Teaching
I have completed all my teaching classes this weekend. I think that has been the biggest eye opener for me. I thought my biggest challenge would be remembering all the asanas and instruction. It turned out; it was most difficult for me to manage my class. My first class was very disappointing, I was unable to control my class and it got slightly out of hand. Jessica spoke with me about seeking validation from people, understanding how to be nice but firm when necessary and also handling my emotions. I’ve really learnt not to get overwhelmed during my teaching, and to also set the tone of my class for the beginning. This is definitely one of the biggest learning curves I’ve had during my 200hr YTT, and it will definitely impact me even outside my yoga practice. Su-May
Proper Alignment
I started this 200hr YTT with some injury. I had some of lower back pain and pain in my hamstring. This YTT has really helped me manage the pain; I’ve learnt not to overstretch. I have also learnt proper alignment of the asanas and this has even improved my alignment even alignment for the gym. After a few weeks of YTT I am free of pain in my lower and it feels amazing!! I want to help my future students with these issues like how this YTT has helped me. Su-May
Tuck in your ribs!!
During my asana practice, one of the most difficult things was to constantly tuck in my ribs. This was especially apparent when doing inversions because I would arch my back and put so much pressure on it. It was also hard for me to stay up without using the wall. It was quite frustrating initially, but I really had to sit down and meditate with myself and become more aware of my body. It took me sometime to get there, but I finally managed to hold my headstand and tuck in my ribs. Though it was a long journey, taking sometime to get there really makes me so appreciative of the outcome and the journey. I am sure there are going to be many instances in the future where I am not going to get it right away, but I am going to appreciate my journey of progress. Su-May
Half way through….
I am almost half way through my 200hr YTT, its great to see how far everyone has come. We all started off so tired just after doing Surya Namaskar A, and now we are working on arm balances, inversions. I am surprised that I have surpassed my expectation of what I can do. It is amazing to see what I can achieve can do when I put my mind to it. I look forward to see what I am able to accomplish by the end of my YTT ☺ Su-May
What to watch out as a newbie yoga instructor
Start to be a yoga instructor can be either exciting or anxious to different people.I believe as long as you have been practicing yoga routinely for more than two years and had gotten the YTT200 certificate, that means you are ready to go. Teaching experience is important but not limitation. You can develop your own style of teaching. At the beginning , newbie yoga instructors are easy to get nervous especially leading a big group of students. You might forget the instructions, the posture names, the sequence or mix out the left and right site. Just take it easy as anyone will make mistakes. Take it as a learning curve. Never stop seeking advise from those experienced instructors, they will share with you how to handle unexpected situations during the class. You don’t really need to master all those advanced asana. Maybe just add one advanced asana in your one hour class will do, ideally that is the asana that you are able to demonstrate. So at least the students will think the class is challenging but doable. Don’t just demonstrate all the postures without adjusting the students. After one round demonstration , it will be better to walk around for adjustments. Always provide modification postures to the students. So the students can feel they do have improvement after attending the class. Don’t add on too many unnecessary stuffs to the class . Like background music. Especially when you are new. You need to focus on the teaching and the music might distract your focus . If the volume too loud the students might not be able to hear the instruction clearly. And no aroma therapy or candles, no all the people will like the smell. Just ensure personal hygiene and classroom clean is sufficient .
What I have achieved in these three months YTT200 course
Remember the first day attending YTT200 course, Jessica was asking us what we expected to achieve after complete YTT200 course. My intention to take up YTT200 course is to teach among my friends . And for myself I hope I can do all those inversion pose without leaning against the wall and middle split. How time flies! It comes to the final week of the YTT200 course. I have managed to give three yoga classes to my friends and have one private session to teach one of my friends to do tripod headstand. I think it’s a big achievement as I always wish to have yoga session with my colleagues after work in office. So they won’t be having excuses like long journey to go down to gym or too crowded in the gym. Although I didn’t manage to unlock all the inversion postures without leaning against the wall, I’ve managed to do Tripod headstand , supported headstand and elbow headstand against the wall. As long as I keep on practicing, I think I can achieve them by this year! Really appreciated Jessica and Alexis ‘s patient and kindness guidance through these days.
