In the run up to my yoga teacher training interview with Yogacampus, I became increasingly nervous about the whole thing, and found myself out of inspiration for blogging, as well as behaving as if I was about to walk into an A-level examination. I revised and revised and read and read and watched video after video.

I found myself rehearsing answers based on every line in my chosen teacher training's prospectus - e.g. 'yoga is more than just an exercise system'. Well, I'd say, 'absolutely, yoga is a philosophy, a way of being, it's not just physical practice, it informs your daily life. I bring yoga into my work day, to keep me calm and centred, to remind me I should always question and learn, to teach me compassion towards others and myself.' I met up with friends who pretended to quiz me too, and that made me even more scared.

Bra-gate is ever-near when in a pose like Downward Dog

I was convinced they would think that I was not capable of getting on the course, that the time I'd had not attending regular classes would count against me. That my lack of flexibility, my weight, my relative newness to ashtanga... you name it, I questioned myself. I am my own worst critic, my imposter syndrome in this is sky high. In reality, of course, the reason why I had chosen to apply to that particular teacher training is that they come off as (and are, based on my experience of them and my friends' experience) inclusive and supportive and non-dogmatic. But it doesn't really matter when you're internally freaking out about the whole thing.

On the day itself, I was so nervous, I turned up an hour early, having been worried that I would have transport issues. Twit. I wandered around the area aimlessly for a short while, and then thought, what am I doing, I should just go there and calm myself down. So I did, and ended up sitting with the current teacher training intake as they ate their lunch, while I sat there, sweaty palmed and jittery. I had been reading still at this point, but then they spoke to me, and I put my book away, realising there was little more I could do at this point. As it turned out, being early was a boon, as the previous candidate was late (another Miriam, what are the chances?) and so they took me in half an hour early, which meant I could go and meet my friend for lunch at an earlier hour post interview.

The woman who took me in was someone I'd met at the teacher training taster day the summer before, and also at a workshop, and she immediately put me at ease, remembering me and chatting in a friendly way. When I entered the room, the other interviewer remembered me from the taster day too and that helped! We were in a small room with a chair and a mat, which they invited me to sit on, and we got started.

After all of that preparation, they didn't ask me one word about svadhyaya, or my ability to do a headstand. They just wanted to know about my day job, whether I had thought about how I would manage the demands of the course, as some people had found it impossible in the final six months. They asked who would sign my class reports (which I hadn't thought about) and we talked about my many teachers and I said probably Sarah, and then talked about her studio and everything she offers.

Then they asked me to demonstrate a couple of poses - nothing like standing in front of two people watching you to make technique go out of the window! They got me to do a downward dog (which I went into via vinyasa) and then a warrior of my choice. I chose warrior two as I'm not convinced of my ability to do the correct technique for warrior one still... Nerves got to me a bit - warrior two is something I can do pretty well but I had my feet too close together for a bit - although they liked my downward dog. Then they asked how I planned to transition from practitioner to teacher, asked if I had any questions, and that was that.

I left in a bit of a daze, and the teacher trainees were all lovely as I gathered my stuff up (I'd actually met one of them the year before at Dana Falsetti's workshops), and I felt much more relaxed about the whole thing. All of that prep for nothing! But if I hadn't done it I'd have felt disappointed in myself. I then went and met my friend for lunch and then bought some tea for myself at Bluebird Tea as a reward.

A few days later I had an email saying congratulations, I'd been accepted on the teacher training! And that, as they say, was that. All that worry...

I really wanted to talk about this publicly, as I had no clue of what might happen in the interview, although I knew it would be short, and I think it's good to demystify the process, as I found it so hard to find any information online about what happens when you're interviewed for a yoga teacher training (possibly because a lot don't interview at all).

After all that, I'll end with Yogacampus' principles for life and for yoga teachers, which are very much my bag. They are:

Yoga is more than just an exercise system
Yoga can change your life and transform your outlook
There are many authentic paths of yoga, all of which deserve respect
There is a yoga path for everyone
Teachers should be well trained but retain their own unique style, approach and creativity
Yoga requires you to believe in yourself
Respect traditional schools of yoga philosophy while keeping abreast of how yoga has adapted to the 21st century
A good yoga teacher is a combination of scientist, artist and spiritual guide
Use awareness, compassion, sensitivity and clarity to convey your own experience of yoga’s transforming power to your students with ease and joy
Have an open mind and a sense of humour and an openhearted enthusiasm to learn more about yoga in all of its many aspects

One week to go...