The countdown to Namaslay® YTT Tennessee continues, and we’re only a couple of weeks away from the next step in the yoga journeys of these talented trainees. If you’ve never taken a 200 hour yoga teacher training before, there are typically two formats: meeting for a few weekends or weeknights across several weeks (maybe even months), and intensive immersions where the students stay on-site and learn all day everyday for around 3 weeks until they’ve mastered the basics in anatomy, sequencing and yogic principles. There are pros and cons to each format, depending on your lifestyle and other responsibilities, but I personally love these intensive format trainings. They allow a special space for tuning out the outside world and honing in on the practice and learning, and in a shorter time frame, teachers are ready to start leading yoga practices. The bonding and connections made at these trainings brings me and my team so much joy, and I’m already excited we’re planning to to do this again in Santorini next April. As you might imagine, though, 3 weeks away from home requires a bit more planning, so we checked in with some of our trainees to see how they are preparing for training. Read on to see what they’re up to, and follow along on IG to see them kick off their experience in Mountain City, Tennessee!
Laura G.
What changes to your daily routine or lifestyle have you made in preparation for this training? How's that change going for you? What's tough, what's easy?
I have been focusing a lot on my sleeping habits and my morning routine. Waking up early and actually taking the time to meditate, do yoga and have a good breakfast has been my goal. Meditation is really difficult for me, so that's a work in progress, but everything else has been leaving me feeling really good and more energized, which has been really cool.
Do you have any tips for packing, travel in general or getting through a flight or long drive?
My long drive survival tip is to have a fun playlist at the ready that you can jam out to and travel snacks that are easy to get into and eat. The occasional podcast keeps things interesting too.
What's your strategy for dealing with missing people/pets/home while you're away at the intensive teacher training?
I am just hoping that I'm going to be so focused on the training and everything going on that I'll stay distracted enough not to think about everyone that I miss. If that fails...There are lots of pictures and a couple of messaging apps ready on my phone.
Follow Laura on IG @laur_g21
Maddie B.
What changes to your daily routine or lifestyle have you made in preparation for this training? How's that change going for you? What's tough, what's easy?
I've been getting up earlier, which has been super hard for me but it gets easier every day! I've been going to hot yoga and will be going several more times so I'm ready for long days in hot weather. I've also been meditating daily and journaling!
What are you most excited about at YTT?
I'm most excited to meet an amazing group of new people and go deep to learn more about myself at the same time. I'm also so excited about the healthy new habits I'll begin at training!
What's your strategy for dealing with missing people/pets/home while you're away at the intensive teacher training?
This is going to be a huge struggle for me because I am reallllly attached to my pups. I'd be lying if I said I weren't super nervous, but I plan on facetiming with my boyfriend and pups, and my family as much as possible. Every time I'm anxious about it I remind myself of the person I dream of being and how much I am going to grow from this experience!
Follow Maddie on IG @holistikrootsyoga
Melanie C.
What changes to your daily routine or lifestyle have you made in preparation for this training? How's that change going for you? What's tough, what's easy?
A change I’ve made to my lifestyle is incorporating daily meditation. I have been wanting to meditate more and knowing that we will practice daily at training gave me the motivation to make it habit. So far I’ve gotten past the 90-day meditation mark, so it’s almost second nature. The only challenge is doing it before 6am workouts!
What are you most excited about at YTT?
Meeting and connecting with others that are embarking on this yoga journey!
What's been the best part of prepping for the YTT? What's been the worst? Why?
The best and worst part of training has been the reading. A good portion of the reading has been enlightening and inspiring. I definitely feel like a better person for having read them, however some of books have been tough to really get into.
Follow Melanie on IG @yogistylebymel and @sweet_melabu
Joanna W.
What changes to your daily routine or lifestyle have you made in preparation for this training? How's that change going for you? What's tough, what's easy?
I've tried to add new and different forms of exercise in my routine. I went to a spin class, I've done some HIIT workouts, I've been working out on this outdoor fitness court where I live. I, also, like to hike and have been trying to get on the trails more often.
What unexpected or quirky thing will you be packing for your YTT?
Cholula Hot Sauce. I put it on everything
What's been the best part of prepping for the YTT? What's been the worst? Why?
The best part has been learning so much about yoga through reading, studying, and taking different classes that I never would have. The worst part has been the nerves and the self doubt.
Follow Joanna on IG @joanna_wren
Laura T.
What changes to your daily routine or lifestyle have you made in preparation for this training? How's that change going for you? What's tough, what's easy?
In preparation of Yoga Teacher Training, we were assigned a group of books to read. As I began reading the books that discussed the yogic lifestyle, I began to incorporate pranayama practice and meditation daily. These practices have increased my patience, peace and joy. I am less reactive to negative situations and have a more mellow attitude towards life.
Do you have any tips for packing, travel in general or getting through a flight or long drive?
The best tip for anyone who is traveling is simplicity. Just the basic necessities. Less choices and clutter make for more peace and fun!
What's your strategy for dealing with missing people/pets/home while you're away at the intensive teacher training?
I believe focusing on the goal of my certification will allow me to lessen the feelings of sadness towards missing my family, especially my husband and dog. Having a goal makes it easier to be okay with leaving for a short time.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the next update from our trainees as they begin Namaslay® Yoga Teacher Training. They’ll be taking over the @namaslayytt account on Instagram for social media assignments and checking back in here a few more times. If you have any questions for them, leave them in the comments! We’ll host another well rounded 200 hour intensive training in Santorini, Greece next April, to prepare more teachers to lead safe, accessible and inspiring yoga classes with a good dose of entrepreneurship and personal growth. You can read more about our Santorini training here and apply to join us here!