Yoga Training: Week 1

Luckily the first day was a rundown of the program and introductions. Our YTT program has 7 students, all of them inspiring women. I can’t wait to get to know them better. We’ve already discussed an outing to the Yard and creating a Facebook group. I feel relieved that I have such warm-hearted fellow students to go through this with me. We were given journals to document the program, so it’ll be interesting to see the transformation I undergo. 

Day 1

The first day started with an overview of anatomy from Dr. Natalie Wiggins. She went over the cell and systems of the body. After an hour and a half lecture, it was time for studio time with Angie. We went through various basic poses, including virabhradasana, utkatasana, uttanasana and tadasana in depth, giving us cues for each one. For some poses, like virabhradasana 2, we each went into the pose in front of the class and had everyone call out adjustments to correct our alignment. This was eye-opening, as you never in class have an instructor make sure every aspect of your pose is in the correct alignment. They usually make one or two adjustments on a couple of students. My assignment for next week in class is to lead the class through a Sun Salutation A using Sanskrit. How nerve-racking! I went home mentally and physically exhausted — and starving! I was in bed by 9:30 p.m.

Day 2

We started our Sunday discussing the Power of Intention with Rebecca Fritz. I had never considered the difference between goals and intentions, so it was enlightening to see a new way of looking at things. Goals are more limiting and reasonable, while intentions are limitless. You have to “believe in the magic.” Intentions are appealing to me because I’m working on being a more positive person and changing my thoughts. This is one of the most important concepts I want to incorporate off the mat.

We then moved into the big studio for time with Debra applying the anatomy concepts to yoga. We talked others into various poses using anatomy terms such as internal rotation, adduction, abduction and flexion. It was difficult to think in those terms but I know it will be beneficial. Also, having to explain poses to the class gave us practice in public speaking. We got more of that in our time with Roz, who had us lead the class into poses. Initially the class would give out small adjustments without actually giving the major instructions that get someone into a pose. This was a good exercise to learn that it’s important first to talk someone into the pose and then adjust. Next time we’ll have to know the cues for the poses we went over so that we can talk others into them without notes.

Again, I went home exhausted. Yoga has consumed my thoughts all weekend. And it likely will for the next 11 weeks. On to Week 2 …