A Little Life Update
... So, I decided to put in 200 hours for a Yoga Teacher Training Course in Bali last September.
It was an intensive course comparable to boot camp training, but I surrendered to the gods and persevered to achieve what I'd set out for.
A yoga teacher training course (YTTC) is a transformative journey to self-discovery that requires careful planning and research—from weeks of physical and mental preparation leading up to the trip, selecting the right school that resonated with me, and a guessing game of what to pack—in preparation for a calm and easy transition into long, rigid schedules while overcoming jetlag and adjusting to a different time zone.
I learnt the teachings of traditional yoga by Indian and Western teachers in this Yoga Shala.Embarking on this journey, which I dubbed a pilgrimage, I chose not to have any expectations but instead to go as a blank canvas, creating space to acquire knowledge of centuries old, to be a medium to pass the marvellous lineage of Yoga onto others, purely and honestly.
This opening ceremony marked the beginning of my journey to achieving my dream.Yoga is all about union, and I'm pleased to say that I met some beautiful souls, with whom great connections and bonds formed as I separated the illusion of what teaching yoga was from the reality of what it is that makes a good yoga teacher.
Here, in the video below, I used the warm-up session to settle my nerves before teaching my practicum.
Being a realist, I was apprehensive about teaching yoga at my age without the ability to do many advanced inverted poses; thinking that a good yoga teacher demonstrated and got into position of all the poses they were teaching.
However, those misconceptions went out the window, as I learnt that a good yoga teacher needs to maintain a strong presence and show leadership, as yoga teachers are space holders and not space fillers.
I also gained the confidence to teach, knowing that each body is different. So one person might be better at some poses while another is better at different series, and there should be no cookie-cutter expectation of what yoga poses should look like.
Throughout the weeks, one of the key things that kept me on my toes was setting intentions in the present tense, such as "I am here", "I am brave", "I am present", "I am strong", "I am powerful", "I am unstoppable"... while injecting fun and personality into the practice, which I plan to carry through while teaching.
The feedback from other students and one of my teachers were positive and encouraging. 
We were a lovely bunch from different parts of the world with one common goal, and our journey together brought natural feelings of love and warmth, which allowed us to be our authentic selves, sharing emotions of laughter, tears, playfulness, and fear.
Yoga is a journey of self-acceptance on and off the mat, and my YTTC was the beginning of a beautiful journey. I enjoyed anatomy lessons, philosophy classes, mindfulness practices, yoga education, and adjustments and alignments.
The merging of two different but similar practices - Yoga and Qigong
I love yoga and also have a strong passion for qigong, so it was a privilege for me to introduce and lead a Five Animal Qigong class, during the course.
This form of meditation was positively received, as yoga and qigong are two complementary therapies, and I'm now completing a refresher course online to fully qualify as a QiYo or YoQi teacher—teaching a cutting-edge fusion of Yoga and Qigong.
While collecting my certificate, I chose the dancer's pose, Natarajasana, which invites us to remember that life is a dance, full of joy, energy, and movement and that no matter which obstacles we may be facing, we should keep engaged in the dance of life.
This flower mandala was created specifically for our graduation ceremony.
Each petal represents the journey of growth and transformation and the spirit and wisdom of our yoga journey.
However, there's a poignant lesson in our destruction of the mandala, which is that of non-attachment and the impermanence of everything in life, that everything has an ending.
https://youtube.com/shorts/eKdZvn6wFKE?feature=share
This course was a personal achievement that if utilised, will allow me to help to improve the lives of many. Therefore, I'm looking forward to holding classes with friends and anyone interested, as it's a great way for new yoga teachers to gain confidence and overcome imposter syndrome that many experience.
Thanks for stopping by, and I'm looking forward to being more active here.
Namaste 🙏
All images and videos are the property of millycf1976. This course was in honour of my late dad; a fulfilment and promise to him, and a dream come true for myself. May he continue to rest in Savasana.
A little more about me
My blog frequently features my minimalist lifestyle and adventures while living on my narrowboat.”
Irie love,
Milly
What a great and "strong" post. Put together flawlessly with photos and vids. Your Rockin' it Milly. You look great.!!
