Summer | Costa Rica 200hr YTT Testimonial
There is something so special about the scary decisions in life, choosing to do something that feels selfish, daring, or unconventional at first glance. That is what the Costa Rica 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training was for me. An impulsive, terrifying leap. A signal from the universe telling my anxiety, my self-limiting beliefs, and the distrust in my body that they no longer had a place in my life. I was lucky enough that my very best friend had shared this same dream for as long as I can remember, so together we embarked on this epic soul journey.
The second we stepped off the shuttle and arrived in Montezuma, I knew it was going to be the best three weeks of my life. Costa Rica is truly a dream, the most beautiful country I have ever seen. It is so lush, so green, and it feels effortless to be surrounded by and connected to nature and Mother Earth. On our first day, we met our two incredible yoga teachers and the 13 other yogis in our group. It was magical how fast we all clicked, it felt so effortless. Each person was kind, empathetic, patient, and had a unique story that led them to the YTT. Looking back, I know we all needed each other, and it was no coincidence that we chose the same training and grew so close, so quickly.
Our days were beautiful, usually beginning at 5:30 a.m. to watch the sunrise, followed by yoga and meditation until 9 a.m. We would then have a yummy vegetarian breakfast, followed by three hours of learning about topics such as Ayurveda, anatomy, sequencing a class, the Yoga Sutras, and more. After lunch and a quick pool break, we moved into our afternoon asana session. This is where we learned how to properly teach and cue poses, both by observing our teachers and by practicing with one another. To end the day, we would have dinner, followed by a meditation, sound bath, or somatic practice to ground ourselves. We also had a few incredible beach days during our time off. One day, we walked to the Montezuma waterfalls for a swim, and “our” lovely dog Mami came along with us. There was never a shortage of cute dogs, monkeys, cats, and even iguanas at AVES.
That is a glimpse into what the journey looked like, but words cannot fully capture how deeply impactful and life-changing this journey truly was. I feel empowered and inspired to cultivate yoga classes that are inclusive, positive, and unique to every person who walks through the door. I hope to teach in a way that helps others return to their bodies and come back home to themselves. In today’s world, it is not easy to sit in stillness, to exist in our own bodies, and to truly listen to what our minds are trying to tell us. It takes discipline and intention to create daily moments of calm and gratitude, and I hope to help others release their self-limiting beliefs just as these three weeks helped me release mine.
On the first day, I felt overwhelmed and anxious about the journey ahead. I was terrified of what “becoming a yoga teacher” meant and questioned whether I was smart, strong, or knowledgeable enough. It was not easy to allow myself to exist in peace within a body that is used to living in a constant state of anxiety. But over time, I began to shift my fear into courage, creating a new path and showing my body that it is capable of feeling safe and at peace. I also gained clarity during my time in Costa Rica. Yoga is not about achieving a constant state of happiness, as I once believed. Instead, it is about allowing yourself to feel every emotion, sitting in stillness, observing the fluctuations of your mind, and finding balance so you can trust yourself to move through life’s challenges.
In Costa Rica, it felt effortless to wake up and watch soft pink hues fill the sky, listening to the birds as they greeted the morning. It was easy to feel calm, to breathe deeply, and to remind myself that I am a divine being, connected to everything around me. I did my best to truly take it all in and be present in each moment. Now, I feel a bit like the sun, hesitant at first, peeking out from behind the mountains, unsure if it’s safe to rise. But just like the sun, I will rise again and again, no matter what. I want to move through life with that same quiet confidence, fearless, trusting that I already have everything I need within me to shine. And like the moon, I will find peace within life’s cycles and changing seasons. I will sway with the wind, flow like the waves, and continue to grow and evolve, remembering that I am nature, I am strength, I am unity. I am love, light, and ever-changing.
The more I choose the scary path, the more I learn to trust myself, my mind, my body, and my soul. With each step, I feel my self-love and confidence deepen. I now understand that growth, trusting your intuition, and truly loving yourself is a lifelong journey that requires daily intention, and that’s okay. That is what yoga is there for. I’ve also come to realize that feeling deeply is not a flaw, but a gift. It is what allows me to show up as an empathetic, compassionate, and present human, and will ultimately make me a better yoga teacher. How lucky are we to be made this way, with the ability not only to grow ourselves, but to help guide others back home to who they truly are?
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