Keeping a Yoga Journal
Posted on 08 February 2012 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
Keeping a yoga journal is part of the YogaLondon teacher training course, and can be a beneficial habit for all yoga practitioners as well as teachers. There are many different ways of keeping a journal, and everyone’s method will be slightly different. Some people just keep a note of when they practised, for how long and the style of yoga, possibly with a few comments. Others may record lengthier descriptions of how they felt, their experiences surrounding the practice and the sequences used. Once you have found your journal style, filling it in regularly will provide you with great material for future reference and will help you to keep track of your personal development.
Personal practice
Your journal is a space for you to record your intentions for the practise and to set yourself areas to focus on. Whether you choose a different intention or theme daily, or keep the same one for a week or longer, making a note of it in your diary will help keep it fresh in your mind at the start of every practice. Writing out your experiences helps you to stay aware of the condition of your body and mind. Noting down asanas which are giving you trouble or where you need to check your alignment will help you to advance your practice and remember pointers about alignment, bandhas, chakras...Keeping a journal is also a way of remaining non-attached to your personal practice. The process of writing down your experiences and any response to your yoga session will help you to let go of any feelings you may otherwise carry with you off the mat or into your next practice.
If you are not sure where to start when writing a journal, where you practise and when is a good place to start. It is important to work out the best time of day for you as well as recording your responses to different styles, different teachers, and different practice environments. You can write out sequences you practised, asana that you would like to work deeper into, any aches or pains experienced. Think about how your breath was; did you find a good level of concentration? How long did you practise for? How did you feel immediately afterwards, or the next day? Asking yourself all of these questions will help you advance your practice in alignment with what your body and mind need when choosing classes or sequences.
Teaching
Your journal is also a space for planning lessons. You can record the sequences, your responses to trials of new class structures and how you feel the class found them. Reflecting on how you felt teaching certain styles or classes will help you refine your own evolving teaching style, and noted down sequences can be a great resource to look back on for inspiration. What you write about your own experiences will also prove very useful for teaching. Recording the process of working through an injury and different adaptations or modifications will enable you to make your classes accessible for students who may find themselves in a similar situation. Collect quotes or anecdotes in a section of your journal to share with students when setting the intention of the class and preparing to practise, or as a leaving thought at the close of the session.
Make sure you always have your journal with you, and get in to a habit of spending a few minutes writing in it every time you practise. You’ll probably find that you’ll write more at the beginning when you have only just begun recording your yoga experiences, and with time you’ll only need to take down a couple of lines to cover all you need to say. Of course, it is also important to read back over it on a regular basis - you will be surprised at how much you forget or shove to the back of your mind! And a final word of warning: don’t let the journal take over! If you're in a class or workshop where the teacher says something inspirational, internalise it rather than trying to hold on to the exact phrase to write down later. You will certainly benefit more from a class by going with the flow rather than pausing to scribble down notes every five minutes, disrupting everyone else at the same time. Trust your memory and your body to recall powerful messages and discover your own words to express something which has touched you.
Teacher training alongside full-time work or study
Posted on 13 December 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
Undertaking a two-hundred hour teacher training course is certainly a large commitment and there is no doubt that during the course yoga will be at the centre of your life. Whilst many opt for immersive courses offering just a month of intensive training, often in an exotic location, you can also choose to incorporate teacher training in to your everyday schedule. Courses based upon weekend sessions are popular with people from all walks of life; trainee teachers find all sorts of creative ways to increase the amount of time available for studying and practicing yoga in their already busy schedules.
Working freelance and studying certainly have their benefits when it comes to attending yoga classes during the week and observing other teachers’ classes as part of your training. There’s a certain luxury to attending off-peak afternoon sessions in yoga studios by contrast to the battle for space of lunchtime or evening classes. That said, the bulk of classes offered do take place after working hours and there are always weekends off on which those with demanding jobs can carry out their observations (and enjoy a lie-in!)
Loss of weekends can mean loss of social life, and also loss of potential income from a weekend-job if you are a student. However, when it comes to the question of financing the course the fact that your weekends will be given over to training means that you will save the expenses you would have occurred from any other activities. Most courses are open to structuring a payment plan for students or those who may otherwise struggle to pay for the training all in one go. As for the social aspect, it is only for a short period of time and you are not entirely removed from the world. You may not be able to party all night (if that takes your fancy), and may even feel too tired for a meal or drink with friends, but it’s not forever and you’ll surprise yourself by finding new reserves of energy.
Whether you work or study, it is advisable to try and choose a course which does not clash with any major projects. That said, there are always unforeseen circumstances which arise. During my own training course there were a couple of weeks where everyone suddenly seemed snowed-under with work or study, but we found ways around it. An empty meeting room or even corridor can serve as a practice space, and it’s common to see students reading books whilst waiting to enter the studio for a class. Multi-tasking is certainly the key to time-management, and the personal progression you make during the course is always a great motivation when your energy begins to wane.
Balancing the demands of work or study and training mean that you need to make careful decisions about your practice. Shorter sequences and more restorative poses will widen your perspectives and give your body the rest it needs. A large part of teacher training is learning how to listen to your body and make judgements about which postures will be best for different energy levels and situations. Furthermore, everything you learn from your own experiences is valuable for teaching others who follow a similar lifestyle.
Overall, whatever your occupation there will be obstacles to surmount, particularly when it comes to distribution of your time and energy. It’ll always seem like someone else has an easier time of it, but everyone makes compromises in order to fit training in around their existing lifestyle. Teacher training is not only a way of developing your practice and learning how to share something you are passionate about with others, but also a lesson in time management!
Recommended reading for Yogis
Posted on 13 December 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
Recommended reading for Yogis
The YogaLondon teacher training course uses three main texts alongside a training manual which they provide. During your training David Swenson and his book ‘Astanga Yoga – the practice manual’ will become your best friend; you’ll learn wisdom from Patanjali’s yoga sutras explained and commentated by Sri Swami Satchidananda, and Kaminoff’s ‘Yoga Anatomy’ will give you a view of the poses from the inside. Beyond these titles, there are quite literally millions of texts to choose from. Being a bit of a bibliophile I own an entire shelf of yoga texts, but find that there are certain books I turn to again and again. I decided to open the question of which texts other yogis have found invaluable and inspirational, and received a great response. A pattern emerged of enjoyable reading, texts which entertain as well as inform, and accessible explanations of ancient philosophies. Hopefully you will see some of your own favourites here, as well as discovering some new titles.
Back to the source
The first response I received was the Upanishads. These Sanskrit texts form the basis of the Hindu religion and are at the root of yoga. The title itself translates as “sitting near to”, and refers to a group of pupils listening to their teacher. Transcribed form oral tradition, this ancient knowledge which still resonates today gives the reader a strong sense of yoga, or indeed thought and being, as a timeless experience – the connection between all practitioners. There are over two hundred Upanishads, dating back as early as between 400-800 B.C. however around a dozen are commonly identified as the core teachings and commentated translations are widely available.
