Anngela | Guatemala 200hr YTT Testimonial
While boarding my flight to Guatemala on my way to start my Yoga Teacher Training with SYI, I believed I was signing up for an immersive physical and educational experience focused on mastering yoga asanas, understanding alignment, and learning how to cue others through a yoga class.
What I did not expect was that this journey would become one of the most profound experiences of self-discovery, healing, and transformation in my entire life. My 200 hours with School Yoga Institute have highly exceeded my expectations. It offered me the technical skills needed to be a yoga teacher, but also the tools to understand myself deeply, reconnect with my values, and envision the type of life I want to lead.
From the very start of our training, it became clear that yoga is far more than a physical practice. Through the thoughtful and intentional guidance of Jed and Bea, I was invited to look inward in ways I had not previously allowed myself to do. Their lessons and teachings created a space for honest self-reflection, which encouraged me to explore my deepest sanskaras, beliefs, and unconfronted fears, while reconnecting me with my life passions and desires. The program gently but powerfully challenged me to ask important questions: Who am I beneath my career, routines and responsibilities? What do I truly want for my life? And how can I move through the world with more authenticity and compassion?
Our training facilitators, Jed and Bea, were so instrumental in shaping this experience. As facilitators, leaders, and guides, they embodied the very principles they taught our group. Their patience, wisdom, and genuine love for yoga created an environment where students felt safe to share, be vulnerable and open. The setting itself played a vital role in my transformation. Being immersed in the sacred lands of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala was a profound privilege. Practicing yoga while surrounded by volcanic mountains, open skies, and the stillness of nature allowed me to slow down in a way that felt unfamiliar but deeply necessary.
The Mystical Yoga Farm was not simply a place of learning – it was a living, breathing community. The karma yogis who helped sustain the space reminded me of the importance of service, humility, and collective care. Everyone on the farm, students and staff alike, felt like family. We supported one another through moments of joy, laughter, emotional release, and healing, all while honoring Mother Earth and the interconnectedness of humanity.
On a practical level, my YTT provided me with a strong foundation as a future yoga teacher. I learned how to cue movements clearly and safely, how to sequence classes with intention, and how to support students in a way that minimizes the risk of injury. These skills gave me confidence in my ability to teach responsibly and inclusively. However, the most impactful lessons went beyond technique. I was introduced to the roots and history of yoga, its philosophical foundations, and its spiritual dimensions. Through ceremonies, teachings, and discussions, I came to understand that yoga is not merely a physical practice, but a holistic way of living – one that integrates mind, body, and spirit.
This experience was transformative both mentally and physically. It asked me to confront my inner critic, soften my expectations of myself, and practice self-compassion. I learned that growth does not come from pushing harder, but from listening more closely – to my body, my breath, and my intuition. I leave this experience with a renewed commitment to kindness: toward myself, toward others, and toward the Earth. Yoga has become a guiding philosophy in how I choose to live, not just something I practice on the mat.
The relationships I formed during this training are another lasting gift. My fellow students became a chosen family. We practiced together, supported one another through challenges, and celebrated each other’s breakthroughs. The sense of belonging and mutual respect within our cohort reinforced the idea that healing and growth are not solitary processes. Community is essential, and when people come together with openness and shared intention, profound transformation is possible.
As I return home to Toronto, a city defined by its fast pace, constant stimulation, and limited opportunities for stillness, I carry these lessons with me. I am more aware of how difficult it can be to practice mindfulness in a busy urban environment, but I am also more committed than ever to doing so. I envision myself becoming a yoga teacher who brings the teachings of School Yoga Institute into my community: offering spaces where people can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience the deeper benefits of yoga beyond physical movement.
This training has awakened a desire in me to share the beauty, power, and accessibility of yoga with others. It has reshaped how I see myself and the world, and it has given me the confidence to step into a role of service and leadership. I am deeply grateful for this experience and for the opportunity to continue growing as both a student and a teacher of yoga. Receiving this scholarship supported my journey and allowed me to further embody and share the values I gained during this life-changing experience.
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