My Yoga Journey to Becoming a Meditation Teacher

Discouraged and dissatisfied. Those are two words I would have used to describe my life two decades ago. I wanted something more. I craved peace, stillness, and joy and to reclaim the pieces of myself I neglected over the years. 

In late winter 2002, I entertained the idea of taking a yoga. At that time, there was a single yoga class near me, and our schedules did not coincide. Weeks passed, and everywhere I turned, something tugged at me, strengthening my desire to explore yoga, but how?

Brilliantly, I mustered the courage to explore two prominent yoga teacher training schools in Chicago. I received information from each, but which to choose? I lacked the self-confidence to make the "right" decision. So I asked the Universe to send me a sign. Within days, I received additional information from one school. I was excited, and just as quick, my ego jumped in to shoot down my excitement, and doubt set in. Naturally, I asked the Universe for another sign, but this time, I clarified by requesting a "clear sign," so I don't miss it. The Universe ever so patiently obliged, and again and again, I asked for a clear sign. I am sure, if physically possible, the Universe would have smacked me in the head. With patience and grace, the Universe sent me another sign. This one had details on how to sign up for the upcoming yoga teacher training program beginning that September. I summoned up the courage to sign up, my first step on my yoga journey and to become a meditation teacher. Fast forward...

First day of class. A blend of nervousness, excitement, and self-doubt flowed through me. The only thing I knew about yoga was from the 1970s show Lilias, Yoga & You which my mom would occasionally do when I was a child. As everyone was settled together in the temple, seated on the floor, the lead instructor asked if anyone had not practiced yoga before. Without hesitation or thinking, I began to raise my hand. As I scanned the room for others, because surely there would be others, after all, this is a training program. Yet to my immediate horror, no one else raised their hand. My solitary hand was about 2/3 of the way up. Too late, I was spotted. It was embarrassingly enough I was called out, and then horrifically asked to stand. One instructor asked inquisitively (paraphrased), "You, in the back..." because naturally, I sat as far back from the front as I could, "...you haven't practiced before?" My nervous system was on overdrive, my heart was racing, I could hardly breathe, I was sweating, and 50 shades of red. I mustered up enough breath to utter something like,  I wanted to learn yoga so I could do it at home. Honestly, I cannot fully recall what anyone said at that moment. I faintly remember being invited to sit back down, which was welcomed as my legs felt like jello (vegetarian of course). 

We were split into two groups and then into pairs. I was paired with a lovely man who was kind and gracious. He shared words of encouragement and the poses we were working on, which he kindly helped me with. I made my closest and dearest friends during those nine months of training. Although many of us have moved across the country, we stay connected. Following my inner wisdom, with a few nudges, led me to become a teacher and eventually a meditation teacher. 

Initially, I didn't intend to teach, but the Universe already had a plan for me. One month after graduating from the Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago, I was asked to teach my first yoga class. Which is a story for another time. Since that first class, well, maybe by the fourth or fifth, I fell in love with teaching yoga and have not looked back. 

I learned that I am braver than I gave myself credit for. Learned to trust my inner wisdom (which is a work in progress). To trust the Universe has my back and has a plan more spectacular than I could ever imagine.