Yoga
‘Asana, Pranayama, Bandha, Mudra’, aka the orange book is a key title for any yogi’s collection. One of the core texts of the Swami Satyananda Saraswati series, this book complements the teacher training manual and set texts, providing clear explanations of the asanas and detailing many other aspects of yoga – perfect for consolidation of knowledge and an in-depth but accessible view of yogic systems. The ‘Yoga Nidra’ book from the same series is also very popular. Alongside a historical explanation of the practice, Swami Satyananda Saraswati provides examples of yoga nidra scripts for budding-teachers.
‘The Chakra Bible’ by Patricia Mercier is another text recommended by yogis. A fully illustrated, in-depth explanation of the chakras, this book suggests practical energy work activities as well as the theoretical information.
Rebecca Ffrench, director of the YogaLondon training course, recommended Ram Dass’ ‘Be Here Now’, a book about yoga and spirituality published by a western-born yogi during the 1970s. Described by many as a life-changing book, ‘Be Here Now’ explains the yogic life-style to westerners from the perspective of someone who has come from the same cultural background as them.
For those who, like me, have had to leave their yoga book-shelf in storage, or cannot find the space or funds, online books are an invaluable resource. The Swami Krishnananda website (www.swami-krishnananda.org) is quite literally an online yoga library, providing audio and video clips as well as e-books.
Beyond yoga
Many people first access the philosophy from which yoga stems through Herman Hesse’s ‘Siddhartha’ – a text set in the time of Gautama Buddha which simply and inspiringly presents an individual’s journey of exploration and quest for enlightenment. This cult-classic is definitely worth a read!
I recently stumbled across Jamal Yogis’ ‘Saltwater Buddha’, a captivating account of how yoga and eastern philosophy systems mould and influence peoples’ lives in the modern world. This book really demonstrates how everyone incorporates yoga and belief systems into their own specific life, in this case through surfing.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s ‘Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience’ explores the attainment of happiness through concentration and effort in a task. A clear link between Csikszentmihalyi’s work and the practice of yoga can be seen in the amazon.com review:
“You have heard about how a musician loses herself in her music, how a painter becomes one with the process of painting. In work, sport, conversation or hobby, you have experienced, yourself, the suspension of time, the freedom of complete absorption in activity. This is "flow," an experience that is at once demanding and rewarding.”
Finally, a light-hearted favourite: ‘The Tao of Pooh’, by Benjamin Hoff. This book presents an accessible interpretation of ancient Chinese Taoist philosophy using the beloved childhood character of Winnie the Pooh. Whilst you may not have expected to learn lessons about life from a teddy bear, this book and its sequel ‘The Te of Piglet’, are best-sellers!
Which books have changed your practice, opened up a new way of seeing things, consolidated your existing knowledge and inspired you? Share your responses on the YogaLondon facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/YogaLondon
Questions everyone has but nobody wants to ask
Posted on 05 September 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
As a yoga teacher you will certainly get a lot of unusual and unanticipated questions from your students, but there are some things which every new practitioner wonders but few have the courage to ask. Therefore, it is important to try and cover these points in your teaching, inserting explanations at moments like when holding downwards dog in suns salutations.
For a start, there is the simple question of what the word ‘yoga’ actually means. Many people understand the term ‘yoga’ to designate a type of exercise class which involves stretching. In fact, ‘yoga’ is a Sanskrit term which means union: union of breath and movement, of body and mind, of the static and the dynamic, or of masculine and feminine energies and of the individual with the universal. Developing on the theme of Sanskrit, if you are using it in class for the names of postures it is worthwhile explaining what these strange pronunciations are to new students. Many teachers and long term practitioners take it for granted that everyone knows this and it seems to be a sort of acquired knowledge which nobody explicitly recalls being told. However, after a student asked me whether I was using the Latin names for poses I began to ensure I clearly explained why I was using Sanskrit and what each name translates as.
Another common question students may be embarrassed to ask is why ‘om’ is chanted at the beginning and end of the class. The Sanskrit script notation of this term and its chanting are widely recognised and yet most new practitioners feel confused as to why exactly it is chanted. The mantra ‘om’ is actually composed of three sounds – Ah-Oh-Mm – and is said to be the frequency with which everything in the universe vibrates. Students may also not feel they can ask whether they must join in so it is worth inviting them to join you in the mantra or to simply feel the resonation of the sound.
Further, most teachers end their class with the hands joined at the heart and the term ‘namaste’. I’ve learnt from experience that if this isn’t explained to a group of beginners they will stare at you blankly unsure of how to respond. A common Indian greeting, ‘namaste’ literally means ‘I bow to you’. This gesture is exchanged at the end of the class as a symbol of humility and an acknowledgement of the connection between student and teacher. It is often explained as meaning ‘the teacher in me bows to the teacher in you’, or ‘the divinity in me respects the divinity in you’.
Finally, there is the question of ‘what is a yogi?’ This term is frequently used to describe practitioners of yoga and has many commonly held associations such as being vegetarian or not drinking. In fact, in the traditional sense of the word a yogi is someone who renounces all worldly possessions and attachments. However, practitioners in the western world are far from the Himalayan cave-dwelling yogis of former centuries in more than just a geographical and chronological sense. Everyone will have their own interpretation of the term, however in a modern context it emphasises the idea that yoga is more than just the sixty minutes spent practicing asana. The term need not designate a strict adherence to stereotypes of the yogic lifestyle – it is more an acknowledgement that the practice extends beyond the mat.
Sanskrit demystified, there are still some pressing questions which beginners will normally be too embarrassed to ask. In the Western culture where we are all a bit squeamish when it comes to talking about bodily functions, nobody wants to ask the burning question of why yoga sometimes makes you fart. Put quite simply, the asana are like a massage for the internal organs, and all the detoxifying twists and stretches can cause the body to release gas. Students may also ask themselves (but not you) why this may happen when they are coming down from an inversion, and if they can prevent this. Whilst the common advice is to use mula bandha, the best solution is for students to laugh it off and remember that it is a natural bodily function which happens to everyone. And of course, if the rest of the class is practicing pratyahara (sense withdrawal), they shouldn’t notice anyway!
A much-discussed topic among yoga teachers is how to explain that it is advisable not to practice inversions during menstruation, particularly amongst male teachers who find the topic embarassing themselves. It is normally coupled with a few other circumstances in which students may wish not to practice inversions, such as high blood pressure and neck or shoulder pain in order not to single out women as menstruating. The sensitivity of the topic means that students are rarely informed as to why this is advised. When the body is inverted, gravity causes the veins which supply the uterus to become partially blocked and can stop the flow. At a time when the body’s flow of energy is downwards, it is inadvisable to counter this. However, the matter of inversions during menstruation is widely debated and whilst some women may feel that inversions are very counter instinctive others may feel no different. Therefore it is important to provide students with the information to make their own decision, even if the topic is an awkward one to raise.
Finally, students rarely ask why they are advised to refrain from eating for two hours before the class, and often find out the hard way. Two hours is the amount of time it takes for your stomach to digest half of its contents. If you attempt to practice on a full stomach you can experience discomfort and nausea due to all of the forward bends and twists which work on your internal organs. If you have a fast metabolism or need to eat more frequently, a small snack half such as a cereal bar or a banana thirty minutes before the class is fine.
