"A very special thank you to @⁨Darnelle 💕⁩ and @⁨Y Genieve⁩ for bringing this magical circle together. You two are so magical in your own being, and together a powerful heaven sent duo of unconditional love, light and divinity. Despite having a irregular yoga practice and limited face time with the either of you prior to this journey, when I saw the email for the training program was being led by you both, it was an instant hell yes; I knew I’d be in the best hands and hearts in the most beautiful yoga casa. Thank you thank you thank you. I’m forever open and led by the boundless love and spiritual guidance you have cracked open and shown me. I came for connection to like minds and I received that and so much more."

- Erin H 3/28/22

"I teach people about trauma.  I journey with people through racism. I inform helpers how to meet those in need in a better way. This is difficult work for many, I often start my day wondering whose life will change by what they are taught today. Change is hard and I was looking for tools to better support this process. My dear friend encouraged me to take a yoga teachers training to learn some tools; perhaps breath work, maybe some stretching, certainly mindfulness. I had no interest in becoming a yoga teacher, but I love her and her spirit, so I said sure. Little did I know what I committed to….

The past three months have been transformational! I have had the opportunity to go on this magical journey with some of the most amazing and beautiful people. When you look around the room we are a motley crew- and like most groups thrown together with a common goal, we have bonded through the process. From the very first day when we exposed our whys, it was easy to see the shared need of support, connection, answers and belonging.

We have learned this amazing framework through which we can live our lives…or not.We have been exposed to a common language shared with others around the world.
We learned about the chakras and energy and herbs and stones.We learned about the human body and how it works and how to take care of it.
We learned about meditation and the benefits to your body and soul.
We experienced music and chanting and performance and art.
We learned asana and practiced and taught and grew in that practice.
We learned about struggle and how we each experience it the same and differently.
We met some gifted and magical people that shared their experiences with us.
Mostly, we shared our thoughts, our fears, our goals and our dreams with each other.

I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to experience all that I have experienced in the past three months. I may never be a yoga teacher, but that wasn’t my goal from the start.  I did learn skills for breath work. I did practice mindfulness so I can help others do the same. Lord knows that I know how to talk someone through basic stretching exercises. And while all of this is important and useful, what I really learned is that being connected to others is my source energy. I study social connectedness and social support. I have been talking the talk for years and I have an amazing support system, AND- there is always room for more! What l learned from being a part of the Casa teachers training is that if I ever lost my way or if I ever felt alone, I am not alone- this is a space where everyone in welcome. Thank you Darnelle and Gengi for being amazing teachers, humans and spirits and sharing your light with me ❤️"

- Julie D