Life Lessons Mario Jiannino Learned in Yoga Teacher Training

“Holding Space for myself means permission to feel what I need to feel, space to just be here, exactly who and how I am, and to find my way forward - gently.” - Unknown

Before coming to SWIHA, Great Graduate of the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program, Mario Jiannino, was swept up in the whirlwind of life. Always go, go, going, and not really breathing through life. Mario explains, “I was really reactive to everything around me. I really thought that what I was reacting to before was so important. I realized that while taking Yoga, I have the ability to slow down and analyze things before I create my reaction.” Rather than experiencing and witnessing things, Mario found himself in a place of reaction. Having known and worked with KC Miller, Founder of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, for several years, she finally approached Mario about the Yoga Program. Mario’s reflection was, “KC is insightful - she saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. Somebody out there believed that I was capable of doing something beyond myself, and she was right. I am passionate about this specific modality because Yoga taught me to breathe. I thought I knew so many things about life, until Yoga. Then, I woke up and witnessed so much beauty that was always with me.”

When reflecting back on the beginning of his journey, Mario asserts, “So my first day of Yoga, I had no idea what to expect. Truthfully, I have never taken a Yoga class or anything similar before. I had never even seen a Yoga video, read a Yoga sutra nor really knew anything about it, aside from that I thought it was exercise. So the first class I am following along with what is instructed and I am doing my best until the end of class.” he continues, “One of my classmates says ‘Mario, have you really never done Yoga before? You looked like you knew what you were doing the whole time.’ I have to tell you, that was when I knew that I was in the right place. Somebody looked beyond me and saw something aside from me being gay. I really felt that someone looking at me and not reading the label given to me by society was truly incredible.” The feeling of being truly seen and understood is hard to describe, yet amazing to feel. We all just want to belong and feel accepted in this life, and Mario was accepted at SWIHA.

“People at SWIHA really care about you. Once you start classes here, you will also realize that you have another family here. Your classmates and teachers will notice you and help you. You will make friends for life here, so be prepared to have a fantastic time and you will come out of your program happy and changed and absolutely beautiful.”

The three main lessons that Mario learned, and constantly uses in his life now are:

1. Breathing/Setting Intention

   Being able to take a step back, breathe and focus - which was something Mario was not used to before. The lesson of breath brought Mario’s awareness of intention. Mario asserts, “I now ask myself every day, ‘What is my intention for this? What is my intention for doing this? What is my intention for the day?’ Setting an intention, a goal, an objective, and no matter how big or small, will get you through life.” Mario was able to apply this lesson to his current work. Professionally, Mario is growing in his Marketing role for an advertising company, and Yoga has completely changed the way he works. Mario explains, “With intention and goals that I was unable to set before, I now have focus and drive in my everyday life.” 

2. Holding Space

   Mario elaborates, “The word ‘Space’ can mean several things. Hold space for people, for yourself, and for life. I went through a difficult breakup during the program, and because of Yoga, I was able to hold space for that person's feelings. I told myself ‘You will be okay and right now, this person needs this.’ I think that if I was unable to hold space for myself and them, then I would have broken down. I would not have been able to handle this heart ache or destruction that was my life for several months. Yoga, giving me the ability to recognize that I was in pain and it was okay, saved me from a dark path. ”

3. Removing Hate

   “Hate is so negative and really a deterrent from dealing with something. Hate signifies giving up and quitting. I learned not to use this word and also that it is okay to have a non-preference for something, and the word hate can manifest into something powerful and hate can spread into another person's life. So I learned to stop hating things, and instead be grateful that I am forever a student who is learning. I think that I am unable to hate anything now, because of Yoga.”

Mario had several Yoga instructors that left a big impact on him. Mario spoke very highly of KC, Will, and Vanessa - together, they taught him so much. “KC has so much wisdom and insight into life and organic emotions. She can really connect with anyone that is present in her life and she has a way of getting people to open up and be happy; her energy is completely pure and wonderful,” states Mario. He continues, “KC taught me a lot of things, yet one significant teaching was not to hate. I had never grasped the negativity of hating something or expressing hatred towards something. She explained the reactions and energy associated with that word and emotions. She taught me to let that go and that you learn the most when you are in a place of non-preference.” When looking back on his teachings from Will Zecco, Mario elaborates, “Will taught me that you can do whatever you want with your life. He and I had a few moments where we just understood each other. I don't know how else to explain it, except we saw pieces of ourselves in the other person and I really felt that I learned how to present and carry myself because of his teachings and confident nature.” Lastly, when reflecting back on his time with Vanessa, Mario shares, “Vanessa is so patient. She would come over to my mat and adjust me if needed or walk me through a pose right next to me. Vanessa is the one who taught me how to breathe.”

With such a shift in perspective of life and changed habits, Mario is a new person because of this Yoga program - taking with him the teachings that he absorbed. For any new or potential students that are thinking about enrolling in SWIHA, Mario’s advice is, “My advice would be to be open to everything when getting to SWIHA. There will be moments that will challenge you and also change you. You have all the ability to be whatever you want and to be as incredible as you want. SWIHA will teach you how to fly and teach you how to be your best self. The last thing that is really crucial to your development and learning is to always show up to class; don't make excuses why you can't go and always remember that everyone's journey is different.”

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