Yoga Teacher: Two Paths to Success
If you're thinking of becoming a yoga teacher, it's interesting to hear how others chose this career, the steps they took, and what they've accomplished.
In this LoveToKnow Yoga interview, we talk with two yoga teachers at different stages in their journey. Nikki Thies of Des Moines, Iowa, is a new instructor completing certification and building a practice by word-of-mouth. Phyllis Bookspan, a law professor, is the founder of Rivertown Yoga and Health, or RYAH, in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.
In both of these profiles, you'll see how the call to yoga instruction is an individual experience. There isn't a "right way": just the willingness to listen and learn.
Yoga Teacher: Two Paths to Success
Nikki Thies
Thies works full-time, is married, and has two young children. She's expecting a third child in 2008.
What made you decide to pursue yoga certification?
I have my secondary education degree and always enjoyed teaching, but decided the school environment wasn't the place for me. I had more of a background in Pilates, having practiced that after the birth of my daughter. I had done some yoga as well, but enjoyed Pilates more at the time.
I wanted to get certified in both Pilates and yoga, but found a yoga teacher training program available in the area sooner. I decided to take the first course to see what I thought. I loved the level one course! I loved how it flowed and that it was a good work out and enjoyed how many different poses you could do to vary the routine. It made me feel great!
I have always enjoyed teaching and the aspect of it. I am also committed to working out and living a healthy life style. I feel teaching yoga is the perfect balance for me.
I also received my nutrition specialist certification, as I enjoy learning about health and nutrition. And, I have finished training in Stott Pilates for the mat and reformer.
Choosing a Certification Program
How did you decide on an instructor program, and what program is it?I had to stick with a program that was near home and available on the weekends when I was able to get away. I have two young kids and a job, so I couldn't be away from either long. I didn't want to stress myself out, either, so I was comfortable deciding on a program I could take one weekend at a time. I am working toward my 200-hour RYT certification through YogaFit.
How long does it take to complete 200-hour certification?
It can take years. It all depends on what classes are available, where they are held, and how quickly you want to get through the process.
The classes are primarily offered on the weekends, so it's a matter of searching for the classes needed and committing yourself to it. I've been in the program for a year and have just two classes left to take. However, these last two classes are only held at conferences, which make it hard to find them nearby and offered more regularly.
Adapting to Challenges
What has been the most challenging about the process?
Being patient with the process. It's hard to start at ground zero and work and gain all the knowledge when you want it all right away. The first class especially is very overwhelming and it is easy to get discouraged. There are a lot of classes required for the 200-hour certification, so, again, being patient is the biggest challenge, because it all takes time. But, I have found that every class has been a great wealth of knowledge. It has been very beneficial for me to take one class at a time so that I can expand my abilities, take the experience back to my students, and then keep building off continued learning.
Future Plans
What are your yoga career plans after your third child is born?I definitely plan to complete the 200-hour certification and will probably work on the 500-hour certification at some point in the near future.
I also want to continue to teach, but am not sure in what capacity because I want to expand class offerings and I'm not sure what direction they will take. But, I love yoga and introducing it to others. It makes you feel great physically, emotionally, and spiritually!
Phyllis Bookspan
Bookspan has studied yoga for more than three decades. A working mother, she gained experience through the years with a variety of yoga instructors, including Frank Finnerty and experts at the Sivananda Center and the Kripalu Center.
You specialize in KaliRay TriYoga. Please tell us more about that style and its benefits.
The Kali Ray TriYoga Flows, known as prasara, are a complete hatha yoga method. It is the union of posture, breath, and focus; or asana, pranayama, and mudra.
TriYoga fundamentals include relaxation-in-action, wave-like spinal movements, and economy of motion. It is a systematic approach that allows students to remain with basics or progress to subsequent levels. Within each level, students increase their knowledge of posture and flow, as well as strength, flexibility, endurance, and breath control. Through sustained awareness on all aspects of the practice, the movement of body, breath, and mudra harmonize, and the inner flow naturally emerges.
The effects manifest on all levels including physical, mental, and spiritual. Benefits include improved health, increased life energy, mental clarity, intuitive knowledge, and blissful happiness. The practice of TriYoga culminates in higher levels of awareness.
Yoga teacher Phyllis Bookspan
The Student Becomes the Teacher
You were a practitioner and student of yoga for many years before you decided to open RYAH and become a yoga teacher. What sparked this evolution?
As I practiced yoga sadhana regularly along with my other daily responsibilities, I began to awaken and trust more in the Divine source. I wanted to share the awakening and benefits I experienced with others.
I also always felt a strong need to build a healing community. Even when I was in law school, I had a dream to build an integrated wellness center. As I approached mid-life, with my children growing up, I felt now was my time to transition and build this reality for myself and others.
In addition to operating a yoga and wellness studio, you're also a law professor. What do you teach?
I am a tenured full professor. I teach criminal law and procedure, juvenile rights and women's rights. For four years, I also directed a children's rights clinic.
How do you create balance between these interests?
These interests balance themselves. Law is pragmatic and rational. My yoga practice is spiritual and devotional. However, in both my careers, I am a teacher. I try to open minds and help students find their own wisdom. In both cases, I teach from the outside in. In yoga, asana is the path to dhyana (meditation). In law, teaching analysis is the path to understanding.
My goal always is to assist my students to grow intellectually, socially, morally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. If I achieve just a small bit of this goal-even with one person-then I have made a difference in the world.
Future Plans
What plans do you have for the future? I will follow my dharma and see where it takes me. Founding RYAH is my third career. Before I went to law school, I was a high school English teacher. At the moment, I am devoting full-time to creating a vibrant wellness community and making RYAH self-sustaining. When I first began RYAH, I continued to teach law part-time, but I felt the center needed more of my attention. Once RYAH is financially secure, I trust the Divine will inspire me on my future path.
~ Tracey L. Kelley.
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