This weekend we hosted our first Namaslay® YTT Refresher for yoga teachers at Namaslay® Studios, and it was such a hit! During our last 200hr teacher training in Tennessee, I received a lot of messages from yoga teachers who already had a 200hr training under their belt, but still didn’t feel prepared to teach with confidence. Most people said they didn’t receive enough anatomy instruction, didn’t have a strong grasp on sequencing, had no idea how to modify the practice for different body types, and were struggling with assists and adjustments, so Dan, Ashley and I put together this intensive weekend of workshop modules to fill in the learning gaps and offer a place for teachers to ask questions, practice teaching, and gain valuable feedback in a safe and informed space.
To kick things off, Ashley and I co-taught a vinyasa flow to demonstrate our unique teaching presences, ways to progress and modify a class for all levels of strength, mobility and experience, and begin with an example of an intelligently designed sequence leading up to a peak pose. Afterwards, we jumped into anatomy with Dan, our Strength and Anatomy teacher at Namaslay® YTT, and explained how the body works as a unit, the function of muscles, and how to apply that knowledge to a yoga class that leads students from centering to savasana with safety and strength.
The next morning began with teaching practice. We put the teachers in pairs, and together they wrote a sequence up to a peak pose and co-taught to the rest of the group. There were definitely some nerves in the beginning, but it was clear our conversations from the night before landed well, and the practices reflected a new understanding of the body. From there we moved into the importance of themes, and how the messaging and teaching presence in a yoga class helps us bring out more than just the physical practice. Teachers shared their journeys with yoga, returned to why they fell in love with the practice, and re-affirmed their abilities in finding the principles of self-love, kindness and compassion off the mat.
Cuing conversations were next on the agenda. We explained some cues we often hear that really don’t make sense for the body’s natural state (like those mother tuckers), and how to use a combination of anatomical awareness, authentic personality, metaphor and visualization to reach all types of learners and provide clear direction for where students should go. This led us into how we, as teachers, can command our own vibe and draw forth a new energy in the room with hands-off assists and quality of voice before we explored the difference between assists and adjustments, when to know what is appropriate for helping a student, and how to appropriately apply hands-on help to deepen the experience for our students.
Assists are often one of the scariest, or most uncomfortable, aspects of teaching. With lots of practice, receiving and giving assists in a variety of poses, everyone developed greater confidence and left with new tools for encouraging their students. Then, we had Dan come in to show us how every body is different. People with greater muscle mass or more flesh might be able to rock a handstand no problem, but don’t feel comfortable in the hip openers or backbends many yogis love to practice. It’s helpful to ask questions about what works and what doesn’t, so we know how to modify the practice to meet every student where they are. After another round of teach practice, we called it a night to rest up for day 3.
The final day of the training began with more teaching practice, and by this time, the growth we witnessed was remarkable. We practiced more assists and adjustments, discussed how to modify for students with injuries, and put all the pieces together with a mini props workshop.
At last, we ended with a final guided meditation, answered any last questions, and expressed sincere gratitude to the teachers who showed up with open minds and hearts, ready to invest in their own growth. It was really important to us that everyone got what they came for, so when we got feedback like this, my heart soared:
"The Namaslay® YTT team offers an incredible opportunity to resume the seat of a student and expand your foundation as a yoga instructor with the YTT Refresher Workshop. In just three days, they were able to dive deeper into a plethora of topics (anatomy, intelligent sequencing, and how to support students with injuries or other limitations with creative use of props and modifications, to name a few) some of which were hardly touched upon in my own eight-week TT program. Candace, Ashley and Dan are a powerful trio that each bring an incredible energy to the teaching experience; throughout the weekend they sought out feedback and encouraged questions to make sure each participant got the most out of the workshop that he/she could. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to further expand their knowledge as an instructor, regardless of how long you’ve been teaching."
- Victoria B. (@vebassi)
I’m so pleased with the service we were able to provide, and I know this group has greatness in store for them!
We’re hosting this workshop again on March 21 & 22nd, so if you’re a yoga teacher interested in refining your foundation in anatomy, sequencing, assists, adjustments, modifications and offering classes unique to your gifts, sign up here. And be sure you’ve signed up for our newsletter to stay in the loop with all things YBC®!
If you want to go even deeper, join us in Thailand this July for our 300hr Advanced Namaslay® Yoga Teacher Training.