Review of YOGA MALA 200HR YTT COURSE
PROS:
• Thorough explanation of muscles and bone structure, ensuring safe alignment.
• Clear framework for constructing a yoga class
• Practiced teaching to other students in class, get used to speaking.
• Good balance of spiritual and physical practice - getting us to practice ahimsa and more gave an additional layer of awareness to what we were learning, that yoga is not just about physical poses. This is main reason why I chose this place because a lot of other studios do not offer this. (I even practiced loving kindness to cockroaches)
• Patient and kind when answering our many questions
• Encouraged us to think for ourselves and come to our own conclusions instead of listening to all the outside sources.
• Practical hours required post course is gruelling and troublesome, at the same time, it is invaluable in teaching you to be comfortable teaching. Early nervousness is normal.
• Extended understanding and kindness to me when I was super late in submitting my post course videos as I had surgery. They waived off my late fee for two extra months which is very generous and I am thankful for that.
CONS:
• Not enough time on instructing students to get into proper alignment. Only half a day spent on this topic.
• Big problem: Classes veer off topic so we had to rush through remaining topics during last week.
• Have alot of questions but no time to have them thoroughly answered.
• Only require two books - orange one and main A4 book, plus purple book at later stages. The other two were not used at all and when we referenced these books, we were told not to listen to the book.
• No reply on class structure after graduation, could be because Raj was away but really no reply so gave up after awhile.
• Difficult to fulfil practical hours post course - hard to find students and locations. Understand that teaching paying customers is not fair, at the same time, big problem was actually finding a location.
• Abit too much to do for course, difficult to juggle with rigors of working life - like finding time to practice at home and teach people. At the same time, nothing good comes without difficulty and effort.
BUILDS:
• Syllabus is needed - framework of timetable, week 1, 2, 3. Each week and each lesson must hit these key points for example. This helps provide clarity between teacher and students on what they will be teaching and learning each week. Each party is accountable week by week.
• Have a q&a channel - either set aside two hours at the end of week for questions with students, or if more students, provide them a specific email to email questions. Alot of questions rise up after weekly assignments. We only had 3 students total, so can’t imagine if there’s more students.
• Cut out the two extra books that were not used, offer them as additional supplemental reading. Earmark parts that you feel is helpful and useful for students that will justify the money they spend.
• Get students to finish all class structure first and clear with teacher before course finishes. Opportunity to teach alot more when it comes to different types of peak poses. We practiced a few class structures with teacher which gave teacher opportunity to correct us, just wish we had more time devoted to this because post course had some question marks regarding my own class structures. For example, backbend poses requires more prep for example. Or vinyasa requires less poses overall.
• Offer attic space for students to teach their friends. Small location, quiet and away from main area so its great to teach small group of people. Offer it during non peak timings like afternoon lull where there's no official classes would be great to open up to students.
OVERALL SUMMARY:
Mien and Raj are not superhuman and do not put up pretenses trying to be, they are honest and transparent that they are human as well and are here to learn from the students as much as they are here to impart their knowledge. They are also trying their best. This led to comfortable atmosphere of asking questions and learning which is very rare to find.
Yes, there needs to be more structure with the course syllabus and this is easily addressed. Do you feel well prepared to go out and teach? No, there needs to be more practice in teaching and correcting, and again, can be fixed with a syllabus tweak, not a problem.
Come here if you want a solid foundation in anatomy, alignment and spiritual tenets of yoga. Be prepared for a time intensive course, and stick to the long hours because you will realize how fulfilling this course can feel later down the road.