Class of Intake 29, we did it! It happened in September, but I’m thrilled to say I am now officially a 200-RYT (200 hours registered yoga teacher). After 18 months, I finally completed my epic teacher training course with Yogacampus. If you read back, you’ll see my thought process at the time of applying. I was so nervous and worried about every little thing.
But as it turns out, I didn’t need to. It was hard work, but it was absolutely fine, and I now know I definitely made the right choice. Had I gone somewhere else, I don’t think I would have got such a thorough education, had the opportunity to really think critically about subjects that matter to me, and learn how to self-organise.
Having said all that, when I stood up for my final teaching assessment, nerves did get the better of me! I’d been fine all week, but then suddenly, it all hit at just the wrong moment. One of my notes from the assessor was that it became “a little shambolic” at one point. Oops. Anxiety *shakes fist*.
But I’m proud to say that I achieved a distinction on my 5,000 word essay (turned into blogs on this here site), passed everything with 90%+, and got lovely comments for my final class plan and teaching assessment otherwise.
I can thoroughly recommend Yogacampus, although they are changing the structure a lot - shortening the length of the course, removing some of the things I loved the most - so I would advise doing your own research and really self-interrogating about what you want out of the course.
I would certainly consider them for my 300 hours (with the goal of eventually becoming an E-500-RYT - a long way off though!) depending on the curriculum. Lovely faculty, lots of great teachers, friendly atmosphere and a knowledge that a Yogacampus teacher is a quality teacher. Even the most nervous people on my course taught brilliantly by the end.
I’m still trying to find time to do all the admin around being a real yoga teacher, on top of my full-time job and teaching when I’m not working. I almost expired my insurance (thankfully got it sorted the day before I had to teach!). My insurance is with Balens, who seem very reasonable, and are specialists in the kind of work we do as brokers.
I’ve made it half the way to getting accredited by Yoga Alliance (still unsure if I actually need to, realistically) and am still pondering whether to join REPS or CIMSPA (some gyms use this as one of their requirements). My qualification allows me to apply for it, but of yet, I haven’t been asked for it, so I think I’m going to wait until I am…
“You obviously have a flair for teaching and sharing your passion for yoga - well done on passing your teaching assessment”
I’ve started picking up some covers locally, which is a whole new ballgame. Adjusting your style to a room full of people you’ve never met before and that you’ll possibly never meet again is challenging. At least in my regular class, while I often get new people, I also usually have a good idea of who they are and what they like because they’re either regulars, or referred by the physio, who gives me a rundown of the deal before they come to me.
But it seems to be going well, as I’ve been asked to cover one of those classes again, and the other teacher has asked to be Facebook friends so she can ask me first next time (she got good feedback from the class!). So I’m happy.
I do think I’m a different person from the scared, bullied, worried, anxious (okay, I’m still scared and anxious, but you know…) person who was sitting here back in December 2017 pondering her life choices. I’ve found a calling - joyful movement, focused on yoga and other somatics, but moving towards all kinds of things - and I’m so much more confident in myself. Dr Yoga takes over when I stand up in front of a room (unless I’m spectacularly tired - sorry Wednesday’s class!) and it’s like this person I never knew I could be is suddenly there. It’s allowed me to express my issues with lack of informed consent, because it’s an issue here too, and become a voice and a channel for other voices.
Thanks to everyone who stuck with me along the way. Here’s to the future!