My weekend was full of celebration including the final weekend of yoga teacher training and graduation, a friend’s baby shower and the grand opening of Metro Fitness 51. My weekend was also full of reflection about how much growth, change and transformation is constantly happening around us (and within us).

I stayed in on Friday night after teaching two yoga classes and training three clients back to back. I needed couch and quiet time before a busy and social weekend ahead. I cooked filet marsala with mashed red potatoes and broccolini.

I got up early Saturday morning to run before teaching my 9:30 a.m. hot vinyasa class at Om Yoga. It was unseasonably cool and around 47 degrees when I left to run so I brought Sullie along. I’m so proud to report that she ran three miles with me and was full of energy for the whole run. I think that’s pretty good given she’s less than two months away from her eighth birthday. Always grateful for time with my girl.

After teaching yoga I got all dressed up for a friend’s baby shower. I promptly headed to the mimosa table after giving my beautiful and glowing friend a big hug.

And I have to share a picture of the cake. How sweet it was!

I stopped by Sunflour for a soy latte on my way to yoga teacher training for the rest of the afternoon. I had to lead a section of the training so I needed a little pick me up after a mimosa. I took the trainees through a 30 minute lesson on how to use a lacrosse ball for trigger point therapy and myofascial release. We started at the feet and worked our way all the way up the body. I wish I had a recording of all the sound effects we had going on in the room. I am going to work to get some video tutorials posted here on my blog for different areas of the body.

And then I had the privilege of taking two classes led by trainees. As part of the final stages of training they took turns leading 20 minute segments of classes and taught all of their peers and we gave feedback after. I had flashbacks to when I was in their shoes three years ago.

Saturday night I attended the grand opening party for Metro Fitness 51. We just opened our third location in South Charlotte that is offering CrossFit, kickboxing and circuit training classes. Charlotte readers, let me know if you’re interested in trying some free classes!

And Sunday was the final day of eight weekends and 200 hours of training for the teacher trainees. I have to take a moment to talk about this. It is a very special thing to go from student to teacher. And even more special when you actually become a student’s first teacher. Since completing teacher training a little over three years ago, I have had the honor of being several of my own student’s “first teacher” who then inspired and encouraged them to go on to complete teacher training.

I feel so grateful that I was able to assist with this teacher training. Ever since I completed my first fitness certification over six years ago, I’ve wanted to teach teachers. Teaching is probably the thing in life that I am most passionate about and it absolutely lights me up to do it. I want to not only teach my students but also train other teachers to become the best teachers possible. This group of teacher trainees further enforced that I know this is what I want to do.

They dug deep and pushed themselves so far out of their comfort zones. I can’t even describe to you how much transformation took place over the course of these 200 hours and how amazing it was to see unfold. The comparison between the first weekend of training when they sat in a circle talking about why they were there and then freaked out over leading a sun salutation A the next day versus the last weekend seeing them stand in their power and confidently command a classroom was crazy powerful. I will never forget this group of yogis and I cannot wait to continue to work with them to help them develop as teachers and to take their classes!

Let me wipe away my tears now… 🙂 (No really.)

We had teacher training graduation on Sunday night at Vivace.

Complete with the cutest yoga cookies you’ve ever seen!

What a weekend. My heart is full. Babies, business growth, new yoga teachers and living passion.