Tag: yoga teacher training

Update! A year ago I was mid-yoga teacher training…so what’s happening now?

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Hi everyone,

It has been a long time since I’ve given you guys an update, so figured it was time to take stock and review what I have achieved over the past year.

This time last year I was midway through my yoga teacher training with YogaLondon. I yogi-toeswas super nervous, didn’t think I’d be able to pass the exams and thought it was highly unlikely I’d be able to actually lead a class. I cannot quite believe how far I have come in such a short amount of time!

There have been ups and downs, moments where I have doubted myself and my teaching, a few negative experiences too, but all in all becoming a yoga teacher has been the best decision I ever made. My confidence has grown, I’m finding my own voice, learning so much and meeting the most amazing people along the way.

My classes are growing, I am teaching in multiple venues, and formats which is amazing and it just gets better and better, the more I learn, the more I realise I have to learn. Each and every new yogi or yogini who attends my classes has something to teach me, and help improve my teaching. I am excited to be just at the very beginning of my career. teaching 1You finish your teacher training and that is the starting point, the real learning happens on the job. Initially you are learning the art of teaching and beginning to find a unique teaching style but once you feel confident to deliver a safe asana class, that’s when the real teaching of yoga starts, when you can allow your students the time and space for their own discoveries and begin to bring in deeper elements to give them the tools to progress.

I have trained as a pregnancy teacher, begun my 500hrs training, my ‘yoga bookshelf’ is overflowing. I have taught my first workshop, taught at my first class at a festival, and been to some exciting venues doing cover work. I completed my Reiki Level 1 a couple of weeks back with a friend and student. (this was amazing and I will be writing about this in the near future… keep a look out!)

IMG_2910Business wise it has been a baptism of fire! I had no clue at all what I was doing when I first qualified… ok I still have no idea what I’m doing but I feel more confident in finding the right people to help me and I’m getting by with less terror and panic. We will see how long this lasts when I attempt to do my tax return!

So what’s next?

I plan to complete my 500hr training by this time next year. I have several workshops planned to deliver for late summer/early autumn. I am beginning to investigate doing more corporate classes. I have just hired a new venue to replace one which wasn’t working too well for me. Two new classes are starting on the 26th May – Prenatal yoga 6:00pm -7:15pm and a vinyasa flow class 7:30pm -8:30pm both held in Tooting at Tooting Methodist Church Hall in Longmead Road, every Friday. See classes page for more details. There is so much I want to do and so little time! So I’m aiming to take each day as it comes and really live in the moment, focusing on the positives and aiming to be kind and compassionate to myself as well as everyone else.012491df7cc5c9a45db9b04bf17d77b9f56ab1c5a7

What are my teaching values?

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I recently listened to a talk by Judith Hanson Lasater, where she spoke about effectively teaching beginners. In this talk one of her points was that as a teacher we should have our teaching values clear in our minds, to be able to utilise them in the class setting. This got me thinking! What are my teaching values?

I believe that teaching values are always evolving. When you first finish your yoga teacher training the main focus is on being able to safely deliver a class that is interesting and your students enjoy. As the skill of delivering a class develops and becomes more natural, I have been thinking more about how I am teaching, what are my intentions, how can I keep my teaching moving forward, whilst remaining true to my own values?

Judith Hanson Lasater encourages us to come up with 5-7 teaching values, so here are mine!! (In no particular order)

  • Always aim to encourage students to challenge themselves and build confidence. 
  • Teach individually, within a group, creating inclusion, integration and connection.
  • Always be mindful and teach with kindness and compassion. 
  • Teach authentically, allowing my individuality as a teacher to shine through. 
  • Keep a beginners mind! We are all learning together (I just happen to be leading the sequence – I learn as much from my students as I do in my own practice)
  • Allow students to make their own discoveries, explorations and connections. 
  • Keep it fun!! 


2 months since qualification update

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Wow, I can believe it’s been just over 2 months since I started teaching! I decided to just leap in… sink or swim.

