Send Leslieann to India (300YTT)
Donation protected
Yoga has been part of my life for the last 15 years. (More on that story here: https://leslieannhobayanyoga.com) But it’s during these last two years that yoga has changed my life. Transformed it in ways I cannot begin to describe. I am not the person I was two years ago. I am more Me, closer to my authentic Self than I have ever been. And this is thanks to my journey that started with the 200-hr yoga teacher training at Onyx Yoga Studio in Warren, NJ. It then continued with teacher training for Kundalini Yoga at the same studio. These trainings are not just teaching me how to teach, but they are giving me much more: they are showing me how to connect with myself on a deeper level, which in turn, translates into a deeper connection with others. My heart has grown beyond depths I thought possible. My capacity for love –in the purest sense of the word, the kind of love that comes without strings—has expanded a hundredfold. It’s a love for myself and for others, all others. For real. I didn’t know a love like this existed. And I didn’t know I could love like this. I didn’t know yoga could do this.
On May 30th, I arrived at Millay Colony in Upstate NY where I would be in residence for a month, working on my book. I immediately did a search for local yoga studios (priorities, you know); Supersoul in Chatham, NY popped up as the nearest spot. On their homepage, there was a button on the right-hand side: 300-hr advanced teacher training in India. INDIA! This coming January. My heart leapt out of my chest. My whole body’s vibrational energy elevated in an instant. If this wasn’t the loudest calling ever, I don’t know what is. I clicked through before even looking at the class schedule. Bhakti Yoga: the yoga of love and devotion. Teachings on the Bhagavad Gita. Learn how to lead kirtans. Play the harmonium. Learn about ayurvedic cooking. I nearly levitated (I kid you not!) from my increasingly high vibration. I couldn’t believe this program existed! It was everything I had been looking for. And bhakti yoga?? The yoga of love and devotion?? Are you kidding me?? My name –and my heart-- was all over that. And the bonus? I get to study with Raghunath Cappo, who’s been called a “teacher’s teacher” and named one of the top 100 most influential yoga teachers in the US. Whut.
(Me and Raghunath at Supersoul)
I filled out the application right then and there. I didn’t think about where the money would come from. When the universe puts things in your path that you have asked for in the deepest part of your heart, you say yes. I trusted that the universe would help me figure out a way. A few days ago, during meditation, GoFundMe popped into my head.
If you know me, asking for help –especially when it comes to money—is the hardest thing, if not altogether impossible. I pride myself in being self-sufficient. (Hello, ego.) But if there’s anything I’ve learned on this yoga journey is that we are not islands, even if we think we are. I am terrified to ask for help, but here I am, asking, despite the terror. Here I am, answering the call of my heart and soul, humbly asking you for help. Any help you can offer. Every bit, large or small, helps.
This training is the next part of my journey. As I deepen my spiritual practice and strengthen my love for myself, I become more compelled to find ways to serve and uplift others, to nurture my community, to teach folks how to open up their hearts and to love, not just themselves, but others—to truly love! And with that, our world can be that much better for it. We are all connected. For real. If I got love, you’ll feel it, even a thousand miles away. Goodness knows we all could benefit from more love.
But first I need to put myself out there, to open myself to you and allow you --my friends, family, kindred spirits, my community—to lift me so that I can uplift others.
I am raising $7000 to cover the cost of tuition ($5000), a harmonium ($480), airfare (today’s research priced flights at $1300) and one night’s stay in Mumbai for the flower festival ($135). The sooner I can purchase an airline ticket the better the price. The rest of the payments are due soon!
Money is currency. Currency (current) is energy. Together, you can energize this calling of mine into a reality. Please know that I am ever grateful for your help, with whatever you can give, large or small. Though these words fall short: thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my ever-expanding heart and soul.
On May 30th, I arrived at Millay Colony in Upstate NY where I would be in residence for a month, working on my book. I immediately did a search for local yoga studios (priorities, you know); Supersoul in Chatham, NY popped up as the nearest spot. On their homepage, there was a button on the right-hand side: 300-hr advanced teacher training in India. INDIA! This coming January. My heart leapt out of my chest. My whole body’s vibrational energy elevated in an instant. If this wasn’t the loudest calling ever, I don’t know what is. I clicked through before even looking at the class schedule. Bhakti Yoga: the yoga of love and devotion. Teachings on the Bhagavad Gita. Learn how to lead kirtans. Play the harmonium. Learn about ayurvedic cooking. I nearly levitated (I kid you not!) from my increasingly high vibration. I couldn’t believe this program existed! It was everything I had been looking for. And bhakti yoga?? The yoga of love and devotion?? Are you kidding me?? My name –and my heart-- was all over that. And the bonus? I get to study with Raghunath Cappo, who’s been called a “teacher’s teacher” and named one of the top 100 most influential yoga teachers in the US. Whut.
(Me and Raghunath at Supersoul)I filled out the application right then and there. I didn’t think about where the money would come from. When the universe puts things in your path that you have asked for in the deepest part of your heart, you say yes. I trusted that the universe would help me figure out a way. A few days ago, during meditation, GoFundMe popped into my head.
If you know me, asking for help –especially when it comes to money—is the hardest thing, if not altogether impossible. I pride myself in being self-sufficient. (Hello, ego.) But if there’s anything I’ve learned on this yoga journey is that we are not islands, even if we think we are. I am terrified to ask for help, but here I am, asking, despite the terror. Here I am, answering the call of my heart and soul, humbly asking you for help. Any help you can offer. Every bit, large or small, helps.
This training is the next part of my journey. As I deepen my spiritual practice and strengthen my love for myself, I become more compelled to find ways to serve and uplift others, to nurture my community, to teach folks how to open up their hearts and to love, not just themselves, but others—to truly love! And with that, our world can be that much better for it. We are all connected. For real. If I got love, you’ll feel it, even a thousand miles away. Goodness knows we all could benefit from more love.
But first I need to put myself out there, to open myself to you and allow you --my friends, family, kindred spirits, my community—to lift me so that I can uplift others.
I am raising $7000 to cover the cost of tuition ($5000), a harmonium ($480), airfare (today’s research priced flights at $1300) and one night’s stay in Mumbai for the flower festival ($135). The sooner I can purchase an airline ticket the better the price. The rest of the payments are due soon!
Money is currency. Currency (current) is energy. Together, you can energize this calling of mine into a reality. Please know that I am ever grateful for your help, with whatever you can give, large or small. Though these words fall short: thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my ever-expanding heart and soul.
Organizer
Leslieann Hobayan
Organizer
Bridgewater, NJ
