Why did you enroll in Yoga Teacher Training?
I had been practicing for 2 years, and I didn't feel like I was practicing yoga properly. I wanted to continue to feel good - the good feeling that only comes after a yoga session. The only intensive program available was Yoga Teacher Training (YTT). I hesitated because I didn't want to be a teacher - I just wanted to learn more. Without finding any other alternative, I decided enroll, but not teach (I have since, decided to teach!)
1. How to Practice Properly
When you read or watch videos about yoga poses, its hard to follow or you're observing someone's practice. Every body is unique and so is their practice. Not knowing how to move in and out of poses correctly can cause injuries or trigger old ones to resurface. Mimicking videos and not understanding how your body works is harming yourself. I wanted a solid foundation to build my practice, authentically and injury free.
In yoga classes, depending on the type of yoga and studio, teachers may not offer adjustments or correct your alignment. Without this, you may never know if you were doing a pose correctly. From YTT, I learned I was doing Warrior II (a foundational pose) incorrectly, for the past 2 years!
2. Benefits of Yoga
Yoga has so many benefits! To start, its how you feel after a class, and all the benefits you can read, in list form, online. I wanted a thorough explanation, something more in depth. That knowledge will help me continue to advance my practice!
3. Meditation
Mindfulness, meditation, and presence has been buzz worthy as of late. It's known to calm your nerves, settle your thoughts, connect the dots, and make you happier. The pursuit of happiness. I want that but I struggled to meditate on my own. I had this idea that you have to sit cross-legged, and think about nothing. That's hard. I learned through YTT that there are many styles of meditation and found one that works for me. Funny thing is, now, I can sit cross-legged and kinda think about nothing :)
4. Consistent Practice
I have a very hard time being consistent with my practice. I usually prescribe myself a yoga session to myself when I'm feeling stressed, tight or discomfort. Enrolling in YTT really pushes you to follow a routine. As you follow the curriculum, you're building a habit of practice and your body learns to follow it.
5. Yoga community
Find a group of people who share the same interests as you! Through the program, you're exposed to many types of people - all of whom share the love and practice of yoga. Someone who really understands the details of mastering asanas, who understands the calming and powerful effect of breath, who brings positive energy and enthusiasm to learning to meditate together.
