First Onsite Class: Buzzing with Delight

My first in-person yoga teacher training class is complete, and I am absolutely buzzing with delight! Every ounce of preparation was worth it. The teaching team put me at ease and the group energy was just fantastic.

The class was large – 25 students (though a few may drop out within the 35-day fully refundable period), supported by 4 volunteer assistants and two lead teachers.

The commute went smoothly, though I cut it a little close for my grab-and-go coffee. I made excellent time on the way home – just 80 minutes despite the rain. Still, I know dark winter evenings will make the drive more tiring, so I’ll need to prepare myself for that.

During The Day

The content was wonderfully paced and varied:

• Welcome & Introductions
• Long embodied yoga practice – beautifully guided, ending with restorative postures pre-savasana. We were encouraged to use our rolled mats as bolsters. (Note to self: bring my sturdier mat next class, my lighter one didn’t cut it!)
• Coffee & break
• Icebreakers – metaphorical, fast-paced, a little overwhelming but a good way to meet people.
• Lunch – I enjoyed great conversation and a halloumi burger with fellow students.
• More “metaphorical” activities/icebreakers – playful, thought-provoking.
• Partner exercise, Downward Dog – we wrote out how we enter, experience, and exit the pose as individuals, and then taught it to each other. Timing was tight, so sadly I only experienced being the student. I held onto my disappointment longer than I’d like, but I’ll ask a peer to redo it with me and maybe record myself teaching it too to assess.
• Note to self: Next month’s posture focus is Cat-Cow!
• Anatomy Lesson #1: The Feet – fascinating start.
• Closing Circle – I left feeling both dedicated and deeply inspired.

💭Reflections

Being a student again is intense, but when I love the subject, I thrive on the challenge of giving it my full attention.

✨Takeaways

• Preparation pays off.
• Restorative yoga at the close of practice is pure magic.
• Group energy is both exciting and nerve-wracking, but community is forming.
• This pacing seems like a good fit for me.

🔮Looking Ahead

Next month, Cat-Cow awaits, alongside deeper dives into anatomy. I’ll be more mindful of my mat choice, give myself extra time for coffee before and during practice, and continue leaning into this journey of discovery.