Over the years some of my students have expressed an interest
in learning to teach this gentle style of Hatha Yoga. So in 1993 I created
a Yoga Teacher Training. The length of the training is about a year and
we meet once a week for 3 hours.
During that time we focus on two areas, the first being on ourselves.
Since yoga is about coming into a balanced, centered place and being
in touch with how we're feeling physically, mentally, emotionally and
spiritually, we take time at the beginning of each class to share what's
going on in our lives and how we're feeling. This allows us to: 1) be
reflective and honest with ourselves and each other; 2) receive feedback
and support; 3) evaluate where we are and ask for guidance and 4) make
choices that further support our health and wholeness.
Taking the time to share our stories with each other is just as important,
in my mind, as knowing the postures. Each time we stand in front of a
class we are modeling and therefore teaching our students a way of being
in the world that is conscious, balanced, loving, accepting and compassionate.
We bring our whole being with us. This is the essence of yoga and of
unity.
During the second half of each teacher training class we learn 3 or
4 postures in depth, including: 1) safe ways to get in and out of postures;
2) how long to hold each posture; 3) breath awareness and focus; 4) both
the physiological and energetic benefits of the postures; 5) variations
and adaptions of postures for different levels and abilities; 6) contraindications
of certain postures and 7) how the postures flow together. Here the emphasis
is on the yoga teacher training student 'knowing' each posture well enough
in her body so that she can be in the moment and allow each class to
unfold from an intuitive place.
There are many benefits to teaching yoga in this way, some of which
are listening to your own body; tuning into the energy of the students
in each class; being sensitive to factors such as temperature and available
space; and allowing each class to develop organically from within.
As we come into the present moment more and more, we have the opportunity
to be with ourselves and each other in deep and heartfelt ways and to
experience the unity of all things. Being a yoga teacher is an honor
and a gift. Teaching others to be yoga teachers is a true blessing. |
