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I'm so excited to make the online introduction of the Santorini Namaslay® Yoga Teacher Training Trainees to the YBC® community! Today we’re getting to know our trainees a little better by having them answer three questions. Our training starts in April, and I couldn't be more excited as it’s the first one we’ve ever done in Greece! This will be the third Namaslay® 200hr YTT and they just keep getting better and better. It’s amazing to watch these students grow, transform and bond through this process. You can follow our training on Instagram and keep a close eye on the blog, as some of them will be doing guest posts about their journey. If you’re thinking of joining one of our YTTs, there are two more chances this year, the weekend version starting this June in Connecticut, and in August we’ll be back in Tennessee for an intensive training. You can sign up here.
Leah W.
If you could have tea or coffee with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? Coffee with Albert Einstein! How he viewed the world, paired with his curiosity and brilliance, led to theories that have only recently been proven. I would love to get just a glimpse into the workings of that brain, and he also seemed to have been incredibly funny.
What is one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Be single, and I mean, truly single. Not on Tinder, not "keeping options open", but wind in the hair, devil-may-care, rocking yourself as a solo voyager of life. When you know you don't need to rely on others for contentment it makes a solid relationship that much sweeter.
What is one important skill you think everyone should have? Listen well.
Give her a follow on IG @minimally_leah
Anita S.
What books have you gifted the most to other people? Tuesdays with Morrie, The Secret, For One More Day.
In three words, what advice would you give to your younger self? Trust the timing.
If you could relive one moment in your life, what would it be and why? My most memorable moment was stepping foot inside my beautiful New York City apartment for the first time. My experiences of living in my favorite city in the world was already a dream come true for me, so walking into my own apartment that I worked so hard to find was magical. I would love to rewind and relive the first time I made it up my 4-story walk-up apartment (out of breath and all!) As soon as I entered the flat, I knew I was home! From this, I learned that you can make anything happen - as long as you stay focused, hopeful and patient. 38 East 38th Street will always have a special place in my heart!
Give her a follow on IG @life.of.anita
Hillary C.
What is one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Get out of your comfort zone and take a wild chance, set a big goal or say yes to a fun adventure.
In three words, what advice would you give to your younger self? Believe in YOU!
Share two truths and a lie about yourself:
I have a passion for experiencing as much as I can in this world
I love to make others smile with good energy.
I am confident I know what I am doing.
Lie: I have no idea what I’m doing!
Give her a follow on IG @Hi_Crooks
Francesca V.
What is one important skill you think everyone should have? Being kind to ourselves and others.
What would you put on a billboard? When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. -Wayne Dyer
In three words, what advice would you give to your younger self? Love yourself first. And, follow your heart.
Give her a follow on IG @cesca.rose.blog
Kaitlin R.
What is one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? I think everyone should do a solo trip! You learn so much about yourself, about what you’re capable of on your own and at least for myself I was able to breakthrough some fears and tap into my inner strength!
What books have you gifted the most to other people? The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz
In three words, what advice would you give to your younger self? Keep your head high this phase is only temporary, keep moving forward one step at a time. The only acceptance you should seek is that from yourself! The more loving and kind you are to yourself will allow you to gain the confidence to create more loving, kind, and deep relationships with other people not the other way around.
Give her a follow on IG @kaitlin.edge.fitness
Débora K.
What is one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Packing their basic needs and traveling somewhere for a longer time than just normal holiday, and most importantly, without a plan. No work (or just work for shelter), no schedules, no nothing. I think this is so important if we want to get to know ourselves better and really dive into different cultures.. Also a temporary time-off from our busy capitalist system is medicine for the soul, i believe so!
What is one important skill you think everyone should have? Empathy!
Share two truths and a lie about yourself:
I can communicate in 5 languages.
I have an identical twin sister i've never met.
I have a pollen-allergy that is so extreme, it can make me sneeze non-stop for up to 20 minutes!
Lie: No identical twin sister…so very not original!
Give her a follow on IG @debitheyogi
Alexandra C.
