Teacher Trainees 2018: Who Are They?

 Introducing the TT2018 Trainees!!!

Yeah yeah, after 6 VERY INTENSIVE weeks, our mind and body just drained,

but full of so much knowledge and love…we emerge!

 

CELESTEE DABREO

 

Say hi to Celestee!!

KB:  WHO ARE YOU?
My Name is Celestee DaBreo. I am
A Sales Manager by day
A Newly Wed
A Singer and Performer
A Daughter
A Sister
A Friend
A Yoga Enthusiast ALWAYS
And now a Yoga Instructor in Training!
KB: FINALLY!  AFTER HOW MANY YEARSSSS OF PLANNING?  AND CONGRATULATIONS MRS.!!!  YOU LOVE FABULOUS IN YOUR WEDDING OUTFIT ABOVE!

KB:  WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START YOGA?
I started yoga, more than 7 years ago when I was introduced to it via the workout series P90X and I have understood and enjoyed its amazing benefits ever since. I always feel the difference in my body when I am implementing yoga into my movement lifestyle as opposed to when I am not.
KB: THERE ARE MANY WHO WOULD SAY P90X IS NOT YOGA, BUT AS MY TEACHER ALWAYS SAID…”IT’S NOT HOW YOU GET THEM IN THE DOOR IT’S WHAT YOU DO WITH THEM ONCE THEY ARRIVE!”  AND LOOK AT YOU NOW…A YOGA TEACHER IN TRAINING AND DOING SO MUCH MORE THAN YOGA FOR FITNESS!  AHHHH…MY JOB HERE IS DONE FOLKS!

KB:  NOW THAT YOU ARE INTO YOUR YOGA PRACTICE, WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN?
Now that I am fully immersed into my Yoga practice I see my core strength developing so much faster. Things that I have been attempting for years are now attainable with the consistency of my practice.
KB:  AWESOME!

KB:  WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT YOGA?
The biggest surprise about yoga is the way I feel every time I leave the mat. Even on the days when I feel like I have no energy Yoga somehow energizes and invigorates me. The challenges in my practice never leave me daunted but always excited because I am one step closer to a new accomplishment.
KB: I HEAR THAT!  THERE ARE SOOOO MANY TIMES WHEN I EVEN GET ON MY MAT I AM LIKE…ARGH…I AM SO TIRED!  BUT AFTER THE CLASS I AM TRULY THANKFUL FOR THE CHANCE TO BE ON MY MAT AND TO ACTUALLY PRACTISE!

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
My current favourite pose is The Crow, I have not yet achieved it for more than 7 seconds at a time but I love the challenge it brings me every time I attempt it.
KB: KEWLLLLL!!!

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
My least favourite is Chair pose and its many variations, it challenges me to the point of distress but I am learning how to embrace and submit to it, letting the moment pass, however painful I perceive it to be.
KB: THAT’S GRRRREAT!  SO YOU ARE ACTUALLY PUTTING THE MENTAL STUFF YOU ARE LEARNING IN YOUR TRAINING, TO GOOD USE!  KEEP THE FIGHT!  EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE NO LIKE OR DISLIKE…THEY WILL ALL SEEM THE SAME…JUST PLAIN AWESOME!!

KB:  HOW ABOUT SOME DEEPER PERSONAL STUFF….YA GOT ANY STORIES?
I gotz nothing!
KB:  YOU ARE A HARD ONE TO CRACK BOIIIIIII!  *LOL*  NO WORRIES I WON’T PUSH…YET *MUAHAHAHAHA*

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR – IN GENERAL, IN LIFE?
My biggest fear in life is not having a positive impact on the world, even in my micro world. I never want to be the person that people are indifferent about.
KB:  I BELIEVE YOU ARE WELL ON YOUR WAY, MA SWEETS!

KB:  WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
My biggest accomplishment to date has been conquering my fear of the stage. I have always wanted to share my voice with the world and I was able to do that in a musical in 2017 where all eyes were on me in a solo performance.
KB:  OH YEAH!  I CAN TOTALLY SEE THAT!  BUT YOU MAY FIND THAT YOUR TEACHER TRAINING, WHICH FORCES YOU TO BE IN FRONT OF A CLASS ALL THE TIME WILL ALSO HELP.  LET’S HOPE IT DOES, EH?  THAT WAY YOU GET MORE AND MORE COMFORTABLE WITH BEING IN FRONT OF THE CLASS AND WE GET SOME REALLY COOL CLASSES OUT OF YOU! 