In the age of the internet, students are more likely to Google their questions than to approach you with an embarrassing query. Thankfully there are a lot of blogs and forums online, however the more you cover in class the less students will need to research. By making sure you are approachable and explaining all of the common questions in class you improve the students’ experience of yoga, so just keep thinking back to your days as a beginner and remember that what seems obvious now was once confusing.
More than just Asana
Posted on 05 July 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
At the thought of two-hundred hours of teacher training crammed in to just 10 weekends or one month of sessions, many wonder how it is physically possible to practice so much yoga. However, it isn't eight-hours a day of pure asana. Alongside the posture practice, teacher training will introduce you to many other aspects of yoga to expand your own practice and supplement your lessons.
Back to basics: you will be teaching physical sequences so it is essential to understand the workings of the human body. Anatomy classes provide an understanding of the physical aspect of yoga, helping teachers to direct students into the correct alignment or focusing on specific muscle groups. Trainee teachers also learn about common injuries or conditions and how to adapt the practice for students suffering from them.
Other aspects of yoga such as pranayama (breathing exercises), kirtan (chanting) and meditation are studied. These provide some great ideas for beginning or ending the class as well as introducing trainee teachers to new experiences and a wider perspective of yoga practice. The posture classes which most people are used to attending and trainee teachers are learning to lead are also contextualised as part of an ancient tradition. In history and philosophy classes you will be taught how yoga fits in with the various texts and beliefs systems which have evolved over several thousand years.
Your teacher training will also include sessions about ayurveda, the health system which is historically connected to and compliments yoga. By choosing to embark on the journey of teacher training you will already be aware that yoga is more a lifestyle than a hobby, and trainee teachers are exposed to many new practices which can complement and support their individual yogic lifestyle. However, these sessions are just informative and their content is by no means enforced or necessary to becoming a yoga teacher. The course provides trainees with a knowledge from which they can create their own personal routines and regimes.
The essential bridge between your amazing new teaching skills and the outside world, business and marketing sessions will prepare you for the reality of setting up as a teacher and constructing a successful career around something you love. Being a wonderful and well-informed teacher is one thing, but communicating this to potential students is an entirely different matter. Knowing how to sell yourself may not seem a particularly yogic quality, but it is essential to making your dream a reality.
Finally, there are the break times and socialising with other trainees. Outside of the serious and academic elements there are countless moments of joy and discovery in the connections formed with other trainees. The course will teach you about yoga, and the people will teach you about those who choose this as a key element of their life-style as well as lessons about life in general. Whilst not formally part of the training, the friendships made are certainly an integral part of the experience and like the knowledge acquired these too will continue to flourish long after the course has finished.
Incorporating your Background into your Yoga Teaching
Posted on 05 July 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
As any yoga teacher will attest, training courses attract a wide variety of people from many different (and unexpected) backgrounds. The beauty of instructing yoga is that any previous experience can be used to enrich your teaching, be this directly related such as through teaching another skill, or other professional expertise such as marketing or finance which will help you to construct a successful career. Whatever your background, you can guarantee it will somehow pop up in your teaching; this is what makes you unique and you’ll soon see the individual teaching styles developing within your group.
The YogaLondon training course will prepare you to lead Vinyasa flow, Astanga style, restorative Hatha and power yoga classes, however training in any other style will enrich your repertoire of exercises and sequences to use in your own classes. Further, other physical training will also enhance your understanding of the body, qualities of movement and sequencing. It is common to see teachers who previously trained as dancers, or who are also Pilates or fitness instructors. Further, those with anatomical knowledge from science degrees or a medical background may find they intuitively connect with how the asana work on a physical level, working different muscle groups to promote good health and a balanced body.
A knowledge of and interest in philosophy, be this eastern or not, will also bring an additional dimension to your teaching. Anecdotes or little proverbs told whilst the students hold a pose can make a particularly long or deep stretch more easily attainable, helping the students to find the comfort and stillness in the asana described in Patanjali’s yoga sutras. Just as an anatomical explanation of how a pose benefits certain muscle groups or bodily functions can help students connect to the practice on a physical level, providing an insight into the philosophical systems which lie either behind yoga as a whole or something which has resonated with your personal practice can assist the students' understanding of the class as a mental as well as physical exercise. Because yoga works on both the body and the mind it is not uncommon to find teachers with a background in psychology.
Whilst certain professions may complement a certain area of yoga it is by no means necessary to have previous experience in these areas to incorporate them as a strong element of your teaching. Equally, completely unexpected backgrounds may provide useful skills in teaching. One YogaLondon graduate who previously worked in the police force found that ex-police-issue 'fast wraps' (for wrapping up violent people before putting them in the van) make excellent yoga straps.
When injured, a positive way of approaching the experience is that it makes you develop a different way of practicing, forcing you to break habits or attachments and explore restrictions which your students may face. Matthew Sweeney’s Chandra Krama moon sequence was developed in this way, and has proved popular with yogis worldwide as a more restorative alternative to the primary sequence when this is inappropriate.
However it is incorporated, your background and experiences will play a role in the creation of your personal teaching voice. Whilst every yoga teacher can study the same asana and the same texts, no two are the same due to the individual experiences which impact their teaching. And of course, it is not a one way exchange. Just as you will incorporate your previous experiences in your teaching, yoga training will impact the way in which you approach your everyday life by teaching a more mindful attitude.
Yoga Career Options
Posted on 21 May 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
Teaching yoga is an increasingly popular profession and teachers are constantly in demand as more and more people take up practising. The workplace is not restricted to gyms or yoga studios - when you’re a yoga teacher the world is your oyster and you can teach almost anywhere. Your career revolves around you, and can be structured to complement your life wherever you are and whatever else you do.
Gyms and Studios
Gyms and yoga studios or well-being centres are a great place to start. They will have an existing client base and will market the class for you, so all you need to do besides teaching is class preparation. You may be required to teach in a particular style in fitting with the setting and ethic, so it is important to find a place which reflects the way you want to teach your classes.
Your own classes
Alternatively, you can set up your own classes. Though finding a space and taking sole responsibility for the hire, marketing and advertising can be daunting, the rewards are many. Not only can you teach exactly the class you wish to teach without specifications from the gym or studio, but you are also in control of the timing and how many people attend. As well as allowing for greater individuality, hiring a space such as a church hall or community centre can also be more lucrative financially. You can charge your students less than a gym or studio would, and all of the profits go directly to you. Overall, this option may require a greater input but is incredibly rewarding in the long run.
Corporate classes
Offering classes in the workplace is a great way of accessing people and most offices will have a meeting room which can be cleared for the lesson. By offering lunch-time or after-work classes at people’s places of work you save them the effort of travelling elsewhere to practice and can reach people who may not otherwise have considered yoga. Often businesses are happy to subsidise the classes for their employees, and may invest in their own set of yoga mats.
