Yin-Yin (1/6) Introduction: Why I started YTT
I had been an avid runner growing up. I didn’t get into yoga until after college. I was initially drawn to it because it was so different from my normal routine. What kept me practicing for almost 7 years now is how it continues to challenge me in new ways both physically and mentally. My favourite part about yoga is how it’s taught me to understand how my words and actions impact those around me. This heightened sense of self-awareness has positively impacted not only my practice, but also my work and personal relationships. What drew me to Yoga Teacher Training was the desire to learn. Yoga Mandala particularly stood out because I had taken classes there before and loved the ambiance of the studio and the awesome teachers there. I felt that there was no way 5,000 years of yoga history and philosophy could be understood in just a simple 1-hour class, regardless of how many classes I’ve taken over the last 7 years. I’m super excited for what’s in store and hope to share my journey at Yoga Mandala with others who are also contemplating taking YTT.
ZMao – Awareness (2/6)
We are crooked souls trying to stay up straight Dry eyes in the pouring rain where The shadow proves the sunshine The shadow proves the sunshine – Switchfoot I think the biggest takeaway from this YTT has been building awareness. Since day 1, Jessica has been leading us to identify areas where we have deviated from the midline and to bring us back to it. Till this YTT, I have never thought of myself as being unable to stand straight. But with awareness, the little things become magnified. That head tilt to the right, that rotated hip in tadasana and ardho muka swanasana, that flared ribs in almost all asanas and those hunched shoulders. Standing up straight and tall takes effort. For almost all of us. Because, as Jess says, we are all crooked in some way. And this is where what applies on the mat also applies in life. Learning about the spine and about the body, I have realised that we truly all are crooked souls trying to stay up straight. Whether on the mat, whether in life, there is something that we are working on. As a pitta-dominant person, I have learned to take a step back from each immediate reaction. On the mat, building mindfulness to ensure that the ribs are tucked. Off the mat, observing others for their dry eyes in the pouring rain. May I be more aware of the shadows; that I may know the sunshine.
ZMao – Of Beginnings (1/6)
Say not, “I have found the truth,” but rather, “I have found a truth.” Say not, “I have found the path of the soul.” Say rather, “I have met the soul walking upon my path.” – Self-knowledge XVII by Khalil Gibran Sometime in July 2019, I set myself along a new path – the path of training to be a yoga teacher. Although I was not sure if this was the right time given that there was so much in yoga that I had yet to “achieve”, I was pulled along to begin this journey with two of my best friends (read @okonomiyogi and @marotaro.yoga). We searched for options and spoke to various people, and fate led us to the Yoga Mandala. Before I began on this YTT, I found myself suffering from pain in the lower back and in my left shoulder. But over these past few weeks re-learning the correct alignment and undoing bad habits, I find myself feeling more alive in my body, and moving with so much more ease. Without this YTT, the path I was on may have led me to more pain and injury, but in trusting my two friends that this is the right time for this commitment, I have discovered a whole new me and a whole new world of yoga. Here, I uncover the roots of this ancient practice. Here, I meet myself.
Brenda on blessings 4/6
Today, while breaking down Ashtavakra in class, boss lady explained how the pose came about. According to wiki, “Ashtavakra is a revered Vedic sage in Hinduism. His name literally means “eight bends”, reflecting the eight physical handicaps he was born with.” Yet, despite his physical handicaps, he managed to become a revered sage. Whao. I once overheard 2 instructors chatting before class about how it’s a blessing to be able to do yoga, much less teach it. The practice I had after hearing that line was a really memorable one for me, in recent times. I felt alot more alive and really really thankful for being sufficiently pain-free and healthy enough to have a physical asana yoga practice. That I was able to be clothed in fancy yogic clothes and spend money for a membership in a yoga studio. Not sure if I’m ever able to consciously meditate on gratitude and being blessed while holding Ashtavakra pose, but from today onwards, when the pose comes up, I know for sure that it would not just be another arm balance for me.
Yan Han – discipline/creativity (3/6)
YTT has worked our minds and bodies h a r d. Everyone’s physical practice is different. We have different body types, strengths and weaknesses, goals and intentions. The YTT emphasises the importance of discipline in your physical practice. Getting the alignment and engagement right instead of just falling into the shapes. Letting go of the ego. Like squaring the hips instead of splaying them open without engagement just so I can do a full split. It takes so much discipline and humility. As we learn about sequencing flows for classes (or personal practice), there is plenty of room for creativity. I’ve never really thought about mindfully sequencing poses for my personal practice, because who’s looking right? It’s just me and my body must be fine with anything I make it do. I now have a newfound appreciation for clever/creative/purposeful yoga flows, and I pay more attention to the sequencing in yoga classes or online videos I watch. The possibilities are endless! In yoga there are so many ways you can move. You gain awareness of your limits, but also discover strengths and range of motion that you never thought you had.
