I want to be a yoga teacher, now what?

One of the most popular questions we get at YogaBC is "Where should I take my teacher training?" Here are 11 questions to ask before you take the plunge.

1. What are my reasons for taking yoga teacher training? For my own interests, to deepen my practice, or to teach yoga on completion? Make sure your potential school can meet your needs.
2. What is my learning style and time I can commit? Many programs run weekends make sure you have carved out the time needed for the program, practice and homework.
3. Is the teaching program registered and recognized, are they a member of YogaBC?
4. How many classes have graduated from this Teacher Training program? Ask to contact and speak to a past graduate.
5. How big is the class size? How much one-one attention will I get?
6. Who are the primary teachers, how many hours will they be teaching?
7. What is the Teacher Trainer's background and experience? Take their class, get to know their teaching style.
8. Is there a code of ethics or a code of conduct for the program?
9. Will a practicum or mentorship program be offered as a part of the Teacher Training?
10. What happens after the program? Who I am qualified to teach? If your dream is to teach prenatal yoga and your teacher training doesn't cover it, you will need additional hours and certification.
11. What are the costs (text books, classes, trips, and fees)?
    

Any questions I missed? Post them here to help your fellow yogis navigate their teaching journey.

Warm, super warm, regards,
Simone

Simone Riml

Community Relations Manager

AGM Report

Hello Everyone,

On behalf of the board, I am pleased to share the growth in activity over the last year, and achieving a few important milestones for this association.


For this I give my heartfelt thanks to our members who are supporting the vision, the Ministry of the Solicitor General who has approved the Direct Access grant for the last two years, and most notably, our staff Lesley, Simone, Miranda, our volunteers, and board of directors.


Highlights:

- The Re-Branding Project. Jason Yoshioka has completed a $4,000 grant to to help us update the visual aspects to YogaBC.
- Committed staff: At last year’s AGM, we had a goal to have a paid leader in place to handle the day to day activities of the association. We're grateful for Lesley Kovitz' work as Executive Director, Simone Riml as Community Relations Manager, and Miranda Post as Newsletter Editor.
- A new membership system. Not without it’s growing pains, this system will help us better manage our relationships with students, teachers, and other providers in the community.
- Meaningful Outreach: Simone’s work at events and going out to studios and teachers such as the Teresen Gas employee health fair, the Yogathon, the Yoga Health fair at Vancouver Public library, and going out to many studios to meet studios in person. These kinds of activities are what make YogaBC special and unique from Yoga Alliance.
- Partnerships: Drishti Point: had been using YABC community Calendar on air so we offered a banner add to DP to let people know about the radio program that profiles BC yoga teachers. Helping Langara College set up a Yoga Teacher Training program: the first public college to offer yoga in Canada, and special thanks to their group for their work on the Code of Ethics. Yoga Outreach – working with them on their fundraising plans.
- Insurance/Extended Health: New partners on both fronts are helping to provide services teachers need for their practice.

Looking Forward:

We must continue listening closely to the needs of members, and adapt programming to contribute in a meaningful way, such as marketing and business services to help studios and teachers prosper

A new website is in consideration to better serve members and the general public
And most importantly – we will continue to improve services that help teachers connect, and advance the practice of yoga in BC through continuing education programs.

The Board over the next year is tasked with significantly raising revenue to deliver better services, and continue to refine our vision, mission and mandates for how best to serve yoga practitioners in BC.This can happen with wider participation around BC, and using online tools for communications as well as more frequent in person meetings for fostering better peer-to-peer relationships.

Regards
Ryan Smith