Claire | Portugal 200hr YTT Testimonial
“Yoga is the Uniting of the Consciousness and the Heart.”
The twenty-one days I spent at the People Ocean Retreat Center in São Bernardino, Portugal, taught me not just how to be a caring, intentional yoga teacher: I learned how to live a more fulfilling life. Guided by the incredible dynamic duo of Anita and Leslie, I was taught how to live a life of peace, of joy, to walk through life with kindness and appreciation for yourself, for others, for nature, and for the Divine.
When I initially arrived in Portugal, I doubted if I was in the right place. Having only practiced Yoga for two years, and primarily through individual practice guided by Youtube videos, I worried that I was not experienced enough to become a yoga teacher. At our first dinner together with the group, Anita and Leslie told us that our Yoga Teacher Training has a magical way of finding us at the right time and giving us exactly what we need. This could not be more true. On day one, when Anita guided us through learning about Ganesha and the Serpent, I realized that I was exactly where I was meant to be, and all my worries about my experience faded away.
School Yoga Institute is structured into four cycles of four days, with an off day after the fourth day. This structure allows for consistent practice of the Asanas and fosters significant opportunities to reflect and connect the cycles to your life, allowing for both mental and physical growth. Even if you are on the fence about teaching yoga, this deep exploration into yourself was invaluable; I would strongly recommend that anyone feeling called to this training give yourself the opportunity to grow through this experience.
Our time together during this yoga teacher training was split into four cycles of four days, following the Peruvian Medicine Wheel: Ganesha and the Serpent, Siva and the Jaguar, Lakshmi and the Hummingbird, and Saraswati and the Eagle. Each of these cycles offered me an intention and perspective to consider about my life, guiding me on a path towards self-growth and healing. The breaks we had throughout the day provided me with time to journal, and we often received prompts in our lessons that fostered self reflection. Within only three weeks, I learned so much about myself, and I began to realize more about who I want to be and the life I want to live.
For the first two cycles, we practiced and learned to teach a Hatha Sequence, and then for the last two cycles we practiced and learned to teach a Vinyasa Sequence. By repeating the same practice for eight days, I felt myself grow stronger everyday, and I was able to add something new to each morning flow. One morning, I would focus on an intentional breath, the next on fully activating each muscle, the next trying to get deeper into a balancing pose, etc. With such a welcoming and supportive environment, I was able to challenge myself and try new poses, such as being able to reach headstand and crow with only a few days practice.
Teaching the asana sequences for the first time was an incredible experience; I was able to tap into a new version of myself, finding my voice to lead a yoga practice with compassion, grace, and joy. Through peer teaching and feedback, I realized that I am capable of creating a meaningful yoga practice for my students. Leslie and Anita encouraged us to allow our own experience and personality to guide our practice, allowing me to be creative while still honoring Sanskrit and the deep traditions of Yoga. I began to reflect on who I can be and what I can offer as a yoga teacher, inspiring me to take on new initiatives this summer when I go home.
Anita and Leslie are incredible instructors, and they prepare you to become the best version of your teacher self and your regular self. They are a perfect pairing, each bringing their own unique background and years of experience to deepen our knowledge. With kindness, fun, acceptance, and an intention of creating space for us to process and grow together, Leslie and Anita go above and beyond to create a welcoming community for us. I feel so fortunate to have had these two wonderful teachers as the leaders of my yoga teacher training.
The beauty and magic of São Bernardino, Portugal, only elevated this transformational journey. Dramatic ocean cliffsides, sandy beaches, stunning waves, local farmlands, horses, cafes, surfing, and local life surrounded us at every turn. During my breaks, I would often walk around the local neighborhoods and along the beach, providing me with a scenic view to continue my transformational journey. The sunsets over A Praia de São Bernardino were once in this lifetime; being able to experience their beauty almost every evening was an incredible blessing. On our off days, we were able to visit Obidois, Peniche, and walk along the coastlines, allowing us to experience more that this stunning surfing capital of the world has to offer.
The People Ocean Retreat Centre was a welcoming and beautiful space to immerse myself into this transformational Yoga Teacher Training. With spacious and comfortable rooms, a beautiful overlook deck, two local outdoor cats, and a chorus of frogs from the natural pool, the People Ocean Retreat Centre was the perfect place to learn, grow, and rest. In addition, our food was incredible, and each meal was unique, delicious, and incredibly healthy.
Above all, this experience would not have been complete without the wonderful community that we formed. I was so lucky to meet such wonderful, supportive people from all over the world, and I am so grateful for the friendships I made with the School Yoga Institute. Everyone came to Portugal with the same enthusiasm, passion, and desire to support one another throughout this journey.
After three weeks in Portugal, learning and living the School Yoga Institute’s 200HR Yoga Teacher Training Program, I feel ready to be a kind and caring yoga teacher, one who can uplift their students and honor this sacred practice. Further, I feel forever changed by the self-reflection, community, and beauty I experienced while on this stunning coastline.“Yoga is the Uniting of the Consciousness and the Heart.”
