lessons from Metta Yoga Ytt and how it changed my practice and perspective

by emily wiemer

What was it like for you going into the YTT?

The Metta 2023 YTT was truly a journey into the depths of yoga. But just as you delve deeper into anything, you also realize the “iceberg effect” of how much you don’t know - - how much more there is to learn under the water’s surface. I can confidently say that all of us as trainees deepened our practices, gained invaluable resources that we can lean on for years, and fostered a new community for ourselves within our group and among the Metta studios.

Just as we learned to teach a pose - from the ground up, building upon strong foundation and then ensuring alignment- our learning was approached in the same way. We learned the history/philosophy of yoga, workshopped through observing/teaching poses, learned how to cue asanas weaving in breath and alignment, turned our worlds upside down and sideways with arm balances and inversions, took a deep dive into anatomy and then united this learning with impacts on the poses we practice. We developed sequences and learned how to make them both safe and creative. We found our own voices, and then we embraced each other for their uniqueness and varied perspectives.

How did you connect as a group?

This sustainable group learning not only created a natural support network, but it also lent a representative picture of how our classes will look – diverse bodies, interests, and experience levels. As we dug into anatomy and pose workshops, it was clear to see how differently poses landed for various people. Rather than comparison being the thief of joy, it was a chance to share and learn how we each looked/felt in an asana. This petri dish of training is a looking glass into the future of leading others through a practice. How can we all work to slay our egos?

What did you take away from the training on a personal level?

On a more personal note, I worked on accepting my body and how it moves (so strongly!) through the yoga flows I love so much. I had the chance to share with my YTT group how much yoga and meditation has helped me through addressing my anxiety and improved my mental health. Sharing these vulnerable moments was so formative in shaping how I will teach for the future. Rather than feeling more isolated by these struggles, I can instead see that so many of us grapple with the same things (albeit in so many varied ways.) I can’t wait to see how I can “show up” for students by acknowledging these challenges as we practice.

As in all things Metta Yoga, there was community building through deep personal connection. One of my biggest joys was observing the wildly successful professionals, yoginis, mothers, and friends within my cohort, yet simultaneously hearing their struggles and seeing their humanity. This acknowledgement was one of the greatest gifts of the training – and it holds true for all those we encounter as we practice, work, and exist in the world we live in. We created a space of love and acceptance that I can only hope we shine into the rest of the world.

Finally, a note of gratitude - a huge thank you to Michele Klink (YTT Instructor), Metta Yoga, and to my cohort of Yogini Bhaginis!

Emily Wiemer completed her 200-hour YTT with Metta in June 2023. She now teaches at Metta in San Rafael on Fridays at 6am. She is also the Director of Operations at Metta and Cloudbreak Studios.

For more information about our 2024 teacher training, click here:

2024 TRAINING

What I Learned From Yoga Teacher Training