:: Suzie Hurley. founder + director of willow street yoga . takoma park. md shares beautifully ::
"To be a good teacher of yoga, one must first become a good student. Studentship is called “Adhikari” in Sanskrit and is not taken lightly. The student must have a sincere commitment to learn and grow, have the courage to look at themselves, do their own personal growth work and have a strong desire to help others. John Friend writes, “Being a yoga teacher is like being an adventure guide leading a courageous group on a challenging journey to a beautiful, secluded place of transformation.” To be a good student of yoga, one must commit to first going to class regularly and studying with an experienced, skillful and responsible teacher. Your teacher is an important and powerful resource for you as questions, doubts and concerns will inevitably come up. They can inspire you to establish a regular home practice, paramount to being a good yoga teacher. They can also guide you to the books and teachers, workshops and programs that will begin you on your journey into the deeper aspects of yogic philosophy.
A sincere and enthusiastic love for yoga is crucial in my estimation. If the passion for yoga is ignited in one's heart, the learning, the study, the practice will be a joy, no doubt challenging and very difficult at times, but still, a joy. To truly want to help people, empower people, relieve them of chronic physical and emotional pain, to vitalize their lives and health, to reconnect them to their own greatness is also essential.
What does it take to be a successful, well-rounded yoga teacher? I believe it requires a solid foundation in these four aspects of yoga.
1. Yoga philosophy - which provides the basis and context for teaching the elements of yoga as both an art and a science.
2. Science of yoga - which focuses on asana alignment, biomechanics, modifications, use of props, breathwork, sequencing, curriculum, and therapeutics.
3. Art of yoga - which masters the skill of teaching. This skill includes presence as the seat of the teacher, use of voice, classroom organization, verbal and physical assists, giving clear and heart oriented instructions, observation skills, and demonstration skills.
4. Performance of asanas - which reflects the teacher's attitude, mindfulness, balance of action, strength/stamina, flexibility, alignment, knowledge and understanding of the postures. "
:: Hanumasana "Monkey" pose
:: CONTINUING STUDIES: Dedication to continuing studies in the philosophy. science. art + practice of Yoga is a vital component of being a teacher. "I believe that yoga is for all people, so I'm constantly trying to expand my field of practice, knowledge and experience to be able to help as wide a range of students with as wide a range of issues as possible." Lara is currently taking classes, workshops and continued trainings and is actively enrolled in studies with the following :
:: willow street yoga . takoma park. md ::studying yoga nidra . somatics . and principals of anusara yoga with john friend
:: golden heart yoga . Annapolis. md :: studies weekly in classes at this renowned studio which offers ::500-hour teacher training 2008-2009 with Jenny Otto + Lynn Mathews ::workshops attended include: foundations of Ayurveda with Brendan Freeley.
:: yoga house . Washington. dc ::200-hour kundalini teacher training with Sada Sat Singh and Sada St Kaur
:: nosara yoga institute . nosara. Costa Rica ::100-hour pranassage teacher training February 2008
:: Ann Hunt yoga . Lexington park . md ::anatomy of yoga trainings Dr. Steven Weiss. ms. dc. ryt + creator of chiroyoga
:: omega institute. reinbeck.ny ::samnyasa movements + the anatomy of yoga august 2006 with master iyengar teacher Glenn Black
:: kripalu center for yoga & health . in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts ::Finding the Answers Within with Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa and Guru Shabd Singh Khalsa
