Student guest blog: Until we meet again

by Paula Anderson, Zuna Yoga 300 hour Bali Yoga Teacher Training student

I left our last morning practice of YTT noticing the soulful energy abuzz in my body. My senses were acute, as though everything was magnified by fear of forgetting the magic that enveloped me. The birds sang their morning songs more gloriously, the colors of tropical foliage appeared more vibrant and the blossoms' fragrances were sweeter than usual.

Paula and Katherine

It was a day of summary, feeling happy that my vessel supported me and carried me successfully through this journey. It was an intense 25 days (yes, with two days off), and the long days became a battle of mind over (my) matter. And somedays were a little more heavy than others, both mentally and physically. But, here we were at the top of the summit and heading to the big slide with only a few hours to go. 

We completed our last class group activity and gathered for our closing circle. It was a surreal moment of our last time in both the studio and in our "space". We became united along this shared journey, aligned by intention but sharing kindness most genuinely from our hearts. The memories dance in my mind this morning and even as I type, I find myself smiling at my iPad screen. I will remember our smiles and gazes and ... life. Thank you all so much for such a beautiful moment, with sincere love and of course, happiness. 

Student guest blog: Missions Accomplished

By Lisa Cosmillo, Zuna Yoga 300 hour Bali Yoga Teacher Training grad

Today was my first day post-Zuna Yoga Teacher Training. All day, I have asked myself the question, how do I feel?

Well -- not right away. First I had to get up and do Pranayama, then meditation and don't forget a few Asana... then I asked, how do I feel?

Then I got to take a tour of some of Bali's tourist traps courtesy of a wonderful man named Dharma... All day I thought, I know what my Dharma is... and how do I feel about that?

So when I got back to my hotel room and was preparing for travel tomorrow, I stopped to look at Facebook. All these new faces and names on my friends list and pictures from the party last night. We were all smiling and crying and smiling.

So one last time -- How do I feel about that?

Lisa visiting Borobodur, post-YTT

I feel changed. I have grown. Even my habits dealing with stressful visa issues today -- I controlled my breath -- and my mind followed.

My missions in coming here were simple: Get my 300 hour training and have some time to myself to reflect and process the past year. I would say my missions were definitely accomplished, and in addition, I have found an inner voice, a constant companion, and I can hear it. I can hear it.

Thank you Everett, Katherine and Courtney and all my new friends @Zuna Yoga. 

Namaste and blessings -- until we meet again.

Student guest blog: Breathwork

by Lisa Cosmillo, Zuna Yoga 300 hour Bali Yoga Teacher Training student

This week, the second in our training, brought us into deeper meditations, more pranayama and a deep study of restorative yoga, which included our first practice teaching experience.

In many ways, this week we could breathe. We practiced pranayama, breathing exercises, daily, which took some of us to new and deeper places. We also got to do a daily restorative practice taught by our classmates, which was a great opportunity to relax into our breath. Each evening following our restorative practice, we practiced Yoga Nidra. We were warned at the beginning of each session not to sleep -- but not to feel badly if we did fall asleep. This amazingly calming practice has been used to help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorders and more generalized anxiety -- yet another sweet opportunity to reach deeper and breathe.

Toward the end of this calming week, the heat was turned up as we were told we would be teaching the morning practices in our third and final week. Included in this assignment was the inevitable caveat that each of us would be expected to teach the elements of a full Yogic breath -- Agniraj Breathing -- as part of our class, something we have practiced since day one of the training.

So today on our second day off, most of us took the opportunity to rest, relax and take a deep breath. 

Student guest blog: Good night moon

by Paula Anderson, 300 hour Bali Yoga Teacher Training student With the energy of the Blood Moon and Lunar Eclipse, the week was ablaze. Every morning began with fabulous practices a la Zuna Yoga, breathing deeply into the pelvis and learning to remain at peace in a carefully woven sequence of postures. Getting into the gritty, we broke down asana and adjustments with mindfulness. Best take away of the week: learning to confidently give assists into inversions without fear of injury to either party! After breaking into groups, we all had the opportunity to teach very welcome restorative classes. Each group collectively delivered classes with their own spin on soft deliciousness. Several evenings concluded with amazing Yoga Nidra practices led by Everett. In lecture we really started to uncover the mysteries of the Hatha Yoga Pradapika and some of its "head scratching and hmmm" verses. Good News: we are stronger than we believe. After delving into the deeper explanation of Chapter 1, Verse 1, I discovered we are ALL heroes in a half shell, courtesy of Hatha Yoga... "For those continually tempered by the heat of tapa (the three types of pain - spiritual, environmental and physical) - hatha is like the shelter giving protection from the heat. For those always united in yoga, hatha is the basis acting like a tortoise." The tortoise is an emblem of patient endurance. The practice of hatha yoga enables strength and control of the body and mind, transforming the body into a protective covering. Who knew! See you on the mat... #turtlepower #tortoisepose

Student guest blog: Has it only been a week?

by Lisa Cosmillo, 300 hour Bali Yoga Teacher Training student

It doesn't seem like it could only be nine days ago that I made my way to the Yoga Barn in Ubud, Bali. This girl from Kansas (now living in Olympia, WA) would never be the same.

That night I met, albeit briefly, the souls I would be sharing my time with for the next 25 days. They all seemed so well-traveled and even the youngest very sophisticated. We came in all shapes and sizes and ages and had all traveled so far and all for one purpose, to deepen our relationships with ourselves, our bodies, our souls. With our wide range of abilities, we brought with us our mats, our yoga pants and our stories.

Little did we know that in one week we would go through so much together. Tears, laughter, nausea, hugs, back bends, pranayama, head stands ... the list goes on and on, but despite the hurdles, the fears, and the unbelievable assortment of insects and animals, we made it through this first week alive and mostly well.

When I set out to come here, I knew that this would inevitably affect my teaching and my practice, but after this first week, I feel these practices we are learning changing me, helping me. I am curious to continue down the path, to see where it leads and grateful for this opportunity.

Tonight, as I lie here in my hotel room writing this, it is the end of our first day off, and I just glanced up to see a gecko on the wall of my room. The man who works here tells me the Balinese believe the gecko carries good energy, so I just peacefully watch as he spies an insect and darts into the crack in the wall. As week two begins, I welcome all the good energy I can get. 

Student guest blog: Wow! What a great playlist!

by Paula Anderson, Zuna Yoga 300 hour Bali Yoga Teacher Training student

In the still morning air, there is such beauty in simply enjoying a peaceful practice. 

I love arriving at the dark studio for our pre-dawn practice. I tend to arrive right around 5 am everyday. And like all great performances, it's best to arrive early and get settled. The show begins with the assorted melodies of the Roosters crowing and the occasional Cricket percussionists. The Gecko bellows his solo from the horn section and by now the birds are playing in force from the woodwinds. The rolling percussion of the Cicadas brings the symphony to its forte, then a solo rises again steadily from the Frog. Aaaaah, as nature continues to serenade our practice, there are many moments you may not hear any of it, being so tuned in with our breath and asana. Katherine, like any great conductor, leads us with her beautiful voice - easing,  soothing and empowering us to stay ... "just one more minute here, yogis".

And like all great performances, there will be more. So, until tomorrow morning my fellow yogis! See you on your mats when the rooster crows...