KB:  WHAT ARE YOU MOST HAPPY WITH OR ABOUT?
I am most happy about being able to wake up in the morning and always be grateful for the life I have. I am eternally grateful for my family and faithful friends. They have become my world. I am especially happy to have recognised that and appreciate them while they are here.

KB:  ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR WORDS OF WISDOM YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON OR SHARE?
The single most important thing I would tell anyone is to be grateful, when you’re grateful for what you have you’ll get so much more to be grateful for AND never take anything for granted. You exist here and now, embrace it with all its possibilities and always thank God for the day he has blessed you with.
KB:  AAAAMEN!

Ya want punctual, reliable, yet interesting and mysterious?  That’s Celestee!!  Don’t get me wrong, she knows how to fly off the deep end and have fun!  But this is a gal on a mission!  She has a plan and is working toward it.  Jus’ doh get all up in this woman’s koolaid…nuh uhhhh LOL!  Privacy is super important which also means that she will respect yours.  Don’t look for gossip here…I’ve NEVER heard her say one bad thing about anyone…she always looks for the positive! All the right qualities for a great yoga teacher, right?!  Celestee, your growth to date has been amazing!  You make sure you do your homework before each class so that you can deliver the right experience each time.  If you haven’t tried a class with her yet, then you must! Sooo much to learn from her and she promises to make every class an experience!  You can find her schedule of classes at www.sanghayogatrindad.com/celesteedabreo

 

 

JENNIFER JONES

Say hi to Jennifer!!

KB:  WHO ARE YOU?
My name is Jennifer Jones and I was born and raised in the beautiful island of Barbados. When I am not enjoying a lazy day on the beach I can be found teaching pilates and yoga at studios & hotels across the island. I am…
A Sister
A Friend
A Teacher
A Cat Lover
A Beach Lover
An Over Thinker at times
A Hard Worker
A Graphic Designer
AND Always a Yogini at Heart!
KB:  AND FOLKS I CAN ATTEST TO HER GRAPHIC DESIGNING SKILLLZZZZ!!!  JENNIFER IS THE BEST!

KB:  WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START YOGA?
I first started yoga many years ago to help ease major back discomfort due to a curvature in my spine. However I didn’t stick with it, but subsequently discovered Pilates and fell in love! It wasn’t until the following year after having completed my Pilates Training in 2012 that I then decided to give yoga another try but this time I would become a teacher. I have to be honest, when I made the decision to become a teacher, at the time it was a logical step as I was beginning my career in the health and wellness industry – I figured it would help to make me more marketable. I couldn’t have imagined that yoga would have become so much more to me.
KB:  YUP THAT WAS ME!  WEIRD HOW IT STARTED ONE WAY AND NOW HAS A WHOLE NEW MEANING, RIGHT?

KB:  NOW THAT YOU ARE INTO YOUR YOGA PRACTICE, WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN?
Gosh, my yoga practice has most definitely changed my life. Specifically the relationship I have with myself!!! It truly helped me to find a way to accept myself for exactly who I am and equally as important to recognize that it is PERFECTLY OKAY to not be PERFECT! I know it sounds corny, but it is so true! I grew up with many feelings of inadequacy and sought approval in others. There were many moments when I can remember feelings deep within myself that there was more, that I had something more to offer and that I didn’t need anyone’s approval but I was too afraid to let it shine. Yoga helped me find the way to do that…actually it was the Yamas and the Niyamas, the first 2 limbs of yoga that resonated with me DEEPLY! I strongly recommend to anyone to read them, study them…for me, they’re life-changing and I am forever thankful <3
KB:  WOW!  I CAN FEEL YOUR AH HA MOMENT…JUST LIKE I WAS THERE WITH YOU!  SO AMAZING HOW IT ALL UNFOLDS FOR EACH PERSON, RIGHT?!!

KB:  WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT YOGA?
I would have to say my biggest surprise is how it has impacted on my personal growth. To learn how to treat myself with compassion…I didn’t think it would have been the catalyst for the Jennifer you know today! I am not sure what would have been but I honestly cannot say I expected yoga to have been the vessel.
KB:  YOU SOUND LIKE A SOMEONE WHO HAS EMBARKED ON A WHOLE NEW LIFE PATH!

