Brice is Back, But Not Really

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. This was certainly the case for local Barefoot Bar owner, Brice Dial. After originally getting into yoga in 2005 to help relieve and manage stress, Brice received her yoga instructor certification through Om Shanti Belize in 2016. Since then, she felt she had been waiting for the opportunity to take her practice to the next level. When she heard about a scholarship sponsored by the Indian Consulate in Belize to attend an intensive trainers course in India, she knew she had to apply. With an agreement that she would offer two hours of yoga per week to the community through Rhythm of Change upon her return and a stated desire to help transform lives through yoga in Belize, she was accepted.

Accompanied by fellow Belizean honoree, Vianey Blades, a 23 year old physical therapist, Brice embarked on 36 hours of travel, 23 hours of flying through London to Bangalore and an hour long drive one hour south to Bengaluru. Once at S-VYASA University, (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana) they joined their group of 30 other participants from 18 different countries- from Mozambique to Columbia, Ecuador, Serbia and Hungary to name a few. The goal of S-VYASA is to combine Yoga and spirituality with modern scientific research to bring health, harmony and peace to the world- a ‘best of both worlds’ mentality where East meets West. Their approach to yoga is more than just bodily fitness, it’s a holistic and academic approach as well. A learning centre and hospital, they have ‘participants’ instead ‘patients’ as they utilize yoga for medicinal purposes and send teachers back into the world.

As such, the days were intense. Waking up most days at 4:30AM, mantras, meditations and devotions all took place before breakfast at 8:00AM. This was followed by Karma yoga and chanting, an hour lecture and then Pranayama, which is the formal practice of controlling the breath- our vital life force. Then cyclic meditation which combines movement and meditation for stimulation and relaxation of the body and the mind. After lunch there was another lecture and teaching techniques class, followed by Bahjan (songs), Satsang & Trataka (gazing meditation) and Krida (playful) Yoga. Then dinner, study time and lights out. Put that on repeat for 30 days and combine it with a Sattvic diet- which includes food and eating habits that are pure, essential, natural, vital, energy giving, clean and wise- and maybe you’ll experience the same life changing clarity that Brice came home with. That is, if you believe she’s back. Her sister Cassie, who, when asked how it was to have Brice home, responded with a smile “Brice isn’t back yet”.

Brice admits she’s been on a high since returning home, having maintained her daily practice and healthy diet, she’ll tell you, she’s never felt better. Her staff, on the other hand, will tell you she’s “annoyingly happy”. Not needing to rely on alcohol or drugs, Brice says that it’s interesting to her that the reason she started yoga in the first place was to help manage her stress and that, through her studies, its where she found her passion. That in the West, we tend to associate yoga with physical fitness and the body, but that now, she’d have trouble not approaching her classes more wholistically. Using meditation and breathing in conjunction with the physical movements to to find inner balance and to promote self awareness and health.

She’s kept her end of the bargain with Rhythm of Change and can be found at the Community Centre at 6pm Mondays where her yoga classes are free for all. Her hope is to find a way to promote yoga among the youth of Belize- helping them learn tools for finding their equilibrium at a pivotal age. She wants everyone in Placencia to know that she’s here to help. Even if you’ve never spoken before, she’s open to sharing experiences and offering support. In other words, if you’re ready, there’s a new teacher in our midst.