I'm really happy to introduce myself as a Yoga Teacher. The word "Teacher" still explodes my heart but today I want to ignore that word and want to enjoy my success!!
It was a very exciting journey. Dina (our Trainer) started announcing about Teacher Training around April/May time frame like every year. I was always interested in getting to know more about Yoga, getting deep into my practice but I never liked the word "teacher".. it always held me back.. But this time, somehow I decided to give it a try without over thinking... and I'm glad that I did it! It was very enrichment experience for me.
Yoga is Always there with me...
I don't even remember when I first started practicing yoga - maybe somewhere in school days... 35 years ago - all I knew were the poses. I used to be a role model the showcasing poses. But somewhere down the road, Yoga got lost from my routine. But past 7 years I have been practicing Yoga regularly... It is not just going to class or following the leader or resting in Savasana but my yoga practice is all about building my self confidence and body awareness. Over this Teachers Training, I got exposed to all eight limbs of yoga - so much more than asana! Yoga is a way of life, a guide for living fully and freely. Now my yoga practice builds on that self confidence and body awareness to help me find deeper levels of spiritual awareness.
Practicing yoga on the mat is an entryway to understanding the wholesomeness of yoga - practicing non-harming, sense of integrity, our accountability to moral behavior, non attachment and cultivating divine consciousness, practicing Asanas, breathing techniques and refinement of concentration and all these lead towards our path to complete absorption - Samadhi. Yoga is not just on the mat but it continues outside of the mat too!
Teach What You Are Learning....
I remember the first day of Teachers Training and Dina said we would be doing little practicum this afternoon. I felt the anxiety rise in my body and my mouth got a little dry. Gulp. Teach? Really,... But, I’m a student! I’m here to learn!
We got into a circle and took turns teaching the next step of the sun salutation. Then next module/session we began teaching single poses. Soon we could teach a little sequence, and eventually, we taught whole classes. Teaching was not always easy, but I never felt unprepared or unsupported. Yoga teachers must teach and teach what they know and teach what they believe and teach what they are learning..
True teachers are always learning.. I believe this is the just start of my journey where I can create best version of myself as a Yoga Teacher as a Yoga Student and most importantly as a Human Being...
Thank you Dina for this wonderful experience!! I'm all ready to share my experience and knowledge with follow yogis on this path..
ओम तद सद्
OM TAD SAD
-मी मधुरा..
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