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
I absolutely LOVE Wild Thing! It’s powerful, yet vulnerable. Soft yet strong, grounded yet oh so free! I love it!
KB:  AND YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS DOING IT!

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
Fire log pose!!!! I swear if my hips could look at me when I try it, they would look at me with daggers and yell ABORT! ABORT! LOL! !!!! It’s a pose I NEVER practice and clearly one that I need to :/
KB:  HAHAHAHAHA…YOU JUST CRACK ME UP!

KB:  HOW ABOUT SOME DEEPER PERSONAL STUFF….YA GOT ANY STORIES?
There’s one incident in my yoga journey so far that I think was a major turning point in my life. It was when I first started teaching pilates actually, not even yoga. I had to fill in for a fellow teacher and it was one of the first classes I had taught since having completed my training… needless to say I was nervous as all HELL!!!!!! Anyways, I tried…I did my best and by the end of class I was sure everyone HATED it! I could feel the energy. I didn’t get any definitively positive feedback and I was crestfallen. I shared my experience with a seasoned teacher and she told me the following. She told me that not everyone will like me or what you do. This stopped me cold in my tracks! Why? Because I came from a background of wanting to please people and of course that meant everyone had to like me. But then I thought about it and you know what? I realized she’s absolutely right! We are all individuals and we have different tastes. It was a very liberating moment and I am forever grateful to my colleague for sharing that bit of wisdom! So my advice to anyone starting on this journey or any journey which requires you to put yourself out there, know that not everyone is going to like you or what you do, all you have to do is to be true to yourself no matter what and it will all be perfect! You’ll find your tribe, as corny as it sounds <3

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR – IN GENERAL, IN LIFE?
Hmmm…my biggest fear IN LIFE is dying without having done everything I want to do, that and Zombies – I hate zombies! #sorrynotsorry *shrugs shoulders* However my biggest fear as a human/teacher is not being able to impact positively on the people in my life; family, friends, students. To have lived what I consider to be my best life and to have not inspired a single soul.
KB:  WELL YOU HAVE MOS DEF IMPACTED MY LIFE #ONEDOWN *WINK*!  YOUR SUPPORT IS SO AMAZING…EVEN WHEN YA BOUFFIN’ MEH…I KNOW IT’S BECAUSE YOU HAVE MY BACK *SMOOCHES*!

KB:  WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Gee I would have to say finally figuring out what I want to do, not what I was meant to do with my life. For a long time there I was floating around clueless…fell into becoming a graphic designer for years…I didn’t have any formal training [at first], and it soon became all I was qualified to do. One day I was at a studio in a pilates class and I loved helping fellow students do the exercises and I fell in love! I completely enjoyed helping them and it is from that point that I knew I wanted to become a teacher.
KB:  I LOVE THAT LINE…”…FINALLY FIGURING OUT WHAT I WANT TO DO, NOT WHAT I WAS MEANT TO DO WITH MY LIFE.”  FOR ME HOWEVER, WHAT I FEEL I WAS MEANT TO DO, HAS TURNED OUT TO BE WHAT I WANT TO DO…SOOOO KEWL!!

KB:  WHAT ARE YOU MOST HAPPY WITH OR ABOUT?
I am most happy with my growth as a person and as a teacher. I know I haven’t been teaching for long…but in what can be considered a short time I have learned SO much about myself, and the kind of person and teacher I want to be. I’ve learned to trust my gut, to stay true to who I am. It isn’t easy at all especially when there are so many amazing teachers out there that can do this and that! But that’s okay…there’s only one me, and I’ve got something special to share! When I sit in trainings I smile because I realize that I am naturally evolving into being the best teacher I can possibly be and that makes me very happy indeed.
KB:  YOUR TRUE AUTHENTIC SELF!  YES YOU ARE, MY FRIEND!  “NATURALLY EVOLVING”!

KB:  ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR WORDS OF WISDOM YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON OR SHARE?

