Alicia: 4 Connecting the dots
It was not just learning how to get into a pose, but what makes the pose. Moving the joint meant using certain muscles to get into asana. And with the asana in mind, we needed to understand which muscle or joint we want to work on and how to use the muscle. An Upward Dog was no longer just pushing against the floor and looking up but tucking in the tailbone to protect the lower back from compression and tucking in the ribs to lengthen the spine. Or an inversion pose would not be possible if one is not mindful of what is going on in the body while inverted. What we have learnt for the past 3 weeks all came together and allowed me to understand my body better and also to learn how to help students get into the pose and progress. Alicia 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
Alicia: 3 Tuck ribs in, tuck tailbone in, engage, retract, protract (on repeat)
These were the words that kept repeating everyday. Jess pointed out that most of us were always busy getting into the shape of the pose that we forget how our own body works. We knew where our ribs were but we didn’t know exactly how to use or work it. How much tucking in the ribs in that same pose can make one feel so much more, working so much more in the body. We knew we had to raise our arms above our head but what were we supposed to feel? And then TADA, slowly everything made sense why Jess kept repeating ‘Tuck ribs, tuck tailbone, engage, retract, protract’ throughout the past few weeks, with all this it made our body feel lighter in poses and we could feel the effects of the pose on our body. Alicia Ho 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
Alicia: 2 Looking at others differently
“The next time you go to a yoga class, you will look at everyone differently.” Learning the details of poses made me realize that everybody’s body is indeed different. Some might not have open hips, some are much tighter body than others, and some might have injuries the naked eye can’t see. This was something that I did not realize before YTT. Boy did I realize that yoga classes needed so much more preparation, details and very sharp observation skills (it could be something as subtle as one standing upright – knees rotating too much inwards to leaning too much forward to the toes). Jessica pointed out that you would have to understand a person’s body to know what he/she needs and wants out of your class. Something as simple as one walking into the room, from the feet to the knees to the hips to the back, you can tell what to look out for this person. Alicia 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
Alicia: 1 The Beginning
Having practiced yoga for almost 3 years, pretty much on a regular basis going for all types of yoga classes available. It was after the first year that I saw myself sticking to certain classes that “felt” challenging to me (Power, Inversions, Flow) It was only after a few injuries here and there that I stopped and thought to myself ‘What was yoga to me?’ ‘What was it that I was looking for going to classes for?’ ’Stretch class didn’t make me sweat, did I even exercise?’ I began to think I became stagnant at yoga (like it was a sport). I came across YTT and felt this was a good time to start all over again and learn what Yoga really was. Putting aside all the excuses and reasons to sign up for YTT, the journey finally begins. The beginning, like anything and everything else, is always the toughest. Jessica was right on Day 2, she said you will find yourself sleeping earlier and earlier after each day. And she was right! It took time to adjust to the training schedule (the early mornings!) and the physical aspects of the course, the mental aspect (remembering Sanskrit, sequences, details of each pose). W1 was a fruitful and eye-opening one, learning new things and meeting new friends. Alicia 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
Emily: Blog 6
I am in awe by how much a yoga teacher must be able to do. It is the ultimate test of multitasking. Being able to remember sequences, alignments, instructions, and timing. While also having to build strong connections with students. And most amazingly of all, being observant to every movement that the students make, seeing their weaknesses and helping them achieve that which they may not believe is possible. Giving people the power to reconnect with their body. To find themselves. To learn and to grow. I can only hope to become and even greater teacher with experience. Wether I choose to pursue this as a career or not, I will continue to grow as a practitioner year after year. Emily 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
Emily: Blog 5
Over the course of the YTT I learn’t that yoga is the union of the body, mind and soul. Yoga is also the balance of flexibility and strength. With practice the body becomes more supple but also stronger. One will never be able to achieve the most challenging of poses without being both. The mind will also open and allow far more then one imagines is possible. Most practitioners will never achieve a pose if their mind is in their way. Wether because of fear, exhaustion, pain, the mind has full control. With practice one can also train the mind to quiet and flexible. Ones Soul is what keeps us coming back to our practice, to keep us grounded, to keep us passionate about life and movement. With yoga, practitioners learn to connect more deeply to their soul. I’ve known this unconsciously for years, but I never could have explained it before. I am now beginning to understand the passion it takes to teach! Emily 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
Emily: Blog 4
My scoliosis was diagnosed at age 13. Doctors visits only seemed to worsen my case. It was not until I started practicing regular yoga that I started finding relief. For years I looked for yogis who like me had physical limitations. While completing my YTT I learn’t that everyone has physical limitations. Many are simply not aware of it. Body awareness is not something the average person has. I was shocked when we all were analysed, and one after another, we had scoliosis or kyphosis or lordosis. Some were far worse then others. But we all have our weaknesses and our strengths. Wether a structural or muscular weakness we all have, even advanced yogis, something which can be worked on. After all, the practice of yoga is about continual improvement. Emily 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
Emily: Blog 3
I had my first panic attack when I was 18. I was never a relaxed child, stress managed my life for most of my school years. I started practicing yoga while in college to help relieve some of the stress. I knew of the physical and mental benefits, but I never could have imagined the impact it has had in my life. Slowly but surely I learn’t to manage the pain from my scoliosis on my own. Physio & Chiro appointements became less and less necessary. Only occasional visits when the pain became completely unbearable. Still to this day I can go months before needing an adjustment. This is to me the greatest feat! Doctors told me almost 10 years ago that my physical abilities would only get worse with time. I am quite shocked that I survived a YTT, although I am exhausted, I feel great, I feel strong. I hope to continue to practice regularly in order to achieve even more challenging postures. Emily 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
Emily: Blog 2
After doing the test my dominant Dosha is Pitta. This seems quite accurate overall, the characteristics of Pitta apply to me quite seamlessly. I am very talkative, driven, and yes a slight workaholic. I tend to push my limits, but I generally like to keep busy. I don’t sleep very much, I do eat so much! My mind however falls more under Vata. I am very creative, my brain runs at a million miles a minute and I can’t always keep up with all the ideas. There never seems to be enough time in a day to get everything done that I would like to. Interestingly all 3 of my Dosha’s scored quite close. Kapha was certainly the lowest. My partner is Kapha, through and through, and I think that with time his energy is helping to balance me out. Over the past year that we have been living together I find myself sleeping better then ever before, I’ve become much more patient. My anxiety has softened it’s force since I always have him to keep me calm. A year ago I would never have signed up for my YTT the same day I lost my job. I would have wallowed in the pain for months. I am so grateful to feel my personality changing. Emily 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
Emily: Blog 1
Everything is possible with time, patience and practice. I think by far my biggest learning over the past 5 weeks has been understanding my limitations. But it has also been understanding which poses and practices I could do in order to one day achieve something I may not be able to do today. Often times the things which I cannot achieve on my first try become my biggest frustrations. I will avoid that particular pose or exercise. I would tell myself it was for my own safety, or that it would simply always be impossible due to my physical limitations. Unless there is pain I know now to look deeper, to find the source of my week ness. Building up the strength and or flexibility I lack in certain areas can only benefit me in the long run. I never imagined I would be able to have my heals touch the ground in down dog. 7 years of regular practice I had given up on it ever being a possibility. I was so wrong. Emily 200 Hour YTT Nov’19
