I released fears & found strength {Lakewood, CO}

Heidi teaches and practices at Container Collective. She works in the veterinary field in emergency and critical care. She took the 200 HR teacher training, and I asked her to share her experience with each of you. Trust me, it's worth the read.​

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“When I first considered teacher training, I had no idea what to expect. I felt that I was in a healthy and secure time in my life, just  looking to find a new way to stay fit. Yoga was very new to me but I fell in love with the practice immediately. I looked at teacher training as an opportunity to challenge myself physically. My hesitations at the time were cost and a little fear of the unknown, but after some thought and support from friends and family, I decided to make an investment in myself and go for it.

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The training was tough as expected, but I instantly improved my practice with step by step breakdowns of each pose. I discovered the importance of breath, proper and safe alignment, what I was doing correctly, where I was way off, and how to push myself. I literally learned a new healthy way to hold and move my body and it felt amazing.

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Meditation taught me that like my body, my mind needs rest. I learned so much about myself just sitting quietly and noticing what came up. My mind was mostly dwelling in  thoughts of the past or worries of the future, and I constantly struggled to pull myself back to the peaceful space of the present moment. As training moved forward, my mat became a sacred place for me to discover all of these things I didn't know about myself, and i learned how to take better care of me, physically and mentally.

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I was not prepared for the self inquiry work within the teacher training program and didn't realize the impact this work would have on me until I was faced with a loss of a friend, and more very difficult life changing events at the beginning of the year. In a very scary time I was able to see opportunity for change and growth. I found myself working through painful feelings, instead of ignoring them and pushing them away. I found strength within myself that I didn't realize was there, and support from my amazing teammates. I watched myself, and 11 other people work through the things that hold us back, and become confident and brighter individuals who had their own style and something unique to teach the community.

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I gained so much more than just being able to teach a JIP yoga class. I have built amazing friendships with a group of people, from different backgrounds who I would have never met without this training. We have a special bond with each other. We offer each other support and respect that is different from other relationships. I have grown as a individual, student, and teacher. I'm better prepared to handle day to day stress and the many challenges we all face in life. I'm showing up in life for myself and others, I'm taking chances, facing my fears, getting involved at work and in my community, and sharing my knowledge with others.

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Teacher training, like yoga, is truly for everyone. Although my intention was not to become a teacher in the beginning of training, I love sharing what I have learned with others. This training reminded me of my worth, and that I wasn't living life to my fullest potential. It taught me to have a new, more positive perspective on the challenges we face in our lives and healthier ways to handle them. For these reasons, I would recommend teacher training to anyone!!"