From a young age, yoga always intrigued me. Yet I never had the guts to try it out. Why? Oh, I was at that age where I always needed someone to ‘hold my hand’ wherever I went, and none of my friends were ever interested in yoga!
It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism that I decided to finally bite the bullet and go it alone. Needless to say, the introvert in me loved it! I wasn’t obliged to talk to anyone, and there wasn’t any competition between us – I started attending classes every day, and eventually cured my hyperthyroidism. Yay!
At that time, Yoga Teacher Training in Bali (yoga TTC) did not exist in my hometown. About a year after I moved to City , it occurred to me that this was my chance to attend a yoga TTC Bali. At that time, Deep’s yoga school was running courses over weekends, which fitted well with my work schedule.
I never had the intention of ever teaching yoga, and would have not probably thought of it! Painfully shy for most of my life, and being in the equine industry for most of my working life, I was always afraid to even answer the phone or order food at restaurants. I didn’t know why I wanted to attend Yoga Teacher Training Course in Bali. I just knew it was something I had to do.
For three months, I convened with 15 other people every weekend to sweat, learn, laugh, and cry together. I didn’t really warm up to anyone until halfway through the course.
The studio was a safe space in which we could express, learn, and just basically be ourselves. We were free to be vulnerable; to enquire, to go deep within – something that would most likely never be an option in normal daily life.
I was always the first to be ready for philosophy class, sitting right in front of the teacher with my phone ready to record his lectures. Yes, for once in my life I was that one over-enthusiastic student among the lot!
During my school years, I was always terrible at studies. I could not for the life of me fathom molecules, Mathematical equations, nor the principles of Physics. But philosophical studies was something I could deeply relate to. Besides giving me a new outlook on life, the fact that yogic philosophy existed for such a long time also confirmed that my way of thinking was not crazy!
Read More: Are You Ready For 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Bali
Besides learning various meditation methods, pranayama (breathing practices) and how to use the physical body to positively affect the mental and emotional bodies, I feel that the most important thing I got from yoga TTC is that life is a celebration in itself. I loved music and the arts, but never danced in the company of others until then. Oh, how my heart raced when teacher announced that we would take turns dancing in the middle of the circle! The horror!
After completing yoga TTC, I started teaching classes. Frankly, it scared the shiz out of me, and I actually stopped teaching for a few months before being thrown into the deep end of the teaching pool again. Standing in front of a roomful of people, having to speak and give instructions, was nerve-wracking to say the least!
Armed with this newfound confidence and perspective of life, I became a more courageous person. I learnt to take life with a pinch of salt, and to not be too serious about things. I started venturing out and dabbling in the things which piqued my interest. I discovered my love for the Indian arts, and currently lead kirtan and chanting groups. Social interaction doesn’t scare me (that much!) nowadays.
Yoga does not only improve your physical, mental and emotional well-being. A yoga TTC will not guarantee a career in teaching yoga. But it will definitely bring out the best in you, whatever that may be. Take it from the singer who was once too shy to even talk on the phone!
Author:
Prabh Lehri
Kualalumpur
Yoga student and Teacher in Deep Yoga Academy
