful women going through this program with me have been so kind and encouraging to me in these little moments of interaction which have added up to potential evidence that it is just possible, maybe not probable or likely but possible, that my wicked bitchy inner critic is not right. So that’s cool.

[LAD92761]

They said “Even if you don’t want to teach, Yoga Teacher Training will help you deepen your practice, it will change you.” And they were right.

Well I have decided I do want to teach, but that’s because I have become such a believer in the mind/body connection of yoga that I want everyone to experience it. I thought it was interesting to learn the asanas were developed so the yogis could sit in meditation for hours. As I have developed a stronger understanding and practice, I’m finding the asanas help me live my life…for hours each day. What I mean is I feel much more focused, mindful, present in the moment. I’ve become a better listener, thinker, and my confidence has risen. Because of this I believe I’ve become less of a procrastinator and more of a planner.

I have reconnected with my love for music. I have learned to relax more. I have learned to take time, precious time for myself. I have focused more on my eating, healthy choices, and water consumption. I’ve realized it’s ok to head to bed at 9pm. And it’s wonderful to rise early.

And I’ve learned if I miss a day or two on the Mat, I don’t feel as strong, mentally and physically.

And I’m truly happy, love my new Yoga friends and grateful.

I’ve only taught a couple of classes so far but I will tell you, I’m seeing how different we all are and how we all have things we deal with that could be roadblocks to life, whether it’s arthritis, stress, anxiety, weight, etc. My goal is to help others feel the joy as much as I do each and everyday.

[dooley]

I have learned so much about myself through this journey I am not sure where to begin. I do want to teach yoga. You could say that is my one of my “ah-ah” moments. I have always know that teaching was my passion. I always believed it was to teach in an education classroom, and now I believe that has changed. Being a yoga teacher what I want to do.

Yoga has taught me so much about myself. It has allowed me to see my hearts desire. I have been able to build strength in my mind, body, and spirit. When I did my first demo, I was told that I had found my teaching voice, and that let me know I was on the right path to what I needed to do in my life. I have gained so much inner peace and happiness with this journey.

When I began my journey with yoga, I did have a strange feeling inside of me that there was more I needed to do but was not sure what that was. Being presented with teacher training was the moment when I realized I was meant to do it, even though that fear of doubt wanted to creep in and tell me different I chose not to listen. Doing my karma yoga proved to me I was on the right path and I felt very happy.

I am ready for this new journey to begin.

[msinghal]

My biggest “aha” moment came very early on during training when I realized how willing to assimilate and accept my fellow students were. Yoga has originated from my birth country, so it is not hard for me to understand its philosophies, terminologies, and the background. But I was so pleasantly surprised to see how adapting the yoga community is of its doctrines beyond just the asanas. I was in love with yoga’s teachings all over again!

I started the teacher training program in order to deepen my own practice. While I have been able to do a lot of reading, I have been a bit deficient in the practice department. Between training deliverables, work, and my health, I am struggling to find adequate time and opportunity for mindful practice of my own, which I had hoped I would get plenty of when I started training. The karma classes were gratifying, but were stressful to put together. Part of me really wants to teach in the future in order to show the world the power of yoga, but the other part wants to just immerse myself in the joys of yoga in a life long journey with myself. I am hoping I am able to find the answer by the end of the training.

[Author]

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