admin When I first toyed with the idea of taking yoga teacher training, even when I was considering it, I felt anxious, insecure, and excited. So many questions went through my head: do I have what it takes to go through this? Am I going to die on my mat and embarrass myself with all these “fit,” experienced yogis around me? What can I do to prepare for this physical and emotional roller coaster??
Hey there, I’m Mei! I recently finished my yoga teacher training at Jiva Yoga Saigon. It was an amazing experience for me, and I’d like to share my experiences and the lessons I discovered (especially those that you don’t often or truthfully inform people about).
Suppose you’re interested in the story of how I got started in the beginning, how I discovered the most suitable school, and how I ultimately decided to sign up for YTT. In that case, You can learn more about my experience on this page.
You don’t need to be adept at all yoga postures or be in good fitness
I was once of the opinion that registering to be a yoga instructor meant that I had fitness and also that I needed a long yoga experience to be able to handle it. In reality, I was worried about the fear that more experienced students could criticize my performance on the yoga mat.
I quickly realized that it’s not all about it at ALL. If you’re able to come on the mats with an open mind and heart, with a basic knowledge of yoga poses, you’re able to enroll and begin with your teacher education.
For certain of us, this instruction is the very first time we tried handstands. I can remember being unable to push my legs into the ceiling! As my body and mind became stronger, I was able to lift and stabilize my body. Indeed, I could only accomplish this for a brief period; however, the possibility of being able to complete it (and with no wall!) was a huge relief.
The student who was in class was instantly capable of a handstand on her own without wall support. The others sat watching her with awe.
The group I was in also came from diverse backgrounds as well as in different ages (26-50, to be exact) as well as fitness levels. We shared a few points of commonality; however, we were all here to improve our practice of yoga. We are all skilled enough, and all experienced a deep learning experience through our yoga teacher training.
You’ll be crying
Teacher trainer Suzanne Vian said very in the beginning that YTT was going to be an emotional rollercoaster, but it was required to cut through the layers of our lives and discover more about us. She was 100% right.
I was able to see how crucial it was to talk about the thoughts of my heart and emotions with others, and I am so thankful we had a safe environment for me to share my thoughts and feelings. It was a great way to identify certain patterns that were detrimental to my life. I broke down on my mat following the initial days of training…and I can say it was good. I didn’t feel embarrassed, and I wasn’t excluded. We were all on the same team, every one of us.
Your body is going to hurt…a LOT
For the first two days during the three-week program, I was feeling really great about my asana practice. Then, after a while, I can honestly declare that my body became stiff and aching due to the long hours of asanas. My body was extremely rigid the next few days, especially at the beginning of the day when I woke up. I was wondering if I would even get through the next set of asanas.
I was also overwhelmed by the amount of details and the feelings we felt and absorbed upon the floor. I can remember thinking…Man, I really need to go to sleep.
It’s good for me that I didn’t give in immediately, as what I may not have known at that point is that my body and mind were going through the process of healing. I was becoming stronger every day–physically and emotionally–building strength and understanding myself more than ever.
You’ll meet incredible people and build great friendships
For such a small amount of time, I’ve made special connections and been able to connect with people I’ve never experienced before. We’ve learned a lot about ourselves and each other, as well as our hopes and anxieties in life. The group laughed and wept, and we listened to each other with compassion and compassion.
I’ve made a conscious decision to commit to that from now on; it’s all about caring for these kinds of relationships. It’s about finding ways to connect with my soul brothers and sisters, as well as assessing the relationships at home and letting go of friendships that don’t help me in any way.
It is not necessary to be inspired to teach yoga in order to complete the yoga teacher course
I used to believe that getting a YTT signified that you’re done and have decided to become an instructor in yoga. But, as anyone who’s also been through the process can tell you, the advantages of a yoga teacher’s training extend beyond just a yoga certificate.
When I decided to join the training program, I realized that what I was looking for was to do something meaningful for me, such as investing a substantial amount of money and time and making it a part of my self-development. I was planning to study for three weeks in order to be a yoga instructor with no intention to teach…and that’s fine.
As we walked around the room, sharing what we were doing to get into the class, no one said they would become a yoga instructor. Everybody was on their journey to understand the fundamentals of yoga, confront their struggles, become more aware of their life, or share their yoga practice with other people.
As I look back, I can say I was well-prepared to become a yoga instructor. Perhaps not a skilled one, however, since I believe that it requires time and effort. What is most important is that I have the skills to become the best yoga instructor I can be if I would like to.
Your life will be changed positively
In the course during the course, we often went for walks together to get rid of the dust in the studio after a vigorous meditation session. Then I noticed that I was beginning to see things in a new way as the sky became more blue, and I could hear the singing birds, and also, the hues of the leaves appeared brighter.
It may sound like cheesy to you, but it’s true! I was on the road to happiness, and I felt like I was getting a breath of fresh air.
As I’ve told my friends and family members, this yoga teacher training in Jiva Yoga Saigon has opened my eyes to the world. It’s, hands-down, the most worthwhile investment I’ve done for me. I feel more calm and at ease; I’m healthier, more compassionate, and, most important, more attentive to my family and friends.
If, right now, you’re reading this article, and you’re in the same spot I was in, pondering and thinking about whether pursuing instructor training in yoga is an appropriate decision. If it’s possible to complete it, my simple answer is yes, it is. It is possible.
