"I first met Lily and Ramananda during my teacher training course at the beginning of 2012 when Blooming Lotus was situated in Thailand. I've been living in Bangkok since then and have gone back to visit several times, taught on a few retreats, and returned as a luminary for a second teacher training course in 2016. During this second teacher training course I found it easier to grasp some of the advanced concepts and pay attention to things I was taught previously but wasn't fully ready to absorb. It was totally uplifting and life-changing doing the teacher training course again, receiving this sacred knowledge and wisdom from a higher vantage point. The thing I love most about the Blooming Lotus lineage is the commitment to guiding us to the world within through the practice of meditation. As I've grown as a teacher and human, it has been truly heartwarming to remain connected to Lily and Ramananda. They are humble and enlightened spiritual parents offering unconditional love."

“This transformative training as a returning luminary served as a confirmation that I continue to stride forward on the right path and towards complete spiritual awakening and to wholeheartedly follow my highest destiny and calling. Having moved beyond attachments which, no longer serve me at this stage it was revealed to me that following the path of a true yogini, in my case as a meditator, yoga teacher and manager, is in full alignment with my passions, skills, and experiences. Shedding any remaining doubts, being in the presence of and learning from Lily and Ramananda and their loving and spiritually evolved team, I arrived at the happy status quo of ultimate contentment that there is indeed a way in which we can lead the life of sadhana while still leading a life steeped in love and truth on most practical terms while leading a full and yogic lifestyle.”

“Returning to do multiple YTT's and silent retreats gave me the fuel and inspiration to remind me of my path back home. Being surrounded by people that genuinely inspired me and encouraged me to live from a space of love and trust redirected my focus back to my practice being the highest priority. The abundant number of choices for 'spiritual awakening' in our modern society had left me feeling like I had to continually do or know more, like I was consistently chasing something that was unattainable. Committing to one practice regularly over time leaves me feeling full on a deep level rather than just satisfying a momentary desire for pleasure. It anchors me and continually reminds me that it's not about how we show up to our practice it's just that we show up, which I feel is a beautiful reflection of life.”

"While I was so grateful to be at the first YTT, it was so much information in a short period of time and I needed years to digest the teachings. The years that followed the training were at times difficult, but I was constantly supported by the wisdom and knowledge that Lily and Ramananda passed down to me. I always knew that I wanted to return because I felt pretty overwhelmed at the first training. Three years later I returned to Bali and it was the second best decision I have made (the first was to attend the original training).

I finally was able to understand and grasp the material on a deeper level and tapped into a profound sense of peace. The teachings that I had tried to intellectualize and rejected initially, just flowed through me without apprehension. In my first training, sitting in meditation was nearly impossible as 10 minutes felt like a lifetime. But by the end of my second training I was blessed with a divine stillness and ease. I would highly recommend ret (...)

"In a world where Yoga has become the "in thing," it is natural for the mind to wander and become tempted and enticed by the very colorful outside distractions that might sound and look so appealing to the spiritual seeker. This can lead to an overwhelming sense of confusion.

Lily and Ramananda understand this and provide a loving space for serious students and luminaries who are interested in learning the most authentic teachings drawn directly from sacred sources and presented in a way that is not only easily comprehendible but speaks to the heart on a profoundly deep and meaningful level. This provides a clear pathway for one to establish and cultivate a strong personal practice and direction, a sense of self-harmony and fosters strength of character and truth within.

The path of a spiritual seeker may be long, it may be bumpy, but can be made smoother and more blissful with the right guides.”

“Upon returning to the Blooming Lotus School after seven years I immediately felt and remembered the sense of community and oneness that I experienced while attending my first yoga teacher training in 2010. There have been a few changes at the Blooming Lotus School and the team of highly knowledgeable and intuitive teachers has flourished, however, the essence of the teachings remain incredibly pure.

Being around like minded people who value similar ideas goals and beliefs is an important part of a students spiritual journey. Its helps to keep one grounded, focused and fosters a sense of purpose and belonging. It is also inspiring and beautiful to witness the growth of others who have traveled a similar spiritual path. I have had the pleasure of cultivating deep connections with both the teachers at Blooming Lotus Yoga and other students that I have met along the way, and I continue to grow my network of global spiritual brothers and sisters.

Having the opportunity to retu (...)

“Although my first YTT was life changing, perhaps an even more powerful and transformative experience was returning to Blooming Lotus as a luminary. Where my first YTT was a slow settling into new ideas and principles, the start of my second YTT brought an immediate deepness in my meditation practice, in my embodiment of love and truth, and in my reconnection to the divine within. I was able to absorb the teachings less academically and in a more visceral and heartfelt way.

"It can be confusing to discriminate between teachings in this new age of yoga; there are countless styles of yoga and a variety of spiritual experiences to be had, which makes it easy to choose breadth and over depth. However, for sadhana (spiritual practices) I have found that depth is essential, and it’s what ultimately leads to continuous and refined rekindling and embodiment of the divine qualities within (our true gift to the world). From depth we nurture sustained and fulfilling lifelong practices and habits. As a luminary, I was able to find more depth both personally, with an intense and lasting recommitment to my sadhana (spiritual practices), and collectively, through cultivating and strengthening new (and old) relationships within the Blooming Lotus community, or sangha. Being part of a sangha is vital for spiritual development."