The twenty-one days I spent at the People Ocean Retreat Center in São Bernardino, Portugal, taught me not just how to be a caring, intentional yoga teacher: I learned how to live a more fulfilling life. Guided by the incredible dynamic duo of Anita and Leslie, I was taught how to live a life of peace, of joy, to walk through life with kindness and appreciation for yourself, for others, for nature, and for the Divine.
When I initially arrived in Portugal, I doubted if I was in the right place. Having only practiced Yoga for two years, and primarily through individual practice guided by Youtube videos, I worried that I was not experienced enough to become a yoga teacher. At our first dinner together with the group, Anita and Leslie told us that our Yoga Teacher Training has a magical way of finding us at the right time and giving us exactly what we need. This could not be more true. On day one, when Anita guided us through learning about Ganesha and the Serpent, I realized that I was exactly where I was meant to be, and all my worries about my experience faded away.
School Yoga Institute is structured into four cycles of four days, with an off day after the fourth day. This structure allows for consistent practice of the Asanas and fosters significant opportunities to reflect and connect the cycles to your life, allowing for both mental and physical growth. Even if you are on the fence about teaching yoga, this deep exploration into yourself was invaluable; I would strongly recommend that anyone feeling called to this training give yourself the opportunity to grow through this experience.
Our time together during this yoga teacher training was split into four cycles of four days, following the Peruvian Medicine Wheel: Ganesha and the Serpent, Siva and the Jaguar, Lakshmi and the Hummingbird, and Saraswati and the Eagle. Each of these cycles offered me an intention and perspective to consider about my life, guiding me on a path towards self-growth and healing. The breaks we had throughout the day provided me with time to journal, and we often received prompts in our lessons that fostered self reflection. Within only three weeks, I learned so much about myself, and I began to realize more about who I want to be and the life I want to live.
For the first two cycles, we practiced and learned to teach a Hatha Sequence, and then for the last two cycles we practiced and learned to teach a Vinyasa Sequence. By repeating the same practice for eight days, I felt myself grow stronger everyday, and I was able to add something new to each morning flow. One morning, I would focus on an intentional breath, the next on fully activating each muscle, the next trying to get deeper into a balancing pose, etc. With such a welcoming and supportive environment, I was able to challenge myself and try new poses, such as being able to reach headstand and crow with only a few days practice.
Teaching the asana sequences for the first time was an incredible experience; I was able to tap into a new version of myself, finding my voice to lead a yoga practice with compassion, grace, and joy. Through peer teaching and feedback, I realized that I am capable of creating a meaningful yoga practice for my students. Leslie and Anita encouraged us to allow our own experience and personality to guide our practice, allowing me to be creative while still honoring Sanskrit and the deep traditions of Yoga. I began to reflect on who I can be and what I can offer as a yoga teacher, inspiring me to take on new initiatives this summer when I go home.
Anita and Leslie are incredible instructors, and they prepare you to become the best version of your teacher self and your regular self. They are a perfect pairing, each bringing their own unique background and years of experience to deepen our knowledge. With kindness, fun, acceptance, and an intention of creating space for us to process and grow together, Leslie and Anita go above and beyond to create a welcoming community for us. I feel so fortunate to have had these two wonderful teachers as the leaders of my yoga teacher training.
The beauty and magic of São Bernardino, Portugal, only elevated this transformational journey. Dramatic ocean cliffsides, sandy beaches, stunning waves, local farmlands, horses, cafes, surfing, and local life surrounded us at every turn. During my breaks, I would often walk around the local neighborhoods and along the beach, providing me with a scenic view to continue my transformational journey. The sunsets over A Praia de São Bernardino were once in this lifetime; being able to experience their beauty almost every evening was an incredible blessing. On our off days, we were able to visit Obidois, Peniche, and walk along the coastlines, allowing us to experience more that this stunning surfing capital of the world has to offer.
The People Ocean Retreat Centre was a welcoming and beautiful space to immerse myself into this transformational Yoga Teacher Training. With spacious and comfortable rooms, a beautiful overlook deck, two local outdoor cats, and a chorus of frogs from the natural pool, the People Ocean Retreat Centre was the perfect place to learn, grow, and rest. In addition, our food was incredible, and each meal was unique, delicious, and incredibly healthy.
Above all, this experience would not have been complete without the wonderful community that we formed. I was so lucky to meet such wonderful, supportive people from all over the world, and I am so grateful for the friendships I made with the School Yoga Institute. Everyone came to Portugal with the same enthusiasm, passion, and desire to support one another throughout this journey.
After three weeks in Portugal, learning and living the School Yoga Institute’s 200HR Yoga Teacher Training Program, I feel ready to be a kind and caring yoga teacher, one who can uplift their students and honor this sacred practice. Further, I feel forever changed by the self-reflection, community, and beauty I experienced while on this stunning coastline.
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