Gracelyn | Portugal 200hr YTT Testimonial
Let’s start from the beginning! The day before the training had started I was already in Lisbon. The next morning I headed out to the airport, to meet up with other girls who I’ve never met before and got onto a shuttle to basically the middle of nowhere. I was nervous, I was excited, I was nervouscited. Luckily I had my mom and her good friend with me at the airport before getting onto the shuttle. One by one the girls came, we introduced ourselves, talked, and waited for the shuttle. By the time the shuttle came it felt like we had known each other for ages. It’s still crazy to think how most of us met at an airport and became the best of friends. This really was an experience of a lifetime.
Once we arrived at Orada, we got settled in and then had supper. Let’s take a minute to talk about the food. It was so good!! Not only did the food taste good, it was presented to the it’s best ability. I believe that most of the food we ate was grown right from the garden at Orada. Every lunch and supper we took time to bless the food before we dished up. My dad grew up going to church, and when I was very small I went the odd time. We would usually have Sunday dinners, and on very special occasions would we bless the food. Doing it on a regular basis at the teacher training really made me think about how hard farmers, cooks, gardeners, the producers and the consumers work to get the right food they need. The food we eat is really special and by blessing it, it took me on a deeper connection with my food. To some that might sound crazy, but trust me it really did.
The connections that I made on this 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training were so incredible. Not only did I make connections with people, but I also made connections within myself and with the land we were on. Going back to the meeting at the airport, I wasn’t sure what to think. Looking back at it now, it is so crazy that eight out of eleven of us girls met at an airport not knowing each other and we all bonded over one thing, yoga. Yoga holds such a strong power that some might not even know that it holds. It really does create unison within each and every one of us. It was a journey for all of us girls, but we all got to do it together which was super special.
Being seventeen years old, I thought that I would be in a group of much older people and not build any strong connections, but I was wrong. There were lots of younger girls there, and even the ‘older’ ones brought me under their wings. I felt like I was the younger sister, all of the girls did an amazing job in keeping me safe and happy, we protected and cared for each other along this journey. I felt really taken care of and bonded with each and every human.
The ceremonies and journaling we did really made me find a deeper connection with myself. It made me think about my future and what I want to do. Not what my family or friends want to see me do, what I truly need and want to do. This training took me on a deep journey with myself, I was able to come out of my shell and reach into those dark, hidden parts of my soul. I was even able to talk about some of those parts to some of the girls. They listened and gave me advice which made my insides feel so great!! It was great to know that I had people to listen to me, and it was the best feeling ever when other girls would open up to me, or even the whole group.
I knew that I was growing in my practice but I never realized how much it made me grow within myself. I could feel myself growing and changing even from the first few days. With journaling and ceremonies, came my emotions. Im use to hiding my emotions, keeping them locked up, only for myself, but this training made it okay for me to release them. The space is not only a safe place, but a magical place that will do things to you that you never knew you really needed.
The land we were on was majestic. I am so lucky to have gone on this incredible journey. I am also so thankful that I was able to capture some photographs of the land’s beauty. Being outside barefoot made me feel grounded. It made me feel as if I was one with the land, connected to it and so forever thankful to be that connected as well as grounded with it. This journey really made me connect with the land on a deeper level. I was able to spend time appreciating the territory. We can all get caught up in our own lives and sometimes forget about how precious our land really is. At this training I was able to spend time in nature, and give it thanks. It is so magical, it’s almost like its own world that has given us humans an entrance into it. It was amazing seeing the sunrise and sunset every morning, looking over the hills, being by the trees and the creek. It was magical, peaceful and relaxing, an experience that I could do over and over again.
I was so blessed to have two amazing teachers by my side throughout this journey, Janani and Krystalyn. Not only did they guide and teach us, they opened up themselves to us. They created such a safe and loving environment that I could spend every single day in. They were not only our teachers but our friends, we grew and connected more each day with each other. They made the experience so much better by bringing their light into each session everyday!
The SYI 200hour Yoga Teacher Training in Portugal sure was an adventure. It opened up so many new door ways for me and what my future might hold. Especially growing up in a small town, it showed me things that I would have never known. It really is a once in a lifetime experience but if I could experience it every single day I sure would! I am forever thankful that I got to be a part of this journey and had some amazing people by my side throughout it. Thank you so much SYI for providing us with an amazing experience, with amazing teachers and amazing locations! I definitely will be looking into my 300 hour in the future!
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