She’s a recently married 20-something. He’s a mid-30′s entrepreneur. She’s practiced in Australia. He’s been as far as Wisconsin. I met a teacher, a mother, a bookstore clerk, a father, a New Englander, a Russian, and a Californian.
So far.
I was amazed by the different backgrounds and walks of life that sat together in that half circle last week, that talked through the Integration series and transitions today. So many different backgrounds and reasons for taking this Teacher Training class have brought us all to the same place this fall.
On the first night, we did a number of ice-breakers, talked about our backgrounds, and walked through the structure that the next eight weeks of class would take.
Towards the end, they asked us to discuss the writing assignment we’d had prior to class: answer the question, “What is Yoga?” Merriam-Webster’s answers were not allowed.
Naturally, the personal answers varied:
It’s my me-time.
It keeps me grounded.
It’s a connection.
I use it to mentor my students.
It healed an injury and is how I’m still able to participate in other sports.
Despite all thirty-something of us having different reasons for having come to this class, for having committed to FOURTEEN HOURS A WEEK OF YOGA for eight weeks, one thing remained the same: we had made the commitment together. We had paid our dues, rearranged our schedules, and committed to spending these eight weeks adjusting, assisting, teaching, and breaking down the postures in a Vinyasa yoga class.
Our instructor taught us the Sanskrit word satsang, which Wikipedia describes as:
Satsang (Sanskrit sat = true, sanga = company) describes in Indian philosophy (1) the company of the “highest truth,” (2) the company of a guru, or (3) company with an assembly of persons who listen to, talk about, and assimilate the truth.
During a satsang with a master, students are likely to ask questions. Satsangs also may contain elements like lectures, meditations, singing and recitations.
She then told us that we’d be in satsang - in like-minded company – together for the duration of this course. Which, taking into consideration all the unique and fascinating backgrounds each of us brings to the studio, has already proven to be an energizing and inspiring place to be.
Also, considering my relationships with other people and the study of this practice are two things that bring me so much joy, my little yogi heart is just bursting with excitement.
Week one is done! Seven more to go…
Namaste!
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
love, love, love. i got chills reading this. you're truly in your element & it's so great that you are surrounded by a like minded, supportive group.
Sounds like a life changing class. My experience with satsang extends only to the booze and the sex. Kudos to you for getting enlightened- I can't wait to hear more.
Congrats on your 1st week and best of luck for the remaining 7! You will do great! I've still got to get into a yoga class at Lifetime… It's on my to-do list!
good luck on your journey and congrats!!! I discovered the power and benefits of yoga this summer (thanks to a co-worker) and am still trying to get "into a groove" with it, if you will. It is WAY MORE challenging than I ever thought it was going to be but so worth it.
It's SO challenging, but it's also so very rewarding. My personal goal is to get into crow pose. I'm scared of it, scared I'll fall on my head, but I'm going to do it before the end of this training!
Thanks! They asked us at the beginning of class to share one thing that brings us joy. I was tempted to say 'cheese plates,' but instead said that my connections with other people bring me joy. True story!
I think it is so incredible that you're training to be a yoga teacher. I was into yoga a while back, but sort of fell off the wagon with it. I need to get back into it. Do you know of any good yoga tapes I could get? I'm looking for a more spiritual experience, rather than "getting rock hard abs!!!" that most videos boast…
love, love, love. i got chills reading this. you're truly in your element & it's so great that you are surrounded by a like minded, supportive group.
This is so cool! I'm really looking forward to reading your journey through the next seven weeks!
Sounds like a life changing class. My experience with satsang extends only to the booze and the sex. Kudos to you for getting enlightened- I can't wait to hear more.
Congrats on your 1st week and best of luck for the remaining 7! You will do great! I've still got to get into a yoga class at Lifetime… It's on my to-do list!
It's SO challenging, but it's also so very rewarding. My personal goal is to get into crow pose. I'm scared of it, scared I'll fall on my head, but I'm going to do it before the end of this training!
Thanks! They asked us at the beginning of class to share one thing that brings us joy. I was tempted to say 'cheese plates,' but instead said that my connections with other people bring me joy. True story!
I think it is so incredible that you're training to be a yoga teacher. I was into yoga a while back, but sort of fell off the wagon with it. I need to get back into it. Do you know of any good yoga tapes I could get? I'm looking for a more spiritual experience, rather than "getting rock hard abs!!!" that most videos boast…
I want to get into yoga SO BAD, but why are the classes so expensive? It's not good enough doing the same DVD over and over at home.
this sounds awesome, I would love to do this.
Wow! That's how I kinda hoped school would be this year for me. You know, people all over the world and such. But actually, they're ALL french. I am the only student from the American continent!Nevertheless, they ALL have a unique story of life and I'm super curious about them all!
