Juliette | Bali 200hr YTT Testimonial
There is so much about my experience at YTT in Bali that was truly life changing, and what I took away was far more than I expected. From the natural beauty of Bali, the magical people that live there, the retreat center and the beautiful souls that work there, the vegan food, the new friends I met at the training, the yoga, the teachers and so much more.
Bali itself is truly magical. I have never traveled alone to a new country, so traveling to Bali was epic. I am a recent empty nester and raised both my daughters as a single mom. So, my life was very busy trying to make a living and raising my kiddos. It was exciting and empowering to commit to this and feel so supported by my community and family. Once arriving in Bali it felt like coming home. It felt safe and welcoming.
That feeling continued as I met up with my new tribe for the yoga training. We traveled from Ubud to the northern part of Bali where our retreat center, Bumi Cinta, was awaiting. Our tour guide/host/joyous leader….Nyoman met us with a huge smile and an infectious energy. The bus ride was long and beautiful, ending with a steep climb up the canyon to Bumi Cinta.
The retreat was more than I had hoped for. Snuggled into the jungle with lush covered footpaths and gorgeous flowers everywhere you looked. The Bali sea is visible from the retreat and adds to the natural landscape. Our “glamping” huts and bungalows were welcoming and comfy and I was grateful for the mosquito netting as the jungle houses many creepy crawlies! The staff was one of the most amazing parts of the experience. They embraced us with their smiles and care, making the retreat feel so welcoming. The food was inspired and much of it was grown right there on the property. The front desk helpers, the cleaning staff, the kitchen staff, the massage therapists and the drivers and the gardeners all make Bumi Cinta truly magical.
The yoga training itself was challenging and so much more than I expected. As the oldest participant in my group and a psychotherapist I was surprised by the amount of healing and depth the training offered. The groups was eclectic in age, from 21 yrs old to 55yrs old and was set up to feel inclusive and the instructors held a safe container for all the participants.
My favorite parts of the training were surprising to me….the singing, chanting, dancing and meditation were so healing and gave such meaning to the training. We were silent for the first part of the day, allowing for introspection and contemplation. I loved the intention put into each morning, from the way we all took turns setting up the yoga shala to the songs and prayers we sang before dinner. I felt so alive and connected to myself, nature, and my fellow yoga students. The framework for the training, the Peruvian Medicine Wheel, added structure and meaning to the 3 weeks. I may not have known the day of the week, but I knew if we were in the serpent, panther, hummingbird or eagle!
I was stretched in so many ways. My yoga practice improved and I was able to soften into the rhythm of silence, meditation and yoga. My body felt nourished in a way it never has. My heart expanded and I made lifelong connections with people of all ages, religions, backgrounds and beliefs. The training pushed me intellectually with the demands of Om work and daily reflections and while it felt challenging I appreciated the expansion it required.
The teachers, Tessa and Jed, were so passionate and fearless. I appreciated their devotion and knowledge. They did a beautiful job of holding space and boundaries and keeping the group on task with levity, humor and joy.
I will be forever grateful for this experience. It changed me. It changed me in ways I did not expect. The way I feed myself, the intentional way I start my day, and how I meditate and practice yoga. I do not have plans to teach yoga in the traditional way. I do plan on bringing many aspects of yoga into my work as a therapist and into my life. What I took with me is a deep desire to share the feeling I had while in the training. The feeling of expansion, love and acceptance. I felt truly seen and loved for who I am. I wish everyone could experience this. It is what could truly change the world. I will do my best to keep as much of this training close to my heart and in my daily practice.
Next week I am hosting a Hatha class for my closest friends who have supported me through all stages of my life. My community yoga studio graciously offered the space to me for free and I plan on giving my friends an intentional, love fueled yoga class to show my love and gratitude. Taking the beauty I was lucky enough to experience and sharing it with as many people as I can for as long as I can. I am so grateful to YSI, the scholarship program, the people of Bali, Bumi Cinta and the staff, my fellow yoga teachers and trainers for a beautiful, life affirming, empowering, humbling, expansive, magical, and mystical yoga experience. I am forever changed and grateful.
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