Hello everyone, my name is Ziyu and I’d like to share my thoughts on my YTT journey so far.
Let’s start from the very beginning, when I first decided to sign up for this course.
Back in the middle of this year, I was experiencing a rather low period with my life. I was in a relationship that I knew wasn’t going to last.
Instead of spending my days crying over something that is meant to stay in the past and not knowing when I’ll stop mourning, I decided to pick a project to work on. I chanced upon the 200-Hr Yoga Teacher Training Program with Tirisula Yoga one day and thought that it would be a great project for me. Not only it will fill up my weekends and tire me out, leaving me with less time and energy to drown in my heartache, it will also allow me to deepen my yoga practice and perhaps help others enjoy the benefits of yoga in the future.
After weeks of anticipation, I stepped into Tirisula Yoga Studio for the first time on 9th September 2017 with a lot of excitement, not knowing the awaiting ‘torture’. As a beginner in yoga, it was very tough for me and within the first 2 hours, the thought of giving up crossed my mind. I actually asked Master Paalu if I can postpone it to next year and he encouraged me to keep going.
Fast forward 8 weeks later, I am still doing it and I feel that I’ve become a stronger person, both physically and emotionally. It’s unbelievable that there are only 2 more weeks to go and I am feeling bittersweet about the fact that this journey is coming to an end.
Here are some of the things that I’ll miss after this amazing course:
1) Learning new and interesting things every week (e.g. Dosha, Chakra)
I’ve learnt that I’m leaning towards Pitta and this has somewhat influenced me in my daily life (e.g. food decisions, work out style).
Thanks to Marie, I discovered Kang Li Asia (https://www.kangli.asia/) and went there for aura reading.
Curiosity doesn’t always kill the cat 😉
So this is a picture with my aura taken on 30th October 2017:
Apparently, the right side represents your current state and mine seems rather dark. I attribute this to me still in the process of getting over the break up and still struggling with headstand (I can’t do it without the wall YET). The left side represents the future and mine seems rather bright in yellow. Gonna think positive 🙂
2) Achieving Mini Milestones
It is a great feeling to be able to do something that seemed impossible. With the guidance of Master Paalu and Master Wei Ling, this course provides an environment for us to push our boundaries and achieve greater heights – see pictures below 🙂
Special thanks to Denise & Krisianto for helping me get into Crow Pose during their Arm-Balancing class!!!
3) Group Projects!
Here’s a picture of my lovely group – Group 3!
From left to right: Standing – Ziyu (me) & Beatrice / Center – Elsa / Front – Su Yen & Mabel
Here’s a picture with Sharon – my partner in crime for many things including a Restorative Sound Healing class 🙂
4) Lunch break!
We are blessed with many good ‘makan’ places within walking distance from the studio. Food hunting during lunch break with my lunch ‘kakis’ (usually Tammy, Bee Li, and Kate) is what keeps me going when I’m struggling with holding my asanas.
5) Master Paalu’s Meditative Class on 15th October
It was the first (and only) time that we tried the reverse sequence (Inversion – Supine – Prone – Sitting – Standing) and I loved it!
6) Master Wei Ling’s Boot Camp Style
I will never forget the way Master Wei Ling yelled “push-ups!” after every chaturanga for Surya Namaskara A and B. Thanks to this, my arms are getting stronger and I can now do poses that I wasn’t able to do before.
7) Time with Sharon
For the past few weeks, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Sharon for YTT related matters, e.g. preparation for our restorative lesson, studying, working on asana alignments, shopping for matching outfits, etc. Even as I write this blog post, she is just studying across the table (in her office).
Here’s a picture of her studying in Bedok Mall (29th October 2017):
8) Sunday journey to class
This is quite random. 6 out of the 7 Sunday classes that I attended so far (I missed the 3rd week as I went on a family holiday in Vietnam), I went to class with the same Grab Hitch driver (Jack Low). It is a nice feeling to be greeted by a familiar face so early in the morning.
9) Everyone in the September 2017 intake of the 200-Hr Teacher Training Course with Tirisula Yoga!!!
Thanks everyone for being a part of this journey and all the best in everything in the future!
Special shout out to Master Paalu and Master Wei Ling for being generous in sharing their knowledge and being so patient with me 🙂
Lots of love,
Ziyu
September 2017 Weekend Class