The Teacher Within

The Teacher Within Master Class Series was created to provide a forum for teachers to connect, to create community, and to problem solve together as we travel the path of teaching yoga to others. This course is informed by my own experience as a teacher over the past 13 years, and the inner journey that I have taken.

For many, the photo at right typifies what being a yoga teacher means. Even when we hold a broader awareness of what the practice actually entails, in a class setting, all our knowledge, skills and experience are often reduced to mere physical modifications and adjustments to the pose.  Why is this, and how do we make the totality of the practice known when we have such limited time with our students?

In answering why, one of the biggest contributing factors – the criteria set forth by the Yoga Alliance – becomes obvious, yet many aspiring yoga teachers, and even teacher trainers themselves, fail to see this limitation. In a highly appealing, yet competitive industry, both trainers and trainees seek to buy credibility. The easiest way to do this is to seek certification from an outside ‘authority’.  Unfortunately, the standards for the Yoga Alliance have seen few adjustments made since its inception over 10 years ago. The criteria still emphasizes how to ‘do’ the pose, rather than how to ‘live’ the practice.

It is my hope that The Teacher Within Master Class Series will bridge the gap between certified trainings, and the realities of teaching on a daily basis. Its intent is to deepen the understanding that yoga practice cannot be learned in 30 days. It must be experienced on a daily basis, over time. For that reason, this training does not seek approval by the Yoga Alliance. Instead, the goal is to supplement a teacher’s training by cultivating the ability to be in relationship with ourselves, with our practice, and with our students.

‘I took the master class series with Siobhan and I found her to be knowledgeable, approachable, and she made the material accessible for all of her students, despite how long they had been teaching. She provided the tools necessary to make you think profoundly about the inner traditions of the practice, why you teach, who you are as a teacher, a student, and where you are going. She holds a high integrity for the practice, and will hold you accountable so that you can provide the best yoga experience for your students. I learned a lot from her, but mostly, she makes me want to be a better yoga teacher.’

Kelly, yoga teacher, Kingston, On.

The Teacher Within Master Class Series for Yoga Teachers

Explore the journey within, deepen your practice, and improve your teaching skills.

Why a Master Class series?

With the increase in the popularity of yoga in the last several years, more and more yoga practitioners have decided to try their hand at teaching. Unfortunately, all too often this means the gradual demise of what was once a great source of pleasure – their own practice. The ability to manage their own personal practice while maintaining an active teaching base, often becomes a considerable challenge. Once they have completed their initial training, many teachers also lose contact with a teacher of their own, or any type of peer support. The Master Class Series has been created to serve the yoga teaching population, and to support their efforts in offering quality education based on direct experience, as they continue to grow and develop as both teachers, and practitioners.

Topics of interest:
how to read a student’s body,
sequencing principles and
differentiating between styles of practice to clarify your own unique approach.
the teacher/student relationship,
elements of transference, and
the importance of having a teacher, as well as our own practice.

Who should attend:
Master classes are open to all teachers regardless of style, tradition or lineage. In fact, the more diverse the backgrounds,the better! Classes may be attended by any teacher with a sincere desire to be the best possible teacher that they can be. Teachers need not be actively teaching at the moment to gain benefit from these classes.

All participants are asked to commit to a daily yoga practice for the duration of the 6 month course as well as keeping a practice journal. For those that are actively teaching, a teaching log will also be used. Practice time together as a group will be a part of every session along with experiential exercises, group discussions, and small break out formats. Those that are ready and willing to make a commitment will get the most out of this course.

For the dates of our next Teacher Within Master Class Series, click here.

‘The Master Class Series was a very well thought out, practical, and insightful experience – helpful even for me with many years of training, teaching and teacher training experience. The content of the course was excellent, the delivery masterful, and the experience very fruitful. I recommend this course to any yoga teacher looking to clarify and deepen their teaching and personal practices. I strongly recommend the Master Class to those who are taking my 500 hr YTT program.

Mona L. Warner, ERYT500, RYS500
Kingston ON