©Jeffrey Vock
First and foremost: GO
“Always
do what you are afraid to do” --Ralph Waldo Emerson
When the thought of
attending the 500-Hour Life of a Yogi Teacher Training first entered my mind, I
almost automatically dismissed the idea. I had so many reasons NOT to attend (mother of two young
children, travelling husband, a plane ride away from NYC, no housing in the city, etc.)
What I learned was
that when I committed to my dream, the
obstacles fell away. It may take some time, and definitely some effort, but
the result – well, is simply too great to put into mere words. Dive in, take a
chance, and find a way to GO.
Second: Open
your mind and heart
There will be moments
in the training that will challenge you - physically, mentally, spiritually - and you must always remember that is why you are here. Open the whole of your
mind, even the places that you are least aware of: the places that hold onto
resistance. Allow the words, people, experiences, and lessons to pour
into those hidden places. Listen with an open heart and mind, and the
information will be absorbed. Weeks, months after you leave, you will
hear these words and learn these lessons…they will reside in the mind and
heart, and the space you created within.
©Jeffrey Vock
Third: Put forth
effort and use imagination
“Imagination
is powerful. You go as far as you can imagine”-- Sri Dharma Mittra
You are going to be tired
at some point. You will physically and mentally hit the proverbial wall. You
will move past it. I promise you, a second wind comes along and you will be
renewed.
I second-guessed
myself initially, but that fell away after time. My mind let go of the
attachments to thoughts and emotions that often distract us and inhibit us from
fully committing to something. We live in the real world, and the world
does not like to be left behind. It will pull at you, distract you, and
sometimes overwhelm you. Give yourself time to allow these things to come
up. They are natural and they will pass.
Apply disciplined
effort to your practice. Let the physical practice act as a brush to scrub away
at whatever negative tendencies you may have. Let it invigorate you,
regenerate you. Your physical practice will grow by leaps and bounds through
dedication and practice, practice, practice.
Finally, use your
imagination – Sri Dharma talks about this often and it truly resonated with me.
Imagine yourself to be a better person, mother, father, daughter, son, friend,
partner – a better yogi. Use your imagination as fuel to show yourself that
what you pursue is attainable through
effort, dedication, study, and time.
Fourth: Be a Student
“In
learning you will teach and in teaching, you will learn” Phil Collins
Lose all
preconceptions. Take off the teacher hat and allow yourself to commit to being
a student. Listen and learn: from Sri Dharma, the mentors, your fellow
trainees. Watch your own mind and learn how to apply all that you receive
to yourself, your life, your teaching. Apply the lessons to every aspect
of your life. You will be amazed at how the things you are exposed to relate to
your roles in life – as a person, yogi, teacher, parent, child, friend,
partner, spouse. This is truly the LIFE of a yogi training!
Listen as much as
possible. You will want to take notes, but if you can, take time to just be
still and listen. Let go and simply absorb the information and the words.
Listen to other people’s questions and answers and try not to be too eager to
answer them for yourself, even in your own mind. Let other people share, and
let their knowledge and experiences become part of your own.
©Jeffrey Vock
Fifth: Smile, live,
learn, laugh…and do your homework!
“Knowledge
is a treasure, but practice is the key to it” Lao Tzu
Enjoy the training!
Every day, it becomes more of a part of you and integrates itself into your
very being.
Sri Dharma is always quick with a smile and a kind-hearted joke. He understands the power of laughter and the importance of joy. The training will go faster than you think, so soak up every minute! When you leave between sessions or after the final interval, do your homework! Remember that you are going to be able to do it and what’s more, you will enjoy it. After my internship ended, I found that much of the homework has become a part of my daily life. After talking with many other trainees, this is the case with most of us. Carry it forward. Apply it. LIVE it.
Sri Dharma is always quick with a smile and a kind-hearted joke. He understands the power of laughter and the importance of joy. The training will go faster than you think, so soak up every minute! When you leave between sessions or after the final interval, do your homework! Remember that you are going to be able to do it and what’s more, you will enjoy it. After my internship ended, I found that much of the homework has become a part of my daily life. After talking with many other trainees, this is the case with most of us. Carry it forward. Apply it. LIVE it.
Sixth and finally: Go
back
“Well,
sometimes home is a person” --B.Revis
I understand how hard
to is to travel to New York City. Still, I would encourage you to go back as
much as you can. Go home, and by home I mean return to Sri Dharma and be in his presence.
However, if you are
very far and it is not possible for you to physically go, keep in touch with
people through the internet, the phone, however you can to maintain the
connection. I have found myself using Facebook to keep in contact with other
trainees and to touch base with the Center – daily! You can see pictures of Sri
Dharma, the mentors, your friends. You can read quotes from Sri Dharma (and yes,
you hear his voice!) You see familiar faces and smiles and all at once, you are
home.
In closing, ultimately
this experience is a very personal one. I wish that everyone who is undecided
about going could understand one thing – you will never regret going, but you
may regret having never been.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Jennifer has a undergraduate degree in
Psychology and a Master’s Degree with a specialty in Counseling. She had a career as a counselor working with
clients of all ages and backgrounds, in varying environments, with a wide range
of needs and concerns. After her time as
a counselor, Jennifer began her life as a mother, the most rewarding and
challenging career of all. She believes that her education, practice, and
history as a counselor, and mother, play an important role in her yoga practice
and her teaching. She believes strongly that a truly dedicated spiritual and
physical yoga practice can transform, enhance, and expand the life of the
practitioner. Jennifer had the honor to study with Sri Dharma Mittra for both the
LOAY 200- and 500-Hour Teacher Trainings, and recently graduated from the 500-hour
Life of a Yogi Teacher Training. Jennifer studied with numerous other teachers,
but continues to find her strength, inspiration, knowledge, direction, and guidance
from Sri Dharma. She lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband and two
children. Jennifer teaches regular weekly
classes in Virginia Beach and continues to travel to NYC at every available
opportunity to study under Sri Dharma and the Senior Teachers at the NYC Center.
