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Humility, Openness, Gratitude

By Julia Jonson Cohn

April 8, 2011. Teacher training is over. On our final day together I thought the room would be filled with tears… but instead there was a calm happiness. A knowing that even though this leg of the journey had come to an end, we were about to experience another new beginning. When I signed up for this program, I thought my biggest lessons would be learning the best ways to teach alignment in poses and then putting them together in really smart sequences. I did learn all about that, but there was so much more. I’ve always understood that yoga balances energy in the body/mind… but now I am directly in touch with my spirit as a result of this experience. 

The three qualities that I feel now embody my personal mission statement for teaching are these:

1. Humility. I consider it the highest honor to be one who shares the wisdom of this ancient practice of yoga. I am aware that the participants who step into any class I might be conducting are going to be my greatest teachers. And they already have! I also know that being a non-judging observer of life will not only help me to deepen my own practice, but will help me connect more deeply with those who seek me out for class.

2. Openness. The world seems much less complicated and things more clear now that I have connected with the essence of who I am. I have gained the ability to be much more empathetic with all people… even those who I used to view as the biggest obstacles to my own happiness. Now I know my happiness and peacefulness only depends on me… and not losing my connection to my Self. I pledge to convey this awareness to others and share my personal experiences with students.

3. Gratitude. Being grateful for everything that happens is far from an easy practice. I really do view every tough time and every good time as an opportunity for growth because I am thankful for my life. I used to walk around with a “why me” attitude, but now I think why not me… Every hardship has helped me grow in leaps and bounds. I’m not to the point of saying “bring it on.” However, embracing the dark and the light the ups and downs has certainly gotten easier.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my teachers Silvia and Rachel. You probably don’t even know the scope of how you have changed my life (and certainly many others) forever. Thank you to my fellow students. It was no coincidence the Universe brought us together. This is not the end. I love you all.

OCTOBER 13, 2010.  So today I begin my last Teacher Training at TBY.  What an amazing 9 groups of trainees I've had the pleasure of teaching all these years!  I've learned more from them than they could possibly have learned from me.  
And I have slowly turned over the program little by little to other great local teachers to carry on this legacy.  Rachel Dewan is co teaching this Fall program with me and Mary Scudella and Mara Campbell are taking over the Winter program that starts in January runs until July.  

In the words of the Grateful Dead, "What a long strange trip its been."

And me? Well I will still be teaching teachers. It is my passion, my life's mission and I will do so remotely, virtually and in person in various locations that open their hearts up to me.  I trust my voice will still be heard in helping nurture other teachers to find their own voices.  It was never about fitting a teacher trainee into a set mold, it was always about the organic nature of evolution and individual transformation.  And it still is.

So stay tuned, if you live local sign up for Mary and Mara or Rachel next Fall. And if you want to enjoy a destination Teacher Training then join me in 2011 for some fantastic spiritual adventuring!  Love yourself, love your day, love your life, Silvia

PS What have I learned in 9 teacher trainings? Be Yourself. The best teachers remain students.  God made you funky. (obviously the 200 hours together went into more detail....)

"It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well."  --  Henri Frederic Amiel

JULY 19, 2010.  I want to take a moment to congratulate and thank the 2010 teacher training graduates. These unbelievably inspiring teachers have spent over 200 hours enthusiastically studying a Syllabus that Includes:

• Techniques 100 Contact Hours/15 Non Contact Hours: Includes asanas, pranayamas and meditation. These hours include both training in the techniques and the practice of them.
• Teaching Methodology 25 Contact Hours/6 Non Contact Hours: Principles of demonstration, observation, assisting/correcting, instruction, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, and the student's process of learning.
• Anatomy and Physiology 14 Contact Hours/6 Non Contact Hours: We will incorporate awareness of physical and subtle anatomy throughout training.
• Philosophy, Ethics, & Lifestyle 20 Contact Hours/10 Non Contact Hours: Study of Yoga Philosophy (Yamas, Niyamas), Yoga Scriptures (Yoga Sutras), ethics for yoga teachers, 'living the life of the yogi'
• Practicum 10 Contact Hours: Includes observing and assisting (both adjusting and enhancing students) in classes taught by others. 5 hours of assistant teaching, 5 hours of observing classes
• Independent Study 10 Contact Hours/5 Non Contact Hours: these hours will include assigned reading, asana sheets of 60 poses, workshops, and 5 hours of Karma Yoga Student Teaching for free to your community.

To see this level of dedication or studentship known as adhikara was deeply profound. I thank you all for bringing your Best Selves!  You are already amazing teachers, for the BEST teachers of yoga or of life are those that remain lifelong STUDENTS!  Big love to you all, Silvia

2010 TRAINEES (RYT PENDING)

1.       Laura Mills

2.       Janeen Paul

3.       Laura Zavala

4.       Kendra Charts

5.       Nikki Jewell

6.       Deidre Person

7.       Carrie Wilhelm

8.       Sherri Browdy

9.       Alexandra Mlynarczyk

10.     Christine Bjorkquist

11.      Eileen Estrem

12.      Jaime Foss

13.      Jen Fabri

14.      Karin DeCicco

15.      Linda Benton

16.      Nadine LaPointe

17.      Susan Cartwright