Of course….these are some gems I like to call them, that I live my life by and I am happy to share them with others…

  • BALANCE is key! Too much of any one thing isn’t good. Make time for work, rest & play. Eat dark chocolate, sip wine but have salad too!
  • Be OPEN… to new experiences and ideas. We can all learn something from each other; it’s how we grow.
  • Never underestimate yourself. You can never know what you’re capable of until you TRY!
  • Not everyone will like you, what’s most important is that YOU like yourself.
  • Speak up! Never be afraid to ask for what you want. You DESERVE it.
  • Take care of yourself FIRST. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
  • Never dull your shine so someone else can. Know your WORTH!
  • BONUS: Do what makes your heart SING! Life is too short to be unhappy.

KB: LOVE THIS!  GREAT ADVICE!

Folks!  I still remember the first day I met Jennifer!  She came to one of my classes and after, all she could say was “I think I left my soul on my mat!” Such innocence on her face…she genuinely looked slammed and all I could do is laugh!  She had me in stitches!  HAHAHA!  We have been in contact ever since!  She has been so truly supportive of me and I can safely say, a great friend!  But don’t get it twisted, I show no favouritism on this Teacher Training journey, in fact, because I knew she had experience teaching already, I have been harder on her.  But that’s alright!  She can handle it…Jenn is a trooper and if it’s one thing i know about her, she would not be satisfied if she knew she slid through…nuh uhhh…not Jennifer!  Quality is as important to her as it is to me!  Jennifer, thanx so much for crossing my path and sticking in it!  Here’s to many more years!

 

 

NADIA NARINE

 

 

Say hi to Nadia!!


KB:  WHO ARE YOU?
Not an easy question since who I am has changed a lot in the last two years. Some things remain: My bigger than life smile, matches a larger than life heart. I am unfailingly kind and will give you the shirt off my back if I thought you needed it more than I do. That being said. I am no mouse and I suffer no fools. My life mantra being do unto others….or as we say in Trini palance: yuh musn’t like fuh other people what yuh doh like fuh yuhself! I’m also…
An Avaricious Reader
An Animal Lover
A Shoe Lover
A Chocolate Lover  😊
A Sister
A Daughter
An Entrepreneur Extraordinaire in the Making (KB: OKAY I ADDED THIS LOL)
and now a Yoga Teacher in Training!
KB:  WAIIIIIT!  DID SOMEONE SAY SHOE LOVER???!!!  FINALLY, A PERSON WITH SENSE!  A PERSON WHO UNDERSTANDS SHOES AS ART!  RIGHT?!  IT’S LIKE I ALWAYS SAY…SOME FOLKS PUT ART ON THE WALL AND OTHERS, WEAR IT!  *HEHEHEHE*.  OKAY MAYBE YOU DIDN’T ALL THAT, BUT I KNOW DEEP DOWN INSIDE YOU KNOW IT! *BOUNCE MEH*

KB:  WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START YOGA? 
I practiced yoga off and on for many years, but only became more consistent with it in the last three years. It’s hard to believe now, but there was a time not too long ago when I was very athletic and lived an active lifestyle. I danced ballet for 15yrs; I ran every day, rain or shine and I loved swimming and cycling. Generally someone always in motion, you call it and I’m in it. Life intervened and I started having health challenges. Once very active, it ached to go up the steps. I live in a two-storey house and at the time worked in a three-storey building with no elevator; my office was the top floor and my staff was located on the bottom floor. Needless to say, I lived in pain for years, moving became more and more difficult and of course, the added weight came with it. Yoga became the only way for me to keep moving and once my health and my body settled, I kept doing it and I have no intention of ever stopping.
KB:  FUNNY HOW LIFE JUST LEADS YOU TO WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.  IT’S NOT TO SAY YOU CAN’T STILL BE ACTIVE…IT’S NOT TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING, BUT YOU HAVE TO MOVE SMART!  LIFE ISN’T OVER AND THAT’S THE CHALLENGE …SO MANY BELIEVE THIS.  SO THEY KEEP DOING WHAT THEY CAN’T OR SHOULDN’T DO AND END OR JUST GIVING UP AND DOING NOTHING…LE SIGHZZZ…BUT GOOD FOR YOU FOR NOT GIVING UP!

KB:  NOW THAT YOU ARE INTO YOUR YOGA PRACTICE, WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN?
I can bend and touch my toes! Sounds funny now, but at my heaviest I was 198lbs and I couldn’t bend over. Also, I suffered from severe vertigo so bending over was not a fun idea. Forward fold, downward dog, basically any inversion you can call, was NOT happening! Now I can do that and then some!
KB:  YOU SURE CAN, SISTA!!

