Diamond | Costa Rica 200hr YTT Testimonial

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

Bhagavad Gita

The practice of yoga is granting access to a life of self-discipline, devotion, and the liberation of the mind. To empower, reflect, inspire yourself, or connect with your inner child. My yoga journey began when I was 10 years old as a dancer and would flow throughout my high school and college years. In 2020, I intentionally started my healing journey and found yoga, breathe work, and meditation as great habits to improve my well-being. After attending my first yoga class in 2020 and I committed myself to the practice and received my Yoga Teacher Certification in January. My goal as a yoga teacher is to teach yoga as a lifestyle that is personable, impactful, and empowering to the mind, body, and soul.

Prior to receiving my YTT, I found myself working for a non-profit, running my small business and passion projects. Having little to no time for wellness and yoga. I found myself in a cycle that killed my spirit. I still met my goals and fulfilled my dreams but my soul needed more. It needed a reset, it need to reconnect to God, my mat, and compassion for myself. I traveled to Eygpt in November of 2022 and knew I needed to see more of the world and lean into my calling to travel and deepen my yoga practice.

Next thing I know I was googling Yoga Teacher Trainings in 2023 and found School Yoga Institute. I wanted to start my year off by pouring into myself, achieving a dream I have desired for 2 years. I spoke to Trisha and it was like it was meant for me. I packed up things move out of space, gave away my car, and started my nomadic lifestyle in Costa Rica.

Arriving in Costa Rica, I really wanted to be present with myself, learning yoga and my healing. My favorite memory was seeing the beach watching the sunrise and resting. My cohort during my YTT was full of dynamic, gracious, kind, and worldly women who come from all walks of life. Their spirits were joyous, honest, and simply full of laughter. Even in challenging moments the compassion and acceptance were refreshing and healing.

I am grateful for that experience and feeling to know that we all accomplished our goals as Yoga Teachers. Singing our songs, enjoying cocoa, and diving deep into flows and life lessons was amazing. I enjoyed the structure of the day being awakened by Jed’s flute solos, restful savasana, and learning more about chakras.

A moment that really touched my heart was the feedback I received from my yoga teachers Jed and April. They shared that my practice is personal and full of laughter. My journey to my mat has its ebbs and flows. Somedays I felt so strong and some days I couldn’t seem to find my balance and found child pose as a safe haven. That’s life and that is the real experience my community experience daily. I represent and hold safe for the African American community, Black women, creatives, organizers, a daughter, and a sister to many. The way I show up is intentional to my purpose, to be limitless. To know you can do anything you put your mind to whether it’s yoga, healing from childhood trauma, traveling the world, or expressing your creativity, you can do it.

Now that I can officially call myself a yoga teacher I aspire to teach to my community and all over the world. I want to explore what types of classes I enjoy teaching like small or large classes, virtual or in-person, beginner-friendly, slow flow, etc. I want to incorporate my love for community partnerships and pitch to non-organizations and businesses. I want to move to Los Angeles and work in the Experiential industry, explore my passion projects, and gain more knowledge in trauma-informed yoga and sound healing.

I look forward to connecting with the SYI Yoga Alumni, to stay connected for the love of yoga and travel! I am grateful to be a scholarship recipient and experience my 200hr Yoga Teacher Training. My journey has inspired others to take their first class, buy a yoga mat and even sign up for the YTT in Bali! I am grateful to be a vessel of such beautiful practice and journey.