YTT 2025

So, I found this in my drafts and never went back to publish it during the present moment. But I am ready to share it now. I originally wrote this back in January - February 2025.

Around 2021 and 2022 I took my first yoga teacher training online with Yoga Renew. I was able to move at my own pace and absorb the material in my own time. It was a great general focus of yoga types, philosophy and history. I set a timeframe that I wanted to complete the training and surpassed the time I had set. I did not beat myself up about it and just finished the training.

Prior to taking the online training, I had been a yoga teacher for about 3-4 years. For the longest time, I wanted to take in person yoga teacher training. With 2 kids and limited funds, it just was not in alignment for me. I came to a point that I knew I needed to do something to feel refreshed in my teaching. I became so stale, and my personal practice was suffering as well.

I finally started to not only practice at home alone but also practice at the studio with the other students. I tried Ashtanga yoga, which I had avoided since I started my practice in 2011. I found a wonderful Ashtanga teacher, who I now consider my sister, at Light on Yoga Fitness in Huntsville, AL. She truly inspired me and attending her classes helped grow my love for Ashtanga. I have always been a slow flow, go with the flow girly. I always thought Ashtanga was not my groove and that I would never like the repetitiveness of the poses. Come to find out, I truly do enjoy it. I continued to attend other teacher's classes to focus on myself and maybe even learn something from those teachers that I could apply to my classes.

A new studio had been buzzing around Huntsville and I was curious. I was hesistant to try though becuase it is a hot power yoga studio. Just like Ashtanga, I was always against power yoga. And I was always against hot yoga. I always avoided hot studios and power classes. I finally gave it a try at Grow Yoga. I actually really enjoyed it. The classes are challenging, I get to sweat and detox a bit, and the cold towel at the end is the cherry on top. Grow Yoga was offering a local in person yoga teacher training and I immediately signed up in August 2024. The training will be complete as of 23 February 2025.

With just a few days until YTT 200-hour graduation, I am feeling bittersweet about the entire experience. I have made some connections with some incredible people and I can't wait to see what is next for me on this journey.

With love + respect,

Erika B.