Student Spotlight With Laura What Led You To Yoga Teacher Training In Costa Rica

Student Spotlight With Laura: What Led You To Blue Osa?

On this week’s edition of Blue Osa Student Spotlight, we are super pumped to introduce you to Laura Jane Bonney. Read on to learn what brought Laura to an immersion yoga teacher training program and the unique situation that could have held her back—but didn’t! We know you’ll be inspired after this one!

Let’s start with an introduction!

Laura

What’s your name, where are you from, and what do you ‘do’?

Hello! My name is Laura Jane Bonney and I live out in the country in a small town called Port Severn, Ontario with my partner and two dogs Cash and Diesel. I was recently employed by the federal government, working full-time as a food inspector, and before that, I did a variety of things for work, from serving at coffee shops to tree planting. I love music festivals, snowmobiling, rock climbing, wakeboarding, canoeing, and generally anything that gets me outside. My favorite time of day is when I get to have my first cup of coffee and I’m the only person I know that gets excited about flying. Even though I love eating veggies out of my garden and eating a healthy clean diet, my favorite food is salt and vinegar chips, and I am a self-proclaimed poutine connoisseur.

How did you start practicing yoga? What was it about yoga that caught your interest?

I feel I have always been drawn to yoga. I first started practicing in my second year of University in 2006. The following year one of my close friends took her yoga teacher training course through school, and I remember thinking that it was something I wish I could do or would do, someday. Since then, I’ve lived in over five different cities, and in each, I’ve practiced at different yoga studios with many different teachers and styles. I’ve practiced in small eclectic studios to community centers to more franchised styles like Moskha Yoga and Bikram. There have been times when I’ve practiced daily for months on end, and times when months would go by and I hadn’t practiced at all. In the end, though, I always come back to yoga.

Yoga has constantly been a way for me to get back to myself. It opens up a space to clear my mind and to feel grounded. It has a magical way of allowing me to reach a deep place inside of myself that can’t very well be described, only experienced. No matter what’s been going on in my life, it’s taken me back to this place of stillness and knowing, and that’s what kept me practicing—and will keep me practicing—for years to come.

When did you decide to commit to a yoga teacher training program?

I’ve wanted to commit to a yoga teacher training program for as long as I’ve been practicing yoga. It’s been on my bucket list since I can remember, not only so that I could one day teach others but for the experience and to go deeper into my practice.

As I mentioned earlier, I was working for the government as a contract employee for a year and a half. Things were going great, and I was certain I would stay on as a full-time employee. At the beginning of September I was informed that at the end of the month (when my contract expired), they would not be extending my term, and in fact, no contract employee would get a term extension at all in an attempt to cut costs. This came as a surprise not only to me but also to everyone else I worked with. I was a little hurt at first, but I am a true believer that things happen for a reason. In the following week, I decided that now was the time to take advantage of a yoga teacher training immersion program and that I really didn’t enjoy my previous job all that much anyway. I began looking online for the different places to take the training and by October I was signed up for the immersion program at Blue Osa, just like that. The universe has a sneaky way of opening up opportunities at just the right time.

What appealed to you about an immersion program, and what led you to Blue Osa?

When I stumbled across the Blue Osa Yoga Teacher Training, I was immediately drawn. I emailed Aaron back and forth a few times with some questions and even though it was just a few emails and I hadn’t even met him, I knew that I liked him.

From the website, I could see that Blue Osa had a nice relaxing vibe to it, but I could also see that Aaron took yoga seriously. I liked the fact that the program was only offered once a year, which said to me this wasn’t just a yoga teacher training mill, pumping out teachers to make a profit. It seemed from the website and videos that the environment was fun and relaxing but mature and dedicated to providing a meaningful experience and a quality course as well. I liked that.

I have traveled to Costa Rica before and loved every second of it. The location of the program, of course, helped in making my decision.

Were there any hurdles standing between you and a one-month immersion program and from being far removed from your daily life, routines, and responsibilities? How did you overcome them?

Laura

My biggest hurdle was that I was going to be into my sixth month of pregnancy when I arrived at the course. Yes, that’s right, six months pregnant! Believe it or not, when I initially found out I was pregnant one of the first things that crossed my mind was that I would have to say goodbye to my yoga teacher training dream, or at least put it on hold for a few years.

Then in September when I was laid off, and the opportunity of having the time presented itself, I thought – why not? It’s for sure going to be an added challenge, but I know the rewards will be life-changing. Plus, now I can tell my baby that she was a yogi before she was even born!

