Our trainees reflect

This training course has been incredibly rounded and rich in challenges and obstacles. However, through it I have come to fall more and more in love with yoga and the more I learn about it the, more I learn about life and about myself. I am beyond grateful and forever indebted to the practice of yoga, this course and to the encouragement and wisdom of you both for helping me to experience this in all its totality.

Thank you!
Ashlee

"Relinquish the mind, be gentle with yourself and go within. Enjoy the journey." (Michael Hetherington)
Bec

Pine Rivers teacher trainees are such stars! S-T-A-R! They can do the wheel pose, they can do the splits…. they can do anything just like this!!! Sun salute, sun salute – boom boom BOOM! Gooooooooooooooooooooooo yoginis!!!
 (I wasn’t sure if i should make the cheer about us trainees or the trainers. If it fits better with the book, then we could say 'Pine Rivers trainers are such stars’ instead)
Thanks Ruth and Tan for being such fantastic teachers and for sharing your knowledge, experience and insights with us. You've created a safe environment where we’ve learnt and grown and you’ve made the last 18 months of our yoga journeys all the richer. Amongst much else, I’ll be taking some of the PRY style and flavour with me, to share with others along the way. Namaste. ☺
Cat

Plant the seed that helps children grow strong bodies, healthy minds and happy spirits - teach them yoga.
Catherine

The discovery of yoga in my world over twenty years ago has brought calm, connectedness to the earthly and spiritual realms, clarity of mind, hope, an  array of challenges and has been nothing short of life changing.
In July 2014 a new chapter in my Yoga journey began with the commencement of the study of yoga through the teacher training course; this has taken my experience of yoga to a whole new level.
In writing this I reflect on the times of old where I imagine Yoga masters with their students who have devoted a life to the tradition of Yoga. Whilst this full application has not been possible, I have had the opportunity to be part of a modern day teacher/student relationship and I feel absolutely privileged to have had this experience
To Ruth and Tanya, I humbly bow  with immense gratitude for guiding me, nurturing me and being tough on me when you needed to be, sharing your practical learnings and for imparting wisdom and knowledge of the traditions and practices of yoga to me. Om Shanti
Jillian

I could never have imagined the strength I could attain by practising yoga.  Physical, mental, emotional……..a wholistic transformation in just 18 months!  Thank you Ruth and Tanya for your guidance, dedication, kind words and genuine care.  I will never forget this journey.  You have both helped to open my mind and my heart to an ancient wonder……and I’m hooked.  
I started this journey wanting more fire and energy in my life only to realise that my whole body was craving peace and tranquility.  Thank you for teaching me how to channel a calmer energy through the practice of hatha yoga.
I will miss our little group so much.  I feel blessed to have so many wonderful memories.  From one fellow yogi to another…..Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.
Julie

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius power and magic in it" ...Goethe
Luisa

I used to think that yoga was done in quiet rooms, in appropriate clothing, whilst mysterious chants lulled the mind into a quiet restful state. If that configuration wasn't possible, yoga wasn't possible for me. This immersion has made me realise yoga is my reaction to cranky kids, my response to fear, my thoughts. Yoga is now the way that I stand in the kitchen, it's the food I prepare, the way I sit to eat. Yoga has become the thread that ties it all together and allows me to be happy.
Michelle

When I started yoga, it was an opportunity for me to calm my mind and find some control in my life. I was inspired to deepen my knowledge of my inner self and tap into my conscience. Yoga helped me understand who I really was. With the guidance of my teachers Ruth and Tanya, I have been able to find balance in my life, both on the mat and out in the world; but most importantly I have discovered happiness. To be happy in your own skin means more than any amount of money or material possession can provide. It is self love and feeling a purpose in your life, which to me, has proved to be one of the greatest gifts of all. I dedicate these asanas to my teachers... postures that were once terrifying to me, that progressively grew with my practice through guidance, truth, love and dedication to the practice. I thank you dearly... Namaste
Stephanie x

"Thank you. To two women who have taken their time, knowledge, effort and emotions and poured them into us. To bring us to a point where we can use our time, knowledge, effort and emotion and pour them into others. For helping us bring the joy of yoga to the world: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are wonderful, amazing people and I am so glad to have spent the last year and a half with you."
Tori

Until there is commitment there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. The moment one definitely commits oneself, providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues forth from the decision, raising in ones favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it now. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!
Wendy

Towards the Light  is an article written by Michelle Spencer, a recent graduate of the Pine Rivers Yoga Teacher Training program.

Michelle's experience has been published in the latest Australia Yoga Life Magazine (December - February 2016 edition).

Click on the title above to read the article as a pdf.