Yoga Teacher Training Blogs

The first time that Roshan, our yogi, told us that life can be so great that you feel as high without any chemical at all, I snorted and giggled under my breath. I thought sure, you are selling some magic fooey, you have never been high, but it's all in the package of the India Yogic idea, so I'll just put it in my mind as a possibility that I may one day acheive. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would happen in this blessed place.

I am so high on life right now I cannot even put it into words. And I am truly feeling grateful, happy, and I'm hooked on this new philosophy of life forever.

Having chosen to take this spiritual journey, I find that after six intensive weeks it's as if I am standing on the edge of a vast ocean and only my toes have gotten wet. Beyond me lies an unfathomable expanse where time and dimensions unfold mysteriously.

I now know fully that yoga is a path of spiritual science, a journey with and into the divine. It is the journey I was meant to take, within its realm lies my destiny, my dharma.

How does one discuss the infinte whispers of the beloved within the soul?

During these first two weeks yoga philosophy and the evening asana class were my favorite classes. Yoga Philosophy was taught by the founder of Rishikesh Yogpeeth, the incredible Roshan. His words form the content of so many future Facebook posts that I am just itching to share. I learnt so much from this man. His calmness, his manner, his words - all are so very inspiring. His first question to us was "what is yoga?" - we had a zillion answers. His reply was "Yoga is Everything". I was surprised then when he rationalized it - oh my god, he made so much sense. Yoga is Everything.

Over the past few years, my mind has been filled with resistance to what is. I constantly replayed the same negative thoughts: I don't want to be at work right now; I’m too fat; Why is this happening to me; This should be going better; I need to push harder; I can’t believe I said that; I'm so angry that he did that; and on and on and on.

Just one week into Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) has taught me that the best way to be happy is to love what is rather than constantly focusing on what I'd rather have, or be, or be doing.

The 6 weeks of intensive yoga training gave me more than I expected. Great teachers flexed not only my body, but also my mind. Anatomy and philosophy classes made me realize the crucial meaning of the mind and body connection. It was shocking to find out that 80% of human diseases have psycho-somatic sources. Everything that is happening in our minds shows up in our bodies. Our emotions and thoughts are more powerful than we imagine so we should to be very careful what we wish for 🙂 .

Being here answered many of my questions but it also raised so many new ones.

Today, while in the yoga hall, a monkey peed on us. I love India.

It's hard to believe that we are almost done with week two of our Teacher Training Course at Yog Peeth, Rishikesh. Our days are filled with Yoga Asanas (poses), learning anatomy and philosophy, eating, drinking masala chai, sunbathing on the rooftops, pouring water through our nostrils, chasing monkeys away, meditating, memorizing mantras, eating some more, studying, and more yoga yoga yoga.. I'm in heaven!!!