KB:  WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT YOGA?
You can do the same sequence every single day and have a different experience, every single time.
KB:  EVERY SINGLE TIME!!  I THINK IF YOU ARE REALLY TRULY TRYING TO BE A GREAT TEACHER, YOU WILL LEARN THIS, AND IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THIS, FO SHIZZLE!

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?  AND WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
Might sound strange, but Tadasana is one of my favs. It seems like a very passive pose but it is far from it! If you search the benefits of the pose you will find more than 20! One of the things that no one tells you about losing weight is how awkward your body feels. I lost 50lbs so far and most days it almost feels like having to learn to stand and walk again properly. Tadasana always helps me to connect with how my body feels on that day. My other fav is plank, largely because you can work your entire body with just one pose – I’m all for efficiency 😊
KB:  GRRRRL…NOTHING SURPRISES ME ANYMORE!  I TOTALLY GET THIS!  VERY KEWL!

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
Anyone who has ever been in class with me knows this one!!! Chaturanga! LOL! But it’s getting easier, so one day I may actually like it….but today is NOT that day! LOL!
KB:  BUT SOON COME…I’M SURE OF IT!!!

KB:  HOW ABOUT SOME DEEPER PERSONAL STUFF….YA GOT ANY STORIES?  ANYTHING THAT YOU ARE MOST HAPPY WITH OR ABOUT?
*CRICKETS CRICKETS*
KB:  YA GOT NOTHING FOR ME?  OKAYYYY THEN…MOVING RIGHT ALONG *LOL*!

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR – IN GENERAL, IN LIFE?
I want when I get to the end of the road that I can say that I lived a full life…that I used every single gift given to me and then some. My deepest fear is that I won’t.
KB:  NAHHHH YOU WILL BE ABLE TO, I BELIEVE THAT ABOUT YOU!!

KB:  WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I’ve ticked everything off of the to-achieve list that I created when I was younger. I’ve started a new list, so I’m looking forward to new ticks 😊
KB:  WHEN I GROW UP I WANNA BE JUS’ LIKE YOU!!!!  OR MAYBE MY LIST WAS TOO LONG??  HAHAHAHA


KB:  WHAT ARE YOU MOST HAPPY WITH OR ABOUT?
I’m happy that every morning I wake up and see a new day. It is the best part of the day.
KB:  SOMETIMES WE OVERLOOK THE SIMPLE THINGS, RIGHT?  YUP, THIS IS TRULY SOMETHING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT!

KB:  ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR WORDS OF WISDOM YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON OR SHARE?
We are all on this journey called life and we are in it together. It is not a straight line. It is full of twists and turns, ups and downs. We can either fight each other or we can help each other. We’ve been fighting for a long time; maybe it’s time we start helping. Let’s try to be kind and compassionate with each other; to be good human beings.

Sooo caring, thoughtful and gentle…these are the words that come to my mind when I think of Nadia.  During the Training we had a likkle sitch though…I made her cry…yup, I did!  It hurt me real bad!  But the intention was good folks, I promise.  Ya know when ya see someone that gives of themselves soooo much, that they lock their own shit so deep and encourage others not to see how much they themselves need some caring for and loving?  Well that was Nadia!  WASSSSSS!  She had spent so much of her last years looking after people, that she forgot what it was like to be okay with letting folks love and care for her.  We broke the ice!  We had a breakthrough!  She had the whole room crying!  It was amazing!  Even as I am typing this my eyes are watering.  There are days when you are gonna come to class and you want someone like me who will make you find all your edges and then there are days when you will come to class and you will want someone who will just speak to your heart…this is Nadia!  Yesss yes yes…you will sweat…smh…but you will leave with plenty more that’s for sure!  So if you haven’t tried a class with Nadia yet, come on folks…take a chance!  You can find her schedule of classes at www.sanghayogatrindad.com/nadianarine

 

 

NEERA LAKHAN

 

 

Say hi to Neera!!

