On my yogi journey: Ash (part 4)
Completed my 1st ever class today & it’s a bubbly warm feeling radiating all over me. Never expected to enjoy it as much I am feeling now. :’) I am just glad to be able to share my knowledge with others. Honestly, being a yoga teacher puts you more in a ‘student’ position than a teacher. I say this because I learn from each & everyone’s body – we are unique individuals. And really I question how good of a teacher I am, when I can’t do the funky poses and all. But this questioning brings about a spirit of self-improvement and this for me, is enough to fuel my learning journey – as a practitioner and teacher For all who came for my 1st lesson, this memory will always hold a special place in my heart I’ve given my heart & soul into preparing, teaching & executing the lesson at the end of the day, I hope you feel my sincerity & that you’ve left the class feeling more energised to tackle whatever life has to throw in your way. 🙂 Also a reminder to self, that I never lose sight of what a privilege it is to teach God bless, with love ♡ Ashley
Almost done?! (5/6)
Wait what?? How did that happen? We are in the middle of week 4/5 already and it feels like I just started to stand & sit straight. Right now I have a lot of mixed feelings regarding the Yoga Teacher Training. On the one hand I look forward to graduating. On the other hand I don’t want it to end. Also I cannot imagine doing Yoga outside the safe haven of The Yoga Mandala or without Jessica. But I am also keen on applying everything we’ve learnt to other yoga classes/studios. During the first 3 weeks of YTT we did a lot of exercising and learning. The last 2 weeks of YTT are meant to focus on sequencing, teaching and the exams. I learnt what I personally have to work on and I am hopeful I will achieve some breakthroughs one day (fingers crossed). Not sure how feasible it will be to do Yoga every day once I am back at work and in the day to day madness. But the biggest ‘take away’ for me is anyways the “tuck in your rips and scoop in your tailbone’ – which can be done every second of the day! Namaste Carolin
“Be the drummer” (4/6)
When it came to teaching sequences during our Yoga Teacher Training it got messy. So much to think of: Name of the pose Verbal instructions to give Demo the pose Give options (regression/progression) Physical adjustments Keep an eye on the watch Jessica summarized this situation of complete mental overload quite well: “You have to be the drummer!” So many things to watch and keep in mind at the same time. Finger crossed I will not completely lose my mind during my class about left/right foot; open to the right/left side; etc. Slowly I start getting nervous. A Yoga Teacher friend of mine once said: If anything goes wrong, remind your class to deeply breath in and out. Namaste Carolin
Week 4. Reena (4/6)
it’s almost hump day of week 4!!!! and teaching week starts tomorrow!! time really flies and am really excited and scared at the same time! so thankful and blessed to be able learnt so much the past few weeks:’) never thought i’d be anywhere near to sequencing classes but i did it!! also seeing all my friends around getting better at sequencing really just made me realise how far we’ve come since day 1:) everyday doesn’t feel like much but when we look back the difference is really huge. it’s pretty amazing to see how we become stronger physically and mentally. and also meditatively!! in our meditations every morning! and also our yoga nidra experience. which was pretty magical! truly felt the part of being physically asleep yet mindfully awake. it’s really a whole different feeling and it feels like your body is frozen, time is frozen, yet your mind is so aware of every details of the body. it’s powerful. and i guess in our everyday lives when we are always so busy and hustling and bustling we should all take time to enjoy the peace and serenity and the simplicity of just being. being present, being aware. this week, we also learned a lot on different back problems and how to be able to help these issues through yoga. it’s amazing what yoga does to and how it heals your body. importantly with every breath and every posture. i can honestly say these are things i’ll never learn if not for this YTT! jessica always reminds us how she’s not looking for perfection but progress and i guess this really applies to me. as a perfectionist growing up it’s really a struggle when i just can’t get stuff right the way i want it. going through this phase of YTT really helped me learn to be more flexible and quick to adapt to changes:) though i may never perfect teaching a class, i just hope to keep learning and be better than i was yesterday. and to take each class as it is, to have fun and make sure my students have fun as well! i’m excited for teaching week!!! maybe i’ll never be fully prepared but today i’m reminded i should just always be present:) Reena
Jastine (2/6)
Today felt like the longest day I had ever gone through in my entire life. Ok maybe not entire life, but in awhile. I have never been a careless person but of all things, I dropped my wallet today while on the way to the studio. I followed the route that I came from, attempting to trace back my lost wallet but to no avail. Losing it really hurt because it was a gift from my sister. But I guess the reason for this post tonight is really that I managed to separate my emotions and not let anything affect class today. I just did not want to impose on anybody by feeling sad. But guess what. Just as I learnt to accept the fact that my wallet could possibly be gone forever, a miracle happened. A kind auntie (about 50 to 60 year-old according to my dad who retrieved it from her) appeared at my doorstep and returned my wallet in one piece. Apparently, she was chasing after me from behind wanting to return me my wallet in the morning but I was on my headphones and I could not hear her. She told my dad that she could not chase far (due to old age) so she decided to leave for work and only returned it when she ended work. Now I feel bad for being so ignorant and making an old lady run and call out for me?! Jastine
Mindfulness (3/6)