Teaching Assessment | RYT200 Reflections | Yuqi
I started my first teaching assessment on 27 April. I had both my class sequence planned out and a playlist ready, yet I couldn’t help feeling jittery. What if my friends find my class too easy? What if they don’t like my song choices? I was afraid of feeling awkward because the friends that were coming for my class, were friends that I’ve known for a very long time but they have never seen this side of me before. However, after I started the class, all these feelings went away and I was completely focused on running the class and ensuring that they do benefit from the poses introduced in class. But one thing that I forgot to prepare myself for, was the fact that most of them are beginners or have never done yoga before. Teaching my own friends who were absolute beginners was different from teaching my own YTT classmates. You had to explicitly tell them whether it was a demonstration for them to look at, or for them to follow your actions. And every step has to be broken down into even smaller steps. I wouldn’t say I’m a great teacher as I am aware that there is still room for improvement. But I am sooooo grateful for the opportunities to teach my own friends, which allowed me to understand what are my strengths and weaknesses. And having not just 1, but 3 teaching sessions, gave me the chance to improve from the previous sessions. Really hope that I will have a chance to teach for real in the near future so that I can keep improving! Yuqi @yuqii
Post 6: It has been an Awfully Awesome journey!
Came to this journey because I want something more in my life …. Thought this journey is to learn to be yoga teacher but I guess I am learning more about myself as well. Didn’t regret my choice to do my YTT here. You will know it naturally when someone is doing things from their heart and soul. Thanks Jessica and Alexis for the lovely teaching, encouragement and that ‘keep going’ spirit. Also thankful for the lovely classmates, friends now. I always believe you meet people in your life for a reason (in good ways or bad). Here, it’s all good. I may have been practising yoga more than you all but it doesn’t mean anything. You all have been shown more about yoga and how putting in your effort and heart will get you where you want to be. I am happy for all of you and seeing how all of you have grown mentally and physically. It’s a pity how when we were getting to know each other more (i.e. noisier) but we are not seeing each other every weekend anymore (soon). Feeling a little sad now but so we definitely have to meet up! “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We Shall get there some day.” – Winnie the Pooh. And the journey continues… Namaste. Suzanne Ong RYT200 YTT February 2019 Weekend
Post 5: last lap!
The teaching practice has ended, the theory lessons has ended. It has been a long weekend(s). Very heartening to see how my classmates grew much confident over the teaching sessions. I definitely didn’t just learn from own teaching but from my classmates as well. I’m going to bring these lessons with me when I became a teacher officially. =) Cant believe it’s ending soon. Suzanne Ong RYT200 YTT February 2019 Weekend
Post 4: FIRST TEACHING CLASS!!!!!
Spend a few hrs preparing the sequence, instructions, transition and talking to self – cant imagine that one day i will be doing this ! Definitely rehearsing out loud with visual image in my mind is helpful but that is that much i can prepare. Honestly i was panicking as i did not manage to practice with anyone my sequence and wonder wat could go wrong. Furthermore, while i love to talk, talking out to a whole bunch of people is a different thing. #performanceanxiety Well, the first 10 mins was nerve wrecking… esp that i am doing this in front of my own bf and friend (haha, i am usually more scared when i need to be presenting in front of familiar people). But my heart beat starts to settle into the pace of the class gradually. I start to feel the energy in the class too. Reflection after class: – glad my sequence went according to what i want – how nervousness makes u dont remember what u said (elbow as knee?? Haha, i dont even recall). Need more practice so that words can come more naturally to me! – thankful for my guinee pigs who are so patient with me. I’m also grateful for the +ve & -ve feedback from them. Thankful =) 2 more practices to go! ?? Suzanne Ong RYT200 YTT February 2019 Weekend
