Joey Jennings’s 29-Days Yoga Teacher Journey at Ekattva Yogshala
Note: This story was first published on spiritualpunditz.com on June 6, 2019. We’ve brought it home to Ekattva Yogshala as part of Seeker Stories!
Quick summary: This is the yoga teacher journey of Joey Jennings, a Florida based yogi who completed his 200 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh at Ekattva Yogshala. In 29 days, he went from yoga enthusiast to Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher. It covers his first look at Rishikesh, a bout of food poisoning, a poem, 5:30 AM wake-ups, and what he took home.
His verdict? Tiring. Humbling. Worth every early morning.
A Yoga Teacher Journey. In His Own Words.
Yoga holds a miraculous transformative power. In one way or the other, practitioners come out of their yoga teacher journey better, not only in yoga but in life, after completing their yoga teacher training in Rishikesh.
This post shares the story of Joey Jennings, a Florida based yogi who joined Ekattva Yogshala for his 200 hours yoga teacher training certification. We’ve built it from excerpts of Joey’s Facebook updates during his stay with us.
Here’s Joey, in his own words!
First Encounter With Rishikesh
“Rishikesh sits at the foothills of the Himalayas and is energized by the sacred Ganga river flowing through its center. It is known as the yoga capital of the world and one of the holiest cities in the Hindu faith.
This makes it a pilgrimage destination for those who seek higher knowledge in yoga and meditation from every corner of India and internationals from all parts of the globe who seek transformation through yoga.
I was exhausted from travel with expectations when I stumbled up to the Ganges river and overlooked the Himalayan mountains for the first time. Chills ran down my spine as I felt the cool breeze across my body and heard the soothing sound of moving water.”
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The First Interaction
“I made eye contact with a smiling bearded Brahmin sitting in peaceful lotus posture. His wide cheeked joy put a childlike grin on my face and suddenly I was holding back tears. As I’ve wandered around the city, met travellers from around the world and spent time soaking in practices and traditions from locals, the grin hasn’t left.”
Rishikesh holds the credit of being the birthplace of yoga. Its reputation and spiritual energy draw thousands of yogis like Joey every year. It is here that they begin the shift from yoga students to yoga teachers. Every yoga teacher journey in Rishikesh starts somewhere like this: a moment that stays with you.
Stomach Woes and Recovery
“A vicious battle with food poisoning left me heading to a local doctor. On the back of a moped, trying not to puke into the wind, but still nothing can quench my love for Indian food kept me going. And after a couple days of hibernation and Ayurvedic meds, I’m back making it happen.
Apart from my yoga transformation, I’ve also learned to say “what’s up bro” and enough Hindi slang to make people smile and start a conversation. They quickly realize I know about ten phrases, but honestly, that’s enough to make new friends and combine English, Hindi and sign Language to communicate.
I’ve been nicknamed ‘Lockie Ferguson’ after some mustached cricket player from New Zealand and all the guys in my class keep asking me to beatbox and telling me I should try out for India’s Got Talent.”
A sudden change in climate, water, and diet can upset the stomach. Especially if you can’t resist street food. It happens, and it’s a small bump in any yoga teacher journey. Ekattva Yogshala takes every precaution to keep students healthy during their 200-hour yoga teacher training. Joey’s recovery was remarkable. Thanks to his dedication and Ayurveda medication, he was back on the mat in days.
Timing matters too. Heat, cold and rain all change how your body adapts. So check the best time to visit Rishikesh for yoga before you book.
Enjoying the Transformation
“The heat and full days of classes are stretching mentally and physically, but I’m enjoying my yoga transformation journey and it’s life giving to be in an environment that I’m learning every day.”
Every year, Ekattva Yogshala becomes home to students from across the globe. Each brings a unique perspective. Our teachers make sure every student gives 100% on the mat and gets personal attention in return.
Want to become a yoga teacher? Check our 200 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh page.
A Poet’s Emotions
“I want to break out of some boxes of fear and share some journal scribbles for my 3 Week Yoga Training update thing. Here’s what a transformed yoga teacher has to say about yoga.
Who am I beyond a profession?
Who am I with no thought of external ties?
Who am I with no fingers pointed my way, when hands cover both my eyes?
Am I boundless then or will I still point fingers at myself?
There is a union waiting, fearlessly accepting all my sides,
No use in fighting devils, no use in tired lies.
Awareness is motion forward, what I face I can overcome,
No more graveyards in the closet or seeing conflict and needing to run.
I am present and that’s enough
I am present and that’s enough
What I face I can overcome
So I put hands over both my eyes
Notice a flicker of light, turn into marble palace,
Adorned by the stars in the sky.”
Completing Yoga Teacher Journey: 29 Days, 200 Hours
“I think the greatest paradox of this experience is that it was over with the blink of an eye, yet equally feels like a year's worth of memories in only a month. Some days my whole body was sore and my mind tired. The last thing I wanted to do was wake up at 5:30AM to practice yoga, knowing I had classes until 8:15PM. But I would jump in a cold shower and keep showing up. Every day turned out to be worth my time and energy and transformed me into a better, learned person.”
Notice what he doesn’t say? He doesn’t say it was easy. He says he kept showing up. Throughout his stay, Joey showed unwavering commitment and adjusted brilliantly to the rigorous routine. Over 29 days, he transformed from a yoga enthusiast into a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher.
Every yoga teacher journey is different. Read how Helen, a mathematics student from Germany, spent her month in our small group in her honest 200 hr YTT review.
Joey’s Regards to Rishikesh
“Even some days, my whole body was aching and I was puking my brains out while I had lessons to teach. I feel that I’ve laid the foundation for practices that will be part of my life for years to come and I will always remember how this time at Ekattva has impacted me and made me transform into a yoga teacher.”
Every practitioner who comes to Rishikesh for a yoga teacher training certification course goes through their own physical, mental, and spiritual journey. At Ekattva Yogshala, our goal is to bring out the best in every student while keeping their stay comfortable. That’s why we’re counted amongst the top yoga schools in Rishikesh, India, and why Joey’s yoga teacher journey is one we’re proud to share
Joey’s journey, in short:
A first look at the Himalayas and the Ganga that stayed with him
A stomach battle, Ayurvedic meds, and a quick return to the mat
New friends, Hindi slang, and a cricket nickname
5:30AM practice, classes until 8:15PM, cold showers, and showing up anyway
29 days from enthusiast to Yoga Alliance certified teacher
Start Your Own Yoga Teacher Journey at Ekattva Yogshala
Ready to begin your own yoga teacher journey? Enroll in our upcoming batch for the certified 200 hour yoga teacher training. Avail the early bird discount and save hundreds of dollars! Send your queries to info@spiritualpunditz.com.
Thank you, Joey, for sharing your story.
About the author
Joey Jennings is a Florida based yogi. He comleted his 200-hour yoga teacher training at Ekattva Yogshala in Rishikesh and became a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher in 29 days.
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