Congratulations Leah Mansergh & Dr.Joyce Schachter , Orleans Yoga Teacher Training 200hr Graduates oys.ca : read what they have to say about their experience.. Joyce Schachter Derek Kendrick embodies a true and generous practice of yoga. After eight years of regular yoga practice that lead me to meditation and retreats, I wanted to consolidate my patchwork of knowledge, skills, and experience with yoga teacher training. What struck me when I met Derek was his flexibility to include mature students with diverse experience and day jobs who are committed to yoga and sangha, and his sincere dedication to all four paths and eight limbs of yoga, both on and off the mat. Derek’s signature message to “underachieve” cut through my western training to compete and reach for the top. Now it was possible to bring awareness of my limits and respect them as part of doing my best. Today’s yoga practice is unique, different from yesterday’s and tomorrow’s. That is yoga. Through detailed instructions on asana alignment, I learned adjustments, and alternatives to make yoga accessible to various ability levels. Derek’s instruction to “congratulate yourself for all the postures you didn’t do today” (ie modified) invited us to respect and honour our total mind-body-spirit selves here and now, in this moment. It became clear that extending compassion to others is only possible once compassion to self is practiced first. I love how Derek initiated each half-day session in yoga teacher training with a round of personal introductions. Even though we’d already met, this embodied practice of honest and respectful speaking in the moment not only warmed up our voices, it helped characterize our personal and group vital signs, like pushing a reset button, and building trust as we embarked on learning adventures as both individuals and as sangha. One of the most radiant lessons from Derek was awareness of using my voice as an instrument of communication. Derek’s musical background informed his yoga teaching by comparing oration of asanas as akin to learning a song, making it easier to relate to. Derek’s gift for storytelling and humour made the transmission of yoga, including its history and philosophy enjoyable. His humility and commitment to lifelong learning created ease in our training sessions, with a fluidity between teacher and students roles. I have utmost respect and love for him as my mentor into the wider yoga teacher sangha. I didn’t know Derek when he was a rock star, but he’s a star yoga mentor. I highly recommend his program for anyone interested in an all-inclusive adventure into yoga. Leah Mansergh Testimonial I took my first yoga class ever with Derek at the Orleans Yoga Shala in 2004 when I was a first year Dental Hygiene student looking for something to help align my body. At first felt a little uncomfortable not knowing what to expect, a little intimidated looking around at all the people who seemed to know what they were doing. I don’t remember much of what we did in that class but I do remember the feeling I got after the class. It was hard to describe but “that was pretty awesome” seemed to sum it up well. I felt more relaxed and a little lighter, like I had left something I didn’t even realize I was carrying on the mat. And it was that feeling that kept me going back as often as I could. As is often the case though, life got in the way and the first thing to go was the most recent thing I had added to my schedule – yoga. Over the years I kept up somewhat of a yoga practice taking classes at the gym I attended. The more I practiced the more I would notice subtle little shifts not just in how my body was moving and feeling but also in how I was reacting to the world around me. I felt calmer, less stressed and less bothered by things. I wanted more of that so this summer I decided to look up the Orleans Yoga Shala and see what classes they offered now that my schedule was open. The first thing that caught my eye was the 40 Hour Ashtanga Intensive Teacher Training program that was being offered and starting in a couple of weeks. I thought ‘what better way to get back into yoga then diving into an intensive program, but I really don’t want to teach yoga’. I decided to give it a shot anyway, at the very least I would have a good understanding of the postures even though I had no intention of teaching. Suffice it to say Derek’s passion for yoga had me reconsider teaching and by the end of the 40 hour Intensive program I wanted to know more. I registered for the 200 hr teacher training and have enjoyed every minute of it. Every weekend not only strengthened my physical practice but the mental practice of yoga as well and the benefits have carried through to all aspects of my life. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to practice and learn with Derek at the Orleans Yoga Shala. His kind, funny and compassionate teaching style made for a great learning atmosphere, and his years of experience added so much depth to the curriculum. So thank you Derek for sharing your knowledge and passion. I hope to do the same! Leah Mansergh
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:14:13 +0000
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