This is the 4th of a series of interviews with graduates from the Integrative Yoga Therapy teacher training program offered through Body Therapies Yoga Training.

What is one thing that every yoga teacher trainee must do?

Homework!!! No seriously… Learn… But more importantly practice. And be enthusiastic about it. In the IYT training there is a lot of information to cover but it’s all important. The more you put in the more you get out. K. Pattabhi Jois says “Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory.”

And do your breathing exercises…they help!!
What is one thing that every yoga teacher trainee must avoid?

Your ego and a closed mind… As a beginner student and teacher trainee I went in with the mentality that Yoga is supposed to be something specific or done in a certain way. The more you learn about this entity known as Yoga, the more you learn that Yoga and everything surrounding it is constantly changing. Our lives are changing… Our philosophies are changing… Yoga done with an open mind will help you to flow and adapt with that change.

Is being a yoga teacher just trendy or is it here to stay?

I would say for some it is a trend but for some it’s a way of life. For me, I give my energy to Yoga and Yoga gives it’s energy back. In the end I believe that those who begin to teach Yoga from a pure intention will be in it for the long journey. But once you start, I can’t fathom how you could ever stop.

Can a yoga teacher still be successful if they are in a crowded niche?

Yes !!! For sure… Every Yoga practitioner has their own little piece of themselves that they bring to their teaching… People connect with this. No matter how you teach, or what style you teach, you will find students that are attracted to your style and personality of teaching. And the more you can expand your teachings the wider spectrum of students you will attract.

What has the yoga teacher training done for you?

What hasn’t teacher training done for me??? It’s funny because in the beginning of IYT Teacher Training I was all about the Asanas. And I was so stuck in the physical body. I came in with the expectation that we were going to learn how to teach Asana and maybe get into the philosophy a little bit. In some instances I became slightly disappointed in the curriculum because I felt we weren’t focusing on the poses enough. Boy was I wrong!!! One of the most important things that Teacher Training did for me was help me put my ego and expectations aside.

I learned about Yoga and not just Asana. It turned me into a more well rounded and holistic teacher. It taught me that I don’t just do Yoga when I step on my mat and do crow pose or headstand… It taught me that I can “be” my Yoga every minute of every day. IYT gave me the foundation to be a true Yogi and not just someone that teaches poses. Most importantly I learned that maybe I don’t need to try so hard… especially in Standing Half Moon. Thank you Heather for everything… and I do mean everything.

Steve Ferrell RYT, PTS
Teaches Group and Private Yoga/ Personal Trainer/ Boot Camps
(905)297-7318
steveferrell23@gmail.com
www.ifreeyoga.blogspot.com

If you are interested in becoming a yoga teacher, check for information on www.yogatogo.com and send us an email at heather@yogatogo.com or give us a call at 905-628-6463.