After weeks of silence from social media and the blog, finally I am back to share my experience and education towards becoming a certified Yoga Teacher.
What started as a thought after the recently acquired certifications in personal training and group classes, soon grew into a serious move. You know what they say.. when it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. And before I knew, I was packing my bags for Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Tyrol, Austria for the month of September to undergo their Teacher’s Training Course (TTC).
How did I feel about this? What did I expect from the place or the people or myself? Will I be able to do this, spend one month away from everyone and commit to what seems like a Gurukula (staying around in the same compound as the teachers and living in the community doing daily chores)? What about the others students, will I settle well in a sharing room with 7 others? While all these questions could have changed my mind, I decided to change my expectations and go with an open mind, see what’s out there and do my best. After 7 months of exploring, ‘Believe in the process’ is my new mantra.
And with one suitcase packed with some loose clothes, a torch, some warm stuff, a blanket, medicines in case of need and other usual stuff, I bid goodbye and took my flight to reach Munich, to be driven to Tyrol. It was a short flight and once in the airport, I felt the excitement, when in the car, I felt curious to know what’s next and after 2 hours of drive with few others in the car, we reached our destination. It was almost 6pm, time for dinner as per the schedule (10am breakfast and 6pm dinner, no other meals) and I was ready to eat. I read about the hotel and the family that runs it, the owners and kids all together, what a beautiful and personal concept in the Alps. Alexandra, the lady I had been corresponding with welcomed me with a smile and after some formalities, was ready to show me the room. By then all of us in the car had introduced ourselves as we were in this together.
Once I walked into the sharing room, I saw 8 beds laid out with sheets and duvet on some, realising the others are vacant, I chose one and made my bed. Leaving everything else untouched, I went to the dinner room in the hotel to meet my new friend. While we chatted and shared stories, journey so far, an Indian lady walked up to me to ask if I was Indian too, as it turned out, she and I were the only Indians in a group of 42 people who came from all spheres to educate themselves. So we were a group of 16 English speaking and 26 German speaking mix of girls and boys, how do I know that? Because, my Karma yoga was to mark attendance daily, in fact every two hours for the English group only, something I chose so I could remember everyone’s names as I am generally bad with that and because I know me, I would be the first few to arrive at every class (my personal discipline). The first night we attended a meditation at 8pm in a hall and not meditating for years now, this wasn’t easy however I stayed focused (or atleast tried). From thereon, my schedule was to be up at 5am to shower and leave the place by 5-30am so the others could use the facility as anyways with the attendance duty, I had to be early by 15 minutes in every session for the month.
The next day was our orientation day, we were called upon individually and handed over a parcel after some initial processions with 3 kinds of marks on our forehead and wished well for the coming month by Swami Vidyanandaji and Swami Ramapriyanandaji for the group. In the pack we received two sets of uniforms and books, we were explained that uniforms keeps us uniformed and soon we changed to look like we belonged to the same family. Yellow is the color of learning, a student (our tshirts) and white trousers were for purity. Then the schedule was read out – 6am meditation, 8am yoga class, 10am breakfast, 12pm Bhagwat Gita lecture, 2pm another lecture (principles, philosophy, anatomy, physiology, etc), 4pm yoga with education, 6pm dinner, 8pm meditation and 10pm lights out. In this one month, I chose not to wear a watch so I can go with the flow and not monitor the schedule. In fact, I didn’t even access my phone for more than 10 minutes in a day, or until expected to be online or connected, because in reality we didn’t have time to be on WiFi unless between classes or after meals or on our day off (Friday).
All of us had chores, from ringing the bell to waking up everyone at 5-30am and again at 5-45am, to gardening, taking care of the boutique, cleaning bathrooms, serving food in the hotel, serving prasad in the hall, putting books & mats in place for meditation and away after and so on. Every day from thereon, we passed in the company of people who had the same goal in mind, to gain from the abundant knowledge available, question (if we would like) the basics of life, our life’s, the life of Swami’s, the faculty, the hotel team and so on. Soon it was evident, I wasn’t the only curious one in the room who wanted answers of questions I didn’t even know existed personally and spiritually.