"Traditionally, yoga students would learn from their teachers for many years, and after venturing out into the world to share their knowledge, they continually returned to their teachers for guidance and blessings. Even though I carry in my heart the love and blessings from my beloved teachers, sacred knowledge from our lineage, and the presence of oneness, I will continue to return to Blooming Lotus’ physical space in beautiful Bali. It is a rare and special opportunity to be able to come back and connect with my teachers- who are pure embodiments of the love and truth they teach,- my sangha, and this extraordinary lineage we share. I would encourage any former YTT student to take advantage of this generous invitation to reawaken as a luminary and come back home to love. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.”

"There is a subtle and powerful gift of attending the YTT and returning to the BLY sangha. I was pulled back into revisiting the YTT as a graduate largely by luck / karma / divinity, basically without any conscious planning on my part. What I came to realize was that my first attendance sparked a major shift in my practice, perceptions, and in my life. The year that followed was filled with transitions, travel, and persisitent change. When I luckily was drawn back into the BLY fold and the YTT, it provided a powerful anchor in my practice, and a deeper understanding of what I had been introduced to in the first training, a solidifying some major life changes I was working to create.

After, while I was living a few years very far away from Asia, I kept connected to the sangha through seva. Even the small work I did for Blooming Lotus Yoga offerings provided a spiritual tether that I am deeply grateful for; so often timely, potent teachings came through the work I was doing tha (...)

"I've been lucky to return again to the sangha for a third YTT and for continued studies and seva with the teachers. Seeing how their YTT offering changed over 4 years revealed that our wonderful teachers are changing as well. The teachings they give only become more powerful, more subtle, and revealing. My own practice, and my life have had profound benefits from extended sadhana with Blooming Lotus Yoga, that I think can usually only be developed through a consistent commitment to one lineage, daily kriya practice, and daily living the yoga. We are so lucky to have teachers that fully embody the love, wisdom, humility, generosity, boundlessness of the teaching they share. If it is at all possible in your life, I highly recommend taking time to cultivate your sadhana with sat-sangha. Gurus and teachers are invaluable and influence your practice and life in unimaginable ways, and perhaps the more consistently you practice with teachers, surrender deeper to a single body of teachi (...)

"Returning to Blooming Lotus Yoga as a luminary was more than I could have ever hoped for. When I had initially decided to return as a luminary a year after my yoga teacher training, I was primarily looking to strengthen my meditation and sadhana practice, and re-immerse myself in the magical Bali setting. What I gained was far more than that...

The yoga teacher training was a profound, eye-opening, life-changing experience. It deepened my understanding of Yoga & Meditation, and exposed me to teachings I had never been aware of.

Returning as a luminary was even more all-encompassing, another intense 'body-dunk', if you will. As a luminary, I not only learned a ton of new information, but I was also able to absorb the material from another perspective since I could build upon the teachings & knowledge instilled from the YTT. I gained such an incredibly deeper understanding of the concepts and teachings across the board, both physical and spiritual.

I am eternally thankfu (...)

"My first teacher training woke me up to that fact that what I had been seeking for all along was a relationship to that part of me which is eternal. As I learned how to meditate and nourish that sacred relationship, I gained a deep sense of belonging. I began to truly open my eyes to the beauty and unity of all existence. Finding faith and falling in love with life itself, I came home and tried my best to simply be an embodiment of this love and compassion.

However, I struggled with how to take the knowledge and implement it in the “real world”. I was afraid that I would somehow forget the love and compassion that I had become so familiar with, and so, I was too hard on myself. The truth is, we can never lose what is inherently ours. Although sometimes we may act in ways that bring us further from truth, we can use these experiences of forgetting as reminders of the importance of discipline, following a particular lineage and listening deeply within.

The second teache (...)

"Returning as a luminary is an opportunity to 'check in/re-evaluate,' to connect, to be, to receive/awaken the wisdom that resides within, and to really listen to what speaks loudest to the heart. It is an opportunity to observe, to reflect, and to breathe through all that arises from extended time in a shared space."

"If your heart is one with the Blooming Lotus family, you are so lucky, because you don’t have to look any further. You have found your path to truth. And now, it is your duty to follow it. With sincere devotion, you will notice that you will be guided effortlessly. Return as a luminary and really allow the teachings to be grounded and anchored in your being. Your connection to your teachers & lineage will help guide you home to what your heart craves most, and you will always feel taken care of."

"The first teacher training sparked an inner longing for sangha and I took my teachings home and applied them to my life, which in turn changed the structure and nature of my Yoga practice, my personal relationships and my lifestyle. Gratefully, I was able to return to their loving embrace the following summer, this time in Bali. Returning as a Luminary, I felt I really, truly, woke up. I shared a villa with 3 other Luminaries (and the lovely Ashley). We were able to connect and share our experiences, as well as creating our own sangha in Bali. We meditated, shared meals and deepened our knowledge and understanding of the teachings, together. One of the best things about returning and hearing the teachings a second time was being able to ask questions about some of the insights we touched upon during YTT. I felt I was able to apply my knowledge and act as a guide for new students."

"During my first YTT I learned what practice is. Before beginning my 2nd YTT I was compelled to fully dedicate myself to practice (though I had no concept of what that might "look like").

Come with an intention, be open to the unexpected, take refuge in true teachers and supportive community, and trust the journey."

Returning Luminaries: wear white! Practice what Lily and Ramananda have taught so you can be a guide and light. They don’t hand out knowledge lightly and we are so very blessed to be in their illuminated presence; respect the teachings. Be available and humbled that we are able to provide service...and most of all share your love of Yoga with the students, they look to us as guides in how to apply the teachings to life after YTT.