How 200 Hours of Yoga Training Changed My Relationship with My Body?

When I first arrived in Rishikesh, my heart overflowed with excitement, and my body buzzed with energy. I had dreamed of joining a 200-hour yoga teacher training course for years, and now, I was finally stepping into that dream.

Rishikesh, the serene land of saints and the birthplace of yoga, welcomed me with open arms. Deep within, I knew I was standing at the threshold of something extraordinary, a new chapter that would forever change not just my mind and spirit but also my relationship with my body.

The air itself seemed different, lighter and cleaner, charged with an unspoken promise. It was as if the entire space was imbued with a sacred energy, waiting to lead me into profound transformation. I had come with enthusiasm, not knowing that I was to undertake an inner journey far greater than anything I could have imagined.

The Transformative Journey: From Cleansing to Connection

This journey started with the Hawan Kund ceremony, where we let go of past weights to welcome new beginnings. Yoga transformed into a deep practice of listening to my body, facing emotions, and finding balance again. I had fallen in love with my body by the end, embracing its sacredness and the communication it offers.

Here are the key aspects that shaped my experience and transformation throughout the 200-hour yoga teacher training:-

The Hawan Kund: Cleansing the Old

The first day at the school began with an initiation ceremony around the Hawan Kund, the sacred fire. Seated cross-legged in front of the warm, flickering flames, we chanted ancient mantras, the Swami's tranquil and steady voice leading the way. He said that the fire was a symbol of purification, a site where we could thoughtfully let go of everything we no longer wanted to harbor, including anger, fear, self-doubt, and regret.

"This is the start of your new life," he said. "But remember, whatever you feed to the fire today can manifest in the course of the training, in your mind, in your feelings, and even in your body. Face it, see it, and let go."

I was deeply stirred. It was like the fire had ignited something inside me. I knew I was prepared to release the weights I had unknowingly borne for years. At that time, however, I did not yet comprehend how deep and extensive this purging would be.

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The Silent Language of the Body

The initial few days were stressful but thrilling. I rose at dawn, practiced Asanas, learned Philosophy classes, meditated in the clear skies of Rishikesh, and delved into Pranayama and Yoga Nidra.

Until then, yoga for me had been largely a physical thing — stretching, strengthening, balancing. But now, with every-day Pranayama, chanting, and meditation, I am starting to appreciate yoga as something much bigger than poses.

It is about listening — really listening — to the body and the mind. And when I finally did start to listen, my body started to talk.

At first, it was subtle — a sense of fatigue deeper than anything I had ever experienced. Then the sudden waves: spasms, emotional releases, laughter, and tears with no apparent reason.

There were times my muscles would shake not from exertion but from feeling. Sometimes in deep relaxation, I would sense old memories coming up, long-forgotten hurts and fears. I knew then — my body was unloading stories it had stored for years.

Rediscovering Physical and Emotional Balance

Following these emotional highs, there was a definite change. My body felt lighter, not only physically, but emotionally as well. It was like a weight had been removed.

My Asana practice shifted. It was no longer about attaining a perfect posture. It became a holy conversation with my body. Whenever I bent, stretched, balanced, or twisted, I felt a dialogue occurring — my body speaking to me where it required love, patience, or strength.

One morning during our Ashtanga session, something beautiful happened. My body moved with such grace and awareness that tears filled my eyes. It wasn't just physical flexibility or strength; it was a deep, profound connection.

It felt like falling in love — with myself, with life, with yoga. I came to see that the expression "listen to your body" was not only a tip; it was a hidden key to an entire new way of being.

Understanding the Foundations of Yoga

Prior to attending the training, I thought yoga was all about the physical postures (Asanas). But 200-hour training broke that narrow perception. Philosophy lessons widened my eyes towards the deeper truths of life.

Pranayama practices enlightened me to the strength of breathing — how it affects not just the body but also the mind and emotions. Meditation classes introduced me to the silent places within me that I had never been brave enough to access before.

I came to understand that bypassing these inner layers is equivalent to appreciating a gorgeous tree without seeing the roots. Yoga is real only when Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, and Philosophy blend in such a way as to serve the body, mind, and spirit in the same proportion.

The more I practiced, the more I grasped how much my body craved not merely movement, but stillness. Not merely strength, but letting go. Not merely form, but sensation.

Read Also: Which Asana Works for Increasing Height?

Nourishing the Body from Inside Out

Other than the practices, the whole training lifestyle during those years nurtured me completely. Our food was plain, sattvic (pure and balanced), giving a boost to our physical as well as our spiritual development. Waking up at sunrise, keeping distractions at a minimum, staying close to nature — all these little changes brought me closer to natural cycles.

I discovered that my digestion was better, my skin looked radiant, my sleep was deeper, and my hunger for junk food disappeared without any conscious effort. My body was healing from the inside out, and it reflected on the outside as well.

The Emotional Cleansing

Yoga training also showed me that change is not always smooth or easy. There were days when emotions were overwhelming. Old insecurities, past wounds, and deep fears resurfaced. But because of the assistance of the teachers, the strength of the group energy, and the safety we had established, I was able to learn to sit with these feelings without judgment.

Rather than suppressing or fighting unpleasant emotions, I watched them drift by like clouds across the horizon of my mind. Some days were sunny; some days were stormy. But each day was part of the cleansing process. As Swami had promised at the Hawan Kund, "things will come out." And they did. But with each letting go, I felt nearer to my true self.

Falling in Love with My Body

By the time I finished the 200-hour training, my body was like an old friend I had just reconnected with after years of miscommunication. It wasn't about having a "perfect" body — it was about having a real relationship with it.

I no longer viewed this body of mine as something to push, punish, or perfect. I viewed it as a temple — something sacred, something intelligent, something deserving of love, patience, and care. Yoga showed me that all sensations — all aches, stretches, or heartbeats — are communications from within. To learn this is one of the best acts of loving oneself.

Read Also: What is Hatha Yoga?

Conclusion: A Journey of Deep Transformation

My 200-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh transformed far more than my practice — it revolutionized my entire relationship with my body and my life. It showed me how to listen, to honor, and to love the vessel that transports me through this life. With daily practice, philosophy, meditation, and immersion into a yogic lifestyle, I not only made my body stronger but also cleansed my mind and opened my heart.

Now, my yoga practice continues, but with a new consciousness — one of self-respect, self-love, and profound gratitude. If you are thinking about taking a yoga teacher training course, here is what you need to know: it is not merely learning to teach yoga. It is learning to live, breathe, and move with more love and awareness.