30/07/2017
Let me introduce myself: my name is Ellen Huijser, I am 28 years old and I live in the Netherlands. In two weeks I’ll be leaving for European Art of Living Center - Bad Antogast to follow the Sri Sri School of Yoga TTP (Teacher Training Program). During the TTP I’ll be posting a blog on the Sri Sri School of Yoga Europe page regularly to let you know what we’re doing, learning and enjoying!
To start off this new way of informing you about Sri Sri Yoga, I would like to share with you how I came into contact with Sri Sri Yoga and why I’m going to do the TTP.
The image I used to have of Yoga involved very acrobatic and limber girls getting into all sorts of difficult poses, trying to create the ‘ultimate beach body’. I was always curious about Yoga, but this image stopped me from taking any Yoga class. A little over a year ago I learned about Art of Living and followed the Happiness Program. That was the first step of my life changing year. I learned the powerful breathing technique Sudarshan Kriya and did Yoga for the first time in my life. I’m glad it was nothing like I expected! Yoga was a spiritual exercise and was not only calming, but actually fun.
At the start of 2017 I went to an Ayurveda doctor, Lita Dash, and, amongst other lifestyle changes, she recommended I’d do Yoga on a daily basis. Taking the advice of doctor Lita very seriously, I started doing Yoga for 20 to 30 minutes daily and the effects were amazing! My body started feeling more relaxed, became more athletic and most of all: less stressful. Stress would often cause my neck and shoulders to get stiff and painful, but not any longer!
After a couple of months, during one morning of meditation, I suddenly got an inspiring thought: I need to become a Yoga Teacher. Yes, I use the word ‘need’ instead of ‘want’. The thought I had created a longing that transpired the ‘want’: I knew I needed to do this. Every part of my body started glowing with excitement by the thought of my new path. The amazing effects that Yoga have on me is something I wish for everybody. Everyone deserves to have these tools to become a happier, healthier and more confident person!
I started looking into different Yoga Teacher educations. Non of them got me really excited, until Marien Van Os, the Art of Living Teacher that conducted my first Happiness Program, introduced me to Sri Sri Yoga. It took just one Skype conversation with Beatrice Iulini to not only get me excited about the TTP, but also to join the team of volunteers of Sri Sri School of Yoga Europe.
Now, a couple of months later, I am super excited that the TTP is only two weeks away. I can’t wait to meet kindred souls that are as excited about Yoga as I am and to learn more about Yoga, the human body and myself.
Next week I’ll share with you what my preparations for the TTP are/have been. If you have any question, feel free to ask!
Love, Ellen