Author: jackiesuepowell

Why I Became a Yoga Teacher

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Mimi Rieger (hyperlink: mimiriegeryoga.com) put together a hand-selected group of DC-based yogis for my first yoga teacher training experience. Over the five months we went through a lot, constantly learning and reflecting together.

Mimi Rieger put together a hand-selected group of DC-based yogis for my first yoga teacher training experience. Over the five months we went through a lot, constantly learning and reflecting together.

**Note: I wrote this about 4 weeks ago, and it is even more relevant to me now as I travel through Israel and Palestine, experiencing a range of emotions and encountering extraordinary people. More thoughts on this journey to come soon.

All yogis have different reasons for taking their first yoga teach training. Many of my initial reasons were selfish: to make new friends, have an extra activity to pass another DC winter, and “deepen” my own practice — whatever that meant.

However, with reflection and time on and off the mat I figured out what deepening meant for me. I was at a point in my life that I wanted to invest in myself. Before I would invest in myself by purchasing a plane ticket somewhere new to learn about a new culture or geography. This time the journey would be internal — a self discovery.

Throughout the five-month teacher training course, we were encouraged to reflect by journaling. Hawah provided us with excellent prompts on how to relate our on the mat experiences to the rest of our lives. Through these journaling exercises, I began to see a greater purpose for my teacher training experience.

I found that yoga goes beyond my practice — it goes way beyond the “I” and transcends into how I choose to react and treat others. When practiced correctly, yoga changes the way we experience the world.

I became a yoga teacher to change our experience.

Committing to a New Journey

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Check out my Tedx Talk on the Taboos of Poo at Gettysburg College in 2013

This isn’t the first time I’ve packed my life into one backpack and headed to a new destination with no plan. Instead of a plan, I carry a longing to discover, learn, and be surprised. Nothing concrete, everything malleable — easily shaped into something new and formerly unknown.

I did this the first time in 2010 after graduating from college. While studying abroad in Bolivia I learned about the 2000 Water War in Cochabamba. I became passionate finding solutions to the global water, sanitation, and hygiene crisis, and applied to jobs and internships through idealist.org. After a handful of offers, I decided to try my luck in Guatemala with an organization building rainwater catchment tanks. Within the first few weeks I realized the fit wasn’t right. However, through that experience I was introduced to a water organization with more experience and was offered a job.

Because of my eagerness to learn, I absorbed all information I could about basic engineering and construction management. I connected with the Peace Corps in Guatemala where I trained and advised volunteers on appropriate technology and practices.

The series of experiences that led to a successful and productive two years in Guatemala reminds me of Ralph Waldo Emerson quote:

Do not follow where the path made lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Each one of us is a unique individual and no matter our age or experiences, there is always a new trail to forge. Instead of weighing pros and cons of an opportunity, I ask myself if I am ready for a new commitment, journey, and reality that only I can create. if the answer is yes, then I go.

Working with the director of Agua Para La Salud, Lynn Roberts. He later provided me with my second job in Guatemala and became a mentor and friend.

Working with the director of Agua Para La Salud, Lynn Roberts. He later provided me with my second job in Guatemala and became a mentor and friend.

If you do anything in your life, do the Camino

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Resting half pigeon helped me throughout the camino

Resting half pigeon helped me throughout the camino

There are many ¨caminos¨ (aka: The Way), both official and unofficial. I choose to start on the more popular Camino Frances that makes its way across northern Spain from the French border finishing in Finisterre. I walked for 10 days averaging 15 miles (about 24 kilometers) per day. Although I was alone for the first seven days (my friend Natalie joined for the final three days), I was never truly alone. There were other pilgrims from all over the world who I could talk to either while walking or at the end of the day over a beer and tapas.

One of the reoccurring reminders I received on the camino (which came with an Australian accent) was to make sure I was doing my camino. This reminded me that there was no right or wrong way to do it.

  • If I needed to only walk 8 miles the second day because of tired, unadjusted feet, it´s okay.

  • If I needed to stay in private hostel instead of a 100 bed per room public hostel, it´s okay.

  • If I stopped for an hour to read a book and eat lunch at 10am, it´s okay.

  • If I needed to take a taxi on the last day because of hurricane-like winds and rains, it´s okay.

These decisions were part of my camino. After a few days walking, observing other´s caminos I found my own rhythm and inner compass. No matter what, I was always progressing.

If you´re interested to learn more about the camino there are many books and a movie with Martin Sheen (who is from Galicia!) called The Way. Paulo Coelho first was inspired to write after walking the Camino Frances. His first book was The Pilgrimage. Maybe you will be inspired by these works, but ultimately it´s up to you to choose your way.