One of my intents for 2017 was to further my education, deepen my skills and my ability to offer more valuable services to clients.
I just returned from a 4-week intensive Yoga Therapy training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, which provided me with a wide range of new tools with which to grow the services I offer others, specifically in the areas of anxiety, depression and stress-management. In the months to come, I plan to share much more on this.
For now, I want to quote Oprah Winfrey who said “Surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher.” I have told a few clients since returning last week that one of the best parts of the training, besides the valuable content shared by our teachers, was the opportunity to learn from so many professionals in the field of wellness. Our class of 52 people was filled with nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, MD’s, psychologists, social workers, not to mention many hard working yoga teachers and a few studio owners! A real range of backgrounds, from all over the world, all of us with one common denominator. We didn’t have to be there! We all had a real desire to learn more, and share more with our communities back home. I found it super inspiring to learn alongside these professionals, but also, to learn from them in all the group work and experiential learning opportunities we were given. Another aspect that energized me was the age of the participants (no offence to any of you reading this!) Most of these professionals were in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. To see people at all stages of their lives investing time, money and energy into themselves was really motivating. Our common mission: enabling clients to live healthier, more joyful and peaceful lives, by listening to their bodies, and by observing with a clear open mind where their thoughts take them. Witnessing our thoughts, without becoming our thoughts. There are so many yogic tools to help guide us back to our true nature. As I often say – it’s not about the poses. The poses help us open up the channels of energy in our bodies, or as I call it, creating space. The ultimate goal (for me) is to create space in our minds to help us live with ourselves, yet connected to others, in peace and in equanimity.
Awareness, self-acceptance, and a willingness to learn, begins and ends with ourselves. There is nothing to fix. Deep down, we all know how to care for ourselves. Yoga is simply one vehicle that reminds us what we may have forgotten. It is a lifelong practice. One which I feel blessed to share with others. Join me on the journey. Wherever you are, is a perfect place to begin.♥