For me, training to be a yoga teacher seemed a natural progression from a practice I feel in love at 23 years old. I had a great teacher and I wanted to become a great teacher. When I wanted to qualify, I researched a number of courses both in England and abroad to check out their syllabus and see if it suited not only my learning style but also my areas of yoga interest. I found it hard to find a course that suited my criteria and I'll be honest, I started one course that I later dropped out of. I struggled because I needed to travel from the south coast to north London on a monthly basis. The long travel each day, either side of two full days of learning was exhausting and not conductive to a fresh and receptive brain. I struggled because I was given a what felt like an intangible and philosophical topic on which to write an essay, which seemed so far away from what I what I wanted to do, which at the time, was just share my physical practice with nice people. So many courses place a lot of importance on the topics of theory and philosophy of yoga. Although highly integral to the fundamentals of yoga, a 4000 word essay on theoretical aspects seems unhelpful and potentially demotivating for learning the skills and confidence to actually teach a yoga class. Not to mention, only really testing writing skills, not the understanding of the topic. I was extremely lucky to have a yoga mentor, teacher and friend, who remains a close sounding board today, who wisely said, "being a good yoga teacher takes years of applied learning, not one qualification, a whole of fun and an open mind, so get your qualification and then let the journey start." This is what I did. I learnt intensively. I completed the necessary two hundred hours and then my journey began (and continues on today.) In putting this syllabus together, I wanted to offer what I couldn't find, an easy-going, one to one, practical and applied learning, delivered in a simple business approach. It does cover Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga and the philosophy of the chakra system but instead of simply theory it focuses more on integrating the theory into practice, unifying body to mind learning, on the mat, for a deeper understanding and for delivery to your students. There is a reading list that accompanies the course but this for reference and assistance, both through training and beyond. Fundamental books that become well thumbed and referred back to (and still continue to be now, for me.) No suggested books have to be read cover to cover before starting the course but some are so delightful, you will want to treasure them. Each of the modules, include practical work, in a relaxed environment of your choice, where you are encouraged to put your learning into practice in bite size chunks, so you can confidently pull it all together in many practice classes. All of your self study and homework is engaging and useful, not only for your understanding of the topic but to use once you start solo teaching and not to relegate it to the shelf. I am also your friend and mentor through the course (and beyond) and am available on the phone and email to offer guidance and support. We all have a learning style, topics that interest us and people that appeal to us more than others. If you feel this course, this personalised and professional approach to learning intrigues you or you'd like to have more information, I'd be delighted to hear from you. Best wishes, Lucy
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