Specific groups
Targeting specific groups can be a great way of finding both a student base and venue in the same place. Specialised classes in old people’s homes, schools and hospitals can help you connect with your local community through specifically tailored classes. One-off sessions for sports people to help prevent injury and maintain a balanced body are also popular. Frequently offered classes are yoga for runners or cyclists; and yoga for skiers and snowboarders is a big hit during the winter.
Private sessions
One-to-one or small group sessions are another option for yoga teachers. Individual sessions help students to build confidence and make yoga accessible to those whose schedules do not allow them to attend classes. These can be conducted in the client’s home or workplace for their convenience. Alternatively, many gyms and studios hire out their space for private classes and will often propose this opportunity to those who teach public classes there. Of course, if you have your own space then establishing a local client base is another possibility which will allow you to construct a flourishing teaching career.
Retreats and Workshops
Once you have built up a client base you will be able to offer holidays and workshops where your students can deepen their knowledge and expand their experience. Provide an opportunity to teach aspects of yoga which are often skimmed over in regular classes due to a lack of time.
Cover work
Covering other teachers’ classes when they are unable to teach is a good way for new graduates to find their footing. Making yourself known to teachers in your area provides many benefits besides cover work. Networking with them will help you to get an insight on how the local market works and show you what’s already on offer so you can work on differentiation.
Other yoga-related options
Your knowledge of yoga can be combined with your other skills. A prime example is yoga journalism. Whether this means submitting articles to one of the many yoga publications, or keeping your own yoga blog is a great way of channelling your experiences and consolidating your knowledge.
The popularity of yoga means that there are many businesses which provide yoga goods, and services relating to the practice. Sally, founder of Stretching the City which provides yoga classes in London, has used her previous experiences to build her yoga career:
"Following a few years working in the advertising and marketing industry, I took the ‘freelance leap’ to work on marketing projects for brands and businesses I felt passionate about. As a yoga practitioner, I naturally gravitated towards a yoga company and after scouting them out at the London Yoga Show, started working as the freelance marketing manager for Yogamatters.com. Working 3 days a week in this yoga haven, I had unlimited access to a whole host of yoga products, the company of fellow yogis and not to mention, the staff yoga studio to use as I pleased. Inevitably, my own practice developed and 6 months after starting my Yogamatters contract, I left for Bali to embark on a one month intensive teacher training programme. Almost a year later, I still work at Yogamatters 3 days a week and spend my other days teaching yoga – under my company ‘Stretching the City’ and working on the odd marketing contract within the wellbeing field."
Whatever your approach, being pro-active is essential. This may mean establishing an on-line presence, advertising your classes or approaching gyms and well-being centres for employment. A well-written CV detailing your training, experience and other related skills is indispensable, and a website is a great way of reaching a large number of potential clients. It will take time to set up a strong foundation for your career as a yoga teacher, so patience and persistence are the key.
Teaching Your First Yoga Class
Posted on 17 May 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
So you’ve developed your own practice, completed teacher training and gained all the necessary qualifications but are still feeling those butterflies at the thought of leading a class. Teaching your first class can be a nerve-wracking experience and the best way to keep calm is through thoughtful preparation.
Plan the sequence you will teach, structuring it to suit the needs of the group. Whatever level you are teaching, it will be important to make sure you have modifications prepared so that the class is accessible to everyone - even if the group is experienced you may be faced with injuries. Test out your sequence to ensure that it flows well, and that the timing is right. A great confidence booster can be practising with a friend or family member first so that you know you can teach the material in the set time and are familiar with the sequence.
When planning the lesson you will naturally want to pull out all the stops to ensure your students are impressed by the class. It is important to remember that what you find a challenging and stimulating sequence will be overwhelming for a less experienced practitioner. Teach a sequence you are comfortable with, and make sure that in seeking to create a class which the students will love, you don’t lose touch with your own voice. Remain true to yourself and your confidence will shine through.
Making a small sheet of notes to look over before the class or glance at during practice (if strategically placed where you can see it), is another way to calm those nerves. Keeping a record of your sequences is also great for future reference, and noting down what worked well and what didn’t will help you plan future classes.
Don’t over plan, though: it is important to remain flexible. Always prepare extra material that you can include if you have extra time, and know what can be cut without disturbing the balance of the sequence. Be responsive to your students and alter your sequence to match their energy levels.
Do your own practice earlier in the day so that you are already warmed-up, then use any time you have before the start of the class to centre yourself. In order to give the students a brilliant class it is important to fight your nerves and stay present to the moment. If you retreat inwards and cave in to your anxiety you risk not being engaged in the class; and providing the students with the individual attention is essential for a safe and satisfying practice.
Organisation and advance preparation are the key to remaining calm. Remember any props or equipment you may need such as a watch or speakers if you are using music, and arrive early to ensure that you have time to set up. Greet the class as they come in and make them feel at ease - if this is their first ever yoga lesson they may be feeling just as nervous as you are!
Yoga Teacher Training Survival Tips
Posted on 24 April 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
Anyone considering an intensive teacher training course will question whether it is physically possible to squeeze so much into so little time. A little bit of organisation goes a long way, and these tips from the experts will definitely make it easier.
Practice: You will be establishing a six-day a week practice, and it is important to be realistic about what you can do each day. Although a power yoga class once a week may leave you buzzing and energized, a very dynamic practice every day will simply lead to exhaustion.
A lot of people will be working at a computer all day, which makes for tired wrists by the evening - a factor to consider when planning your practice. Pacing yourself will help prevent injury, and even just a few sun salutations every day will work all of the major muscle groups. And remember, if you are ill or injured you can use yoga nidra ('yogic sleep' deep relaxation) CDs, or practise meditation.
Adapting your practice on days when you don't feel your best is a valuable lesson in how to make yoga accessible to future students. Similarly, listen to your body if you feel under the weather on a training day - if you're unable to participate with the group, discuss the option of a gentler individual practice or an observation with your teacher.
Explore: When you sign up to a teacher training course you embark on a life-changing journey. Use this time to explore changes to your individual practice and lifestyle as a whole. Trying out different styles and classes in your free time will give you lots of useful teaching ideas. See the experience as an adventure. You won’t want to integrate everything you experience into your daily life, but exposing yourself to as many new ideas and practices as possible is the only way to find out.
Connect: Intensive courses are journeys which throw you together with a varied group of people, and are a shared adventure. As soon as you voice a concern or discuss a difficulty with the group, you can guarantee that others will be facing the same issue. Together you can find the best way to keep on top of the course, as well as making life-long friendships. Connect with other teacher training graduates on the Yoga London Facebook page.
Share: Make sure your family and friends know that, although you may be temporarily less available, the course won't last forever. Getting them practising is a great way to get over the initial nerves and improve your teaching. It is really rewarding to share your new skills with those who are closest to you.
Nourish: Work out how meal times will work around your practice, and stock up on high energy snacks. Make sure that you adapt your diet to cope with the additional demands of your yoga training, and remember that a cup of coffee or an energy bar can make the difference between groggily dragging yourself through the practice or seizing each breath and challenging yourself.
