Starting 200+ Hr Yoga Teacher Training

Doing something new and different is always a little scary. Telling people about it tends to make it more real. So, I’m mildly panicking while typing this out, but I’m also incredibly proud of myself because two weeks ago I started Yoga Teacher Training!

For many people, this might not feel like a big deal. For me, this is such a huge step. Not just in my 21 years of practicing yoga, but also professionally. As many of you know, I lost my job back in September, and it’s been an adventure trying to figure out what I want to do and where I want my career to go next. That journey has taken longer than I thought it would. Somewhere in the middle of all of that, I decided to step into this 200+ hour YTT program because I officially ran out of excuses for why not to do it.

*My Yoga journey from Yoga on the Rocks in Denver, Puppy Yoga, & Travel Yoga!*

Table of Contents

Starting 200+ Hr Yoga Teacher Training

Why Now

This has been such a long time coming.

I took my very first yoga class when I was 19 and in college in Ashland, Oregon. A super hippie, liberal town where yoga was totally normal. Meanwhile, I was coming from suburbia and thought it was this worldly thing I’d only ever dream about trying.

Fast forward 21 years and here we are.

Yoga has been an on-and-off relationship for me ever since. It’s helped me manage stress, create routines, and reconnect with my body in ways nothing else has. But I also learned the hard way how important proper instruction is. At the height of my practice, I got seriously injured. It took over ten years of neck and back pain before I finally committed to physical therapy this past year.

That experience changed everything for me. One of my biggest goals now is to help keep students safe and make sure no one gets hurt the way I did.

In my 20s, I was barely getting by financially. I spent most of that decade paying off student loans and living paycheck to paycheck. What helped me survive were free yoga classes at studios, gyms, community centers, and yoga in the park during the summer. I always told myself that if I ever could, I would pay it forward.

And, well… I suppose today is that day! 💕

First Week Feelings

There’s something so welcoming about yoga studios that instantly makes you feel at home. Right?

Truthfully, I picked this studio based on research, a prayer, and one email to the instructor. Somehow, I just knew I’d found my place. That didn’t stop my first-day-of-school jitters though. Yes, even though I’m whole grown, I was still super nervous walking in.

But my classmates are nothing short of amazing, and my instructor is incredible. We have a class of eight, and every day it becomes more exciting, more comfortable, and more fun.

What I’m Learning & Loving

Honestly, I am being challenged every day, and I love it. For once in my adult life, outside of work, I feel good about the work.

I’m completely in love with learning more about the human body, stretching, alignment, sequencing, and even nutrition. The best part? I’m having an absolute blast doing it.

I’m loving memorizing standard movements, learning breathing techniques, and teaching students when to inhale and exhale. And even though we’ve already done enough chaturangas for a lifetime, I’m finally learning how to do them correctly and how to teach others safely too.

Oh, and I got to sit in on a prenatal class last week! What a joy, you guys. Truly. Those women were working. When I tell you women are warriors, I mean it. We literally give life. It’s insane and so beautiful. I would love to get prenatal certified someday because I think communities need more instructors in that space.

What I Hope Comes From This

In all openness, I don’t totally know what will come from this.

What I do know is that I love it.

I hope for community. I hope for new doors to open. I hope to feel more grounded in myself and in my routine. I hope to widen my inner circle and build connections in my soon-to-be new home. Mostly, I hope this teaches me to trust myself when I take big leaps. 🥰 You know?

I’m not trying to make a million dollars doing this. But if I can stay busy, build a routine, learn new things, and feel fulfilled, that already feels like success. And that’s what matters most.

So I suppose what I really hope comes from this is happiness.

So there we are, friends. I’ll graduate in May with my certification and can start teaching as soon as I find studios to sub at. I don’t know exactly where this path will lead, but I’m excited to learn, grow, and see what unfolds.

Shanti (peace) to you! 🧘🏻‍♀️

P.S. I know I never leave P.S.’s anymore, but this one felt important. If you’re getting back into working out (or honestly just living in comfy clothes) and you’re on a major budget, I cannot recommend ThredUp enough. I bought seven pairs of new-to-me yoga pants, and they’re all fantastic. Such a good way to refresh your closet without spending a ton. If you’re a first-time buyer, use promo code SHOWCASE50 to save 50%! Highly recommend if you’re in your yogi era like me. 😌