The concept was simple.. lacto-vegetarian meals, no green or black tea, only herbal tea, no coffee, no non-vegetarian food, no alcohol, no junk although all of this was up to us, if we want we could go our way at our level but not in this Gurukula or hotel. I chose to stick to it, as this was a test of my mind control as well, except I added a snack around 2pm with one banana or almonds so I have energy for yoga class at 4pm, rest was as per the script with maybe a cheat on days off . Before each meal, we would hold hands and say a prayer led by a teacher or Swamiji, until then it was Saburi (patience and perseverance). The routine was on for 6 days of the week with Fridays as our day off. Talk about discipline, this was a Gurukula and the moment I had stepped in, I knew I had to be a good student to be a learnt person. Everyday brought some clarity and I kept listening to signs, some days were non-social days where I didn’t feel chatty and some days I felt light and energetic in this new found life. The best part was, all of us were one, a team, a group who had great interest in each others journey so far and future steps, if someone was unwell, the others would offer their medication. We meditated together, did yoga classes together, ‘wowed’ sometimes at those who did head stand with variations, laughed with those who fell down while trying and tried again. We even saw each other puking during kriyas, blowing our noses with the Neti, putting string in one nostril and taking out from mouth (I tried but landed up with a nose bleed instead), digest a piece of cloth to clean our internal organs (couldn’t digest beyond throat), all guided by experienced Swamiji’s and teachers who demonstrated each kriyas and supported us throughout. I must add that I took the habit of Neti and tongue cleaning forward and now twice a day I do both with brushing, after I wake up and before going to bed, so far I feel great taking care of my body internally. By this time, everyone was in a close knit group with like-minded people while being there for the others too. We ate together, in fact we called our table the ‘family table’, that was a round shaped table open for anyone to join, with cutlery already laid down by the one who came first in our group and people would join. On sunny days, we would be outside in the terrace eating, chatting, laughing and enjoying the view. From hot porridge to soup in the morning along with salads, hot food, bread, cheese and fruits; to dinner with almost everything the same except breakfast specialities were replaced with tasty desserts. After our sumptuous meal and chores for some, we would continue the togetherness as a group who studied together, spoke in lectures, teamed up for yoga classes education, especially during Surya Namaskar counts and process, some snored together in the final relaxation, and finally meditated again while enjoying the prasad in the night, before wishing each other good night.
Once back in room, we chatted a bit more about our individual experiences before we slept. We were 4 students in the sharing room and rest were visitors who came for few days, from 2 days to 2 weeks. We learnt more about their journeys, their experiences, why they were here, if they are regulars or first timers and likewise they wanted to know about our commitment and determination. Everyone here was a friend, whether it was the official pet dog ‘Akash’ or cat ‘Felix’ who joined us while strolling around for yoga in the hall or classes on the platform outdoors and it was all acceptable. Even flies were accepted here, if we were in a close room we didn’t kill them even if they bit us but captured them in our palms and showed them the door. During our early morning silent meditative walks for an hour or 90 minutes, we would see horses, cows and even goats, we would smile at them like an acknowledgement of their presence and move on. One thing I promised myself and that was to accept anything new hence even though I had never done headstand before, my thoughts were to give it a shot. As I saw the other skilled ones perform, I felt like doing it even more with patience, they say it’s mental and only when your body is ready will you be able to do it, it might take months or even years. During my first attempt itself, I knew this is for me and from day 1 I tried it every day, after few days I felt improvement and after 4 weeks and few falls, I knew I was almost there, just needed to practise more. Upto this very moment, I am still trying, still getting half way up and still falling. Some days are good as the fall is more controlled however I make sure the area I practise in is safe to fall.
Come Fridays, we would split after morning meditation, we all had our own agenda, some went hiking, some for a traditional massage, sauna, explore the close towns and some decided to stay in and rest or study. Few of us would walk to a spot I like to call a ‘happy place’ which was shown to us during one of our silent meditation walks in the mornings led by Swami Vidyanandaji as we followed her in a line like a leader guiding her team, no questions asked and no conversations. I loved the spot, so quiet, calm and peaceful, just watching the mountains and clouds. We even took our yoga mats there to do some Surya namaskars and it also became our favourite spot to pose for pictures. My first two weekends were full of rest and one yoga class that I would go to at 4pm, as I enjoyed the two-hour session, this day we would join the guests for one common class. We had some simple and cultural touches to our evening meditation sessions, from having a classical bharatnatyam dancer to explain one night about the dance and concept, which was new to many, and her performing the next day, reminded me of my school days in India. Once we had 7 days reading of a religious book and one of my best nights was the Abhisheka bath to Lord Siva in Ganesha room, a room that was filled with energy, also a room where we often had afternoon yoga sessions. One night we sang 1000 names of Vishnu with rice offering from our individual bowls onto a napkin with every ‘namah’ at the end of the name said by the priest, to 100 plus names of another Lord. Some nights we saw the inspiring videos of the journeys of Swami Sivanandajj and Swami Vishnusdevanandaji, made us even more curious about their lives, belief and creations. After the evening meditation, we used to sing, a lot. As a group we followed what the teachers and Swamiji’s sang and sometimes we were asked to lead a song if we pleased.