One great idea is taking turns to prepare packed lunches for other trainees. This way you'll free up a bit of time in the evening or morning, save the hassle and expense of going to a cafe, and experience the delicious creations of your fellow yogis.
Study: Always carry your yoga books with you. There is even a pocket version of Patanjali's yoga sutras, so a traffic jam or delay on the underground can be a great moment for revision. Asana flashcards are a popular choice, and are very easy to make. Print off some pictures of the primary sequence and add their Sanskrit names, modifications, the muscle groups worked...whatever you find most beneficial. These are a great tool even after graduation!
Schedule: Work out how your daily practice and any homework for the course will fit in to your daily routine. Some creative planning and experimentation may be required, but once you find what works stick to it. Also, make yourself a schedule for completing written assignments as the deadlines will creep up.
Relax: Make the most of your time off. This doesn't necessarily mean activity packed weekends and big nights out. A break from training is also a chance to lie in or spend the day in your pyjamas. Training on top of full-time work can be a challenge, and it is not uncommon for trainees to use a few of their days off during the course. Finding ways to make room in your schedule, be it taking time off work, or not taking on so many responsibilities in other areas of your life, will certainly help keep you fresh and bright-eyed for the course.
Are you a graduate teacher with more great tips, or a future trainee with burning questions? The Yoga London Facebook page is a great place to share information
A Day in the Life of a Trainee Teacher
Posted on 22 April 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
A Training Day
The training day will generally begin with morning asana practice. Depending on how early the start is (and how early you have to get up for this), as well as individual energy levels, a light breakfast may be eaten beforehand, or left until later on. The day thereafter will be broken down into different classes focusing on teaching theory, the history and philosophy of yoga, business skills, anatomy...the sessions will vary a lot so there's no need to worry about getting bored! Of course, there will be a break for lunch as well as several shorter breaks for you to grab a quick snack and a drink. So although 'doing yoga' from 9am to 6pm may sound crazy, or even impossible, once it's broken down into the different sessions it is really very manageable.
Studying something you are very passionate about is incredibly stimulating, and by the end of the day you may just want to take a long relaxing bath and have an early night. However, it is certainly not unheard of for trainees to go to the pub together after a hard day’s training, or to meet up with friends for dinner. As you may expect, an intensive course will have its impact on your social life, but with a bit of planning and creativity it need not be too disruptive.
A Non-training Day
Of course, every trainee will have a different schedule and different commitments to fulfil. However, there are some key elements which all budding yoga teachers will build in to their day. A day off from training isn't necessarily a day off from yoga - but as you will learn, yoga is a lifestyle rather than just a series of stretches: even when you're not practising asana you can still be doing yoga, taking a mindful approach to everyday tasks.
When nurturing your individual practice outside the course you will need to work out where and when will be best for you to get your daily yoga fix in. In the summer months an early practice before work or other daily activities can be energising. However, getting out of bed in the winter months when it is cold and dark may prove more of a challenge. Many studios run lunch-time classes, and if you can't reach one of these in your break, why not try using an empty meeting-room or office space for your practice? And of course, there are so many classes after working hours that you'll be spoilt for choice. Though anywhere you can lay your mat out - at home, at work, or in the park - is just as good. With the space restraints which come with living in the capital, many Yoga London trainees have found themselves practising in the kitchen. The most important thing is to find a time and place which you can build in to your schedule, as developing a regular routine rapidly establishes daily practice without you even noticing.
So as well as practising every day, all trainee teachers will need to eat. If you've decided to practise during your lunch-break, it will be important to make sure you eat a large breakfast or have a mid-morning snack to maintain your energy levels and, of course, breakfast and dinner will also need to be timed to fit in with morning or evening practices. Ideally, two hours will be left between eating a meal and practising to avoid indigestion or discomfort, but a small snack to keep you going is perfectly acceptable. It is also common to experiment with ayurvedic lifestyle adjustments during training, when you will be taught about this traditional Indian health system. These need not be drastic changes and you may already follow some practices without knowing that they are ayurveda, such as drinking hot water with lemon first thing in the morning.
During the course you will be set assignments to complete outside the training sessions. These could be small tasks such as memorising asana names and scripting short sequences, or on-going projects such as observing and writing up yoga classes and developing your own beginners’ course. You won't be inundated with homework by any means, and a little bit every day is the best way to tackle these tasks. Days off teacher training can be the perfect opportunity to go out and observe a class, and with regular revision of Sanskrit terms you'll have memorised them before you know it!
Whether it's a training day or you are getting on with your everyday life outside the course, yoga will certainly feature in your day. Yoga is a lifestyle and, as future teachers, trainees make the decision to embrace this. However, this is not to say you won’t have off-days when training is a struggle, yoga seems to be squashing other aspects of your life, or other commitments make it hard to find time for yoga. Just take a deep breath when this happens, and find a way to release any tensions between your everyday occupation and your yogic self. A mindful approach to life makes every action yoga, and although intensive courses are just that, the greater the challenge, the greater the reward.
Dispelling the myths about yoga teachers
Posted on 31 March 2011 by Anna Oldfield, a YogaLondon Graduate
Yoga teachers are subject to many stereotypes, and everyone has been guilty of holding these preconceptions at some point. Because yoga is a lifestyle choice rather than a 9-5 occupation, teachers are more prone to generalisations which can make them feel inauthentic due to unrealistic expectations. As a role-model for students, there is a social pressure to constantly act in a 'yogic' way, even if this is in conflict with their true self.
Myth 1: Yoga teachers are young, lean, toned...and female.
Yoga teachers come in all shapes, sizes and ages. Those teaching dynamic styles will develop muscle tone as a by-product of their lifestyle but the best teachers are those who guide students into experiencing the practice from within their own body rather than striving for an external and aesthetic 'perfection'. As for the misconception that yoga is only for women, in India it is traditionally a male-orientated practice and many of the most famous yogis are men.
Myth 2: Yoga teachers are vegetarian.
Whether they are aware of the yamas and niyamas (lifestyle suggestions in the yoga sutras), or not, many presume yoga teachers must be vegetarian if not vegan. Although the concept of ahimsa - non-harming - is frequently interpreted as not eating animal products, this is by no means prerequisite. Of course there are yogis who follow vegan raw-food diets, but ahimsa is also about kindness to yourself, and bramacharya advocates moderation. It isn't a competition of who has the most 'yogic' diet - what you eat won’t make you a better or worse teacher.
Myth 3: Yoga teachers do not smoke, or drink alcohol or coffee.
Whilst an ideal 'yogic' lifestyle might dispel these substances, it is important to remember that yoga was founded thousands of years ago in India, a million miles away from the hectic modern lifestyle. To blend two myths, one male teacher recalls:
"Apparently a guy with a pint and a cigarette in his hand can't be a yoga teacher! I had to do a headstand in a crowded pub after quite a few drinks before they believed me..."
Furthermore, Krishnamacharya, Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and Swami Sivananda all enjoyed their caffeine fix. As with anything, it's all about moderation and self-kindness.
