Hello to all!
I hope your advice and thoughts can help me....Here's a little background to a decision I need to make!
I have just completed the BWY foundation course, I have also moved away from where the BWY diploma course was to take place so its unrealistic I can attend. I have worked/lived as an equestrian Dressage trainer and coach for the last 15 years (I am in my mid 30's). I also hold a sports massage diploma so have a very good awareness of the body and its uses and the connection mind, body and soul.
My dilemma is, how/which path to take to become a yoga trainer/teacher. Initially my idea was to use the yoga teaching to supplement my dressage coaching for riders, but the more I have got into it and last week I had the chance to teach friends which I absolutely loved, I am now swaying towards it becoming a very large part of my life. So its important to me to make the best decision now.
Finances are short on a practical level. I have friends and clients asking me to teach now and I really don't want to miss the boat on that one!
A big part of me in keen to go abroad for a month or so, to really envelope myself in the yoga and the principles, however are these course just too short?? Do you gain enough? Also on a more personal level, I have suffered some relationship trauma which I'm now happily out of, and feel I want to explore more of myself after being in a closed controlling relationship for some time. Going away and immersing myself in yoga and philosophy somehow seems like a natural path.
These intense courses are mostly run by Yoga Alliance ( I think), is this a good enough affiliation or is British Wheel more sought after in the industry? I know I will continue to learn and take courses after qualifying, can this be done through other organisations, different to the one I gain my qualification under? ie, if I do BWY can I do other CPD type courses/retreats belonging to YA and vice versa?
Also re BWY, the diploma is longer and more costly. Is the certificate just as valid within the industry, if for example I wanted to teach abroad, do a ski season teaching etc etc??!
I'd be very grateful of information from yogis within the industry, employers of yogis, fellow self employed business people etc etc. And even people who go to yoga classes...do you care who your teacher is affiliated to??
Many thanks in advance, I look forward to your help...
WYxx
Dear Wild Yogi
I think your name says it all. You are doing something completely unique and within your realm of expertise. Do you need someone else to tell you you are qualified? Remember at the core of yoga is union with yourself. Your voice, your inner direction, your pure knowing.
Bless
HspK
Hi WildYogi,
Are these course just too short??
On my website is a list of 100's of yoga teacher training courses worldwide. You may find them helpful when choosing a course. I personally trained through BWY. It was a 2 year course and very rigorous. I highly recommend it. Though, to be honest none of my students have ever once inquired where I got my teaching diploma from. However, I've discovered in life that there are very few (if any) short cuts. I think also, going through a 2 year (or more) training makes you a wee bit grittier. Most yoga teachers quite teaching within 3 years (especially the "short cutters" who did crash courses). When you invest two or more years into something, it's not something you readily quit on.
George Watts
BWY Yoga Teacher
Creator of The Yoga Teacher Lesson Plan Kit