Give my best regards to Cam. That lucky man. 👍😘👍
😊 You make me blush 🤗
Thank you:)))
All good wishes to you and yours 😍
Wow 😲 so happy for you kinda give me idea to do the same hehe. I wonder if they have yoga teaching class In Abu Dhabi let's see.
Thank you!
I'm glad that you're inspired. It's really difficult to find an authentic Yoga School that's not westernised or commercialised. Trimurti is an international school in Goa India, Amed Bali, Berlin, New Zealand and Germany. I don't know of them being Abu Dhabi, but the possibilities are endless, so keep working towards it if you're serious:)))
You are right not easy to find authetic Yoga but there is a lot of Goa India people here they might know someone I will try to ask around thanks again
You're welcome and best wishes 🤗
WOW @millycf1976, BIG APPLAUSE for you!!!!... We now have a #Hive yoga master!!!... BRAVO!!!!... Thanks for this enjoyable post and congratulations to you!!!
!discovery 40
!PIZZA
Hey @jlinaresp
Haha! I love your optimism!
This course affirmed the importance of yoga on and off the mat, as I grow spiritually towards enlightenment.
Your lovely message made me smile 😍
Thanks for your support:)))
Awwwn 🥰
A big congratulations to you!
I love the fact that you began with a clear mindset, no set expectations and all of that. Sometimes that is what prevent people from being humble to acquire knowledge.
Now you are a certified yoga teacher. I'm happy to read your achievements, keep it up.
😊
I agree!
The entire course was a fantastic experience. The training was cathartic for this stage of my life, preparing me for my new career as a yoga teacher.
Thank you so much for your wishes:)))
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@jlinaresp(11/15) tipped @millycf1976
Yum Yum Yum!!! Pizza 😋
Thank you:)))
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Thank you so much @discovery-it for the support:)))
Wow that sounds like an incredible experience and journey - both body and mindset. Good for you for taking such a huge leap and following your heart and dreams.
Thank you! 😊
100%
It was transformative in both ways, indeed and sometimes overwhelming, but it had a lot to do with early starts, long active days, no alcohol and no meat.
I'm NOT ready to embark on a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle just yet. #futuregoal
#probably
😆
Congrats on completing the YTTC. Do you plan to start teaching yoga now? Maybe yoga by the narrow boat 😄
Thank you!😊
Yes, I am available for classes by the narrowboat for those who want to come along with their mats. It's not the best season now, but I'll have to check community centres and market myself in different ways.
I just have to trust the process 😆
Congratulations 😊 that’s wonderful.
!LUV
@millycf1976, @littlebee4(1/10) sent you LUV. | tools | discord | community | HiveWiki | <>< daily
Thank you so much!😊
I've wanted to do that for so many years, but I had to trust the timing and go for it this time.
Thanks for the luv 😍
You are welcome.
I can imagine… sometimes it happens and all falls into place.
Have a great day!
!HUG
Exactly!
Have a lovely day too. Hopefully a nice warm one 😍
Thank you ☺️
Inside it is warm… outside 3 degrees… soon the snow comes. It is now 1 hour away.
We skipped autumn and went straight to winter hahaha the nights had night frost for over 2 weeks now. Bbbrrrrr
💯That's how I feel.
After being in tropical Bali weather for a month and coming back to UK winter, I've been sitting close to my fire:)))
Oohhhh I can imagine and know how it feels.
It always takes a while to acclimatise again.
Wrap up warm. 🧤🧣🧦
Thank you, and same to you:)))
You are welcome 😊 thanks!
Finally you made it. Congratulations sis. I have know you to be focused and it pays off. Weldon, @millycf1976
Congratilations on completing the YTTC. It never hurts to add to our portfolio. I can see you doing and succeeding at this💪 Let's all get those mats out and follow your direction 😃
Thank you!😊
I've wanted to deepen my practice for so long and it was amazing to learn so much that is missing from regular yoga classes. I do hope that I'll be able to hold classes sometimes. I just need to create those possibilities 😁
I knew mama was cooking something huge when I didn't see you around here for weeks and this is awesome.
