Fresh from the oven, the latest batch of YTU Teachers.
I remember sitting with YTU Teacher Maura Barclay in her office last spring (April 2009), having newly arrived from New York City, ready to make my mark on Los Angeles with all my East Coast yoga teacher expertise. I remember listening to her talk about the Yoga Tune Up® Teacher Training that was coming up in a few weeks, and how it was so clearly the next step for me in my teaching, and that I would benefit so much from it, and all I could think was: I just got here. I’m already a yoga teacher (with two certifications!). What did I need with another training?
Thankfully, wise Maura prevailed, and she convinced me to take just one Yoga Tune Up® class. After class was over, I walked out a convert. My hips, so often a source of pain, were moving fluidly and painlessly, and I knew that if I could get that much from one class, this was a method I wanted to be able to share as a teacher.
Training was intense, and deep, and broke open my world. My knowledge of movement, anatomy, alignment, and teaching technique was taken to a new plateau. The experience shook me up enough that I wrote a whole blog entry about it! As I’ve continued to train in the Immersions, I not only deepen my capabilities as a teacher, but I get to keep expanding my mind with cutting edge techniques and data.
This past weekend in Los Angeles I was honored to assist Jill as she took a new group of teacher trainees through their paces. It reminded me once again of the joy of learning, and seeing this group of brilliant, smart, talented people step out of their comfort zones and submit to our critique was a humbling experience. We were there to teach them, but they certainly taught us as well. And I am re-convinced, and re-reminded, that to be a teacher means to continue to be the student, to learn and expand and grow. Which is a relief, because the alternative would be unbearably dull!
For more on Yoga Tune Up® Teacher Trainings across the country, go here.
Okay…You got me! Damn you Sarah!! I actually decided to save this post and personally send it to you, as it resonated beyond what I felt like sharing with everyone, yet I know all will experience in thier own way
Thanks Sarah for sharing this. Yesterday was the first day of my Yoga tune up training in New York. Wow! What a fresh approach to train the Yoga teachers! Certainly brought reinforcement to the anatomical movements and fun way of learning how to take apart each traditional classic pose into where do we extend the shoulders, flex the hips, etc. I certainly believe, this is going to add freshness into my teaching and more in-depth understanding in my students in their yoga practice. I am looking forward to make the most of the training.
Sarah, thanks for sharing your experience here and at the recent teacher training in Los Angeles. Your amazing posture, alignment and incredibly focused and efficient feedback during the training were an inspiration – and an admonition that I have so much more to learn! I look forward to learning more from you in future classes.