BBYTT Cohort One - Weekend 1 Recap
It was a bright and sunny day as Stacy and I (Joella) packed my car eagerly excited to hit the road for our first yoga teacher training weekend. “ Are you ready?” I asked Stacy. We jumped into my chevy SUV, coffee in hand, and both agreed that we had been waiting a long time for this moment, amidst the pandemic. This was a weekend where we were able to come together, practice yoga, breathe in fresh air, and for a moment, allow a sense of ‘normalcy’ to trickle back in.
Upon our arrival to Camp Olson, a beautiful YMCA camp just outside of Longville, MN surrounded by lush greenery, open fields, and about 30 horses, we knew we were home. This was our first time seeing this magical place Bryana had talked up for quite some time and our senses ran wild as we stepped out of my car and took a moment to let it all settle in.
February was the last time the three of us had come together as Boreal Bliss. Yet, we never seem to miss a beat with conversation, always able to pick up right where we left off. How lucky we are to operate a business with our best gal pals. How excited we were too, once again, to be in each other's presence.
Eagerly awaiting the arrival of our very first YTT (yoga teacher training) Cohort, we finished the last little touches of our outdoor classroom to assure a welcoming environment. These ladies had never met each other before this weekend, aside from a quick zoom intro a few weeks prior. The three of us personally know how overwhelming and anxiety ridden a YTT, or yoga retreat, can be when you don’t have a friend by your side adding comfort, so we did our best to assure a comfortable and welcoming environment for them.
In addition to our typical welcome routine, we also had the added elements of temperature checks, communicating mask and hand-washing regimes, as well as social distancing norms. This effort can bring a combined feeling of comfort, but also unease. This group of women handled “the new normal” effortlessly. We all embraced the safety measures in stride.
After everyone unpacked in their individual rooms for the weekend, we sat underneath the big white tent we hauled from Duluth to Longville. We purchased this tent last minute so we could be outside as much as possible, adding shade from the sun and protection if it rained. We could see the horses in the background minding their time underneath the big blue sky. How peaceful it was. We introduced ourselves by using a couple of fun exercises and songs to help us better remember everyone's names and began our training with a simple breathing exercise to ease any anxieties.We ended the evening with a forward fold sequence to help relax the mind and body for a peaceful sleep. The horses were our backdrop for practice.
Up bright and early the next day we began our morning with a practice focused on the Eight Limb path, led by Bryana. Just before 6am practice, Bryana drove past the outdoor practice area from the night before and noticed something a little off...okay, a lot off. The tent that we had purchased specifically for training, and was so carefully staked to the ground, in a beautiful grassy field, was now hanging in a pine tree. A strong storm the night before brought the demise and destruction of our beloved tent. It was a quick practice in applying the Eight Limb Path, and the Yamas & Niyamas concept of aparigraha - non-attachment. We quickly shifted gears and found a dry, happy home for our Eight Limb Path yoga practice under a large overhang outside the dining hall.
After a beautiful movement class we took a moment to break to enjoy some breakfast. For this program everyone had to bring their own food. Camp Olson has a beautiful community kitchen with all of the gadgets you need to prepare your perfect meal. This experience allowed the yogis to bond a little deeper, to ask questions, to share memories, and to contemplate the teachings of yoga together. We were really happy to see everyone coming together, sharing food and conversation under one big roof.
Mother nature had big plans with lots of rain this day. Our lodging was in a separate building just past the kitchen. We had to walk outside to get to the kitchen, the bathrooms, the classroom, and our dorms, a jaunt that would be no big deal on a sunny day. We were very impressed with everyone’s preparedness and acceptance of the weather. How beautiful it was to practice and learn underneath a big awning while listening to the rain pour down with thunder in the background. There is nothing like a Minnesota thunderstorm.
The day went by fast, and as we were wrapping up our evening, mother nature continued to pour her heart and soul all over us and our surroundings. Stacy received a text from Bryana explaining that we now needed to seek shelter in the bathroom as a tornado warning had been issued. Collectively, we masked up and walked to the bathroom while the rain poured down on us and the winds were obviously picking up. Awesome yogis that we are, we continued our yoga discussion in the bathroom, wet, cold, yet looking for distractions from the outside weather. It was a day we will never forget. The group bonded, and it was yet again a lesson of bringing one’s yoga practice off the mat and into real life.
Saturday morning we woke up to birds chirping in the trees and plentiful sunshine. We started the day with a standing posture focused asana practice and continued to learn about proper alignment, ethics, and some key points on teaching yoga to the public. We had plenty of time for discussion, observation, and practice. Our goal for our YTT Cohort is to assure that every individual feels like they have the tools, confidence, and support to share their love of yoga with their community, friends, and family.
The evening was beautiful and some yogis took advantage of that by taking a dip in the lake, or borrowing the camps canoes/kayaks for a short trip around the lake. Camp Olson is full of fun activities and land for adventure and it was so lovely seeing the yogis take advantage of their free time.
Sunday morning brought another beautiful day. Bryana led the group in a Boreal Bliss favorite - a silent sunrise meditation hike. We took a short jaunt down a path by Little Boy Lake as the sun burst from the horizon. We each found a spot to nestle in for a silent mindfulness meditation. After our practice, students remarked on the color of the sunrise, the boldness of the greens colors in the forest, the noises from a beaver in the lake, and observations of birds.
Upon return to our classroom for the day, a gorgeous deck overlooking the lake, we were astounded to find an eagle pay us a visit - coming up REAL close and personal. The group felt this eagle had a message for us, and see it as a symbol for cohort one.
We wrapped up our training with lecture, discussion, and application of anatomy. Joella led the group in an overview of important major muscle groups, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Stacy allowed us to continue to use her as a “demo model” so that the group could critically think, observe, and apply their knowledge. Thanks Stacy!! :)
We ended our weekend with a Boreal Bliss traditional closing circle. The circle looks a little different amidst covid, but the feeling and concept continues to ring true. Although we remain physically distant, the energy and love can be felt among all just the same. In fact, it might be that we appreciate each other even more now than ever. And that I do believe can be felt without touching hands or embracing.
Cohort one - thank you for a transformational weekend. Our love of yoga has only increased, and we know you feel the same. We cannot WAIT to engage with you for our next in-person sessions and for our virtual components. To get together and “geek out” on yoga with you is such an honor.
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