A New Beginning of My Becoming

Please enjoy this entry from our guest blogger, Derrick. He is currently taking yoga teacher training with the Maritime Yoga College.

Day 1  - January 11th:

Today I started my 200-hour yoga teacher training with Maritime Yoga College and it is surreal to be actualizing a dream from last year as my present reality.

Although I have had this dream for well over a year, as I awoke this morning I had fear and doubt heavy in my heart. As I started my walk towards the studio I was graced by a stunning sunrise - hues of orange, yellow, and pink lit up the pale blue sky.  I was warmly greeted by my teachers upon arrival which had me vibrating with enthusiasm, but I tamed my excitement as I took my seat in the growing circle of students. As our first day of teacher training was opened, with a gentle stretch and some spontaneous dancing, my heart was liberated from fear and doubt and I became overwhelmed with the joy and bliss of doing what you love and being where you belong.

As we sat together and introduced ourselves I gazed starry-eyed  and smiled gleefully as each of us shared our intentions and a snapshot of our stories. Each of us coming from such different backgrounds and taking the course for varied reasons, and yet there was a sense that we were brought here, together, for a single purpose. To awaken the teacher inside of each of us, to share our light and our truth, and to help each other in our becoming(s).

Today, I felt challenged, I felt doubt, I felt fear.

Also today, I found courage, I found strength, and I remembered why I started this journey in the first place. 

Yoga has transformed me, empowered me, and guided me through much of my healing and unfolding. It is through my teacher training I seek to deepen my practice and my relationship with my self, my Spirit, and relationship to all Creation. I seek adventure, knowledge, and connection - along with deep and intimate relationships with my peers and mentors throughout the program. 

I know that this journey will be full of hard work, a fair share of challenges, and moments of despair — and yet I fully embrace the process in its entirety. For it is from the wholeness of life that we learn, that we grow, and that we transform from.  

I look forward to sharing my journey, and in closing I share a mantra that has served me very well since I learned it. I hope it will serve you.

"With each inhale I am inspired, and with each exhale I inspire others." 

The light of me, honours the light of you. Namaste.