Apr 09, 2024

My 1st class at Black Swan yoga was September 22, 2022. I had been practicing regularly for about year at a local vinyasa studio close to my house. I was still very new to yoga and very enthusiastic about the personal progress that I was experiencing. My strength, flexibility and balance had improved tremendously and I was always looking for a new challenge. I decided on Sept 22, 2022 which was the Fall Equinox, I would take 6 classes as a personal challenge. Two at a local gym that offered yoga classes, two at my regular yoga studio, and two at Black Swan on Lovers. It was a crazy day, so much fun, and ending the day at BSY was epic. I signed up for a Hot Onnit class led by Alex B followed by a Candlelit Slow Flow led by Sandra. The intensity of the Hot Onnit and the restorative flow were a perfect match. I enjoyed them so much that I began making stops by Lovers when i was in the area. Fast Forward to September 2023 and I was ready to take on a YTT course. I happened to see a Costa Rica YTT advertised on the BSY website and signed up. I was incredibly excited! Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances arose and I had to switch from the Costa Rica session to a local Dallas YTT that started 3 months sooner. Devon and the team at BSY were kind enough to make the switch and I am grateful that they did. I had such an amazing experience during the 10 weeks of our YTT session. I met some of the best people, learn about so many aspects of yoga that were previously unknown to me, and staggered my way through some intense personal and family tribulations. Being in the BSY YTT sessions helped me navigate challenges that I may not have had the strength, mindfulness, and ability to stand with calm in the face of so many things that seems to rise against me. Yoga has a different place in my life now. Expanding my practice from mostly Asanas and a dabble in breath work to exploring all 8 limbs of the yogic paths. I find myself being drawn to study rather than watching TV, movies, or other distractions. Am I a better person? Thats a perspective that is difficult to assess. I know I feel better within my being, more in touch with myself and the natural world around me. I enjoy sitting in nature or playing with animals much more than in the past. My appreciation for all living things has been enhanced. But my relationships with other humans has been changed as well. I feel more empathy for the challenges we all face, alone and as communities. I desire to be better and share positive things in the world. I have confidence that things will get better because they always do. My decision to complete the YTT course during the Jan-March timeframe also opened up doors of opportunity I never saw coming and have further changed my life forever. My gratitude to Devon, Shaila, Sheryl, Marcos, James, Alyssa, Emily, and everyone at BSY for their instruction, guidance, and example of walking the talk is massive. Your encouragement and training will not be wasted. I plan to share with all that are ready and seeking another way. Thank you all, most sincerely Michael Zollicoffer Full Review

Apr 08, 2024

Full Review