Where Did I Do My Training?

lately a lot have people, students and otherwise, have been asking me where i did my training to become a yoga teacher. i guess trainings are pretty common these days, and the title "certified yoga instructor" is too, but my response to such a question is more the flavor of "where did i (do i) not do my training?"  
yes, it's true, i have attended courses that specifically address the aspects of teaching ashtanga, and i have been to mysore, india and studied at the ayri with guruji (sri k. pattabhi jois) and r. sharath, but in the ashtanga tradition "certified" is a ranking i will likely not attain, and the posted definition to become a teacher of ashtanga yoga is that "the aspirant should demonstrate an appropriate attitude, devotion towards the practice, and a respect for the tradition of parampara, the succession of teacher and disciple."  a certain amount of time spent in mysore "studying the tradition at its source" is also required – and irreplaceable in terms of an understanding of this method.  
but, ultimately, it is the practice, the time spent on the mat, consistently, day in, day out, posture after posture, breath after breath, year after year, that prepares one to teach.  how much time?  that will vary, of course.  i never planned to teach until my teacher asked me, and then not until i was moved to share what i could of my own journey with the hope of communicating even a hint of the inspiration to delve deeper – into the light and the darkness – an inspiration that still burns fervently. commitment to practice and teaching are inextricably woven to create the fabric of the "training."
as i awake and move amidst the highs and lows, the smiles and tears, all that i bump up against or sail through, with the gift of a little grace or a certain steadiness to carry on, everything, every experience informs me – as a practitioner, a teacher, and as a human being.
where did i do my training?  i'm still doing it – every day!

(photo: By Robin Bergner)