21 September, 2015

I had the great honor today to teach one of the last savasanas of the training. It brought me to tears to look out over a room full of my peers and friends as they relaxed peacefully into the final resting pose of the class.

It was a beautiful moment to realize I had just finished my final assignment, and that’s when it hit me that there would have been absolutely no way I could have made it through this entire training without each of them. The teachers and staff provided the amazing framework for the program (and I’m so grateful for them and their infinite insight and wisdom), but it was really my fellow trainees that made the experience so remarkable and memorable.

Together we laughed, cried, studied, practiced, instructed, and offered encouragement when needed most. There are no accidents in this life, and I fully believe each of us was meant to be at the training at the same time.

We graduated later that night, but refused to say goodbye to each other, knowing we would be keeping in touch to share tips, stories, and maybe even plan a few reunions around the world. No matter the distance between us, I think it’s safe to say that we all rubbed off on each other just a bit. 

So, to my sweet friends from Yandara class of Bali 2015, it was an honor to study and train alongside each of you. I hope you know how much you influenced me during such an intense and condensed period of time. I learned so much from each of you, and wanted to thank each of you individually for sharing your gifts …

• To the most hardcore yet graceful chick I’ve ever met … you taught me to embrace my own flexibility even though I coveted yours. Also, I will always think of you when I do/see/hear lion’s breathe.
• To the woman who fixed my dancer pose and made me feel pretty … thank you for teaching me grace and sharing your passion. I can’t wait to hear the stories of how much your students adore you.
• To my beautifully freckled friend … you taught me to speak softly and reminded me of the importance of taking advantage of even the tiniest opportunity for adventure.
• To the woman who defied the odds by coming to an English training program without being fluent in the language … thank you for teaching me that my story is not dictated by how other’s have played out. You changed my world.
• To my hockey playing, burger loving, joke making sister … thanks for keeping your eyes open and reminding me to not take things so seriously.
• To my chakra chica … you shared your knowledge and heart so openly with each of us and I can’t thank you enough for showing up.
• To the pose pro … you were always the first one we’d turn to when we needed help breaking down the best way to sequence poses together. I can’t wait to hear how you end up sequencing your story after your time on the road wraps up.
• To my flash dancing, free spirited villa mate … you opened my world up to new concepts on life and yoga, and I will forever cherish getting to experience your essence.
• To the only boy in the group … thanks for playing along with the ladies and for letting us experience your universe. Yoga reunion on your island?
• To my sweet songbird with the healing touch … there’s no doubt in my mind that our meeting was meant to be, and I can’t thank you enough for teaching me tenderness with such gentle guidance.
• To my sultry mamacita … I loved sharing a common passion for dance, and I still smile when I think about how our classes are going to be identical. Promise you’ll call me every so often so I can hear you say “vinyasa”?!  
• To the youngest yogi in the group … I want to be you when I grow up and I want to be able to pull off red lips like you can. You have no idea how truly rare you are, and I only hope I get to be there when you finally see yourself the way everyone else does.
• To our class angel, your support and wisdom always seemed to come when we needed it the most. Thank you for breaking rules with me and for listening; I’m so glad I got to know you and can call you friend.
• To my mermaid … you are still the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, inside and out. You taught me to slow down and take joy in the pure and simple things in life, like puppies and ocean waves.
• To our curator … thank you for letting us be a part of your journey. I can’t wait to see where your next step takes you.
• To my playmate … I’m not sure anyone missed eating meat as much as we did, hehe. You opened my mind up to different types of classes and I truly hope I can call you up if I ever forget the kid’s yoga songs you taught me!
• To the smartest woman in the room, your strength astounds me. Thank you for your insight and your perspicacity; the group wouldn’t have been the same without you.
• To my sassy Aussie, you’re a fighter and you showed us all what it looks like to stand up for what you believe in. I have two words for you, “And release …”
• And finally, to my dear sweet roomie … I hit the jackpot in the roommate lottery with you. Thank you for putting up with me working at night, talking your ear off, and not judging my ravenous sweet tooth. You are a remarkable woman, and I loved being sisters for 16 days. Please remember me when you’re famous.

Packing tip of the day: At least one nicer dress or outfit. Most people chose to dress up a bit for the graduation ceremony Yandara puts together on the last day. It’s a great way to transition back into heading back to a “world without spandex,” and by this time in the program, it’s just so nice to wear something other than yoga gear!