Celebrating My Yoga Journey

I started practicing yoga in November of 2022. My teammate at Northeastern had a membership at CorePower and took me as her guest to a yoga sculpt class! I had been burnt out of cycling classes and wanted a new workout for cross training. Originally, I treated these classes just as any other workout class, but then I became intrigued with the way my mind and body felt after a flow. This was no “runners high” or competitive itch I had experienced before from running or field hockey. This was an overall sense of enlightenment, joy and complete relaxation.

At the top of my Christmas list was a membership at CorePower Yoga.

For the next year and a half, I would literally go to the studio every day and tried all types of classes from Yin to Vinyasa. I fell in love so much so that I started working there! I worked as a SET employee, helping with influx of students, keeping up with the maintenance of the studio, and assisting instructors with daily tasks. Getting a discount off my membership was amazing! I would highly recommend this for anyone spending an enormous amount of money at fitness studios. They always need help with maintenance and the front desk!

In March of 2024, I started my 200-hour teacher training program through CorePower. Through this training I become certified in Vinyasa yoga. I learned fundamental teaching formulas, anatomy, how to demo and assist, the history and philosophy of yoga, and healing benefits of the practice. The svādhyāyuh in the mind and body has completely deepened my practice and way of life.

*Svādhyāyuh: (svahd-YAH-yah) is a Sanskrit word that means "self-study" or "self-reflection."

What I learned

This training made me feel so much more confident in my own body, my voice, and my power. From constant practice and learning how to make the practice accessible, I have been able to ease so many nerves when it comes to public speaking. The ability to command a room with just your voice is such a powerful thing! Going through this with other students made the experience all together more enjoyable. I made several friends through this training and the community at CorePower.

The best thing I’ve learned was the ability to set an intention for the practice. It seems so small, and it is so often overlooked in yoga classes. At the beginning of the class the instructor will bring their hands to heart center and guide the rest of the students to do the same. They will ask the rest of the class to set an intention for the duration of their practice. Typically, the instructor has one in mind they will focus on, but this really opens up a communal space where everyone can mentally share what they are directing their energy towards. For me, my intention is always changing. Setting an intention reflects what I need most. It may be a word, or a person, or even a thing to bring me grounded into the practice. This transforms my practice from just a physical experience to something deeper, a space where my mind and body align. While my intention is personal, it exists within a shared space and reinforces the idea that everyone on the mat is bringing something unique yet universally human. I’ve found that returning to my intention throughout the practice makes my movements more mindful, my breath more intentional, and my focus more present.

We also learned the importance of inclusive language, implicit and explicit bias, and the importance of accessibility. I have applied these concepts to my own life outside of yoga. I learned that yoga is going to look different for every student. Our bone shape, connective tissue genetics, proportions, past injuries, emotional state, and intention all affect our postures. As teachers we learned that it is our job to help students discover balance in and self-acceptance regardless of what their poses look like. Learning this has really helped my own practice. It’s also important to note that yoga was made for men, so many poses are not accessible for women. Yoga was historically a male-dominated practice in India, originating over 5,000 years ago with Vedic sages, ascetics, and warriors. Early texts like the Vedas and Upanishads restricted spiritual disciplines such as yoga to men. During the medieval period, Hatha Yoga emphasized physical postures but remained largely exclusive to male students. It wasn't until the 20th century that women gradually gained access to yoga. Today, despite its origins as a practice for men, yoga is embraced by people of all genders worldwide.

We learned a good amount of Sanskrit as well. Sanskrit is the classical language of India found in yogic texts and used orally and mantra. It’s modern form is Hindi and is one of 22 official languages of India. Sanskrit is used in yoga because it offers universality to the practice and honors the teachers and lineage that came before us. When I was in Geneva, Switzerland for a month, I practiced every day at a local studio. One of the instructors only taught in French, so thank goodness for Sanskrit because I was able to follow along with the postures in class without staring at everyone else in the room for direction!

In May of 2024, I officially received my CorePower Yoga 200-Hour Certification, recognized by Yoga Alliance. Recently, I auditioned to teach C1 and C2 classes at CorePower—and I passed! I was placed at my local studio and will begin leading classes next week!

My Sankalpa

*Sankalpa: a Sanskrit word that means “intention or “resolve”

A sankalpa is a yogic intention—a guiding force that aligns truth with resolve. It is a statement of heartfelt desire and purpose.

For me, my sankalpa is: I exist to create spaces for empowerment.

I want my students to feel strong and confident in their own movements, finding empowerment within themselves, both on and off the mat. Yoga is more than just physical postures; it is a practice of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. Beyond an individual practice, yoga is also about community. Just as I seek to empower my students, I also strive to cultivate a space where everyone feels seen, valued, and uplifted. This mission of empowerment extends beyond the studio, shaping the way I engage with my communities whether in advocacy, education, or daily interactions. I am honored to share this journey with others.

With gratitude,

Olivia