I went to an Ashram... and Came Back a Certified Yoga Teacher 🧘‍♀️🔥

I have a life update! I am a Certified Yoga Teacher! 🧘‍♀️✨

Hi My Loves! 💛

I closed in on 2025 by receiving my much-awaited yoga certification — the best gift I could give myself. 🎁🤍

I’d read about and practiced yoga here and there over the last couple of years, but as with any art or education, unless you are fully immersed in it, you can’t possibly know it deeply at all.

For a month, everything was about the body and yoga. 🌿

Yoga isn’t a result-based exercise. Sure, if you do it consistently, you will get lean and strong — but it doesn’t guarantee you a particular body shape or inner strength.

My Struggles 😮‍💨

1. My biggest struggle was Food. 🍽️

   
   My diet consists of 50% meat and eggs, 25% grains, and 25% vegetables and fruits.

Staying at the ashram, I had to eat lentils, vegetables (no onion or garlic), gluten, rice, and fruits.

My health took a nosedive in the luteal phase and during menstruation. I was yearning for bone broth, warm chicken soup, and sunny-side-up eggs! 🍳🥣

After my period, I was constantly hungry even after eating because of the continuous lack of protein.

2. I gained nearly 2 kilos in 40 days because of my diet issues and possible stress on the body.

3. The morning Ashtanga class had to be performed on an empty stomach, which was absolutely crazy. 😵‍💫
   

   It increased my cortisol, and that was apparent in my mood and mental state.

My Wins 🥹✨

1. Discipline — As a person with zero concept of discipline, having someone schedule a result-oriented day for me was helpful.

   
   I literally could not procrastinate. ✅

2. Direction — Yoga is a great way to begin your movement journey. If you’re in the health space, yoga is a great tool to develop a mind-body connection. 🧠🤍🫶

Western science treats exercise as movement that “burns” calories/fat, etc. It cares more about building muscle and physical appearance than the general vitality of a person. But Yoga follows a different concept.

3. I learned not to punish parts of my body, but instead to individually pay attention to each movement and alignment — to best hear what my body has to say. 🌙

Eg. In Warrior poses A and B, I learned to let my legs hold the weight of my body and ease out my back. I never knew how stressed my lower back generally is because I don’t use my legs enough! 🦵✨

4. Mindfulness — When you’re on the mat, every thought blocks out, because yoga is a moving meditation. 🧘‍♀️🕊️

   
   As opposed to exercise, yoga isn’t a run for results. You can’t immediately check for a pump in your muscles, and no trainer/coach can guarantee your future measurements.

Yoga results depend upon how mindfully you eat, time your meals, take care of your body and mind, and consistent effort. 🌿⏳

The biggest win, though, was that the whole month was a retreat for me to connect with my body — to learn who She is, Her fears, Her likes and dislikes, and what She needs. 💗

My body spoke to me, and it’s the first time I truly felt the connection.

What would I want to change?

Mainstream Yogic Practices are more based on male than female biology.

As a teacher, I want to draw up Female-centric classes to help us achieve individual goals ;)

I believe that at least once in their lifetime, people should try yoga and feel the paradigm shift. 🌸✨

Much Love,
Zitni Zun 💛

P.S. — I am open for 1:1 Restorative Yoga and Breathwork lessons in January 2026! 🫁🧘‍♀️
You can reach me on Instagram @zitnizun 📩✨