Yoga means to unite, referring to the body, mind and soul. Being mindful is indeed something I enjoy. Be it on OR off the yoga mat. I feel especially connected with and therefore mindful of myself during my travels. I travel as often as I can. Of course I love traveling with my partner, nevertheless I also enjoy traveling solo. I like city trips, nature hikes, trips to the desert or to national parks. And hell I did some crazy adventures so far. Being a female solo traveler is something I will always recommend. It brings you close to yourself but also gives you a whole new travel experience. As a solo traveler you are so much more approachable for locals (as compared to you as a couple or with a friend or family member by your side). Of course the downside is that you can’t share a “oh look there! How beautiful!” with anyone right next to you in that very moment. But also this makes the experience very special and precious to me. Something only you experienced and only because you chose to travel to a certain place and take a certain road etc. To me the most memorable travel moments are connections. I feel connected to nature very easily. Also being connected to total strangers is something I experienced during my solo trips. Of course it also allows you to connect with yourself. Something you look for in Yoga as well. Best of both worlds: Go travel solo and do Yoga! Need a travel advice? I am more than happy to chat and give recommendations. Namaste Carolin
My most favorite Yoga guinea pig (2/6)
What nobody tells you when you start a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT): You will need a human guinea pig! You will need to learn by doing and there is no way around it. You will have to: learn to be present and confident learn to give instructions learn to give the right clues at the right time learn to adjust students learn to be able to spontaneously change the sequence according to your students needs Last on this list is most likely to happen in every Yoga teachers life. Like on a daily basis. And I feel prepared for that. Why? Because my (most favorite) guinea pig is my partner. What a kind and patient soul. He is fine with me searching in my head for words (he does not understand because it is Sanskrit), holding poses for way too long because I need the right angle to physically adjust plus encourages me telling me how well I am doing. And what does that teach me in return? (Apart from he simply is THE best) I understand which instructions must be given quicker than others and adjustments can be wired sometimes. Also I learn patience for example when he asks me to go with him riding race bikes the next time… :-). I feel blessed with the strong support during the intense time of the YTT. Namaste Carolin
Strugglin’ (1/6)
What always prevented me from enrolling for a Yoga Teacher Training were my body’s natural limitations. “I’m not flexible enough”, “I can’t do Vrishchika (or any other insta-worthy pose) yet”… All excuses! I understand what it means to be a good Yoga teacher and that is certainly not being able to do every funky pose in the world. It is about knowing how to help students get into a pose, work on poses, build up strength and work on the mind. All this verbally and physically through adjustments. Also it is about seeing people, as well as understanding different body types and most importantly different needs. With the help of Jessica I am on my way to getting there and I am more than happy about it. Looking back, I realize it was myself holding me back. I used to think that the teacher “must” be able to do every pose herself/himself. She/he should impress me as a student to earn my respect and admiration. This is wrong on so many levels. Today I can appreciate different kinds of teachers for different styles of Yoga teaching. What impresses me most is the energy that a teacher brings across. I personally benefit most from a Yoga class, when the teacher spreads energy and positivity. There is definitely no need for flexibility to do that. Flexibility will most likely always be my struggle and something for me to work on and I am fine with that. Happy to gain and achieve little by little. Yoga is a journey and right now I am full speed in it. Namaste Carolin
On my yogi journey: Ash (part 3)
helloooo I am back 🙂 And so, I find myself at the start of YTT week 4! Today the Chinese students came in and I overheard them trying to memorise sanskrit & it brought back memories to when we first started. It is indeed heartwarming to know how far we’ve come and also surreal that we are now creating our own sequences & getting ready to teach our 1 hour classes. I am a flurry of excitement, nervousness & just disbelief at where I am now. Like I’ve said before, I am thankful to be learning – it is always such an experience to enrich & equip yourself with knowledge. And so, on this note: from yet again, one of my fav writers May you never forget how far you’ve come, for you have traveled many miles to get to this place. May you never forget the starless nights that shaped you and the morning skies that gave you the hope & strength to carry on. For after all the years you have made it through, over & over, Light has found way to you. And even though you still have a long way to go, all the miles you have traveled matter more than you know -MHN-
Jan – (3) On Connection
Jess said that Yoga means union – of the mind, body and spirit. We’re beginning to create our own sequences now and everything that we’ve been learning is coming together – Chakras, Pranayama, Asanas, instructions, physical adjustments, the human body… Everything is connected – what we do, what we think and how we feel. It’s obvious that our mind controls our body. I’m sure most of us are aware that the mind is so strong it can even control our emotions. Yet, we often allow our body and emotions to control our minds. (Yea, me too.) However, practising yoga has brought my mind a sense of calm and focus (bonus muscles too). The mind and the body becomes more synchronised, and with it, the spirit. I’m still working on it; but if I could, it’s an experience I‘d love to share. If practising yoga could help us see the world and our place in it with greater clarity and appreciation, then why not? Everything is connected – me, you and everyone else. Everyone I’ve encountered in the seasons of my life has played a part in leading me here. And the people I’ve spent the last three weeks of YTT with have been nothing short of a community. They’ve made me feel loved and belonging. Yoga has a way of connecting energies, when movement and breath synchronise, not only within ourselves but with others. If I could play a part to help others find connection, then why not? Love, Jan @saltfrosted
