Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Level I
I recently completed the PRYT Level 1 certification and can only say "Wow!" This training was held at the Riverwest Moksha Yoga Studio. I would never have visited Moksha because I can not get passed their web site. It seems so pompous, as though it panders to yoga elitists. I like my studios more down to earth feeling, homey, warm and less capitalistic looking -at least. I’m the type of person who doesn’t pick up Elle, Vogue or whatever new mags are out there, and never did. I have no idea about designers (other than Coach and Prada because they are so mainstream), and really can’t drop names like that. This isn’t a judgement call, I actually wish I did know these things at times, and could talk to other people about the newest styles, fashions and news – yes I even shy away from the news (we don’t have cable so it isn’t so difficult).
I’ve never been fond of the saying "You can’t judge a book by its cover", because I have and I do. These days I guess the adage would have something to do with "You can’t judge a *blank* by its web site". Again, guilty as charged.
Riverwest Moksha reminds me of my favorite yoga studio in Baltimore (more later on that). It is in a renovated warehouse building with timber ceilings, hardwood floors, cinder block/brick walls and a unique feeling. I can’t speak personally about the teachers here, or the staff (though I did see a few of them and they looked like typical city yoga doers, if you know what I mean).
The space was unbearably hot for me (being pregnant) and others present, topping 83 degrees on Sunday October 12th – though that was a horribly hot October day to start with.
Our facilitator / teacher was Soleil Hepner, an amazingly vivacious sprig of a woman, with hair to match her personality – seriously. I believe you can surmise much of a person based on their hair.
The training was held in a "circle" – my least favorite shape because of these types of trainings, meetings, etc. Arthur went with the round table so all could be equal, I think the circle just makes it easier to verbally assault others. Not so with this circle. I finally came to understand what it truly means to be a good group leader, effective facilitator and to "hold the space" for others.
Our ground rules for the circle were laid out at the onset, and never once did our leader diverge, play favorites or allow an individual to control the circle. This was the most pleasurable training experience I have had. Granted it may be because I was made ignorant of what others thought about me and my ideas, but it works for me (past trainings have lead to some uncomfortable exchanges).
The other main difference I felt was that this training, although rooted in yoga, was not pedantic nor dogmatic. I never once got the feeling that I was been proselytized. This program allows you to have your beliefs, your own yoga style, and thoughts about the world. The theory of the work is simple, and has a very Buddhist nature to it, but as our guide pointed out there is a distinct difference – you don’t have to be blissful or joyful – or even working towards these goals. You are free to just be, to experience yourself as you are, no right -no wrong, no need to fix you.
Since I had never had experience with a Phoenix Rising Therapy session, I chose to pay for a session with one of the practitioners, Nancy, who was there helping out. It was an experience like nothing I have had before. Partly because I don’t remember half of it, (and I have a photographic memory) and partly because I finally experienced inner stillness (I usually have about 2 dozen thoughts, pictures or "movies" going on in my head).
Although a PRYT session is not meditation, nor meant to be, this is the closest I have come to what I imagine meditation to be like. I am very good at focusing, and can focus on one stimulus, idea or thought, and tune others out, but I still need something to think about. I am sadly, always "in my head".
The next level two teaching was at the end of October in Bristol, VT, and I had seriously considered moving my training schedule up, but I am not in travel ready shape right now. I’ll end by saying this is the first training I have been to that has taught me something new, and made me feel something different.
I give this teacher training 7 out of 7
