A Journey of Identity - Finding My Voice

 Wow, what a week. First of all, if you are here, thank you for reading. This is my first time doing something like this, and I want to use this space to express myself so you can get to know the person behind the screen a little better :)

As many of you know, SKILLS COURSE started a few years ago. Throughout this time, I’ve been working hard to figure out exactly who I am. Finding your identity as a teacher isn’t easy. This week, all of the sudden someone I haven't spoken for ages, but someone I appreciate asked me if I prefer to practice "Black Lotus" over "Navakarana." The question didn’t shock me at all. I always encourage my students to learn from different teachers and find their own unique voice, but I know it isn't always that simple.

When you graduate in a specific method, you automatically get the "Specialist in X" badge. We play that role because it works, and often, it’s what people are looking for. I don’t judge that. But over time, I realised that I love to explore. I love to learn from others and apply that new wisdom to what I already know. I deeply value my training in Navakarana, it is a powerful method that is hard to put into words, but life is too short to stop learning. Finding my own path in this world has been, and still is, a challenge.

 What I know for sure is that I adore teaching conditioning. I am SO happy to have the skills that allow me to call myself a Conditioning Coach. But I also adore astrology, music, dance, and Vinyasa flows, sometimes structured, sometimes with no structure at all. I love the freedom to be creative and, occasionally, the freedom to break the rules. I’ve always been that artistic, creative child, and I’ve realised that progress can be a form of art.

I am celebrating the fact that I’m finally understanding who I am in this new chapter of SKILLS COURSE. It is a part of me, but not the total me. It’s the part of me that understands biomechanics and how bodies react. My new platform is the cherry on top; after two years of pure dedication, I can finally describe myself as a Coach. I’m so excited for what’s next.

 This emotional rollercoaster even led to a day of feeling physically ill. My body was draining all that "stuck" energy and emotion. It was short-lived, but long enough for me to realise it was a physical reaction to the mental shift. It’s funny, isn’t it? When your body speaks louder than your thoughts. I took a day off to reset and recharge, and now, I am back.

What I've learned lately

It has been raining in the UK, expectedly, of course. I’m starting to feel that winter heaviness. Every day is wet, grey, and cold. I don’t want to complain I know I am doing it a lot but I want to learn from it. I’ve been watching the ducks on the pond in front of the house where I live. I was worried about them, I was wonder how do they survive the minus degrees and the snow or if they'd find food?

Surprisingly, they are incredible winter creatures. Many actually come to the UK from even colder countries because they find it warmer here. How funny, I’m trying to escape the cold, and they’ve flown here to get a bit warmer. I’m really trying to learn from them: to enjoy the difference between here and Spain, and to remember that the sun is always there, even when you can’t see it.

 To end on a "pop" note: this week I’ve been listening to "Dijon - The Dress" and watching the Grammys and the outfits. If you know me, you know I love fashion, it’s in my blood from my previous career. Pop culture represents me just as much as yoga does. Also, If you haven't heard the new Harry Styles track yet, go listen, it’s a total vibe.

I’ll leave it there for now. I’m going to use this space to just "brain dump" the thoughts in my head. It might be nonsense sometimes, but I love it that way.

I hope you have a great weekend. Please do get in touch if you want to share an irrational thought or just say hello!

Love to you all,

Mariana