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Montanita and calming down the turning of the mind
After an amazing trip to the Galápagos Islands, Anne and I headed to Montanita. It's a small town on the coast of Ecuador mostly known for beach time, surfing and partying, but also offering diving, whale watching and yoga. Last mentioned was our main focus of going.
A couple of months before, Anne and I had signed up to attend this coming Yoga Teacher Training program in Montanita, which would certify us as vinyasa/astanga yoga teachers at 200 hours level. I had thought of doing it some time ago and only for my own sake and not with the focus of actual teaching. I had only done yoga for the past 2 years on and off, but really enjoyed it and always seen it as my little happy place. Where my practice would be totally mine, not comparing with others, and I would find peace within.
Arriving to Montanita I felt excitement raising, not really sure what this month would bring me through. Remembering that some of the reviews from the year before called it "a life changing experience" and not sure what to put into that statement.
The day before checking in to Casa del Sol which was the hostel and yoga studio hosting the Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) for us, we walked by and just looked from the road. It seemed even more cosy than on the pictures and the atmosphere was stunning. Colourful hammocks hanging on all the wooden balconies, palm trees, cosy sofa area, colourful lamps, little bar and reception area with people painting small rocks in beautiful colours and patterns for decorating the ground. We didn't step in as we agreed it's like seeing your birthday present the day before, and you are not allowed to open it yet.
And the place lived up to all our expectations and more, as they have the best staff, Juanito, Wendy, Jackson and Mike, who would help and take care of us in any way - not to mention the 2 sweetest hostel dogs Bambam and Jackson.
The YTT consisted of 12 participants and 4 teachers and we would have classes 6 days a week 9am-5pm plus 3 evening yoga classes a week and several optional classes/events. The program would cover all aspects of yoga, so beside the practice itself we would learn about chanting (some think it's singing, but no), yoga philosophy, yoga history, Sanskrit language, anatomy, how to adjust people in yoga poses, auyveda, chakras, Chinese medicine, breathing exercises, how to build a class, how to cue movement and more..
Sitting here 2 weeks later looking back I'm impressed how much I was able to learn and understand in one month, and I give credit to the fabulous Cheryl Oliver, her team of amazing teachers and the setup of the training.
I'm also convinced that the group of people was crucial for keeping the good energy and mood up, when I would feel exhausted or having a hard time understanding the content. And we really had a good time together all of us, with all different backgrounds, nationalities, a range of 40 years age difference between youngest and oldest and 1 guy and 11 girls. Everyone was able to contribute with their own thing to the group and my month wouldn't have been the same with just one of them missing.
So not only did I learn about yoga but I learned about myself, people, interaction, communication, balance, happiness and what's really important in life in the end of the day.
Can I explain it? - No.
Would I if I could? - Maybe.
I do believe now that finding answers to these kind of questions is so individual and what makes my truth, doesn't necessarily makes yours. And mine might only be right here, right now, and continuously throughout my life needed to be rediscovered.
So to bring it down a bit, I don't hold the key to "a happy life" after one month of YTT. But I did learn a lot more about me and my life, just like I have been during my travel since March just in a smaller scale. Meeting these people and spending a whole month together with tons of good laughs and conversations, sharing tears and inner reflections in a judge free environment only with trust and love - that was absolutely amazing beyond what I have words for.
... (Deep breath!) ...
During the month of June I also went diving searching for manta rays (without luck), went humpback whale watching (with luck!), went dancing on Saturday nights at Caña grill where you kick off your shoes and dance in sand all night, I saw beautiful sunsets, had many walks on the beach, jumped into the ocean at lunch break from time to time, had delicious sushi, got several friends outside the YTT and got reunited with Kimberley who Anne and I met in Galápagos, and luckily had to be in Montanita at the same time as us. And of course I also had my birthday in the middle of June, and I was celebrated with a surprise party on the beach with great food, friends, bonfire and 25+ people singing a Danish birthday song (the one with the instruments) led by Anne. I was so impressed and felt both happy and loved! A birthday I will never forget.
With all these great people and experiences it was so hard for me to leave Montanita, but we had to move on as Anne's flight home was approaching. I hugged everyone at Casa del Sol goodbye and took so much with me in my heart, and I might have left a little piece of my heart in Montanita in return.
With tears streaming down my face, Anne and I drove away in a taxi hugging each other knowing why someone called it a life changing experience.
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