Then came my special day, my birthday! Although I had no expectations from the day, I knew there would be a card and an ayurvedic cake, as we celebrated another friend’s birthday few days before mine. I felt different since the start of the day, in a nice way, here I was on the day that was a big celebration last year, to spend it with so many strangers who are now either acquaintances or friends. The morning started perfectly as this was the day we were going to be assigned a mantra from our chosen deity and since I was born on Monday, it was Lord Siva. At 6am, with a tray designed by us with 2 fruits and some flowers, we waited in the boutique outside Ganesh a room for our turn and when three of us were called, I followed the teacher to a room called Hanuman room, by far this room had the best energy (I felt it every time I stepped in). I say that because once before we had a class there and it was amazing, I had the best meditation ever. SwamiJi guided us through the procedures and we sat in Sukasana listening to her chant with our eyes closed and then we repeated. Suddenly I felt a strange energy that started from my spine to the heart and when my heart felt heavy, she somehow read my mind and said “now feel it in your heart”. I knew this room was special, and I was happy to receive my mantra here. Once we concluded, we went to the meditation room to meditate for some time and absorb this experience before meeting the others at our favourite spot in the hotel to sip some herbal tea and exchange notes. This process was not a compulsion, but a choice so the others who didn’t want a mantra, went for silent walk instead. At 8am was our yoga class, until then we were quiet, in our own zone and still feeling our experiences. What amazed me was how one by one, so many people left their mats (when in Savasana) to hug and wish me as I entered and with every hug I got, I gave one back. The day was already magical, and I was blessed even by family and friends, all the messages that came through from childhood friends to school, college and work buddies and countless hugs here. What more could I ask for? During the day, we studied as usual and in the evening dinner time came the special cake with candles on it and a card with everyone’s wishes. Yes I was away from family and friends, but these guys made it even more special as for them I am Ganga (my spiritual name, meaning ‘most sacred river, representing the flow of the divine consciousness).
This place was magical, any time we got, we would walk out in the mountains, choose any direction that eventually led somewhere and back, surprisingly never getting lost. Even on my own, I would pack my bags and just walk and walk, stopping at a new place every time and capturing it with my phone. When with others, we would talk about our past, future and dreams like there was something in their stories for me to know, as if they were messengers, here for a reason or vice versa I had something to share. Sometimes we would walk to the Church close by, the supermarket, check out the honey stock in a nearby place that was sold out of a window setup, or simply observe the nature, feel the freshness. How we passed the next 4 weeks, I don’t know but what I do know is that when you open your mind to change and acceptance, everything else falls into place. Like Swami Sivanandaji said – ADAPT, ADJUST, ACCOMMODATE.
Soon came the day for our exam and while all of this was a great experience, learning around 120 sanskrit words was not that easy. With awareness of what will be asked, I made my notes on the last Friday (day off) and walked to the first red bench I saw towards the mountains and sat to read loudly, surprisingly this was working and I understood what we were taught. Maybe my brain had opened up to learning, maybe I was ready to be a student again and I started storing everything in my conscious mind to extract later. Come Saturday, starting at 8am, we commenced our final paper and not realising who came or left the room, I wrote for 3 hours non-stop, how much had we learnt or registered in our mind was all coming out, I wrote logic, philosophy, principles and stories. This might be the first paper that didn’t need discussing after, who wrote what for which question, as it seemed everyone knew what they had written or didn’t feel like knowing if they had an incorrect answer. A well deserved break and few hours later was our graduation. Swami Ramapriyanandaji started the afternoon with the words ‘Congratulations, you all have passed!’ and we clapped like no tomorrow and laughed. Then the final ceremony started with handing over each certificate, basically picture time. By then our emotional side had kicked in, as soon we would start saying our byes and go our own ways. So after the ceremony, we started our rounds of hugging each other, some were in tears, maybe some were relieved as they could go home and see their family, sleep in their beds or eat their desired food again. For the rest of us, the dinner meet was special, as after a month of healthy food it was pizza night. Some were super excited, for me by now I was used to my meals, so somehow one piece was enough to pamper me. After handing over some thank you cards, giving final hugs, wishing people well, hiding tears and attending the final morning meditation, with heavy heart I bid goodbye to this place that felt like home and people who became a part of my life. I promised myself to keep up with the meditation and yoga practises as well as the diet plan as much as I can and almost a month later now, I have proudly maintained it.
Each person I met taught me something, even the silent walks in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings. It taught me to be patient, absorb what’s around us, admire the nature, watch each step as travelers who had been on this journey before had left marks for us to follow, listen to our minds, appreciate everything, everyone and acknowledge what one feels. They always told us that when you are trying to meditate, allow your mind to wander, feel what you do, accept it and then let it go instead of closing it.
Will I go back? Will I do another course? Will I stay in touch with the others? Will our paths meet again? The answer is Yes! This is the belief I have gained, the faith in this universe and the process of life, if it’s meant to be it’s meant to be and when its your time to adapt or bring a change, you will know, just follow the signs like I did. We are surrounded with angels, we just need to open our mind and heart to listen and the rest will fall into place, if we believe in it.
