Jenny Lee shares her mang’Oh Teacher Training experience
We approached former teacher trainees who have completed our 200-hour Teacher Training program, to share a bit about their journey with yoga, and their experience with the mang’Oh community and training. Here is Jenny Lee.
When and how did you first come to yoga?
I grew up in South Korea and yoga was being introduced as a fitness program and gaining popularity in the early 2000s in Seoul. In 2001, I remember going into this little yoga studio a block away from my home back then and signed myself up for morning classes. It was during my high school break time and I had some time after getting a college admission. It was a one-teacher studio where she did everything and I still remember her somewhat exotic vibes. Now to think about it, she taught classic Hatha yoga with many classical poses repeating every time. I loved it.
When and why did you decide to do the mang’Oh Teacher Training?
Teacher Training has been on my mind for a very long time. I remember I wrote about it in my journal back in 2008. I just didn’t think I’d be good enough to make a career out of it. I also had those hectic jobs out of college and out of business school as a finance professional. I was determined to try Teacher Training in more recent years because I wanted to learn the ins and outs of yoga if I am going to continue my practice for my lifetime. As much as yoga helped me through difficult times, I want to help others do the same by teaching them yoga. I have a vision of running my own yoga studio one day in the far future. I want to build the ground for that future dream.
Describe your Teacher Training experience at mang'Oh. What is a favorite memory?
The training program was very intense in the curriculum and schedule, as well as in the homework requirements. But that was what I needed and wanted at that time. It took over a year for me to consider the mang’Oh program and finally decide to apply, and it was because I knew the intensity and the level of dedication needed from my side. Basically for more than two months, I spent more time with my fellow classmates (and amazing teachers) than with anyone else and followed the curriculum. It was like I knew nothing about yoga (after practicing for ~10 years) and learning everything new from scratch. My favorite memory is that I met two of my current best friends in this program. Three of us got along very well over the course of the program and we met outside of homework assignments to practice teaching together and preparing for final exams.
Tell us about your journey post-mang’Oh TT.
I have been continuing my yoga practice just like before I did the Teacher Training--regularly going to various yoga classes. Now that I have done the teacher program, I love that I can follow the teachers’ cues better and breathe more mindfully throughout the practice. I have been also offering my yoga classes whenever there is an opportunity. Taking advantage of the opportunities to teach community classes at mang’Oh, I gained more confidence in putting what I learned into an actual yoga class. While I’ve been subbing classes at mang’Oh here and there in a regular teacher’s absence, I am so grateful that I recently joined mang’Oh’s regular schedule to teach Sunrise Express Yoga every Tuesday at 7:15 AM.
Outside of mang’Oh, as one of the staff members of the Korean-American running club I am part of, I have been leading a short stretching session before every run and have been teaching weekly virtual yoga classes through Zoom within the running club community. Finally, I am in the process of creating a video library of yoga practices through my YouTube channel. If this channel can help one person who wants free access to the practice videos, I will be happy.
When you are not working or practicing yoga, what are you doing and what fills up your life?
I like to try other types of workouts than yoga (although yoga is so much more than just a workout). I like running and have run two half marathons in the past two years. I also like other fitness classes such as weight training and Pilates.
What and/or who has provided an anchor to you during the last year of the pandemic?
I am not saying this because this is an interview with a yoga studio. It is really yoga that helped me get through the worst of the pandemic. Having done the teacher program a year before the pandemic could not be a more timely decision. I have my immediate family in South Korea so being by myself in the early time of lockdown was hard. I both took and taught a lot of Zoom yoga classes and also did my yoga practice alone almost every day. It really helped me cope with worries and loneliness.
Describe a perfect day…
My perfect day would be waking up to sunshine without an alarm ringing. A morning yoga practice to awaken my body and mind would be a great start off of the day. I love grabbing coffee at my favorite local coffee shop, Perk Kafe, and making my toast and eggs. The highlight of the day would be going to my favorite place in New York City, Central Park, and enjoy the nice weather and breeze. I also love hiking. My recommendation is Minnewaska State Park Preserve - Gertrude’s Nose Trail. The nature is absolutely stunning and I have a lot of fond memories.
What advice would you give to someone considering TT?
To find the right balance of “waiting until I am ready” and “just doing it”, because it’s important for one to be ready mentally and also schedule-wise / personal situation-wise, but also one will never be fully ready. Another piece of advice is that the teacher training is the guidance but you determine how you will absorb the abundance of knowledge and use it. Looking at my fellow classmates (9 of us including me), I know each of us had a different level of commitment and intention to use the teacher training experience. So you design what you want to do with it ultimately.
What are you most grateful for today?
I am grateful for having a home that keeps me warm and cozy. I am grateful for having a life partner I love and share the vision for our future together. I am grateful for my healthy body and mind.