A new start

The year 2017 has been a year of great changes in my life. I made the choice to live my passion: Yoga. So I left everything to spend 5 months of my life studying the sacred science of Yoga. It was in July that I flew to India to Isha Yoga Center to live my greatest experience: Isha Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Program. A very rigorous 21-week (1750 hours) Yoga teaching program. Everything is set up to immerse yourself in this discipline. The program starts every morning at 5.30 am with yoga and meditation sessions. The school teaches 6 practices:

• Upa-Yoga a simple yet powerful set of 10 practices that activate the joints, muscles and energy system, bringing ease to the whole system.
• Surya Kriya a potent 21-step yogic practice of tremendous antiquity, designed as a holistic process for health, wellness and complete inner wellbeing. Surya Kriya is a complete spiritual process by itself.
• Surya Shakti, is to energize the system to a different dimension. This 18-step process helps to strengthen the ligaments that hold the skeletal and muscular structure together.
• Yogasanas are a set of powerful postures through which one can elevate one’s consciousness and manipulate energies.
• Angamardana, a series of 31 processes to invigorate the body, and reach peak physical fitness and mental health.
• Bhuta Shuddhi, a process of purification of the five elements: water, earth, fire, air and space. This simple practice which you can do daily reorganizes your system on the elemental level.

Around 10:00 AM it's the brunch break. The meals are vegetarian, consisting of fruits, salads and specialties of South Indian cuisine. It's always a real treat. Then comes the post-brunch session that looks at human anatomy, physiology and diet. Among others, we learn what is the best practice of Hatha Yoga. Beyond the simple things to do and don'ts, the program will thoroughly examine the effect of certain foods on the system and how different foods can support or restrict the physical and spiritual development of each.
​The afternoon is a time spent studying and for our second Yoga session. 7: 00 PM is the time of our second meal of the day. It's also a time to share with other participants.
Around 8 pm, it is the evening session that deals with more practical topics related to teaching Yoga. We are taught, step by step, how to organize and teach over 48 modules, from the simple class to a full 30 day retreat. We also learn to prescribe Yoga practices according to the needs and age of each and everyone. We are constantly placed in real class situations in order to prepare ourselves the best way possible. These practices and modules cover Hatha Yoga dimensions that are not taught anywhere else.
In addition, every month, the group is entitled to a special activity outside the ashram: visits of temples, nearby villages and parks. We also participate in several festivals and celebrations: Guru Pournami, Diwali, Krishna Jayanti. The change of scenery and rhythm is very appreciated because it allows us to return to the ashram more motivated and enthusiastic ashram, essential to resume our intense practices.
I feel privileged to have been able to live this unique experience. I experienced a profound transformation that allowed me to surpass myself physically and mentally. Every day, I feel my body and mind become lighter. I feel like a newborn ready to start a new life. Living your passion is priceless. It's like waking up every morning on Christmas day. Now, my deepest wish is to share with you these practices of Isha Hatha Yoga. Powerful practices that transform the body and mind.

Patrick Desrochers - Samsara Hatha Yoga