Yoga Retreats and Training in Spain!

I've been practicing yoga for a long time.  I think my first class was when I was ten or so.  I took classes on and off, as well as some pilates classes.  4 years ago, I was working at the YMCA and they had been offering pilates until the girl who taught it took a break.  That was the first time I thought about becoming a certified instructor for any type of fitness class.  I liked the serenity of it. I enjoyed learning different ways to use my own body weight to strengthen every muscle.  I wanted the class back, and instead of finding a teacher, I would just become one.  So I started looking into the training for it, and soon later realized I would be moving half way across the country for the Navy.  So that was nearly forgotten about.

While at our first duty station, I took full advantage of the free gym and classes on base, and started practicing yoga again.  When we moved to Virginia 3 years ago, my one class a week turned into 2.  Then when I realized that the same teacher on base was also teaching for free at our own apartment complex, I attended class 3 times a week.

I fell in love with the way the teacher taught.  It was more about strength, less about meditation.  It was more about being comfortable with yourself, not being afraid to ask questions, instead of the typical "silent" yoga, where you're afraid to cough or giggle.  She would explain which organs or muscles were being benefited with each pose.  This was the type of yoga I truly felt a connection with.  It inspired me to study on my own, with help of Yoga Journal and Pinterest.  I started bringing my own poses to class. 

Yesterday I had a frustrating day.  I fought the usual urge to curl up on the couch with my knitting and Netflix for the rest of the day, and text a friend for a one on one yoga session in our apartment gym.  An hour and a half later, I was in a great mood.  I had accomplished a couple self goals with my balancing poses and my muscles were shaky and sore.  (pictures below are of these poses, but not of me.. maybe I'll start bringing my camera down to the gym)

A few days ago, I had stumbled upon a 200 hour yoga teacher training retreat in Spain.  This retreat was near Valencia, it was a good price, and it would provide a once in a lifetime opportunity.  This morning I was looking at the site again, and what I previously thought was a 20 day retreat, was actually a 10 day course in April, followed up by a summer of self study, and a second 10 day course in October.  It was still doable, but a little disappointing... so I did some more searching.

I found a 20 day teaching retreat just an hour away from the base in Rota!  If I stay in the dormitory (sharing a room with 3 other women), the price is the same as the one near Valencia.  3 vegetarian meals a day is also included, and their olive oil is made right there!  The dormitory slots fill up quickly, so I plan on registering as soon as we get the OK for moving in May!  I'm so excited to stay at the Suryalila Retreat Centre.

If I obtain my teaching certification, I'm hoping I can teach a class or two on base there, as their yoga options aren't as plentiful as they are here in VA.  When we finish with the military and move back to Western NY, I hope to find a teaching job, or better yet, open my own little studio.  As I have said before, yoga is such a great tool for obtaining and maintaining mental and physical health.