Tonight was beautiful. After three months of study, discussion, growth, learning, work, and of course, play, me and 17 of my fellow yoga trainees, (Jenn in spirit) with our seven amazing teachers participated in the most wonderful graduation ceremony. While I’ll keep many of the details to myself to maintain the integrity of our ritual, I’ll share a picture of the mandala we created together as a group, randomly and without plan, as we shared aloud and silently our intentions for each other and all.

With no idea what to expect for our ceremony, we all were prepared for something even better than each of the days and nights we’d spent together over the course of the previous three months, and we weren’t disappointed. I believe that each of the 19 of us took away our own unique experience from this training but shared a greater, common experience as well – one that we can spread around, even if just in intention. Every individual began the journey for a specific set of reasons and one larger purpose, and as I know I grew, it was a beautiful thing to watch the 18 others I’ve come to consider some of my closest friends grow in their own ways as well.

In part because of those who created such a supportive place for us to come and feel at ease being exposed as we learned, grew and challenged ourselves, but more so in realizing that in finding each other – while we wouldn’t have expected it – we had found a new kind of family. And a pretty powerful one at that!

It’s absolutely days like these that will forever stand out.

AlMadeline