KB:  WHO ARE YOU?
My Name is Neera Lakhan. I am…
A Daughter
A Friend
A lover of life and adventure
A No Nonsense Girl
A Serious Negotiator
A Cook
A Traveller experiencing new countries cultures and dishes.
My family and friends call me The Planner because I am always organizing some event for us.  A Thinker
A Go-Getter
A Lover of Laughter and very kind hearted
A Yogini
And now a Yoga Instructor in Training!
KB: THAT’S SO MANY THINGS, NEERA!  AND YOU KNOW WHAT?  I BELIEVE YOU!  YOU ARE ALL THOSE THINGS AND THEN SOME!!

KB:  WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START YOGA?
I started about 7years ago.  Browsing the internet I came across Moksha Yoga Trinidad (now The Sangha Trinidad).  I visited the studio the very next day an after that there was no turning back!
KB: ACTUALLY YOU STARTED ON EXACTLY JULY 20, 2010…OVER 8 YEARS AGO!  AND YOU HAVE DONE OVER 500 CLASSES WITH US.  YOUR FIRST CLASS WAS A YIN/S+M CLASS AND IT WAS WITH ME! #JUSSAYIN *WINK* HOW COOL IS THAT?!!

KB:  NOW THAT YOU ARE INTO YOUR YOGA PRACTICE, WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN?
Everything about my life has changed! My diet was one of the first things I noticed, especially when I practise in the afternoon…I am so mindful of my intake, and that practice grew on me, now it is part of my everyday routine.  With my continuous practice I saw changes in my body, I feel stronger. I can go into poses gracefully an even hold it longer as my practice continues to grow. My breathing has improved as well.  I’m calmer and more settled in my everyday life especially when situations arise.  Except for my road rage, I am still working on that.
KB:  YUP, WE ARE ONLY HUMAN…WE CAN’T FIX EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE!  AT LEAST YOU HAVE INTENTION AND THAT IS ALWAYS GOOD!

KB:  WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT YOGA?
The Self-acceptance I feel and when practised regularly the impact it has on my life.
KB: OH HELLZ YEAH!!

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
At this moment I would say Hanumanasana only because I am working towards the full expression of this pose.  I am making it my most liked pose right now until I achieve my goal.
KB:  “YOUR GOAL”??  HMMM…JUST REMEMBER TO DO YOGA FOR THE YOGA AND NOT FOR THE SAKE OF THE POSE, RIGHT?  REMEMBER WHO SAID THAT?!!  TAKE YOUR TIME YOUNG GRASSHOPPER…TAKE YOUR TIME! *SMILE*

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
I am happy to say I don’t have any, I enjoy all the poses
KB:  THIS IS FANTASTIC NEWS!  YOU ARE RIGHT WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.  SOME DAYS WILL BE CHALLENGING, RIGHT?  LIKE YOU CAN’T GET ANY POSE CORRECT AND SOME DAYS YOU WILL FEEL LIKE A ROCKSTAR!  WE JUST DON’T GIVE UP!

KB:  HOW ABOUT SOME DEEPER PERSONAL STUFF…YA GOT ANY STORIES?  
Zip! Nada!  Nothing!!
KB: YOU ARE MOS DEF NOT MAKING THIS EASY, EITHER?!  YOU AND CELESTEE PLANNED THIS ANSWER, ORWA?!

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR – IN GENERAL, IN LIFE?
I never really thought about this question, but when I saw the word FEAR the first thing came to my mind was OMG…crawling creatures, snakes especially J!  Besides crawling creatures, I don’t think I am fearful of anything, life is a constant change.  We just have to enjoy the moment, learn from the experiences and move on.
KB:  OF COURSE, THIS MAY NOT ALWAYS SEEM THIS EASY, BUT HEY…WE GOTTA START SOMEWHERE, RIGHT?!

KB:  WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Creating my own identity, keeping true to myself, keeping my spirt high when everything feels wrong. Staying sane in this crazy world!
KB:  WAIIIIT WHAT??!  YOU ARE SANE??? HAHAHAHAHA!

 

KB:  WHAT ARE YOU MOST HAPPY WITH OR ABOUT?
I’m grateful for life, just being alive and heathy, learning an experiencing new things, helping the needy are some of the few things that makes me happy and what makes me even more joyful I’m surrounded by my loves ones especially my parents.

KB:  ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR WORDS OF WISDOM YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON OR SHARE?
Your health is your wealth, make time for yourself, live in the moment, and enjoy the experience of life.
Live. Love. Laugh!
KB:  PREACH IT, SISTA!

