My yoga journey started in 2004, when I moved from Lithuania to Ireland and started looking for an exercise regime to keep me fit. One day I walked into my local yoga studio. The class was led by Roy Griffin and it was like nothing else I had tried before. I loved the setting of the studio, the teacher’s voice, the physical postures, but most importantly, I loved how I felt after the class. Roy became my first yoga teacher and my inspiration. I was hooked, and immediately wanted to train as a yoga teacher myself. I thought that my Psychology degree and yoga could complement each other nicely. Yet, as soon as I had this thought, it was followed by a series of arguments in my head: I am only new to yoga, I need to practice for a few years before I can even consider enrolling into a teacher training course, but I will probably not be accepted anyway as I am not strong or flexible enough, I will probably never achieve the poses that I see in the books and online, and I will most likely be too old to start training anyway, so what is the point, I should just find a job and stop dreaming… So, I rejected the idea of ever becoming a yoga teacher, but yoga continued to be my faithful companion through different stages of my life.

Fast forward to 2016, when the most important turn in my yoga journey happened. After a few years of good health and remission from my auto-immune condition, at the beginning of 2016, my health deteriorated significantly. I started suffering from persistent body pains, aggravated by anxiety and depressive moods. I tried various therapies, conventional and alternative, but nothing seemed to help. So, after some contemplation and soul-searching, I decided that gentle yoga practice could be my answer. I did not feel well enough for a public class, so I discovered a ‘30 days of yoga’ programme on YouTube and decided to give it a go. I practiced for 15-20 mins every day, and within a week, the improvement in my mental state was significant. My pains also became less bothersome. Soon I realised that consistent yoga practice was essential for me if I were to keep my symptoms at bay. After a few months I was a new person – without anti-inflammatories or other conventional medication.

This experience made me realise that yoga did not have to be complicated. If simple gentle poses, sequences, and breathing techniques had the power to transform my life, surely, they could transform anyone’s life. Again, I began to consider training as a yoga teacher, but this time I had more clarity as to what training I wanted – it had to be yoga teacher training with a therapeutic focus.

Thus, after some research, in 2016-17, I joined the Yoga Therapy Ireland (YTI) Foundation course to learn more about therapeutic yoga as well as yoga philosophy. I was taught by two amazing teachers – Lucy Cullen and Tara Vitality O’Neill. Lucy and Tara made the course interesting, accessible, and inspiring. I loved every aspect of it and quite early on decided that I wanted to continue on this path. Unfortunately, the YTI teacher training was not available that year.

Perhaps it was for the best, as the same year I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my dad. This was a very traumatic experience. To deal with grief, I immersed myself in yoga more than ever. In 2018, I completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training to progress my personal practice, but also to test my interest in becoming a yoga teacher. By 2019, I knew I wanted to teach yoga, but I also knew that I still wanted to train with the YTI. After talking to my local yoga teachers Lisa Burke (Yoga Soul Academy and Dany Yoga Centre owner) and Paula Crilly (YTI graduate, yoga teacher at Danu Yoga Centre), the YTI General Manager Maureen Nightingale, and Michelle Cantwell (a YTI student at the time), I enrolled in the YTI 500-hour 2-year yoga teacher training course in 2019. That was the best decision I have ever made as the course was everything that I expected and more. 

We were taught by two wonderful tutors, Marie Lennon and Elaine Parker. I remember, on the first day of training, they reassured us – apprehensive beginner students – that by the end of the course we will be fully prepared to teach yoga classes to all kinds of students. I was hopeful, but somewhat hesitant. I should not have been. As promised, the course equipped us to teach confidently and safely in person and online. It was life-changing on many levels.

Over the two years, we covered various aspects of yoga: yoga history and philosophy, asana practice and teaching, breath-work, meditation and relaxation (theory and practice), kriyas, bandhas, mudras, and chakras. But most importantly, every weekend we had a comprehensive anatomy and physiology module, where we studied various body systems and how yoga can affect them. We also learned how different conditions could be helped with yoga. For me, this was the most valuable part of the course, the piece that was missing in my previous trainings.

By the end of Year 1 we completed a residential weekend, which was the highlight of the course, passed the anatomy and physiology exam, learned how to set up a teaching practice, plan a class and a course of 10 classes. We were ready to get insurance and start teaching beginners’ classes.

However, COVID-19 pandemic came into our lives, and everything stalled. After some deliberation and waiting to see how things will develop, our training resumed on Zoom. Unlike most of my fellow students, I was very reluctant to continue online. I wanted the experience of in-person tutoring and hands on (literally!) learning. But I also wanted to continue the journey with my fellow yoginis. Our group had a wonderful one year of learning together and we really connected, especially at the residential weekend. I was hoping that we could continue to develop that connection. Thankfully, the beautiful group spirit continued into the virtual Year 2, which was gently and expertly guided by our experienced tutors.

The second year expanded and deepened our knowledge on all levels. We continued with the anatomy and physiology learning, completed a basic first aid course, read and analysed the essential yoga texts (the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads), and continuously practiced asana understanding, class development, and teaching. All the learnings were accompanied by monthly homework that encouraged us to dive even deeper and reflect on our personal development and practice. Though it was challenging, I found the homework thought provoking and personal-growth inducing, making the course all-encompassing – a truly holistic experience.

As I type these words and reflect on the course, I can honestly say that I would do it again in a heartbeat. Though it was demanding and daunting at times, it was the most wonderful experience. The following points summarise the most important qualities that made this course so special to me:

  • Comprehensive and logically laid out curriculum.
  • Anatomy and physiology based teaching.
  • Therapeutic focus.
  • Expert tutors who practice what they teach and generously share their knowledge.
  • Supportive, inclusive, and encouraging learning environment.
  • Talented and highly motivated fellow trainees.

As the tutors promised, we did come out as confident and well-rounded yoga teachers. Our last assessment was a true testament to all we achieved in the two years. Even the fact that we had to move online halfway through the course, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Not only did we learn to teach yoga in person, but we became skilful in delivering classes online.

After years of dreaming and doubting myself, I stepped into the role of a yoga teacher in September 2021. I taught an 8-week online yoga course in autumn 2021, and, in January 2022, I was offered a job as a yoga teacher in the Danu Yoga Centre in Ballinteer (a long-term dream come true!). I have been teaching in-person and online gentle Hatha yoga since. I love yoga, I love teaching, and I am so grateful to the YTI and all the wonderful yoginis that studied with me for helping me reach my goal and finally arrive at where I am today.  

Raimonda