My Journey to 500 Hours of Yoga
A collection of reflections on my Yoga Teacher Training journey
Where it all began at Downward Dog Yoga Centre (Toronto)
There have been so many seeds planted along my journey with yoga (and meditation) spanning back to childhood and more notably after travelling on a whim halfway across the world to attend a fateful yoga retreat in Bali back in 2019. But that’s a whole other story.
Let’s start with 2020. After being laid off during a global pandemic, most people would rush to find the next job, me… I took rest. Rest to process what happened and to give myself space to explore what was next for me. After taking a few months off, I ran into a yoga teacher of mine on street the day I felt more comfortable to explore the city beyond just my neighbourhood. During this interaction, she told me that the studio she did her training at was starting teacher training soon. After really weighing on the decision, I chose to enrol officially denoting my shift in work.
AUG 28 2020 - 200 HRS
Graduation: 200-HR Yoga Teachers at Downward Dog Yoga Centre (Aug 2021)
I took a leap of faith signing up for Yoga Teacher Training last month and I am so happy I did. I went in with the intention to deepen my practice, but my greatest lesson learnt was how to love and honour my body through all limbs of yoga. While I’m working to complete the final requirements of RYT 200, I am proud to announce that... I am a Yoga Teacher!
AUG 28 2021 - 1 YEAR LATER
Yoga has and continues to teach me about myself and my body. Learning to listen to my body, that less can be more, and that I am deserving of rest. Being on the other side as a teacher has helped me understand the care, the time, effort, and energy of teachers. So much respect for my fellow teachers (for any modality) and the teachers at Downward Dog who supported me through my intensive 200-hr yoga teacher training back in August 2020.
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share what I’ve learned so far from the beautiful, spiritual Hindu practice of Yoga that originates from India and Southeast Asia with dear friends, family, and new friends I have met along the way. Thank you to everyone who attended my yoga and mediation sessions during this first year. Thank you for your support, feedback, and your trust in me as a teacher as I continue to learn and discover my own unique style and offerings. My favourite part so far has been curating sessions for you that explore the diverse expressions of yoga to music and the creative process of connecting asanas (poses) into seamless transitions. The limitless possibles and finding those connections towards a flow really excite me. And then practicing and watching you experience AURA studio sessions or my Superhero Yoga session has been the most rewarding. As a guide, I am committed to continue being of service to support you in your self care.
Yoga has been like a best friend. A friend that has supported me over the years and especially during the heavy days of the pandemic as I navigated on my own through continuous waves of tribulations that challenged who I was and helped me move through the emotions that needed to surface to understand why I am here.
This past year has been a huge lesson in trusting the path and letting go of the destination. I look forward to what this next year and the years to come will hold. So here I am rolling out the mat, a joyful ritual where I meet my dear mat and best friend Yoga.
FEB 27 2022 - 500 HRS
Over the past six months I have been completing the second, large step in my journey as a Yoga Facilitator. And today marks the completion of my 300-Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Octopus Garden Yoga. I’m still processing the experience of sharing 300 hours in community over Zoom, in support from a faculty that has deepened my understanding of what yoga really is and has helped me explore what yoga means to me and those I have the honour of facilitating a practice for.
I’ve made the change official on my website and adding what’s next for me. I am now a 500-hr level yoga Facilitator and will be starting a dedicated Restorative Teacher Training starting next month. Here’s to continuing to learn and grow through Yoga. A student for life!
A huge thank you to my teachers, the OG staff, and guest speakers. And to my OG TTs, thank you for your support, your encouragement, your vulnerability, your courage, your laughs, your tears, and your presence. I’ve learned so much from your wisdom, unique gifts, and perspectives. Can’t wait to meet you all in real life.
Graduation: 300-HR Yoga Teachers at Octopus Garden Yoga Centre (2021-2022)
FEB 28 2022 - MEMORY LANE
A Tower Moment: Building a new, sturdier foundation for a growing structure
Completely unplanned, the day after completing my 500-HR Yoga Teacher Training I found myself heading to the studio where I began my Yoga Teacher journey, at Downward Dog Yoga.
Walking the same route I would take every weekday during the month of August 2020, instead of lush green trees, the route was filled with ice and snow on this February winter day. As I approached the studio, I took the usual alley shortcut I would on mornings to find that the building I had watched being demolished that month now stood a half built building. Every beam and floor was broken down, with dust filling in the air to create this new, sturdier foundation for the growing structure. I can’t help but see this as a Tower moment for me.
According to Biddy Tarot the Tower card “represents the symbol of sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening. After a Tower experience, you will grow stronger, wiser and more resilient as you develop a new perspective on life you did not even know existed. These moments are necessary for your spiritual growth and enlightenment, and truth and honesty will bring about a positive change, even if you experience pain and anxiety throughout the process.”
It’s only looking back that I can make this connection. Starting Yoga Teacher Training was my first step towards rebuilding after unexpected change. It was an open door towards my purpose. Exactly 18-months ago ago today (Feb 28, 2020) I graduated my 200-HR training at this very studio marking a full circle moment for me.
As a new cycle begins, at the studio I was greeted by someone I am honoured to call a friend, a soul sister Renelyn Quinicot who lead us through a class in the space. From being one of her students only months before I embarked on my unexpected journey, here I was directly in front of her, teacher to teacher. Watching her soar in her element, pouring her heart and soul into a magical experience I can only describe as being in the presence of a goddess. Thank you for a magical morning Renelyn and leading me down memory lane.
MORE TO COME
