Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga has proven itself an incredibly powerful experience in my personal life not only because it is relaxing, fun, and helps me burn a few extra calories; it gives me the opportunity to reconnect with my body and my mind, to feel confident in my ability to provide for both myself and others. After graduating from U of M last April, traveling to South Africa twice to work with impoverished communities blanketed with HIV, serving as an educator for a Sexual Assault prevention center as well as Planned Parenthood, working for three years at the local YMCA, and many other experiences, I realized how passionate I feel about health overall as an extremely empowering or disempowering entity. Eventually, I began to think more creatively about how I could incorporate these beliefs and experiences into my professional life. 

That said, my ultimate goal with this training and as a yogi is twofold: I hope to deepen my own practice and gain a better understanding of both my physical and spiritual self; I also have a strong desire to provide cultures and communities that do not historically practice yoga or approach health and fitness holistically with the opportunity to experience the empowering effects yoga can have on health and mental well-being. I feel very strongly that many communities can benefit immensely from yoga on many levels if only it is made more socially accessible and affordable. I also plan on going back to school for a public health and/or medical anthropology degree that will help me better understand these communities, how they seek and understand health care, and how I can empower them to make healthier choices overall (through diet, fitness, sexual health, mental health, spirituality, and other self-care methods). I want everyone - but especially those who are disenfranchised and lack social or political capital - to have the opportunity to take full control of their bodies. There are movements to provide more diverse communities with yoga and other holistic health methods and I am excited to be starting my training at a time when such measures are emerging.

Teacher Training at A2 Yoga (http://a2yoga.net) includes core teacher training, teaching methodology, anatomy and physiology, marketing, private instruction and practicum. The 200-hour training is $2600, and although I have been working hard to save as much as possible on my own, I am also seeking funding assistance. My goal is to raise at least $1500 in this manner. Any amount is welcome, however,  if you donate any amount between $10 and $20 as an individual I will provide you (or a gift for a friend) with one free class following the completion of my training. If you donate $20 or more you will receive a free class for yourself and a friend (or a gift for two friends). If you donate more than $50 as an organization I will provide your group with a free class. Any additional funds raised over my goal will be used to benefit my future yoga classes and students. 

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding my professional experience, the many benefits to practicing yoga, or innovative movements to broaden yoga’s reach you can reach me via email ([email protected]) or view my resume on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/raina-lagrand/45/865/288/).

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination” -Nelson Mandela