What is one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? I think that everyone should live in another country at least once in their lives! Live in a place for a few months, see a different culture, learn from others and realize that at the end of the day we are all pretty similar. Our differences just make this world more interesting.
What is one important skill you think everyone should have? To be able to observe the world around you without judgement but with curiosity and acceptance.
In three words, what advice would you give to your younger self? Stress less please!
Give her a follow on IG @alexcle3
Lily P.
If you could have tea or coffee with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? I would love to sit and have tea with Ellen DeGeneres because her shows always make me have a good laugh! I'm a strong believer that tea and laughter are good for the soul.
What is one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Face a fear and leave your comfort zone because once it is faced you will find there are many new self-realizations and adventures out of that zone.
What would you put on a billboard?Have you smiled today?
Give her a follow on IG @lilyyyyp
Kara D.
If you could have tea or coffee with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? If I could speak with anyone, even just for five minutes, it would be Terry Gross from the National Public Radio show, "Fresh Air." I love the subjects she chooses to delve into, and how she manages to be inquisitive and respectful at the same time. She's not afraid to ask powerful and influential people hard questions, and I value that.
What is one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? I think everyone should try to travel to a foreign country at least once in their lives. I've studied, worked and traveled abroad quite a bit, and have learned so much about what I do and don't need in order to be well. More than that, when I travel, the way I've always done things is thrown into question. I start to think about whether or not there is a better way to learn, work, socialize, love, and live. I return home from each experience with so much appreciation for my life, but also more perspective on what I value and don't value in the world. It might be idealistic, but I think people are more likely to be kind towards foreigners, and willing to change their habits, once they've been a foreigner themselves. We could use a little bit more kindness and introspection in the world.
One thing people might be surprised to know about you? I was born and raised in Hawai'i! I don't fit the image many people have of a pacific islander, so people are often surprised to hear that. Growing up outside of the continental United States in a culturally diverse area, and close to nature has formed me to think of the world from the periphery. I often feel like I have an invisible umbilical cord anchored in Hawai'i, tugging at me wherever I go, and I can't stay away for too long. I'm not yet sure how I am going to reconcile my passion for speaking French with my desire to be near home base. Maybe I'll teach yoga in French, in Hawai'i. One never knows.
Give her a follow on IG @karadonovan808
Larissa S.
Share two truths and a lie about yourself. (*lie revealed after last question)
1. My hair is constantly annoying me. When it gets really bad I just cut my hair at night and surprise my boyfriend with chin-length hair in the morning.
2. I am a total cat person and own 3 little kitties (Charles, Daisy and Lily).
3. I spend my semester abroad in Helsinki, Finland because I didn't want to go to Spain in winter - and fell in love with this city.
2. One thing people might be surprised to know about you? I listen to music almost all the time. And I listen to all the music! I have a playlist with all the good music I love. First songs could be by The Beatles and Rammstein, followed by Taylor Swift, The Doors, some good 90s Hip Hop, Avicii and Flogging Molly.
3. In three words, what advice would you give to your younger self? Don't be afraid!
*Lie: Biggest Lie ever - I am a dog lady through and through. I would probably talk more to your dog than with you.
Give her a follow on IG @lari.slr
Jenner M.
What is one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Travel, travel, travel.
2. One thing people might be surprised to know about you? I grew up in Juneau, Alaska.
3. In three words, what advice would you give to your younger self? Let it go.
Give her a follow on IG @jennermaher
Julian G.
If you could have tea or coffee with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why? It would most likely be my Mom’s grandmother. Why? I hear so many stories from her and about her character and essence of the woman she was. She was compassionate and always willing to lend a helping hand when people were in need. I just want to hear her stories and get to understand and know more about my karmic imprint. I like to think I am like her based on the things that I hear.
What is one thing you think everyone should do at least once in their lives? Travel! Its such an experience to see the world out there. The cultures, the food, the people. It makes you appreciate this our place much more.
In three words, what advice would you give to your younger self? As rudimentary as it may sound it truly is : JUST DO IT!
Give him a follow on IG @julezfit