First weekend!

This past weekend was the first session in the teacher training. It was awesome!

There are a total of 27 students (the most the program will allow) and 3 teachers. Also, students of the 500hr training program come in to assist. Theresa Elliott teaches Asanas (postures), Paul Bubak, M.D. teaches Anatomy and Katheryn Payne teaches Pranayama, Philosophy and Sanskrit. Almost all 10 weekends of this program are Fri-Sunday (Fridays 10-5, Saturdays 10-7 and Sundays 10-5).

Friday we had a program overview and jumped right into asana work, exploring lateral standing postures: Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II), Parsvakonasana (Extended Side-angle pose) and Trikonasana (Triangle pose). We become very familiar with the core of the body and I must admit that I did not really understand what teachers were talking about when they said "core," "pelvic floor," and "Mulha Banda." I thought I did, but actually being able to see what muscles are involved (in our anatomy book) and how to engage the perineum, transverse abdominus and multifidi and use them to help you into postures was amazing. That already has changed the way I approach poses now.

Saturday was an introduction to Pranayama and poses that help to set the body up for Pranayama. Then on to Sankrit with an introduction of the Yoga Sutras. The last 2 hours of the day was an introduction to Anatomy. It was a long day of sitting, which was almost more demanding than a day of standing posture work.

By Sunday I was exhausted, but jazzed. I loved the feeling of being totally wiped out, but wanting to get everything I could from every moment there. The day was dedicated to the core of the body. Again, the importance of the core (knowing what it is and how to engage it) is now burned into my brain. It is not just important for yoga, but for living!

From day 1 we were observing our classmates, checking alignment and learning how to cue them into better alignment (verbally, physically, do they need props?) already putting ourselves into roles of teachers. Our class is full of wonderful people from all age rages (early 20s to 70s!), abilities and body types. Having that range is so important to be able to see how different bodies work with yoga and movement.

There are so many things that we gained from this weekend, I can't wait to go back for another. But for now I am patient as I work what I learned into my practice and continue on the journey.