Transformation and purpose. My Journey to Teaching Yoga – by Barbara Durand
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“I’m a yoga teacher.”
If you had asked me six months ago, I never would have thought those words would be coming out of my mouth. It’s hard for me to find the words to describe my journey at getting to this point but when thinking about it, two words come to mind – transformation and purpose.
I consider myself to be a new yogi having been practicing for less than a year when I completed my teacher training. When I first started with Lumi in January of 2016, I considered myself to be a ‘casual’ yogi in that I would go to class maybe three times a week and not be too worried if I didn’t go to class at all. I then signed up for the ’40 Days to Personal Revolution’ programme and that’s where my transformation began.
’40 Days’ came at a time in my life when I needed it most, without even realising it, and brought an immense amount of clarity to me. Through the programme, I committed to six days of practice a week, daily meditation, a balanced diet and self-inquiry. All of which was new to me! The programme totally transformed me – it transformed me both physically and mentally. Little did I know that this was only the beginning!
As I was in the ’40 Days’ programme, I started to see flyers for a kids teacher training programme being held at Lumi and that’s where my initial interest in teaching started. I loved the idea of teaching kids yoga but having had no teaching experience in my past, I wasn’t sure if I needed any further training so I discussed it with Ari because I knew they were also getting ready to start the 200-hour teacher training. When I look back at that conversation, I realise that Ari was allowing me to come to the conclusion of attending the full teacher training programme on my own. He informed me that the 200-hour training wasn’t a pre-requisite to the kids yoga teacher training. I then started telling him that I was somewhat interested in the 200-hour training and as I kept talking, he just listened and without any pressure, let me come to the decision on my own. Two days later, I submitted my application!
The teacher training programme was due to start in just a few weeks and that meant re-arranging quite a bit in my schedule. I was fortunate in that I wasn’t working but I had a trip planned to Ireland – outings with friends – visiting my husband’s family – and other things that had to suddenly be rescheduled. I almost talked myself out of the training – thinking that it just wasn’t the right time but I then realised that it’s never the right time, is it? And if not now, when? So, I applied for the programme and I’ve not had one single regret!
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I remember interviewing with Elina and Ari before the training started, and Ari gave me the opportunity to ask them any final questions I had and the one I asked them was this, ‘What if during the training you don’t think I’m good enough to teach. . .what if I can’t do it?’ Ari looked at me and without any hesitation said, ‘That won’t happen – it just won’t happen. It hasn’t happened and it won’t happen with you’ I pushed, ‘Well, there is a first time for everything.’ And he continued to reassure me that it wasn’t going to happen. With that fear out of mind, I was ready to start the training.
Transformation and purpose. More than anything else, those are the two things I gained through this training and, an amazing community of yogis and friends. The teacher training just continued to transform me. My practice improved with every day – I became stronger and I could see the changes in both my body and practice. My confidence grew every day – Ari and Elina had us teaching from day one so there was never really an option for us to doubt ourselves or our capabilities. The support from Ari and Elina is indescribable and I will be forever grateful for everything they have given me. The one thing they helped me find, which I must admit I wasn’t expecting to find through yoga, was my purpose.
They helped me find my purpose. I had been working in marketing for over 15 years and had lost a certain sense of enthusiasm and passion for what I was doing. Not necessarily what I was doing but more the companies I was working for. I knew that I wanted to do something else and be around different people but I wasn’t sure what it was or how to even go about finding it. I would have never thought Lumi was holding those answers for me. 
Without any uncertainty, I know that I want to be teaching yoga. Having completed the 200-hour teacher training, I’m now certified to teach yoga to adults and I also completed the kids yoga teacher training. I can’t wait to start teaching. I want to teach it to adults – I want to teach it to kids – I want to bring it to charities and local communities – I want to bring it to businesses. I just want to teach! Participating in the Lumi teacher training programme has made all of this possible.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this programme to anyone! If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to teach yoga, even if it’s just been a passing thought, apply for the training. You will have no regrets! NO REGRETS!
The next 200hr Yoga Alliance US certified teacher training at Lumi Power Yoga starts March 3rd. There is still time to apply. Read more here!