Prior to taking her 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Katie was balancing a full on full time job, a family and a dog and a horse. Here she shares about the value in finding the time to study with Yogafurie.
What was it about Yoga that made you want to learn more?
The positive impacts it had on my own physical and mental health. I also wanted to learn more about the history, philosophy and non-physical aspects of yoga. I knew there was so much more to yoga than the poses and that I had only scratched the surface on the rich history and philosophy that it has to offer.
Did you aim to teach afterwards or was this a journey to deepen your knowledge about Yoga?
I wasn’t decided either way. I went into it wanting to deepen my own practice and understanding but I was also open to the idea of teaching if it felt right by the end of the course.
How did you feel the moment that you signed up to the course?
Excited and a little bit apprehensive. I have a busy job, a family, a horse and a dog which all needed my time and attention too. So, I was a bit concerned about how I’d fit everything in, but it really felt like it was the next natural step in my journey through life. Personally, I feel like there’s never a perfect time to do things in life, and it’s better to listen to your inner voice for guidance and work out the rest on the way!
How did you feel on your first day? What was the experience of your first weekend with us?
It was really exciting and great to get started on the journey. Everyone was so nice and welcoming so I felt far more at ease than I thought I would.
How did you feel on your last day of the course?
It’s an odd mixture of relief (that the exams are done!), excitement (about what lies ahead but also about having a break from the exam cramming) and sadness that you won’t be having these wonderful weekends full of fun, laughter and fascinating learning. You really get to know your fellow trainees along the journey and it’s a bit sad when you know that you won’t be regularly catching up with them.
What is your favourite learning that you will take away with you? Do you have any new / unique areas of interest since the course?
I genuinely loved every single bit of learning. The course is so varied and there are some really interesting guest speakers that come along to talk about anything from fascia, to the history of yoga to Sanskrit and much more. All topics are covered in depth and nothing is imposed upon you so you can form your own opinions too about what you think/feel about the things you are learning.
I loved the way learning about the philosophy and subtle body stuff had such an impact on my life outside of yoga. It really opens your eyes to how much more there is going on outside the realms of our awareness and how you can really learn to improve your own life and be happy & healthy.
Do you teach Yoga now? How do you enjoy the experience of teaching Yoga?
Yes, I teach at my local studio in Wiltshire and I love connecting with the students and helping them along their path. It’s so lovely to see their progress and it’s really rewarding to help them get a little more peace in their lives, even if it’s just for one hour a week.
What is different about your life now than when you started the course?
I have a completely different outlook on life and where I want to focus my attention in the future.
Having had my children very young, I felt the need to create a good life for them and spent many years studying accountancy and then chasing the next step up on the career ladder. My perspective on what’s important in life has completely shifted (for the better) and I feel much more at ease with what is and what will be.
On a practical side, I have more confidence and far less anxiety than previously. I suppose I feel more at ease with life.
What was your favourite thing about the Yoga Teacher Training course with Yogafurie Academy?
I loved how genuine the whole experience felt. It truly felt like real authentic yoga in action, being offered 100% from the heart, by people who love what they do and want to share it. Nothing was ever rushed or glossed over and you never felt silly about asking questions.
Is there anything else you would like to offer up as a reflection on this journey?
Something that really struck me and my fellow trainees was how we all grew over the course. We all remember the utter dread at the thought of having to get up and teach one pose to the rest of the trainees on day one of the course, and we all reflected on the fact that by the end of the course we were all at ease with getting up and teaching each other mini classes without thinking twice. It felt an impossible task on day one but without really noticing a big shift, we all seemed to have morphed during the course and it felt almost easy and natural towards the end.
The reason I chose to do my YTT at Yogafurie was that I knew it would be the real deal. No corners would be cut and it would be a 100% honest offering aimed at giving you the very best experience and tools to either go on and teach or just apply to your own life and practice.
One thing I would say to anyone thinking about signing up is to just go for it. You won’t regret it and even if you decide not to teach at the end, what you will have learnt will have such a positive impact on your life that it will have been time well spent!
If you are interested in going for it, we have a Yogafurie Academy Yoga Teacher Training open day on October 16th. 1-4pm. The afternoon includes a free Hot Yoga class, Q&A with teachers and students and coffee and cake. Reserve your place here.
Discover how you can start your beautiful Yoga Journey here with Yogafurie Academy 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Bristol.
You can easily check out our teaching style. Join us online for Yoga classes here or book in for a Hot Yoga class.