So far I’ve been doing cover work, darting around south London like a woman possessed, getting stressed by transport and the generally hectic nature of getting to different places for a specific time when I’m somewhat directionally challenged!

I am absolutely loving the teaching and all feedback has been positive. I’ve met lots of lovely people which has been great, growing my contacts with people on the same wavelength. 

Students have been asking studio owners when my classes are and even requesting I am offered a regular class. The studio owners have been happy with the feedback and really helpful and supportive, answering my stupid questions happily.

However I still feel like a total newbie, I watched a video about starting to teach and the guy said it takes 108 classes to start to feel comfortable. It’s all practice, like anything!

I know that realistically my teaching is okay and students are stunned when I tell them I’ve only been teaching 2 months but I want to give them the best experience of yoga I can and I’m filled with self doubt after every class. It’s a feeling of utter disbelief when the feedback comes in. However I think this is actually an advantage- I need to learn to accept and enjoy the feedback whilst continuing to grow and hone my teaching skills. Doubt pushes you forwards to help your students without ego. 

Today I taught my first class of my own – restorative flow. Okay only 1 student came but she was lovely and wants to come back next week. Fingers crossed she is the first on many 😊

Check my classes page to see details of class times and booking info. I am also available for private sessions and corporate classes l, if you are interested in those drop me a message!

Love and light

Harri xx

You’ve finished your Yoga Teacher Training…but can you actually teach?

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teaching 1It has been nearly a month since I completed my 200hrs Yoga Teacher Training with YogaLondon (highly recommended). The first few days I was on a high – I’d just graduated and felt I was ready to launch myself into teaching. A week later I was full of doubts!

‘You’ve finished your YTT… but can you actually teach real people?’ This was what was going round and round in my head. Friends and family had become fed up of being experimented on relentlessly during my training, so any teaching practice since had involved teaching my imaginary student, using my loud teacher voice, in the living room whilst my cat was either trying to sleep on my mat or join in. I’m pretty sure the neighbours think I’m insane!

I was starting to feel quite panicky about the prospect of teaching my first class. What if I just freeze? What if I can’t remember my sequencing? What if my class is boring and my students don’t want to come back? What if? What if?

So what actually happened? Arriving I felt quite anxious but setting up the room and greeting the students I somehow lost all those fears and doubts. It was amazing, I absolutely loved teaching. I felt prepared, nothing I had predicted happened. The class went well, with a nice flow and all the students worked really hard. It wasn’t a struggle, it just felt so natural. I had managed to offer appropriate modifications and alternative asana for those with injuries,everyone was smiling. The feedback I got at the end of class was really positive, everyone said they enjoyed it and even asked if I taught other classes!I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

5 Things about teaching my first class.

  • When you are not talking, it is very silent – this can be disconcerting, but remember – when you are participating in class the silence is nice. The students like to have a bit of space and time to just be, to explore the asana and how it feels.
  • If you ask a question, it’s likely no-one will say anything at first. This is okay, just carry on, they do start responding once you gain their trust!
  • Don’t be afraid to challenge your students – emphasising the process of exploring where their individual challenges are and working on those. It’s the journey – not the destination.
  • In savasana some people won’t close their eyes. That’s okay…it might make you feel uncomfortable, like you are being watched BUT it’s better the student feels comfortable! This is their time, you don’t want them feeling on edge! Hopefully in time they will learn to feel safe in the space and completely relax.
  • My favourite moment? Bringing them out of savasana – everyone looks so peaceful. Bringing the awareness back to the body, wiggling their toes and fingers, it’s amazing to see these tiny movements as they reconnect.teaching 2

So if you are prone to anxiety, like me, and you have just qualified then really don’t worry. It is completely normal to have some doubts and fears but dont let the what if’s stop you.”Paralysis by over analysis is deadly” Assuming you’ve had good quality training there really is nothing to worry about.

Good Luck – Harri x