Total emersion complete Santosha

Experience Santosha

What was it like? An experience like no other.

We were so lucky to have talented photographer and blogger Laura Elina join us on our March Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training. On her fantastic blog Nomadic Pages she documented some of her experiences (and AMAZING photos) from the course, which she has kindly allowed us to re-post. Thanks Laura for sharing your beautiful words and pictures with us, they are spellbinding!

The last couple of months have been a period of growth and immersing myself more deeply into yoga. Yoga has been with me for most of my adult life. Now after a few years of secretly dreaming about it, I finally did my 200h yoga teacher training with Santosha Yoga Institute in beautiful Nusa Lembongan, Bali.

What was it like? An experience like no other. Yoga at sunrise. Philosophy. Daily meditation. Lunch break surf runs. New friends from all over the world. Island adventures on days off. Learning about asana, teaching techniques, philosophy and the cosmos. Tools how to live your life like a yogi. Nothing forced or taught as the only truth. ”Don’t accept, don’t reject, contemplate.” was the advice from our teacher. Like a scientist, take what you learn and test it. If it works, keep it.

Santosha Yoga Bali

What I got out of the training was far more than qualification to teach yoga. There isn’t a single day that has gone by since my training that I haven’t used what I’ve learnt, not only talking about teaching. Just the fact that you can travel to the other side of the world into a group of complete strangers and then in that group find so much love and support and a space to grow and connect, teaches you a lot about life.

When it comes to asana, learning the purpose behind what we practice and how to build a practice with intention will transform any one’s own yoga practice whether or not you plan to teach yoga. What a gift to be able to give to yourself — a mindfully crafted practice. Safe alignment. The art and science of sequencing. To incorporate Pranayama into practice. To feel the benefits of daily meditation.

I knew I loved yoga, but before the training I had no idea about how I would feel about teaching. Turns out, I feel so, so good doing it. It still makes me nervous but more than that, it excites me. I’m slowly getting used to facilitating classes. I now guide classes regularly at my workplace and teach friends and family. I feel lucky to share this knowledge that others have shared with me.

The journey continues, and I will enjoy every step.

Nusa Lembongan, my peaceful yoga bubble.

Santosha Yoga is a company dedicated to providing teaching / coaching / mentorship / tools and support to Yoga Teachers around the world