A different kind of Graduation
This time last year, I took a leap, and this leap has changed everything. It was a hard decision to make, but I hadn't been in a great place in recent years. I was getting there, but it had been a really tough slog. In times like that, your self doubt is the reigning champ of controlling your thought patterns and decisions, and breaking out of that downward spiral is a hard one. But myself, my yoga mat, and the wonderful group of people I have taken this journey with have lifted me right out of that negative space.We all felt the same way on that first day of teacher training, nervous, doubting ourselves, why we were there, holding onto ourselves so tight as we didn't want to open up, in a room full of strangers. But slowly as the year went on, we were all rooting for each other, we were all there for each other, throughout the nerves, the frustrations, the celebrations, and we have all ridden this wave together, and that connection will always be there. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful group of people to have taken this ride with. I started out wanting to develop my self practice, build foundations on which to begin to lead my own classes, a clear goal in mind. But what I got back in terms of community, love, support and friendship, I never had anticipated.As well as learning the true meaning of community, this past year has taught me more about myself than in 28 years. And I'm beginning to learn to love who I have become. And learning how to encourage yourself, congratulate yourself, loving yourself is one of the many pieces of the puzzle to smashing your dreams.So I think what I'm trying to say in a relatively rambling sort of way, is that if there is anything you've been putting off, because you don't think you'll get there, do it. It will be hard, it will require determination, hard work, you will learn things about yourself you didn't realise, but that is all part of the journey, and you WILL do it. And it is so so worth it. Things have taken a back seat for me this year whilst I have been following this path, my home is a constant tip, but mainly my social life, (apologies to all my friends, I am still alive and well) but I'm lucky enough to have a solid group of friends and family who appreciate and respect what I've been working through, and for that I am extremely grateful.Waking up this morning, stretching, those first tentative movements reminding me of yesterdays 108 Sun Salutations, which were a beautiful end to what has been a truly amazing year. Yesterday I graduated from my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, and I can't even begin to explain what this all means to me. In this journey I found myself when I was lost, I found my tribe, and my community. My heart is bursting with gratitude.
