om yoga teacher training guide
and listen to the waves during the day. Plus,
I would get to learn yoga in the country
where it was developed and spend a month
there in resort-style accommodation. What
better way to experience yoga and travel?
India bound
This was my first trip to India so I had many
questions. Throughout the registration
process Meera answered all of my questions
and put my mind at ease. However, the
morning of my flight I must admit my anxiety
rose, and to ease my mind I frantically
looked through Siddhi Yoga’s Facebook
page for recent pictures and to reread
testimonials. I reassured myself that they do
exist (so someone would pick me up from
the airport) and real people have had great
experiences. I just needed to have some
trust and get on that plane.
Once I made it there, I kept waking up at
5:30 am – thank you jet lag! This was perfect
though. I would eat a handful of cashews (a
Goan staple) and then start to warm up in
the shala as the sun rose. I sat on the side
where a light breeze would drift through
the windows and I could see light creep
into the sky. The shala was quiet despite a
handful of other early risers and a few stray
rooster calls.
We started with a two-hour asana practice
with Parveen. His background in Iyengar
methods (which utilise props and emphasise
alignment) was exactly what I needed to
take my asana practice to the next level.
Using blocks and straps he contorted us
into shapes that were both awkward and
awesome. I developed a greater connection
to my body and yoga through his classes.
Deep learning
In addition to asana practices, we learned
anatomy and physiology, alignment,
meditation, and philosophy, which was the
last class of the day taught by Guru Mukh.
Though practicing asanas was challenging,
meditation and learning philosophy seemed
to take more effort.
I struggled with this part of the training
and began to face feelings like those in my
university class years ago: difficulty finding
stillness and watchfulness. I am sure Guru
Mukh saw my frustrations, yet he continued
to share his stories and guidance, all with
a smile. His teachings are still sinking in
many months later. Every once in a while his
stories come to mind and a light flips on. I
am still learning from him.
During off-time, I explored the historic
sites of Old Goa (a former Portuguese
colony) and perused stalls of spices and
clothes (all at a ‘good’ price, my friend).
Several mornings before class or on off
days, I walked the beach, taking in the moist
air and the sand between my toes. It was
very calming; I had found a place that I could
just ‘be’. Guru Mukh joined me on several
walks: either walking silently beside me or
sharing a story and his sweet laugh.Great food
The food was delicious and accommodated
my gluten-free diet. I worked hard on the
mat every day, which made me feel less
guilty for eating second helpings. Meals were
provided on training days, but I still got to
sample the local cuisine. I even periodically
supplemented my dinner with a walk to a
nearby shop that had delicious date and
cocoa balls. I caught myself a couple of
times returning to my room with cocoa
powder on my face and no regrets.
The people that I met and the experience I
had stays with and still works within me. This
was one of the best decisions that I have
made to figure out and move in the direction
I want to take my life.
I still struggle with stillness and I have
times where I feel like yoga just isn’t for
me. However, one thing that I took from
my experience in Goa and with Siddhi Yoga
is that all of those feelings are okay. And
I still find myself getting up every day and
returning to the mat.Discover more at: siddhiyoga.com“Using blocks and straps he
contorted us into shapes
that were both awkward
and awesome. I developed
a greater connection to
my body and yoga through
his classes.”