This is a letter of gratitude and admiration for every single member of the Three Sisters Yoga community. I feel so warmly embraced and so deeply valued whenever I arrive at our cozy studio. My evolving roles within this space over the past few years have given my life richness and meaning. As a student, an asana teacher, a YTT teacher, and the voice behind much of TSY’s social media and marketing content, this community has helped me grow into a version of myself I’m truly proud to be.
Every time I step into the classroom to teach, I watch people of all different backgrounds bear witness to one another, meet each other with respect, and develop empathy and compassion in newer, deeper ways. I watch friendships blossom and evolve. I watch new ideas and deep realizations spark. I see confidence build and compound over time. I hear nervous voices become more confident and assured. I watch students integrate new concepts integrate and synthesize them into dharma talks. I watch students become teachers, metamorphosizing right before my eyes.
I’m amazed by our students’ willingness to be vulnerable in group settings. Their trust in one another creates a strong foundation and a warm, safe community for everyone within Three Sisters. I feel deeply honored by any student who entrusts me with their story, from physical injuries or anomalies and how they impact their practice, to spiritual injuries, broken hearts, and other struggles. It’s such an incredible gift to be trusted as an instrument in helping them heal, whether through restorative and yin practices, reiki, or simply through conversation and friendship.
I’m also constantly awestruck at how kindly and genuinely our students care for one another. Their eyes linger on one another as they slowly begin to observe more than they judge, embracing each other’s uniqueness and agency. I watch their acts of kindness toward one another, sometimes as small as shared snacks or gifted cups of coffee, other times as large as holding one another through tears or calling out words of encouragement. I watch human beings learn to love themselves more deeply, and by default, learn to love those around them even more profoundly. To bear witness to this constant cycle of growth and transformation is a privilege I don’t take lightly.
I want to thank the incredible teachers who guided me through my own 500 hours of training for preparing me to step into this role. To Jen, for your steadfast belief in my worth and ability through some of the most tumultuous years of my life. To Jan, for liberating my practice from unnecessary constraints of form. To Kate, for empowering me with the knowledge to make yoga safer and more inclusive for each of my students. To Daba, for showing me the strength and power of my own body. To Lisa, for revealing the power of my breath to alchemize and transform my human experience. To Constantina, for normalizing and celebrating my intense metaphysical experiences.
I want to thank my 300-hour cohort for being some of the most inspiring classmates and incredible friends I’ve ever had. To Tiah, for meeting me with the warmest smiles and biggest hugs every time you see me. To Yijun, for filling my heart with sweetness and my belly with the world’s best focaccia bread. To Kora, for holding space for me through the messiness of being human. To Brionna, for always reminding me of the power of levity and laughter. To Annie, for teaching me that all good things come in time and helping me learn to enjoy the journey. To Conner, for seeing the wholeness and infinitude of my being and helping me love myself in every iteration.
I want to thank all of the awe-inspiring, synergistic 200-hour cohorts that graduated this year for their uniqueness, their studiousness, and their thought-provoking discussions. There are too many of you to name individually, but I have so much love for each and every one of you! I can’t wait to see the amazing things you do as yoga teachers and as humans.
I want to thank this year’s 300-hour cohort for their power and presence, both individually and as a unit. To Sanjana, for your heartfelt positivity and your excitement toward learning. To Andie, for the privilege of bearing witness to your grace, your story, and your resilience. To Arielle, for your steadfastness, your warmth and kindness, and your curiosity. To Michael, for your inquisitive nature, your poise, and your ability to reach right through to the heart of things. To Alison, for how deeply you value others and the power of the human connection. To Sandra, for your open-heartedness, your candor, and your grace.
Thank you all for your bold and unconditional love. My gratitude is immense and immeasurable.
Sincerely and in service,
Anna Rose
Want to join this sweet community and see the magic for yourself? Check out our upcoming 200-hour and 300-hour trainings. We’d love to have you!