Training Yoga Teachers
This spring, starting March 3rd, 2023, Sunlight is starting our first-ever introductory yoga teacher training program for the Quad Cities area. Upon reflection, we decided to write a little something about the what and why of this program.
First, we should say we’ve always been committed to improving the industry of yoga—as well as being committed to sharing the entire scope of what yoga has to offer. For this studio that has been conducting intermediate-level teacher trainings; the kinds of training that is geared for folks who have already been teaching yoga and want to level up their skills.
But this year, this is the year we start by taking brand-new-beginner yoga teacher trainees and share with them the skills they are looking for the become successful and nurtured yoga teachers out in the world.
And here is why we are doing it.
We are committed to being a welcoming beam of light in our local yoga community.
Let’s admit it, yoga studios can sometimes be scary and unwelcoming places. They often intimidate the new people who slide through their doors. Sunlight has, from the get-go, striven to be different. All humans are welcome here, and the friendly and open atmosphere means that you will be greeted by not only our super-lovely staff but also the incredible and amazing students in our space.
But…can we also create the sort of “all humans, all bodies welcome” atmosphere in a yoga teacher training program? You bet. You won’t hear stories of us shaming anyone because of what their bodies or brains can or cannot do, how they show up, and who they are. We are committed to welcoming everyone, and also training yoga teachers who are just as committed to this as we are.
Our area needs a truly inclusive training program.
One doesn’t yet exist here in the QC. We are teaching the foundations of yoga movement, and that will include accessibility to all bodies from the get-go. Gone are the ideas that there is a “peak” or “ideal” posture position and everything else is automatically less-then. We want to encourage a new generation of yoga teachers to be as welcoming, informative, and nurturing as possible.
We want to teach anatomy…functionally. We know our students are less interested in what muscles go where and more interested in how they move their bodies through space and if they feel good doing it. This is taking the hierarchy or “good” vs. “bad” bodies off the table. In our training, all bodies are good—and we want to include everyone in our yoga practice.
We specialize in the full scope of yoga, and know that new teachers want this too.
Yoga has never been just about movement, yet that is what everyone expects when they head to a yoga class. Our new set of teachers will know how to tell people to move their bodies, but everything they will be grounded in the full tradition of yoga. Breath work, meditation, philosophical principles, these all have a place in our classes. We know isn’t necessary to push these things on people forcefully to be effective, either. We will share joyfully all aspects of yoga, and also share both the scientific and yogic reason why they work. We know that yoga helps. And we want our new generation of yoga teachers to know that too.
An intro teacher training is our love letter to the yoga industry.
We believe in us, the yoga pros of the world. We also believe in change, in seeing a new and brighter future for all yoga professionals within this industry. So training a new generation of teachers to be savvy, inclusive, nurturing, and ready to be a positive change in their communities is top of our list. This is a love letter from us, to the greater yoga space. We are hoping to bring new and fresh ideas and excitement into our sphere, and we know that everyone will be better for it.
SUNLIGHT’S Intro YTT (it is a 200 hr YTT) is for you if…
You are done with body shame but also love to move.
If you are ready to be a positive change in our local movement community, ready to share yoga, movement, and more with all people…without shame. Then join us. We are in your corner doing that work every day.
You are excited to share yoga with the world.
Yoga teachers, especially new ones, are the best calling card for yoga. When you first learn the full scope of yoga and have experienced how it helps, you will get excited. Like reeeeaaaaallllllly excited. You will think everyone should do yoga. Are you keen to share this love with others? To help and guide folks to a deeper understanding of their bodies, minds, and their meaning and purpose within their lives? It is cool and powerful stuff we do here. If you are ready, we are here to teach.
You are also keen to learn the business side of yoga.
This is Rebecca’s (she is our owner and YTT lead teacher) specialty. She spent 15+ years as an independent contractor yoga teacher who built her skill set and business without the benefit of a brick-and-mortar space. Do you want to learn the fundamentals of online teaching, how to market in all arenas, and take control of your own yoga career? Learn from someone who has done it and is happy to share her mistakes and miraculous wins along the way.
If you are someone who has been on the fence for joining a yoga teacher training program, consider Sunlight. We start March 3rd. Grab the link here, and see what we are all about.