By Sarah Millman
Meet Deb! A true yoga enthusiast, Deb has been actively involved with the Mindful Life Practice since 2021 when she joined a 30-Day Sober Yoga Challenge. Since that time, Deb has not only graduated from the MLP’s 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT), but she returned and served as one of the lead instructors for the MLP’s YTT this past July in Bali.
I decided to interview Deb to find out a little bit more about how yoga and the MLPC have played a role in her life.
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I have three main loves: family, animals, and yoga. I am so lucky to have been blessed with the opportunity to have all these wonderful things in my life, and all of this is topped off with beautiful friends and a lovely home in a beautiful environment.
I have three amazing children and two grandkids. I also have a sheep and cat. Last, but definitely not least, is my duck “Buggie!”
Above: Deb's beloved duck, Buggie!
When did you first become involved with The Mindful Life Practice Community?
I met Alex about three years ago, when I started a 30-day sober yoga challenge after drinking way too much during the COVID lockdown. There were only two of us doing the challenge at that time, and the Zoom calls were at 11pm, but I was committed to change. My co-challenger was the beautiful Carrie, and between the smiles and strength that I received from Alex and Carrie I just kept going. I continued to 60 days and then to 120 days, and I felt amazing.
These new and inspiring people in my life kept me motivated and feeling supported and so, when the opportunity arose to do a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Bali, I was the first to sign up.
My YTT in Bali with The Mindful Life Practice was amazing and life-changing for me.
Above: Alex McRobs with Deb Collins
Although I already had a 200 Hour Yoga Teaching certificate and was doing some private sessions with friends, I was unsure if I could teach in front of a class, or if that was what I wanted. I am very shy and quiet. However, after Bali, I was ready.
The week after I came home from Bali, I put my name on a substitute teaching list at my local studio. The next week, I did my first fill-in class, and I loved it so much. Within two weeks, I was given my own class. One month later, I had two classes, and it grew from there.
Now, I am teaching 5 permanent timeslots, working in multiple studios, and teaching different yoga styles: slow flow, yin and vinyasa.
Bali brought me confidence and connection, and the yoga philosophy that I have learned brings me peace and strength.
Whether you want to teach or deepen your practice, The Mindful Life Practice WILL rock your world!
Participating in a YTT is a journey into self-discovery and transformation. The bonds that you make the along the way with your fellow trainees are life-long, as you are souls on a shared journey with challenges, joy, and in the end, triumph. It is a journey of love, light and awakening…and asana (poses), of course (Ha Ha!).
How was your experience working in Bali as one of the main instructors for a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training program for the MLPC?
This year, I had the opportunity to be one of the lead instructors during the Mindful Life Practice’s 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Bali.
Returning to the YTT as an instructor was mind blowing! Although I am always on a learning journey, this was very special.
I am so grateful to have been part of an amazing teaching team, with both Sarah and Jami.
I had the absolute time of my life, and we all worked hard and laughed hard, grew, evolved, talked deeply and had so much fun!
Bali has my heart and soul. I feel so connected to it: the spiritual side, the people, the animals, the weather, the sounds and the magic.
My Place of Peace
Deb's Yoga Journey
(A poem written by Deb during the Summer of 2024 during the Mindful Life Practice 200 Hour YTT in Bali)
I call my mat my place of peace,
my sacred space,
where my heart heals,
where my breath returns,
where I find my strength,
where I find my connection to spirit.
As I step onto my mat,
I connect in my heart, to practitioners all over the world who are also stepping onto their mats,
honoring this ancient art of Yoga
finding strength or vulnerability.
Whatever they are seeking from this space.
“We are all connected; we are one, “
is what I say and feel at the end of every class I teach.
Feeling connected to everything, everybody, universe, and spirit.
Words that come from my heart.
My journey into Yoga started a long time ago.
In the beginning, it was a physical practice of strength, flexibility, and focus.
I absolutely fell in love with the flow, the discipline, and the way I felt afterward.
I sought out different lineages, teachers, and classes.
I created a beautiful and strong home practice, thanks to Ashtanga.
Sometimes I needed to keep my practice going through various injuries or life challenges.
I was always drawn back to the mat.
When an injury threatened my practice,
I remember what one of my amazing teachers said,
“Just take a break from Asana (poses) and look deeper into the yoga behind the postures.
I found meditation!!
I found breath,
I found stillness,
I found my inner wisdom,
I found my connection to spirit.
With every step, I lean more into yoga. I step deeper into me.
Coming into myself means connecting to the universe,
from a place of peace, contentment and gratitude.
The next part of my journey started when I found Alex and The Mindful Life Practice online.
Alex has a strong connection to Yoga Philosophy,
Through Alex, I had an introduction to what would be my next love.
The spiritual teachings that surround the practice of yoga.
My journey catapulted me to Bali.
My intention at the start of my Bali YTT was to learn how to live Yoga off the mat.
And boy that is something that I have begun, but I believe I will keep living and learning until I move on to my next life.
I also found a community of open-hearted souls to be on that journey with.
Real, vulnerable women who are enriching their lives together.
Through an amazing opportunity, I am back in Bali again, and I am unbelievably grateful.
This time, my Yoga intention is different, as it has changed many times over the years.
This time, I came to Bali to learn stillness, humility, and grace.
An eternal student of Yoga.
I love connecting to my students, hoping to bring to them some of the treasures and transformation that I have found and seen in others.
A balance between effort and ease,
holding on and letting go.
I say to my students that my heart is so full helping others to love Yoga. I feel it may burst.
I pray that my practice continues with gratitude and grace.
LOVE AND LIGHT,
DEB
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