What are your goals for both during and after the yoga teacher training program?

I sincerely hope to teach yoga in the community where I live, so I hope to get a good foundation in actually teaching yoga to give me the confidence and knowledge to do so. I also hope to get back into a routine where yoga and meditation become priorities in my life again.

What three words best describe how you feel at this very moment, before boarding the plane?

Excited, nervous, and ready.

What is one piece of advice you would like to give to other yogis who want to take their yoga practice to the next level, but have some fear holding them back?

Money can always be made, so when the opportunity presents itself, trust your gut and just do it. Don’t wait until you’re six months pregnant, but even if you do, know that it’s never too late.

A huge thanks to Laura for participating in our Student Spotlight Yoga Teacher Training Series!

All Photo Credits: Dan Moore Photography

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Teaching methodology + practicum

  • Learn how to lead and market successful yoga retreats
  • Learn the principles of demonstration, observation, assisting/correcting, and instruction.

  • Learn different teaching styles.

  • You’ll learn specific techniques that will enable you to easily teach all levels

  • You’ll also learn how to sequence your asanas to create a natural, therapeutic and transformative arcs in your classes

  • Learn the qualities of effective teaching

  • Learn the business aspects of being a yoga teacher and gain the building blocks of how to build a thriving yoga career

Development of the Professional Essentials

History, Philosophy + Ethics

  • Identify your spiritual stance so you can step into it as a source of strength
  • Identify walls and develop strategies to take them down
  • Create a support network and support strategies and have them in place when you leave
  • Complete a physical and spiritual adventure challenge
  • Learn the business aspects of building a thriving yoga career
  • How to bring the practice of yoga into your everyday life and make it work for you
  • The science and application of mantra
  • An overview of the history of the yoga tradition
  • The ethical standards of teaching yoga

Yoga Humanities

Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™

  • Receive training in Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™ training for Yoga Teachers
  • Go further in your anatomy training
  • Learn how to access muscle function
  • How to sequence transformational yoga classes
  • Learn the energetic and deeper sublime effects of asana
  • The science and application of Mantra
  • Design classes based on Ayurvedic principles
  • Knowledge of both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.).

Anatomy & Physiology

Techniques, Training and Practice

  • A breakdown in the anatomical and energetic categories of postures
  • Develop a daily meditation practice
  • Learn pranayamas, kriyas, chanting, mantra, meditation, and other traditional yoga techniques
  • How to sequence and structure transformational 60 and 90-minute classes
  • Practical experience teaching postures, classes, and meditation
  • Learn deep relaxation techniques
  • Yoga Nidra, as taught by the Himalayan tradition and Western tradition
  • Learn how to conduct and lead fire rituals
  • Kundalini Yoga techniques
  • Learn the subtle energetic aspects of yoga like the Koshas and chakras
  • Kriya Yoga and Laya Yoga

Advance Your Own Practice in Yoga

Techniques, Training and Practice

  • A breakdown in the anatomical and energetic categories of postures
  • Develop a daily meditation practice
  • Learn techniques in pranayamas, kriyas, chanting, mantra, meditation, and other traditional yoga techniques
  • How to structure and sequence transformational classes
  • Practical experience in teaching postures, sequencing, and meditation
  • Learn deep relaxation and meditation techniques that come from the Himalayan tradition

Develop a Rock Solid Practice in Yoga

Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™

  • Receive training in Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™ training for Yoga Teachers
  • Develop an understanding of basic anatomy
  • Learn about muscle function and how to improve it (something you will not learn in any other YTT)
  • Knowledge of both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.)
  • The study of both the subject and application of its principles to yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns)
  • Skills to teach yoga classes suited to all levels of practice.

Anatomy & Physiology

History, Philosophy + Ethics

  • An in-depth study and application of the Yoga Sutra
  • How to bring the practice of yoga into your everyday life and make it work for you
  • The science and application of mantra
  • An overview of the history of the yoga tradition
  • The ethical standards of teaching yoga

Yoga Humanities

Teaching methodology + practicum

Get hands-on practice teaching so that you’ll be able to teach on day one after the training is finished. You will:

  • Practice teaching in small and large groups

  • Be ready to teach yoga as soon as you leave the yoga teacher training

  • Get hands-on experience teaching and give/receive feedback

  • Practice assisting students

  • Learn the principles of demonstration, observation, assisting/correcting and instruction

  • Learn different teaching styles

  • Learn qualities of effective teaching and adjust to the student’s process of learning

  • Learn the business aspects of how to build a thriving yoga career

Development of the Professional Essentials