Lainey | Costa Rica 200hr YTT Testimonial
The decision to complete my 200 hour yoga certification was the best gift I have ever given to myself. I began my yoga journey a few years ago, quickly became immensely passionate about it, and I knew I needed to take the next step. After some research and browsing through different trainings, I chose School Yoga Institute because it seemed like they valued the true meaning of yoga. In other words, it seemed to me that the training wasn’t just going to be one big lecture on how to properly do poses but rather a whole spiritual endeavor and experience… and thankfully, I was correct.
The 3 weeks I spent in Costa Rica will remain with me forever, I came home with much more than just a certificate. I was given the space and time to connect with myself, to reflect on all the past experiences that had brought me to this place, to let go, and to create new habits. For 3 weeks, being surrounded by so many other beautiful people, on very similar yet such different journeys. I learned so much from the people around me, listening to all the different ways each of us had been brought to this training, to this school, to Montezuma, Costa Rica… it was astounding to say the least.
I remember on one of the first days of our training, we went around and shared what had led us here, how we got into yoga, our ‘yoga story’. I anticipated an awkward ‘all about me’ sharing circle, like they make you do on the first day of school, but it was far from that. Sure, I guess we had the circle and the nerves that come along with 20 pairs of eyes, but it was far from a forced and awkward get to know each other. Each one of us had our moment to share, and I’m not sure that any one of us was excited to speak, but oh how we loved to listen. It was one of the only moments in the shala that I can recall, where nobody was trying to get out of anything, nobody was fidgeting, wishing they were someplace else.
Each of us were still, completely immersed in everybody’s story, eyes glued to them like a television screen. Perhaps it only added to the nerves of public speaking, but it didn’t matter, we created a space, to hold space for one another, each with the understanding that these personal stories are for our ears to hear, but more importantly it is for each of us to speak our truth and remember why we are here. We became connected through our unique and different stories, a room full of empathy, no tears fell lonely, it was as if our hearts were reaching out into the circle and pulling us all closer together. And it was clear from that point on, that we were all in, our whole hearts and souls and every fiber of our being were ready to do this together.
I was inspired by every single story I heard on that first day. I felt empowered being surrounded by 19 other women who had such drastically different stories than my own, but we somehow all ended up in the same place. A beautiful beginning, and it was truly only the beginning. Over the next few weeks we ate every meal together, we woke up together, we shared our practice with each other, we taught each other, we learned from one another, we laughed and oh how we cried together. Many tears were shed throughout this training, some happy, some sad, any and every way tears can be labeled, but overall, we let go. At least I know I let go.
Crying in front of others has never been something that I could do, through previously learned behaviors I have always hid my emotions, especially pain or hurt. But during this training I was brought back to my emotions, I was given a safe space, I learned how to allow myself to be more vulnerable, I released so much of what I had spent most of my life trying to suppress. I don’t think I ever even realized just how much I was suppressing. I owe a huge thank you to School Yoga Institute for providing such amazing facilitators, Jed and Colynn, and for offering such a sacred space for each of us to learn and grow.
I expected to learn about yoga, and wow did I learn a lot, but what surprised me was how much I learned about myself. I wish I could recommend every human to go through a 200 hour yoga training, not to become a certified instructor, rather to dive into the depths of their mind, to see how it’s reflected in their physical being, to question the way we have been systematically taught to live, and then to simply observe what aligns with their spirit. Since many people will not go through a 200hr yoga training, I suppose I have left my training feeling inspired to share the experiences I had during those three weeks. To share the light, to share the love, to create a space where people can emote, where people are not burdened with societal norms and expectations.
I didn’t go into this training with the desire to teach, I simply wanted to learn more for my own personal practice and explore this ancient tradition that I have become so passionate about. However, I am left with such inspiration, such knowledge and experiences that cannot go unshared, this training ignited a desire to teach within me, a desire to share the wisdom that has guided me through this life, and will continue to. Words will never be enough to express my love and gratitude for this experience. Thank you Colynn, thank you Jed, and thank you School Yoga Institute.
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