I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why teacher training is described as “transformative”, and “life-changing”, because as often as those words are used, there is a deep and powerful truth that lies at the source of those descriptions. Who you see in this picture is not who I started as in my yoga journey.
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Looking back on my experience, Yoga has been a profoundly magical and yet ultimately simplifying force in my life. During the beginning of my studio practice, I was very much focused on using yoga to make my body look and feel a certain way. I was drinking and smoking at the time, and loved hot, sweaty yoga at Core Power for the workout and “detox”, after a night (or several) of drinking, and would often smoke a cigarette right outside of the studio after I took class with my girlfriend.
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Over time, with continued dedication and effort in my practice, and a solid support system, I eventually stopped drinking and smoking, I stopped harming myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Of course, this didn’t happen overnight, but I know that Yoga was one of the most powerful operators in my own transformation process.
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When I took my teacher training, I knew that yoga was going to be part of my life, for the rest of my life, but I didn’t know how. I stayed curious and open, I practiced and learned, I had good teachers who held space for me to explore and I followed the framework that has been laid out for thousands of years, before physical postures were ever introduced in to the mix. .
My life was transformed not because I changed me, but because I softened and allowed Yoga to cleanse my lens of perception so that I could see the life that was waiting for me underneath the harmful patterns (or samskaras) that I was living by. I learned to loosen my grip, and eventually let go of abusive practices, habits, people, and ways of thinking in order to see the beauty and simplicity that I needed to connect with to bring me back to life.
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For me, Yoga is a living practice and one that I am wholeheartedly committed to for the rest of my life. This is one of the reasons why I love what I do so much - teaching and sharing yoga with those who are (cont’d below)...
This man - husband, father, son, brother, runner, physio therapist, business owner, boss, ethical human being, comedian, passionately working for the greater good and wickedly intelligent. .
With a 17-month-old, and very full careers, we both forgot about Valentine’s Day (which we are both totally ok with). And while we will take some time to celebrate our relationship today, on a broader scale, I appreciate that we have learned to celebrate the smaller moments that signify so much more than chocolate, flowers or cards (although I do love those things too ☺️). Moments when we are able to sit next to one another and laugh after a long day, being able to communicate more effectively in challenging conversations, emptying (and filling) the dishwasher, closing the door more quietly when the other is sleeping, asking one another how we can help, and acknowledging one another for that help when it is offered.
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Navigating parenthood has been one of the most challenging (and yes, rewarding) factors of our relationship, and I’ve grown to appreciate the simple words, gestures and offerings more than I ever thought possible. .
Grateful for you every day Adam, love you always, even when it’s hard. ❤️
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“If I know what love is, it is because of you.” ~Herman Hesse
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@hellolifephoto
I am 100% committed to honoring the roots of Yoga in my teaching, practice, and life, and am so grateful for @susannabarkataki ‘s guidance on this path. I have learned (and unlearned) so much already and it has been incredibly enlightening, grounding and humbling.
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If you haven’t already (especially if you’re a Yoga teacher), please go sign up for her FREE online summit “Honor (Don’t Appropriate) Yoga” that starts on February 20th (the link to sign up is in her bio). This is important and necessary work. ❤️
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#honordontappropriateyoga #yogamanifesto #livelikeayogi
Who has two thumbs, loves yoga, has a weird obsession with hot pink, needs an updated headshot, and is back to teaching at @yogasixsolanabeach starting today?!? .
I won’t keep you in suspense...it’s ME!!! 🤣
I’ll be teaching Power Yoga from 12:15-1:15pm every Thursday at Y6 Solana Beach, where my Y6 teaching journey began 7 years ago 🙌🏼 Come join me for a fun, sweaty flow and get your midday asana on!
See you there my friends! ❤️ PC: @micaelamalmi_photography 🙏🏼