I never practiced yoga and this might be a wake up call since it has a positive impact yogis. I bet you will make a great teacher and I can see from your smiles that you had a great time all through.
I didn't get the opportunity to thank you for the lock experience, I saw you in the video but this is the first post you have made since then... Cheers to a beautiful week.
Hey George!😁
Thank you! I got the sweet message that you'd checked in to see how I was. I appreciated that 😍
Yes, this course has been in the pipeline for a long time. Covid changed plans, and I needed to do everything to make it a reality.
I have no idea where this course will take me, which I'm quite happy about because I like to go with the flow wherever life takes me. However, if the opportunity presents itself, I'll be assertive in holding classes to utilise my skills.
I'm pleased you saw the video, at the moment I'm moored at a location for a few weeks, giving me the time to settle back into boat life and life in the UK as I prepare for winter.
Thanks for being active in the communities and I'm happy that I had @honeydue to oversee both coffee and the minimalist efficiently :)))
Have a nice day!
Aaaah the post I've been secretly waiting for <3 I love this. It sounds like you had a wonderful time there and learned a lot.
This is beautfiul. It's something I often get hung up on when considering a future in yoga (however that may look). Teachers as space holders not space fillers - gotta be one of the loveliest things I've heard in a while and surely translates in other positions that we may hold in this life. But I'm definitely taking that with me.
I'm so happy your experience in Bali proved to be what you hoped for, my dear <3
Thank you so much 😍
Yes! That was a revelation for me too.
I do not doubt that you'd be an excellent Yoga teacher, time will tell 🤗
Yes, I finally got my head around to writing a post:)
That answers why you were not posting for more than a month, I guess.. congratulations for your new achievement. Do you have any plan to put up a yoga school in your place?
Bali is such a beautiful place. Perhaps you travelled around too while taking up your classes?
We look forward to hearing more stories about your journey 😊
!LADY
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That answers why you were not posting for more than a month, I guess.. congratulations on your new achievement. Do you have any plans to put up a yoga school in your place?
Bali is such a beautiful place. Perhaps you traveled around too while taking up your classes?
We look forward to hearing more stories about your journey 😊
!LADY
Hey!
Yes, I was fully occupied mentally and physically, and something had to give. It's great to be back on Hive.
No, setting up a studio would not work for me since I'm always mobile. There are many other avenues for teaching though, I just have to let that manifest in it's own time. For right now, I'm working on deeping my personal practices of Yoga and it's principles:)))
I'm happy for you. It's really your passion. I wanna embrace yoga too, it's just that, there are a lot of distractions here, lol.
Thanks😊
I understand about the distractions.
Do it when you can and don't stress when you don't.
I suggest check this one out guys www.minepi.com/zdigital huge airdrops, it will go live in early 2025.
Great. I was wondering where super Milly was. I understand everything you tell us and I think it's wonderful, your words made me reflect a bit (more). Yes, because I go from reflection to reflection, trying to find my way and my purpose in this life.
I imagine it is a delight to be able to share like this with like-minded people, in a space of growth and learning. Congratulations on this great achievement and may you succeed in whatever you set out to do.
Cheers, @millycf1976. 🤗
Hey @nanixxx Thank you for your sweet comment. You made me smile 😊
🙏 I think that's so important for us to do, even if it's difficult at times.
I'm happy to be back in the UK, but it's taking me a while to adjust to winter.
I hope that all is well with you and yours 😍
Yes, everything is fine here, 😄 thank you. Keep warm.
🤗😍
Well done! In my younger days, I did a basic yoga course. The much younger tutor adapted certain poses that some of us couldn't do because of health issues. She made things accessible for all, which was good.
Hey there!😃
Yes, it's important to teach modified versions of a post as everyone's body is different, and this helps to eliminate injuries.
Are you still practising or doing any stretches?
No, the tutor left and I just didn’t connect with the new person. It's funny, looking back, she did nothing wrong, but she just had the wrong vibe lol. That was the end of my yoga days. I'm more of a walker these days.
That's it with yoga teachers. It all depends on who you resonate with.
Walking is good especially if you're close to nature:)