Myth 4: Yoga teachers are ‘hippies’ who wear ethnic clothing and burn incense.
With the rise of urban yoga studios, classes in gyms and in the workplace this particular stereotype is rapidly becoming out-dated, however it still lives on. People who are sceptical about yoga regularly presume that it is airy-fairy nonsense entirely irrelevant to modern city life. In fact, yoga teachers come from all sorts of backgrounds and many are just as, if not more, familiar with suits and the office environment as they are with yoga-wear and ashrams (traditional yoga schools). If it's incense you want there are certainly a lot of classes which use it out there, but equally a lot of teachers will come equipped with a playlist on their I-pod and sport fashionable gear from the likes of Sweaty Betty and Lulu lemon.
Myth 5: Yoga teachers are non-materialistic.
Yoga teachers are just as much the target of the branded yoga products available at every yoga studio and online as those who attend their classes. In certain settings they may feel under pressure to ‘dress the part’ and keep up a regular rotation of the latest yoga fashions. However, both student and teacher should acknowledge that it’s what the teacher guides the students to discover within themselves that matters, not their apparel. Alongside the pressure/temptation to buy in to yoga consumerism is everyday attachment to certain items. Although the yamas and niyamas advise non-possessiveness (aparigraha), and contentment (santosha) most yoga teachers have a secret material obsession, be it Mulberry handbags, tea-sets or the latest smart-phone.
Myth 6: Yoga teachers are spiritual.
Although all teachers will have learnt about the philosophical background of yoga, they will all have a different take on the matter. Whilst some will embrace it’s more mystic side others are firm believers in conventional science. Any good teacher will encourage their students to explore yoga with an open mind and develop their own opinions. For every student there is an ideal teacher, just as every teacher will build up a group of regular students who love their classes – it’s just a matter of one finding the other, which usually takes a few attempts.
Myth 7: Yoga teachers are medical experts.
This may sound strange, but students frequently bring up medical issues and expect advice beyond how to adjust their practice. Whilst it is important that students raise issues which may affect their practice, it is not uncommon for teachers to have to explain that the best person to consult would be a doctor, physiotherapist or yoga therapist.
It is important to remember that we are all human, yoga teachers included. Many teachers work part-time and suffer the same office stresses as their students. Both yoga teachers and deeply engaged practitioners will try their best to live their interpretation of a ‘yogic’ lifestyle. However, they are not yogis living in the Himalayas, but average Westerners who recognise the immense benefits of yoga when integrated into a modern lifestyle and wish to share these with others. Any teacher will attest to the small sigh of relief when another teacher admits to something they themselves felt they had to conceal. Once it is out that everyone occasionally drinks coffee, eats Sunday roasts or indulges in a glass of wine we can all get back to what we do best: teaching yoga!
If you're interested in knowning a bit more about becoming a yoga teacher visit our teacher training section
Should you become a yoga teacher?
Posted on 14 April 2010 by Edward Serrano
If you're reading this article you're probably toying with the idea of becoming a yoga teacher. You've doubtless been practicing for a while and have experienced huge benefits both physically and mentally. You love yoga! But should you teach?
The transition from student to teacher is a logical one and is something that many students feel drawn to. It's a wonderful thing to pass on the wisdom and benefits of yoga that you've experienced yourself. Who could think of a nobler job? But there are some points worth considering if you’re planning on taking up the role of teacher… and while the following points should never put you off your dream; it's worth entering the role of yoga teacher with open eyes.
Being great at yoga poses doesn't equal a great teacher.
The ability to contort the body into advanced asana is entirely separate from the ability to teach yoga. A great teacher is a great communicator. They’re someone who is able to empathise with students and who is able to guide them through an appropriate practice. Sometimes a teacher who's always been flexible can misunderstand the difficulties of a stiff beginner. Can they comprehend the challenges, both mental and physical, that the practice may present to this student? It is important for a yoga teacher to empathise will all their students and allow the experience and journey to be entirely unique for each one.
So while being able to nail mayurasana isn't a prerequisite for teaching you do need to have developed your own practice. It's about having a deep knowledge of the body, of how it responds to various nuances and the subtle effects that it evokes in the mind. A student who has a mature approach to asana knows their limitations and can modify a practice to suit their needs. Once you have achieved that maturity in your practice you may be ready to develop your skills as a teacher.
Teaching yoga isn't practicing yoga
A full time yoga teacher can spend their days teaching four or five classes per day... But they're not practicing 4/5 classes of yoga themselves. One of the main pitfalls that so many teachers fall into is that they loose their own practice. This is especially true for teachers in London who need to teach an extraordinary number of classes per week in order to make ends meet.
Continuing a daily personal practice, in whatever form that may be, is essential to be a good teacher. When a teacher looses their own practice their teaching becomes stale. The same words and prompts start to flow from their mouths and the classes become stagnant and without life. Absolute effort must be made to keep the personal practice alive, so think about how much time you can commit to teaching without sabotaging your own practice.
Teach evenings and weekends
When you teach yoga you need to be available when others are off, so expect to work early mornings, evenings and weekends. Morning classes can start at 7am and evening classes end as late as 9.30pm. You'll have rest in between but plan on either rising early or sleeping late, whichever you choose.
But it’s not all doom and gloom!
Being a yoga teacher is certainly a wonderful thing. There’s the happiness of doing a job you truly love, seeing your students blossom with their practice and escaping the mundane 9-5 life. There’s a tremendous amount of joy to be gained from becoming a yoga teacher and, whether you choose to give only one class a week or teach full time, it’s an enormously rewarding role. But (as when any hobby turns into your work) sometimes reality bites.
Intensive Training vs. Long Courses
Posted on 14 April 2010 by Rebecca Ffrench
There's much debate in the yoga world over which time frame for training is best. Advocates of long term training courses declare their method to be the 'quality' approach, while champions of the intensive training method herald the life changing capabilities of the immersion method.
Define the training methods
When splitting training courses into the two categories you need to look at how the course is offered. If a course meets once a month over the period of 12-18 months then you’re looking at a Long Term Course, even if they have a week long retreat in the middle. If a course involves three or four weeks of daily tuition (with a couple of days off thrown in), then you're looking at an Intensive Course - even if this is followed up with a workshop/exam at a later date.
Of course categorising yoga teacher training classes like this is a bit of a blunt tool. There are plenty of courses who offer the middle ground. Some training courses meet at weekends only, taking three months to complete. Others meet for four week long retreats over six months. These hybrids span the middle ground between the two training methods and can hold the pros and the cons of both methods.
The pros and cons of the Intensive Training Method
The intensive training method is total immersion training. A minimum of 180 training hours packed into a couple of weeks is an intense way to train, but for some people this is just what they are looking for. People who are looking to radically alter their life are often drawn to this method. It's not just a teacher training course but also an extended retreat. It can be a rocky ride with many hidden emotions and feelings rising up through the path of self enquiry, but it can also be the catalyst for change.
