When I completed my yoga teacher training (YTT) we introduced ourselves for the first time by sharing: When did you find yoga, and when did yoga find you? My first experience with yoga was in my early 20’s – I watched a fitness DVD that featured yoga and Pilates, and I was not impressed. I had never played sports and I was not athletic in any way. I went to the gym for years, but only because I thought that was what I was supposed to do. I hardly ever broke a sweat, didn’t know what I was doing, and I was not consistent. Fast forward several years, and my non-athletic self found the joy of running. I got into running after my second daughter was born – around the time when I really needed an activity to relieve stress and increase energy. Running was great, until I injured myself and the doctor recommended that I take a break. My husband saw the disappointment in me and decided to buy me a gift card for a local yoga studio, so that I could keep my fitness momentum going. Since I was never wowed by yoga, I considered using the gift card on a retail purchase, but they talked me into trying at least one class. My first class was amazing, and that was the moment when yoga found me, in 2013.
My yoga practice became very strong, taking several classes each week. I would look forward to my evening practice after work, because it was my time for me. Then came a new job, another baby, a pandemic, and my practice fell off, completely.
Approximately two years after I had last stepped foot in a yoga studio, let alone any athletic establishment, I impulsively signed up for the Fitness Expo at the Lilac Festival. My first class of the morning was a hike through the park and yoga; myself and only one other person showed up, so we had the instructor all to ourselves. It was the most wonderful outdoor yoga experience, and the instructor was amazing. I was so inspired that morning! Shortly after that I decided that I wanted to finally pursue teacher training.
Despite how much I wanted to do YTT, I had the WORST case of imposter syndrome. I felt like I had no business attending a YTT – it had been over two years since I had even stepped foot in a yoga studio, I had just turned 40, three young children, a head full of grey hair, I could not do any advanced yoga poses, and a less than ideal yoga body. It was so bad that I didn’t even tell family or friends that I was doing the training until right before it started, and totally downplayed my passion. I could not have been more wrong about every single thing in this paragraph.
I finished my YTT in January 2023 and it changed me in ways that I never thought were possible. I learned how yoga is for everyone, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, athletic ability, body type, hair color, how many punches you have on your smoothie card… I’m more accepting of who I am, my abilities, and my confidence has grown.
My 200 hour teacher training was just the beginning for me. I’m so excited for the future.
What People Say
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
J. K. Rowling
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
Dr. Seuss
detailsbynicole.com 