Yoga Teacher Training Journeys

Senior Teacher Bettina shares from India

I am now in Tiruvannamalai  a town in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu famous for its holy mountain Arunachala, a place of pilgrimage, and the Ashram of the great Sage Ramana Maharshi. I’m with Christine (Byron Yoga Centre Retreats manager) and Stephan (Byron Yoga Centre Meditation and Philosophy Teacher).

We’re attending daily lectures about Vedanta with a Vedic teacher and small group of keen students from different countries, all drawn to the sacred culture of India.  I’ve also been teaching two yoga classes each day at the Arunachala Yoga Centre.

One of my students there is the headmistress of a school in a village nearby. Her vision was to create a learning environment where children from all backgrounds, faiths and parts of the world can learn and play together.

She invited me to teach yoga to the children. I was up for the challenge and after some dogs, birds, frogs, snakes and lion postures, of course all accompanied by their animal sound, it was the first time I introduced meditation to a group of 5 to 10 year old students.

I started with brahmani breath, which is the bumble bee breath, and combined this with a mudra (hand gesture), just for one minute and finished with the chant of om, it’s very easy here in India, spiritual life is so natural for young and old.

During the resting pose savasana we went on a guided meditation, riding on a magic carpet. I was concerned that some of the kids wouldn’t manage to stay still, but it was no problem. I instructed them to breathe in all kind thoughts and imagine breathing in a golden light, then to breathe out all unkind thoughts, everything they don’t like and imagine that it all leaves the body with a black color. The experience seemed well received – the teachers participated and liked it as well!

To all of you yogis and yoginis Om shanti from Tiruvannamalai

I hope to meet you on retreat in Byron Bay when we return in January.

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