A letter from DeAnna: My Personal Transformation During our Recent Teacher Training
February 3, 2010 by DeAnna Smothers
Filed under News and Events
Hello Dear Yahweh Yoga Family,
As I write this, it is the first day after our January, 2010 Christian Yoga RYT Teacher Training graduation. During the ending days of the training, many students used the words “personal transformation” to describe their teacher training experience.
As I was reflecting on what students had to say, I realized that I too experienced personal transformation and deeper appreciation of daily life as a result of my role in our last class.
Hard work and the Word of God
Twenty-three students participated in our teacher training experience this month: they were Christian women from all over the world, from all backgrounds, and of all ages and fitness levels.
This was the first session of our revised RYT program where we cut back from 22 eight-hour days to twelve- to fourteen-hour days…for 15 days straight!
By the end of those long days, we came to realize that we had all grown close in heart and fellowship as we filled our minds and bodies with education about God, health and yoga. We pushed our bodies to the limits in terms of strength and endurance, and relaxed together over healthy eating and drinking.
Having this entire experience tethered in the Word of God was truly amazing for me personally.
Why this course was different from other sessions
I was asking myself, what was so different about this course and why did it impact me so intensely?
I won’t sugar-coat it, we worked long – and sometimes grueling – hours. Yet all the women, from ages 20s to 70s grew in their confidence and ability to teach Christian Yoga.
As my first yoga teacher told me once: “If it’s not hard, why are you doing it?” I realized that pushing myself to my limit was invigorating and I believe everyone else felt the same way. We were proud of ourselves (and it wasn’t like we went beyond good sense and/or safety), but we did push ourselves and it felt great to do so.
Overcoming the challenges of long days with the blessing of being able to serve both God and these wonderful women with my co-instructor (and precious daughter) Courtney, was life-changing for me. It helped me to see that God loves me so much that He has placed this purpose in my heart to help build strong, skilled, Christian yoga teachers to serve others worldwide. I know Courtney feels the same way.
How the students transformed
All 23 students could feel the presence of God each and every day and they radiated His love as they encouraged their classmates to reach their goals. We all saw first-hand how people of different ages and fitness levels can teach some form of Christian Yoga. I truly believe that all of the students came away with a new awareness that they can personally serve others through the gift of health and fitness.
Time to chill
Honestly, it may take me a week to process and recover! But an important part of my personal transformation is a renewed realization deep in my heart of the importance of living a balanced life that offers time for personal quiet time with God each day, my own personal fitness time, caring for my home, visiting with my friends and of course…relaxing at the spa.
Our thanks go out to you
I know that there were many of you praying for the students and Courtney and I during training; thank you sweet friends. His presence was felt at all times and we thank you for your encouragement.
To all of our Yahweh Yoga teacher training students that were there…we love you forever and eternity.
To all the YY staff teachers…you rock! Thank you for the memorable classes.
To all the YY studio students…thanks for your patience during these two weeks, we love you!
To Julia and Star Lynn…The plant-based menu was truly delicious and inspired us all to appreciate a more natural and healthy lifestyle. Thank you for the sacred yet fun flavor of each meal.
To our families…We love you! All of us —students and teachers— involved in the training couldn’t have excelled without your love, help, encouragement, and support during this time and always.
To God be the Glory!
Love,
DeAnna
That was beautiful! Thank you DeAnna for what you wrote…personal transformation is right!!! It was amazing, thank you for all you and Courtney do, you are such a blessing to so many!
DeAnna, I agree, it will take awhile to unpack all that God did in us at the training. I am amazed at what everyone was able to accomplish. I am challenged to keep working on endurance and my diet now that I am home. Love you all, Carmen
Hi Carmen,
On thing I know is that you are up for the challenge. Take some time on your mat…slowly reconnect to some beautiful music, go through your final teach music perhaps. Then remember what it is God has asked you to do and what you want to do…then pray to Him for conviction of the heart and just do it. Simple as that. Love you and miss you, DeAnna
As always, so wonderful to read your inspirational words, DeAnna. As always, so appreciative of your gratitude in every aspect of your life. As always, so grateful that you, with your precious daughter and partner, have taken the mantle placed on you by our Father and used it to bring Him glory…by blessing all those around you, and those that they in turn will bless.
What a wonderful web we weave and are blessed to be a part of…to God be the Glory…
and thank you, Mama D…
love,
Robyn