It seems that everyone these days is getting into yoga and a large number of students are going so far as to complete a yoga teacher training. If you have ever given yoga a solid chance, you likely can understand why the practice has exploded in popularity. On the surface it seems that yoga is simply another form of exercise, but in reality, it is so much deeper than that. Yoga is a practice of awareness, connection and presence; a practice of NOW. “Living in the moment” might sound like a modern cliché, but it is a universal human challenge that has existed for thousands of years. It is all too common that we find ourselves physically in one place and mentally somewhere far away. You have probably experienced this yourself and whether you consciously realize this or not, we all are guilty of perpetually living “lost in thought.”
“Yoga takes you into the present moment, the only place where life exists.” — Anonymous
There is an anecdote to our thinking addiction, and it is called Yoga. Once you get a taste of true stillness and separation from the constant stream of thoughts running through your mind, you can’t help but want more. This skill of detachment and surrender is exactly what yoga teaches. It has been said that depression is living in the past, and anxiety is living in the future. If you take an honest look at yourself, you will see which one you lean towards. True peace lies in embracing and surrendering to the moment you are experiencing right NOW.
As students begin to expand their physical practice, or asana, the depth of yoga as a whole becomes evident and the thirst for knowledge grows. Often, the next step to deepen a yoga practice is to take a yoga teacher training (YTT). In reality, a YTT should be called a life training because of the deep dive students take into their own hearts. A YTT has less to do with the postures (although 100+ poses are examined and broken down), and more to do with learning and befriending yourself. Your relationship with yourself is the foundation for all other relationships and as we move through life, the state of our internal relationship is revealed by how we interact with and treat others.
“Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are.” — Jason Crandel
If you have had the desire to dive deeper into your yoga practice and into yourself, a YTT is the perfect place to do so. No advanced asana practice is necessary, no plans to teach are required. Nothing is expected outside of you showing up for yourself with courage, compassion and generosity. To learn more about the teacher trainings Old Town Yoga is offering in the coming year, check out our Teacher Training page or comment below with your questions. We would be honored to witness you experience this transformative process.
Travis Eliot lecturing at OTY's first 200hr Yoga Teacher Training