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For those of us who practice yoga regularly, we feel it’s benefits; that’s why we practice. Some of us reach a point where we want to deepen our understanding of yoga, perhaps sharing it with other people so they too can experience all the positives it has to offer. This is where the Yoga Teacher Training comes in.

Training to become a yoga teacher is about more than gaining a qualification or a new career. Yoga is a way of life, and the more we practice it the more we start to realise this. For me personally, I know that what began as a purely physical practice quickly grew into a way to:

• honour my body

• cultivate self worth

• self acceptance

• balance my nervous system

• help me to feel connected to myself and the world around me… the list goes on.

Yes I learned how to do some fancy yoga poses, but I discovered, and continue to discover, so much more.

If you’ve reached a point where you, too, are recognising all these other facets of yoga and noticing the positive impact it’s having on your life, the next step may be to join a yoga teacher training course. Plenty of people do the trainings with no intention of teaching, at least not initially. A yoga teacher training gives you time and space to delve deeper into yoga as a whole practice, lifestyle and philosophy, and this is often hugely transformational on a personal level.

One of my recent graduates commented:

‘I don’t know exactly what’s changed for me, but something has’

and many have told me what a life changing experience the course has been.

Personal growth is one of the outcomes of a sustained yoga practice, and the more we learn about it the more we grow. It is also an incredible gift to be able to share with other people, and this is why so many trainees end up teaching yoga even if they had no intention to when they signed up to the course. Yoga is empowering, it’s something you can do on your own, anywhere, without any equipment. It’s accessible to everyone; you can challenge yourself physically with asanas or focus on breathing and meditation (which arguably challenge many of us more!)

Most importantly, yoga works!

Yoga has been well documented to have a powerful effect on our nervous system and mental health as well as improving strength and flexibility. The philosophical element of yoga can help improve people’s self worth, self confidence and feelings of being connected, both to themselves and the world around them. This connection is our yoga.

To be able to share all of this with other people is a privilege but it’s also something that’s much needed. The world needs as much yoga as it can get right now, at least in my opinion! This is why I’ve created two teacher training courses this year.

The in person teacher training is:

• based in Worthing, West Sussex,

• gives you the opportunity to learn in person with other students

• one weekend a month, allowing you to fit the training into your work and family life.

The online teacher training offers:

• flexibility as you can join us from anywhere!

• runs one day a week, during school hours and term time only

• perfect for people, like myself, who are juggling the school run and a busy life!

Whichever option suits you best, there is a course out there for you, whether it’s one of mine or a different school. Taking the plunge can be daunting but I know from seeing so many trainees do it, it is an experience that will not only change your life but the lives of all the people you go on to teach.

Below are some comments from a few more of my graduates:

“A really well paced course, I never once felt under pressure to complete anything. Lovely nurturing , interesting and informative teaching style.”

— Karen Warland

“The course has definitely helped and although i can’t put it in words very easily, I feel a different person after the course than before. ”

— Katrina Perkinson

“The environment that has been created within the course has been amazing! The course is really well set out, I found everything really interesting and liked that we got to practice teaching from the first weekend.”

— Nicola Simmons

Diary of a yogi (who's training for a marathon) Part 1 - Finding Yoga in Running

Finding Yoga in Running! 

A few months ago I decided, with my partner, to enter the Brighton Marathon. I enjoy running because it gets me outside feeling nature against my skin. However, without a goal it's easy to find another excuse not to go for a run, spending far too much time on work instead. Committing to something like a race or event means there is no option really, train... or get injured! 

The flip side of this is that when you have a scheduled long run and it's howling headwinds outside your have to go! That's what happened this weekend, and that's how I found my yoga in running.... 

I've run a half marathon (in fact I've run a few now thanks to my training), done 2 Tough Mudders and trekked at altitude for days, but nothing was quite like the 29km run in headwinds and rain. That sounds far removed from the nurturing, warm yoga studio, however it opened my eyes to how the two cross over (I had a lot of time to think whilst plodding along!) 

Breathing: Without proper breathing running is impossible. Being able to slow down and control the breath is fundamental to running, especially in challenging long distances.

Balance: Putting one foot in front of the other sounds easy! Add some wind, slippy mud and rain and it's a whole different story. Being able to access your core and find strength in that allows you to adjust when you wobble... a fundamental part of life, not just running. 

Focus: Setting your sites and then moving, at a pace that suits you, towards that. If you have no focus you are just running aimlessly with no knowledge of when that is going to end or what the point is, which can be demoralising. Focus also allows you to see past temporary discomfort like wind if you have a bigger picture in mind. 

Awareness: Listening to your body is fundamental to preventing injury. Developing proprioception is a benefit of yoga, but also really being able to hear your body, feel any discomfort and know when the barrier is in your mind or your body. Pushing through physical pain will only cause injury and set you back, so awareness of this is key.

Kindness (Ahimsa): My favourite! Being kind to yourself and your body is fundamental to everything in life, in my opinion. By all means challenge yourself, put yourself in situations you didn't think you could handle and surprise yourself by succeeding! But do this with kindness not aggression. Be aware of how your body feels, notice any discomfort or pain and know when to hold back... and when to push forward. 

And how do we prevent aches, pains, and 'DOMS'? We practice yoga, of course! Regularly stretching out the muscles helps to maintain length and avoid tightness and injury. So, yoga and running marathons really do go hand in hand! 

Some people may think that running a marathon is a stupid idea- it puts stress on your joints, takes up lots of time and can result in injury. However, completing something you didn't think you could do is empowering and strengthening. Challenging ourselves, even in little playful ways, allows us to see that we are more capable than we think...

Calm in the Christmas Chaos

This time of year can be stressful for many of us, as I was reminded yesterday whilst seeking solitude in the quiet, empty, warm sauna!! This is when we need to find calm the most and, as always, we can find this in yoga. 

For some switching off work for a few days is worrying - what if something goes wrong while you're not there. For others the noise and bustle of everyone around at Christmas can be overwhelming. Or perhaps the silence of having no one around can be lonely. Expectations are high regardless because Christmas is built up to be such a significant time of year for so many. Added to that it's also a full moon and the longest day of the year. Whilst Winter Solstice is a time of re-birth and awakening the prospect of leaping into the new year can also be daunting! There are so many reasons why it's important to take some time out, often forgotten in the rush to get everything done. 

Restorative Yoga and slowing down has it's place on all our mats, and I've found I go to it more at this time of year than ever. When we are stressed, excited, nervous we quicken our pace, but often we need to do the opposite in order to bring balance back into our lives - the main focus of Ayurveda. Releasing into props such as cushions, bolsters and blankets allows the body to completely let go as it is supported. The quiet space along with physical response helps the mind to let go. 

As we move into a new year this is the perfect time to slow down, take stock and set intentions for the next phase from a place of calm. So, in the midst of the Christmas Choas take some time out, lie with your legs up the wall, a hot water bottle on your belly and give yourself some peace for 5 minutes.