WRITE IT ALL DOWN. I'm so excited for you in this situation and MUST TRAVELABROAD for this reason exactly!
It's a dream, that's for sure. And we'll hit a CP studio sometime when Icome visit
Wow, I'm definitely intrigued by the process that you have to go through and all that you will learn! I'm sure it will be a lovely, eye-opening experience for you. Can't wait to read more about it!
good luck on your journey and congrats!!! I discovered the power and benefits of yoga this summer (thanks to a co-worker) and am still trying to get “into a groove” with it, if you will. It is WAY MORE challenging than I ever thought it was going to be but so worth it.
I want to get into yoga SO BAD, but why are the classes so expensive? It's not good enough doing the same DVD over and over at home.
This is such a great thing you're doing! Can't wait to read more about it.
Wow! That's how I kinda hoped school would be this year for me. You know, people all over the world and such. But actually, they're ALL french. I am the only student from the American continent!Nevertheless, they ALL have a unique story of life and I'm super curious about them all!
Your journey is incredible to witness. You've definitely inspired me to look into doing the same. I have the time, I have the passion, I ache for this aspect of fulfillment… sounds perfect!
WRITE IT ALL DOWN. I'm so excited for you in this situation and MUST TRAVELABROAD for this reason exactly!
It's a dream, that's for sure. And we'll hit a CP studio sometime when Icome visit
this is so awesome, i loved doing yoga on my wii fit so maybe i can get back into it soon.
Wow, I'm definitely intrigued by the process that you have to go through and all that you will learn! I'm sure it will be a lovely, eye-opening experience for you. Can't wait to read more about it!
This is such a great thing you're doing! Can't wait to read more about it.
this is so awesome, i loved doing yoga on my wii fit so maybe i can get back into it soon.
This sounds really great, and so peaceful with all these different people each mingling and doing the same thing.
Thank you! It's only been a week and I'm already astounded at how intenseand awesome this is and will continue to be.I'm in a coffee shop drinking an iced tea and click-clack-tapping through mylunch break! I propose we video chat this sometime (I just got a shiny newmachine with such capabilities that I'm so eager to play with!)Enjoy your vanilla tea and give that girl a kiss on the face for me!
congratulations on the training! teacher training is such an incredible experience — it offers a zillion opportunities to feel exponential ways about numberless things, and it's A LOT to take in. keep that heart open and remember to breathe!! i am sitting across from nicole right now. we are brewing some vanilla iced tea and jabbering over the click-clack-tap of our fingers on keyboards. consequently, you and i are absolutely friends now :0)can't wait to hear more about your training!!
THANK YOU! And I absolutely encourage you to do this. There are CP's inthe Chi-town area… and so far, I absolutely recommend their program! I'llkeep you posted on my training, and let me know if you have any questions. I'd be GIDDY to see you do this too!
This sounds really great, and so peaceful with all these different people each mingling and doing the same thing.
Oh, Doni. I love this for you so much, and I got chills reading this post.I cannot wait to hear all about your experiences in class, and it inspires me, more than ever, to take up yoga.
THANK YOU! And I absolutely encourage you to do this. There are CP's inthe Chi-town area… and so far, I absolutely recommend their program! I'llkeep you posted on my training, and let me know if you have any questions. I'd be GIDDY to see you do this too!
You sound so … at peace. It's refreshing!
Every person I know who has done yoga is obsessed with it. With such a dearth of negative experiences, makes me think I should attempt this yoga thing.
Oh, Doni. I love this for you so much, and I got chills reading this post.I cannot wait to hear all about your experiences in class, and it inspires me, more than ever, to take up yoga.
You sound so … at peace. It's refreshing!
Thank you! It's only been a week and I'm already astounded at how intense
and awesome this is and will continue to be.
I'm in a coffee shop drinking an iced tea and click-clack-tapping through my
lunch break! I propose we video chat this sometime (I just got a shiny new
machine with such capabilities that I'm so eager to play with!)
Enjoy your vanilla tea and give that girl a kiss on the face for me!
congratulations on the training! teacher training is such an incredible experience — it offers a zillion opportunities to feel exponential ways about numberless things, and it's A LOT to take in. keep that heart open and remember to breathe!!
i am sitting across from nicole right now. we are brewing some vanilla iced tea and jabbering over the click-clack-tap of our fingers on keyboards. consequently, you and i are absolutely friends now :0)
can't wait to hear more about your training!!
Every person I know who has done yoga is obsessed with it. With such a dearth of negative experiences, makes me think I should attempt this yoga thing.
Do it!
Do it!
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