Yoga Teacher Trainings...

People often ask me when I am going to give a teacher training... Although we don't have anything set in stone yet, we are starting to think about it, and hoping to plan one for 2011. In the meantime, here's my advice on choosing a teacher training...

Before you commit to one training, it's definitely a good idea to check out your options. I recommend going and taking classes with the teacher who will be giving the training, and chatting with them after class to get a feel for the focus of the training, and to see if you connect with them (if you don't like the teacher, it's going to be a long and painful training). Make sure you check out several different teachers/styles before settling.

Before you get to the training part, make sure you have a committed practice, build it up to 3-5 times a week. Most trainings require at least one year of regular practice. Also, attend workshops/retreats, these are a great way to deepen your practice before jumping into a full on training.

A big question to ask yourself is "Am I taking this training to deepen my own practice?" or "Am I taking this training to learn how to teach?". Some trainings are geared more on the philosophy and practice, and some are more focused on teaching how to teach. It depends what you are looking for. If you're looking to deepen your own practice, you might want to focus on workshops/retreats and reading books/scriptures at your own pace...

To help us with the planning of our training, let us know what you'd like to learn more about.

Here's a list of some of the trainings in Montreal:
http://ashtangamontreal.com/community/?cat=9
http://www.lynestroch.com/fr/cours/formation.php
http://www.mokshayogamontreal.com/English/index.htm
http://www.naada.ca/teacher-training/
http://www.sattvayogashala.com/workshops.html
http://www.sivananda.org/montreal/English/TTC.htm
http://www.unitedyogamontreal.com/training.html
http://www.yoga-sangha.com/FormationProfessorale/Programme.aspx
http://www.yogamontreal.com/pages/teacher_trainings.php

Outside Montreal:
http://www.blissology.com/offerings/blissology-teacher-training/
http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/fms/index.html
http://www.tranquilspace.com/teacher-training/level-1.html

Keep in mind there are hundreds of trainings, these are just a few I have heard about. Please feel free to add others to the list. I (obviously) have not done all these trainings (except for the Jivamukti one, which I loved), so I can't say which ones I would or wouldn't recommend, but at least this gives everyone a place to start...

Yoga Teacher... Accountant

Over the years I've come to realize that to have a successful yoga studio, you need to have more than good yoga teachers, you also need to have some entrepreneurial skills. So with that in mind I've been working on honing some of my business skills. Today I did an 8 hour class in "Simply Accounting". If it really was 'simple' I don't think they'd need a whole days course on how to use the program.

I got up early, packed a lunch, drove (with the rest of the 9-5ers) out to Cote de Liesse, sat in a conference room in the basement of the Holiday Inn, used all my might to stay focused on the large screen and accounting jargon, while sipping tea and trying to stay warm. Although the room was dry, dark, and somewhat smokey, Alan Cohen (the teacher) was warm and funny. He was super concise and patient. I learnt that I do actually know more about accounting than I thought I did, and that I need to do some serious reorganizing in our data entry... sigh.

Doing the 'drive at 5' on my way home, I sat in traffic with the masses, (realizing how lucky I am to be able to bike or walk to work) thinking I love getting out of my comfort zone, it gives me a glimpse into the lives of others, and also allows me to appreciate some of my routines. There's always that balance of trying new things challenging ourselves, and at the same time enjoying simplicity.

Back to the studio tomorrow, with a hint more of accounting in my back pocket...