Neera really is a planner!  She is always looking after people and making sure everyone is sorted.  She definitely puts people first and really likes to see people happy!  At first with this Training, she was all over the place…kinda in the Training and kinda out, but eventually she settled down and opted to do the full program and I for one am VERY glad that she made that decision!  The same effort and energy she puts into her own practice is the same energy and effort I see her putting into planning her classes.  She keeps them fun and interesting and there is always something to learn from her.  If you haven’t tried a class with her yet, then come onnnnnn…get off your butt! You can check out her full schedule at www.sanghayogatrindad.com/neeralakhan


RION LOUIS

Say hellooo to Rion!!

Rion Louis hails from The Bronx, NYC!  He grew up in Barbados though…spent time in Trini and he is the brother of Marina Louis…who we all know from classes at The Sangha Trinidad.  Rion was our numbers guy.  What that means is, numerology was a big thing for him and it even became big among us!  Looking over to your phone and seeing 11:11 or 06:06 or weird things like that and had us always wondering what it actually all meant…we were all brought into his world.  However and unfortunately, you won’t be taking any classes with him any time soon at The Sangha Trinidad, as during the Training it came to him that he was supposed to be in India.  So he gave away all his belongings that he had here and in New York…basically practising Aparigraha – Non-Hoarding, visited friends and family and said goodbye to the world as he knew it.  A HUGE life-changing decision for sure!  All we can do is wish him well and hope that one day we see him again!  Safe Travels, Rion! 

 


TRACY PERSAUD

Say hi to Tracy!!

KB:  WHO ARE YOU?
I am me!  I dunno?!! *LOL*
I am the one and only Tracy!  I’m also…
A Daughter
A Sister
A Friend
I’m Funny (though I tend to laugh at serious matters…not sure why??)
I Get Things Done
A Yogini
And now a Yoga Teacher in Training
KB:  GRRRRL IF YA FUNNY?!!!  YOU CRACK ME UP EVERYTIME!!

KB:  WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START YOGA?  
I started a few months ago with Meditation first, because that’s all I knew.  And then I discovered the Teacher Training and found out that yoga was so much more!  I had no idea there were poses and stuff??!!  I started because I was constantly suffering from Anxiety and high stress.  I wasn’t feeling calm.  I was seeking a way to find motivation.
KB:  GRRRRRL I REMEMBER WHEN YOU CALLED AND ASKED ABOUT THE TRAINING.  YOU SEEMED LIKE YOU WERE GOING THROUGH SOMETHING AND JUST NEEDED A LITTLE PUSH IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.  I WAS SOOOO HAPPY WHEN YOU SHOWED UP!!!

KB:  NOW THAT YOU ARE INTO YOUR YOGA PRACTICE, WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN?
OMG…My body feels flushed out completely from the inside and out!!  My body feels toned and my muscles feel strong!  I feel wayyyyy more motivated, and more positive.  I let stuff go more often and easier.  This was all life-Changing…actually the MOST life-changing thing I have ever experienced!!
KB:  WOW!!!  AND I CONCUR!  I FELT THE SAME WAY AFTER MY TRAINING…THE…SAME…EXACT…WAY!!! *WATERY EYES*

WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT YOGA?
My personal transformation!!!  I had NO idea I would feel so much change!
KB:  ISN’T IT CRAZY??!!

 

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
Karen, what kinda position you putting me in here today??!!!  All ah dem ting haarrrd!  *LOL*  Okay if I have to choose, Tree Pose! I love the way you have to focus to keep your balance.  Before I started practising this pose I couldn’t balance.
KB:  THAT IS WAY COOL!  SIMPLE AND SWEET AND MAKES SUCH A HUGE DIFFERENCE, RIGHT?!

 

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
Hanumanasana!  Pure Pain!
KB:  HAHAHAHA…I GUESS NOT TOO MUCH ELSE TO SAY HERE, FOLKS!

