Rahul Sarin shares his 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 Rahul Sarin.
When and how did you first come to yoga?
I got pulled into trying a Yoga class by a friend about three years ago. That was also the time I was going through immense anxiety for a variety of reasons. Yoga was like coming home and I am so grateful to this friend as well as to my most dedicated yoga teacher for introducing the world of yoga to me.
When and why did you decide to do the mang’Oh Teacher Training?
I moved to New York from India with my family in November 2019 and we were staying close to mang’Oh Yoga. I enrolled as a student and was quite regular to attend the classes. mang’Oh has some of the nicest and finest teachers that helped me deepen my personal practice. When the pandemic started, I continued with classes offered by mang’Oh digitally. I am thankful to Erica for reaching out to me to check if I would be interested to take my practice to the next level. And I decided to move forward as a gift to myself to pursue my interest in yoga.
Describe your Teacher Training experience at mang'Oh. What is a favorite memory?
I had the most memorable experience going through the teacher training program. I am ever so thankful to all the wonderful teachers who pour their hearts out and take us on this path of self-discovery, share their wisdom and help us get into a position to eventually help others around us with yoga. Each one of us was assigned a mentor for personalised guidance from time to time. My favorite memory is from the session Danielle (also my mentor) conducted on meditation. She guided us to a meditation at the end of the session that took me to a different planet. I also loved the Sutra presentations by all my fellow participants. Honestly, there are many more such pleasant memories from the program.
Tell us about your journey post-mang’Oh TT.
Teacher training has been a step taken to further deepen my own practice and also offer guidance to my family/friends/colleagues about the benefits of yoga. We perhaps touched the tip of the iceberg with this program and I am motivated to learn more and explore more on certain specific subjects within yoga
When you are not working or practicing yoga, what are you doing and what fills up your life?
I love to explore nature, spend time with my family, try my hand at cooking and also connect with my relatives/friends.
What and/or who has provided an anchor to you during the last year of the pandemic?
I am grateful to my family/friends for always standing by me. Listening to Sri M (living Yoga master) and trying to imbibe his teachings has been an anchor. Besides my own yoga practice with guidance from all the mang’Oh teachers.
Describe a perfect day…
The rising sun energises me and I also love watching the sun set. I live in Westchester next to the river and I enjoy watching the changing sky colours each day around the sunset. A perfect day is when am at peace with myself and I have fulfilled my external responsibilities(professional/family/society) besides my internal practices like yoga/meditation/reading scriptures and finally having a good night sleep.
What advice would you give to someone considering TT?
Yoga is the union of body, mind and soul. Believe in yourself and go on this path of exploration of self. And get to make like-minded friends as well as the opportunity to be taught by god-gifted teachers.
What are you most grateful for today?
I am most grateful that by God’s grace I have abundance.