5 Lessons From My YTT
5 years ago, I had just come back from my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in India.
It was an intense, life changing experience - and truthfully, without it, Ladina Yoga wouldn't exist.
That time in India didn’t just teach me how to guide others through yoga. It transformed how I see the world, myself, and this practice we love so much.
Here are 5 lessons that have stayed with me ever since:
1. The power of routine and discipline
The day started at 6:30am and finished at 7:30pm. Every morning we followed the same sequence:
- Jala neti (nasal cleaning)
- Short meditation
- Pranayama
- Gentle asanas
Fast forward five years, and my morning routine still looks almost exactly the same.
This experience taught me the beauty of consistency and the discipline that comes from small, daily rituals. Even when life feels chaotic, my practice anchors me.
2. Yoga must evolve with the world
During training, I realised just how much yoga has evolved since its origins.
The world moves fast - and so do we. While it’s important to honour tradition, it’s equally important to adapt and make space for authentic, modern practices that meet people where they are today.
Yoga isn’t frozen in time. It’s alive, evolving, and endlessly adaptable.
3. The breath is our most precious tool
One of the biggest awakenings for me was understanding the power of breath.
Before my training, I hadn’t realised how often I was holding my breath - almost as if I was waiting for life to happen. In India, I learned to exhale fully. To breathe deeply and intentionally.
Breath is natural, free, and abundant. It has the power to heal, create, transform, release, and connect us to the present moment.
4. Balance, not perfection
Ayurveda opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at balance.
There is no absolute "good" or "bad" - only balance and imbalance.
This shifted my perspective on life. Instead of labelling things as right or wrong, I started to ask: Is this bringing me into balance?
It’s a much gentler, more sustainable way to live.
5. The body and mind are deeply connected
Before my training, I knew asanas (postures) were important - but I hadn’t truly understood why.
Through daily practice, I discovered the powerful link between mind, body, and breath. I learned about drishti (focus of gaze) and how where the mind goes, the body follows.
Focus on the mat creates focus in life.
Balance on the mat creates balance in life.
This simple but profound truth continues to guide not just my yoga practice, but my whole way of living.
Five years on, these lessons are still unfolding in my life and my teaching. And every time I step on the mat, I’m reminded that the journey of yoga is lifelong.
If you’ve ever thought about doing your own YTT, let this be your sign: it could just change your life, too.