The final two weeks of training were extremely difficult for me. I struggled mentally to stay in the process and not fall in to a negative state of mind. The days got longer and harder...our final week we were getting only 3-5 hours sleep each night, lectures were long and tedious. Two nights this week, we were up until 4:30am and as usual expected back in the yoga room by 8:00am. Our last day of training, Bikram kept us up until 2:30am! What a way to end the training. I have to admit that I was slipping. I was getting more and more tired...more and more ready to go home! It was hard for me to find even one positive thing to say.
Thursday we were in lecture from 11:30 am until 6:00pm. Our last yoga class of training finally started at 7:00pm (2 hours late) As I walked in the hot room exhausted and frustrated...just wanting it all to be over...I heard a voice calling my name. If she hadn't called my name, I would have walked right past my friend Claire Cameron who came from Ottawa to surprise me! Oh, such pure joy! I was so excited to see a familiar, loving face! I couldn't believe it...my best friend! A true, best friend. As I write this, my eyes are watering with tears of appreciation and love....that someone would come so far to support me in my journey...I am so humbled.
I practiced my final yoga class of Teacher Training along side Claire Cameron and my dear roommate Brittany Milove. They carried me through the 90 min class and literally, lifted me up in full locust (I wish I had a picture of that!) Such love and support. The room was a crazy energy of exhaustion, excitement and anticipation. Everyone so anxious to complete this last class...95 classes in 9 weeks! But, that was not the end of training. A quick shower and back in the lecture hall at 10:30pm for Bikram's final lecture that would go until 2:30am. Right until the very end he would challenge our beliefs, our limitations, our expectations...always pushing us.
GRADUATION DAY! YAHOO!
Group 8 - Graduation Day |
It will take some time to process everything I've learned during the 9 weeks of Teacher Training. I know that already I miss my fellow trainees...Group 8...the best group in Spring 2011 training; my study partner Emma Hicks; my roommate Brittany Milove and my best friends, lecture support group....Jane Ashton and Katrina Cooke.
Brittany Milove, my roommate |
Emma, a true friend...taking care of my hair |
As I head home to Kelowna, I begin a new challenge. I am packing up my life and moving to Ottawa, Ontario to work for my friend Claire at Bikram Yoga Ottawa. I will teach my first ever, Bikram Yoga Class there next week. I'll write again...as I start the next chapter of the journey...life as a new Bikram Yoga Teacher.
With love and gratitude....namaste.
Colleen
Goodbye Radisson LAX |
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I look forward to reading about your first steps as a teacher!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark! I'm pretty excited about teaching my first class. I'm in the process of moving this week and will be teaching my first class next Monday. Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Colleen!
ReplyDeleteI am a student at Bikram Yoga Kelowna. Debra M sent me the link to your blog. I read it all in one sitting yesterday!
I wanted to say congratulations on all you have achieved over these past few months! By following your dreams you are inspiration and I have forwarded your blog to a few friends of mine.
I wish you all the best in Ottawa! I just wish you would be teaching in Kelowna!
Stay Well!
Julie:)
Hi Julie! Thank you so much for writing! I'm glad you like the blog. Have we met at Bikram Kelowna? I'm sorry that I won't be teaching there as well, but I'm flying out to Ottawa tomorrow. Perhaps I can teach a class when I come home for a visit. Thanks again for your well wishes. Keep practicing! It will transform your life. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said, Colleen, and beautifully written, as usual. You have quite the following on your blog and should continue to write it. Your journey is really only beginning, and people are interested to see where this all takes you.
ReplyDeleteI will be waiting with open arms at the airport tomorrow.
Much love
Claire