 

KB:  HOW ABOUT SOME DEEPER PERSONAL STUFF….YA GOT ANY STORIES?
Wellllll I had this arm injury a couple of years ago.  The injury is not so personal, but what many didn’t know and I didn’t even know myself, is that I used to baby it.  My elbow dislocated and I just didn’t want to use it because i was so afraid of hurting it again. I didn’t want to move it, put weight on it or anything.  Until I met this most wonderful yoga teacher…this Goddess…my mentor  *hehehe*…Ms. Karen Blackman!  You taught me that it was important to build strength and to be brave!  So now I am not so afraid and I am working on rebuilding my arm!
KB:  AWWWW!  YOU ARE TOO KIND, MA SWEETS!  AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU HAD TO BE WILLING TO TRY, RIGHT?  YOU HAD TO TAKE A CHANCE WI TH THE TRAINING AND JUST WALK IN THE DOOR.  YOU DID A LOT OF THE WORK YOURSELF!  AND YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE IT ALONE.  BUT BIG BIG BIG THANK YOU FOR PLACING YOUR TRUST IN ME AND A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DONE SO FAR!  YOUR PLANKS NEVER LOOKED BETTER *WINK*!

 

KB:  WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR – IN GENERAL, IN LIFE?
Losing my parents…my close family…I know people living that now and I couldn’t imagine it for myself!
KB:  DON’T EVEN!  WHEN I LOST MY DAD I WAS LIKE WOW!  AND I TREASURE THE MOMENTS WITH MY MOM, MY SIBLINGS, AS MUCH AS I CAN.  DOH GET ME WRONG EH?  WE HAVE OUR FIGHTS, WE HAVE THOSE MOMENTS WHEN WE JUST NEED SPACE, BUT WE ALWAYS COME BACK!  SO LADY!  YUH DAMN RIGHT!  LOVE THEM TO BITS AND PIECES!!!

KB:  WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
YOGA!
YOGA!
YOGA!
You have no idea how many times I wanted to quit, Karen…NO idea! Those 6 weeks of intense yoga were hard! But I stuck it out and pressed on and I am so glad I did!!
KB:  I COULD TOTALLY SEE IT IN YOUR EYES, LADY!  BUT NOT TO WORRY, I WOULD HAVE NEVER LET YOU QUIT JUST LIKE THAT!  NUH UHHHH!  THIS WAS MEANT TO BE!

KB:  WHAT ARE YOU MOST HAPPY WITH OR ABOUT?
Little things count for me.  I love the smaller classes that I am teaching…allowing me to give back.  I’m starting small and really trying to be a good teacher.  Seeing my connection with develop with my students gives me such joy!
KB:  THAT IS AWESOME!!  I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THAT YOU ARE REALLY NEW TO THIS AND THAT YOU ARE SO HONEST ABOUT IT.  AND YOU ARE READY TO DO THE WORK TO GET TO WHERE YOU NEED TO BE…THAT IS TRULY HONOURABLE!  KEEP ON KEEP ON!  WHEN YA READY TO TEACH AT THE SANGHA TRINIDAD WE WILL BE WAITING WITH OPEN ARMS!

KB:  ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR WORDS OF WISDOM YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON OR SHARE?
ALLYUH!  Come and do yoga!!
KB:  I SECOND DAT, SISTA!!!

Tracy, Tracy, Tracy!!  Ha lord!  This chile is crazy!!  Crazy and fun!  Peeps, I can’t even tell ya how much she made us laugh over the Training!  But there was this desire to learn, to just absorb as much as she could and to honestly try to get “it” right.  It didn’t matter if she didn’t know what a Downward Dog was…heck I didn’t even know what one was either when I did my own Teacher Training, but that didn’t stop her…she just kept trucking on!  You can see that she is just loving the journey of self-discovery!  Again, I say to you Tracy, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for trusting me with the beginning stages of your Yoga Teacher journey!  You will see…you have tons to give…to share…your students will be blessed to have you as their yoga instructor…scratch that…yoga teacher, one day!!!

MUCH LOVE TO ALL MY TEACHER TRAINEES FROM 2018!  EACH ONE UNIQUE AND SPECIAL IN THEIR OWN WAY AND ALL WITH SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH YOU!  HERE’S TO THE REST OF THE TRAINING AND ALL THAT WILL BE UNFOLDING!!
XXXXXXX KB

 

My name is Karen Blackman. I'm the author of most of the material found on this website. When I write, you will find that my words are as if I am speaking to you directly. I try to be funny, straight to the point and simple. Here's hoping you enjoy! Oodles of Toodles and plenty Hugz of goodness! KB