Many people learn better when they can focus themselves wholly on one subject away from daily life. If you train abroad you can leave family, work and regular life behind and train with absolute freedom from distraction. These trainings often take place in an idyllic tropical climate, so you get holiday in paradise to boot. But this - believe it or not - does have a downside. Will you be able to keep up all that enthusiasm and daily practice when you return to the real world?
The friends you make on an intensive teacher training course are often friends for life. You'll have been brought together from all parts of the globe with a common passion and goal. People who were strangers at the start will go through the same laughter and tears, physical demands and exam time stress… A rollercoaster of emotions that could take years to experience with someone in ‘real life’. This incredible bond carries through to when you’re released into the world, and they become your support group when you begin to teach.
With all this in mind, there’s no doubt that intensive trainings make you a great yogi. You live the life 24-7 and hone your physical practice like never before. But does it make you a good teacher? The truth is that while time may be spent learning how to teach (teaching methodology), very little time will be spent actually practicing your skills. Many students who graduate from this style of training find the real learning happens on the job when they start to teach.
Long Term Teacher Training Courses
The long term teacher training is the very antithesis of the intensive course. This slow, progressive method adheres more strongly to the traditional way of learning yoga.
If you meet once a month you have plenty of time to assimilate all of the information in between sessions. Then if there’s something that you don’t understand or have discovered you can discuss it at your next meeting. This personal discovery allows the information to really become a part of you, something that you know inside and out. If you are teaching while you do the course you’ll also have time to practice all the skills that make a great teacher – quality of voice, good communication and ability to adjust or demonstrate. If this sense of space and time to develop appeals to you then a long course would be a great idea. If you think you might loose interest half way through a more accelerated learning might be a better option.
On a practical level there are many people out there who simply can’t take a month off work to go and train as a yoga teacher. Work or family commitments make such a long break impossible for many students, and so meeting once a month makes perfect sense. If a course fits comfortably around your existing schedule you’ll be happier, less stressed, and will doubtless enjoy the whole experience more.
A long term course can sometimes be financially more viable. Some (not all) long courses offer an installment option to pay your fees, spreading the cost of the course over the 12-18 months of training. If you haven’t got any savings tucked away this might be your chance to get started on the route to becoming a yoga teacher without having to wait. Bear in mind that many longer courses are British Wheel of Yoga accredited which means extra costs in the long run (BWY membership fees etc).
Choose The Timing That’s Right For You
In the end you’ll need to pick a course that is right for you. No one call tell you which method is best, simply the one that worked for them. Have a look at your existing commitments and think about how you learn best. The best advice is to go with your gut instinct – that wisdom of your Inner Teacher.
What Yoga Teacher Training Never Taught You
Posted on 12 April 2010 by Rebecca Ffrench
Like most, when you decided to pursue a career in yoga you were ready for the time, money and commitment of teacher training. You were taught the finer points of yamas and niyamas, but little if any time was spent on how to find students to teach; after all, we all need to work to pay off those teacher training bills and actually make a living.
Let's face it, most of us aren't business people, we're the polar opposite. Most of us struggle to strike the right balance between our passion for yoga and our need to generate an income. It's not uncommon when focused on the business of yoga to feel a bit awkward...it's not what we're trained to do.
Let's take a look at some pointers that'll help teachers and studios focus their marketing efforts in the right direction.
Be specific in geography
London is a sprawling city made up of an overwhelming number of small communities. Only very large companies have the money to successfully reach large portions of the city's population.
Those of us with much smaller budgets should to focus on the neighborhoods located around our teaching areas. For example, if you have a studio in Fulham or a class in Richmond, start by focusing your attention on finding avenues of communication (either offline or online) in those areas. It's easier on the pocket book and more effective since your efforts will be highly concentrated in a small area.
Understand your communications options
This is often the most confusing part of marketing. How do you get your message out to the world?
There are an endless number of options, from leafleting to online marketing, but you've got to find the right fit for your budget.
Clearly most of us cannot afford to advertise in newspapers or magazines, but if you have enough money they can be effective. Newspapers and magazines (also known as "print") are only effective when adverts can be displayed in a sustained, long-term campaign. A single ad is very unlikely to make an impact so don't gamble your money on it.
There's an old saying in the ad business, "frequency sells". What this means is that enough ad exposures to the right audience will convince them buy. The downside with this approach is that most of the world can't afford frequency selling which rules out print for most of us, but keep frequency in mind as you read this article--it's incredibly important and thus a requirement in any marketing plan.
Leafleting is much more affordable but less effective because you can only canvas a few hundred homes at any given time, the vast majority of which will probably have little interest in yoga for one reason or another--time conflicts, too young, too old, yoga doesn't appeal to them, etc. Though not so effective in targeting yoga enthusiasts leafleting does meet the frequency criteria.
Online marketing is perhaps the most affordable and cost-effective way to get your message out to people who actually have an interest in what you offer. Since prospective students regularly use search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo to actively search for yoga classes they are very likely to use it to find your classes.
Let's consider an example. Say a person living in Tooting is looking for a yoga class close to home or work. They'd go to a search engine, type in "yoga classes in Tooting" and get a page with a list of results. The very act of typing in "yoga classes in Tooting" reveals quite a bit about their interests and intentions. They are, by their very search, demonstrating a keen interest in "yoga", a "class" and an area of London called "Tooting".
What this means is that behind this search is a person who is ready, willing, and able to find and pay for a yoga class in Tooting.
Had they typed in "Yoga Tooting" their intentions wouldn't have been quite so clear. Were they searching for a class, yoga mat, blocks, DVD or some other item or service? It's very likely that they were looking for a class but not as likely as the first search example.
Typically online advertising is offered on a pay-per-click basis (PPC) where an advertiser is charged only when a user clicks on their ad. This can be good or bad depending on your level of expertise. With clicks costing upward of 50p to £1 each, the costs can really mount up over time. However, if you know how to manage PPC and then know what to do with the visitor once they've landed on your website they can be a very valuable new student.
Online marketing is a science and as with all sciences it takes an education to make sense of it.
Know your prospect
What does your student look like? Are they children; seniors; thirty somethings; female; professional? This type of profile is called "demographics" and the more you know about the average demographics of your student the better you'll be at finding them, after all birds of a feather fly together.
One yoga teacher I did work for had an innate instinct for demographics and she used it to locate ways to get her message out including making deals with GPs that had patients whose demographics matched that of her own students.
Knowing a bit about your students goes a far way in helping your marketing efforts.
Seek predictability
What good is a successful marketing campaign that you can't repeat? A successful marketing campaign offers more than just a full class, it offers predictability in knowing how to fill your class time and again.
Know the financial impact made by your students
From a pure business standpoint, some teachers may see a student come through the door and think that they represent £10. A seasoned marketer sees the same student and thinks they're worth about £200. Why the difference?
The average student doesn't attend a single class, they will attend multiple classes after which their attendance will being to dwindle until finally they stop attending. This drop-off is perfectly normal and happens with most students in all classes.
So a key metric to know is how many classes the average student attend before falling off the roster. This is important to know because it drives everything you do from a cost perspective.