KC – The Art of Yoga Sequencing (3/6)
Of course I’m not talking about MY Art of Yoga Sequencing. Mine is just at doodling stage. What I scribbled on paper is basically over-thinking and messy bits and pieces of yoga flows. We were told to create our own sequence of yoga as homework. I remember I was very enthusiastic, wanting to create a perfect yoga flow for a particular chakra. Then, my enthusiasm burned away by my over-thinking mind. I kept staring on a blank Words file, no idea which asana to be used. By the time I finished typing a 30-min sequence, 4 hours had gone by. What?! 4 hours! And that had not included the time of me going through my own sequence! I’m lacking in asana and anatomy knowledge, the experience of pacing the sequence, and the understanding of the seamlessness of flow. Probably I really need to sign up for yoga classes (I usually just practise at home). Cannot be 井底之蛙 (“frog in the well”) anymore. So, I’m still far away from the ‘art’. I shall polish my doodling skill first, and test the sequences on myself, and on some innocent family and friends, and learn from mistakes. Ok this shall be the plan for now.
Renee – OMG Inversions! (3/6)
Comes to the inversion part, as what I mentioned before, I really don’t have a strong foundation and enough strength, inversion to me is really challenging and tough, I never tried any kind of stand before except shoulder stand T_T 1st inversion in Mandala is headstand, Jess guided us step by step and emphasised the important key points, like how to place ur head on the mat, push the shoulders away from ears and keep tuck in the ribs & tailbones, 3 points of contact etc. Most of my classmates did it easily and successfully by following her guide, however, it’s so difficult for me to implement even with her helping hand, I try my best to push my shoulders away but still can’t flip myself upwards, a bit frustrated but Jess told me it’s ok, the most important thing is not flipping yourself up successfully but by doing it safely. After class I tried to practise at home but made a mistake which was I did not against the wall but my bed, so when I fell, I strained my lower back, haha what a silly mistake… But surprisingly, after stopped for few weeks, suddenly I can do the headstand by last week! Not sure how I unlocked this new skill but guess it’s because I built up some strength through the few weeks YTT training and finally managed to push my shoulders away! What I need to improve now is pull myself up without the wall and stay there for a longer time 🙂 But when come to Pincha, then it’s become the real challenge to me, I have been tried for 2 weeks and still trying, while Jess asked me to avoid any arm balances and inversions for now due to my shoulder issue, so I will only practise the basic 3 legged dolphin first and hopefully one day I can overcome it and do Pincha!
Renee – Observation & Awareness (2/6)
After few weeks of YTT practice and observation, I start to aware more about my body and at the same time, realised more problems of my body. During the first 2 weeks, I felt the very tight hamstring and unevenness of my left & right body, I can’t even do the proper forward fold…Thanks to my lovely classmate KC who introduced a Physio to me and I really find some improvement after the 1.5 hours consultation. But when we start to practise falling from headstand, I got a strong locked feel and pain of my left shoulder and it’s really restricted and discomfort me a lot. Jess was so worried about me so she asked me to stop immediately and required me to do an X-ray and check out what’s going on before I can take any further action. Safety always comes first, she is really a caring teacher. And over last week’s study, we learnt how to do the spinal check & adjustment, we went through everyone’s body scanning, defined the problems and designed the postures for each other for the improvement. This brings real awareness of our body, I started to consciously focus on those problems I have and keep reminding myself to externally rotate my knees & thighs, squeeze my butt, scoop in my tailbone, tuck in my ribs & retract my shoulder blades in daily life. Not easy but yes, no pain no gain.
Renee – Body, Mind and Soul (1/6)
6 & 7 July 2019 – Day 1 & 2 Before class starts, Jess asked everyone to give a self-introduction, then I realised I am the most junior one among all my classmates and with a very poor foundation, less than 2 years on and off practice plus lack of flexibility and body strength…and not doing any practice in any place currently! Think I’m the only person who could not do the proper Chaturanga in my class…So I started to worry a lot and doubt if I really can graduate from this program… However during the Day 2 theory session, Jess taught us Yoga is the union of our body, mind and soul. So is not only about how fancy asana or posture you can do. It’s more about observe yourself and bring awareness of your body. Which is quite in line with my 3A belief – Awareness, Awaken & Action. Quite enjoy the theory part, Jess is such a cute and fun teacher, with the adequate profession at the same time. I’m glad that I chose Mandala for my YTT journey and hope it can bring me full awareness!
KC – Scary Inversion (2/6)
I wrote that knowing how to fall out safely will help me in my inversion practice. Believe me, I meant what I wrote. But when comes to practicing inversion, I forgot that belief. When everything is upside down in your vision, you can think of nothing other than the fear of falling . I don’t understand why I have this fear (I’m so short and my center of gravity is really not far from the mat lor!). I have the wall behind me, and I have the mat supporting me. What I need to do is to press forearms firmly to the mat, tuck in ribs, tuck in tailbone, square the hips, look at the mat and kick up the legs. But my legs never touched the wall, which is just 20cm away. Jessica told me “Don’t think so much”. For now, I will practise “dolphin” to condition my body. Let that feeling of going into inversion sink in more before I attempt inversion again. The journey matters.