If you know that the average new student will attend 20 classes then when you advertise you'll take that into account and spend appropriately rather than under or over spend (under spending is a problem because it prevents you from reaching your potential).
If you can find the average number of classes and multiply it by the average amount of revenue per class attended you'll arrive at what's called the Lifetime Value of your student (LTV). So next time you're thinking about how much to spend on marketing don't think about a student's value to a single class, think about their Lifetime Value.
How to Choose a Yoga Teacher Training Class
Posted on 11 April 2010 by Rebecca Ffrench
Choosing a yoga teacher training can be a daunting task. The abundance of training programs on offer can easily change an inspired search into spiral of despair. Who should your train with? Does it matter who the training course is accredited with? Fast-track intensive program or long-term evolutionary journey? Above all, how can you even begin to compare all the teacher trainings that vary in so many of the details?
What's important to remember is that most teacher training out offer quality tuition. You actually have an abundance of choice, and it really boils down to what you personally are looking for. Here are a list of questions to ask yourself before you begin your search.
What Style of Yoga do I enjoy?
You may have a particular style of yoga that you've been training in so far. Perhaps this is one of the traditional styles such as Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga or Sivananda yoga. Or perhaps you simply know you like a dynamic yoga style (Power Yoga or Vinyasa Flow) or prefer a restorative or introverted method (Hatha Yoga or Yin Yoga). It's important to remember that there's no right or wrong style - there's simply the style that suits you now.
It is imperative that your yoga teacher training programme suits your tastes. This is the style you will be spending hundreds of hours working in and if you don't enjoy the style of yoga you wont enjoy the training. Spend time testing out a few different classes in your area. If you find a yoga teacher who's style you enjoy why not ask them who they trained with.
If you have an affinity to a traditional yoga method then research how to become an official teacher in that style. This isn't always as simple as you might think. To become a certified Ashtanga teacher you need to spend many months over the course of a few years studying in Mysore, India. Similarly, for official Bikram yoga instructor status you must train with Bikram Choudry himself.
How Much Time Do I Have To Train?
This is probably the second most important question to ask yourself. Are you going to take time out and spend a month training intensively or do you need the training to fit around your existing commitments? There are definitely pros and cons to both methods of training. A longer course allows you to assimilate the information more easily, developing your teaching and personal practice over time. A fast-track method works as an immersion into yoga, diving into the subject and breathing it night and day. One method offers an evolution into teaching, the other a revolution. In the end you need to pick the one that suits your lifestyle and needs.
How Far Am I Willing To Travel?
Don't think that the training needs to be in your hometown. There are some amazing yoga courses all over the UK and with transport links as good as they are you can definitely look further a field to find your perfect training. If you're looking at doing a one month training then the world is your oyster. Retreat centres all over the globe offer intensive training inclusive of accommodation and food - You could be doing your training in the tropics or at the foot of the Himalayas. Only your imagination and your wallet can limit where you do your training programme.
Do I Want To Teach Yoga?
This may sound like a daft question but not everyone who does a yoga teacher training programme wants to teach. Many simply want to develop their understanding of the subject and teaching comes as an after thought. Perhaps you simply want to teach a community class once a week, or are you planning yoga teaching as a career change? You should take this into account when choosing your course.
Schools are free to distribute their 200 hours of training between different topics as they see fit (within guidelines). This means that while some courses may value Sanskrit and Yogic Philosophy others will focus on physical development, and others on actual teaching skills and the business of yoga. This is what makes the enormous variety of training courses that there are out there today. So check the syllabus carefully to make sure it meets your needs. Make sure that the subjects that interest you are included, and if you're interested in teaching as a full time career ensure plenty of time is given to teaching practice.
You may also search for a teacher training programme that is affiliated to a studio. Some studios offer teaching positions to graduates of their courses, but remember - A job is never guaranteed.
How Much Can You Afford to Invest in Your Training?
For most students out there money is a major factor when choosing a training programme. You can expect to pay anywhere between 1,500 and 7,500 on you course, and the more you invest in it the more the pressure is felt to have chosen "the right one". A residential programme will cost more as it includes food and board, and don't forget to factor in travel costs if your planning to train in an exotic location.
Remember to allow extra money for essential texts, first aid courses, registry to yoga associations and insurance if you would like to teach.
Write down your answers to the questions above before searching through the mass of programmes available. Look out for courses that really do fit your needs. And above all remember, this is just the start of your training journey.
How to Prepare for your Teacher Training Course
Posted on 11 April 2010 by Rebecca Ffrench
So you've signed up to a teacher training - Congratulations! This is a wonderful step towards developing your personal practice and spreading to joy of yoga to others. You've doubtless chosen one of the many accredited courses out there and are set to experience a life enriching course... But are you ready for the challenge?
Accredited yoga courses can be backed by many different societies (BWY, YA, YAUK, IYF) but they all stand behind one foundation - at least 200 hours of intensive study. These hours are packed full of information, and if you've chosen a fast track program (one month intensive teacher training) then you can expect this to be even more challenging.
It's understandable to be a little apprehensive about the challenge, so here are some ideas to get you ready for your training.
Know what to expect
The best way you can prepare yourself for your teacher training is to know what to expect from the course. You need to know what needs to be done before the first day, what you can expect in the daily structure of the course, and what they will expect from you. Ask questions such as:
Is there a reading list?
Are you expected to do any pre-course work?
How long is each class and how many classes are there per day?
How much time do you have off for lunch/breaks?
How much homework will you be set?
When and how often will you be tested (theory and practical examinations)?
Knowing how the days are structured up will help you organise what to bring with you. If the course has a two hour break in the middle you may choose to go to a cafe for lunch. If you're only given one hour a packed lunch may give you more time to eat. Also, check when the asana/practical classes are so that you can plan your meals appropriately around them.
Plan your travel and accommodation needs well in advance
Your travel and accommodation needs will vary greatly depending on when and where your training is set, but planning them well in advance will save you money and avoid last minute crisis (everything’s booked!).
For most people the cost of the teacher training has already taken a huge chunk of savings, so it’s worth searching out discounts on your travel and accommodation. If you pre-book rail tickets you can get early bird discounts on your travel. You may also like to ask if other students are coming from your area to see if you can car pool. If you need to stay overnight at the training location ask if the school can recommend any low cost accommodation near by.
Research the area around the training centre and find out if there are supermarkets or cafes nearby where you can get food and drinks. If you’re staying at a residential school what are the meal arrangements? Are you self-catering or will you be fed and watered all day?
Should I physically train in preparation for the course?
You should certainly spend time working on your own personal practice in the weeks and months leading up to your training. You want your body to be fit and ready for the demands of full yoga days, but be careful not to over do it. You're not expected to enter a teacher training with the ability to nail all the advanced postures, and pushing your body to progress too quickly can easily lead to injury. Spend the weeks leading up to the training analysing where you are with your practice. What poses do you enjoy/dislike? Where are your strengths and weaknesses? What is yoga? This mental and physical preparation will help you make the most of your training.
Got a question? Just ask
Above all never be afraid to ask questions. Your course leaders are there to help nurture your practice and support your evolution into teaching.