Graduate case study - Andrea Allen

What is your role and why did you decide to train to teach Yoga?

I am a gymnastics coach and run a small club. I have participated in Power yoga classes for a few years and during these classes I could see so many overlaps between both yoga and gymnastics.

I thought a combination of both yoga and gymnastics could be very exciting! During lockdown, the safety aspect of teaching some elements of gymnastics online was very challenging, so I began teaching yoga on Zoom to my gymnasts as well.

During the January 2021 lockdown, with my gymnastics club shut once again, it gave me the perfect opportunity to use my free time to undertake my yoga teacher qualification.

Have you always taught gymnastics? If not, what was your previous career?

I worked in an office as a draughtswoman for 31 years. Although I taught trampolining in my spare time and have done for over 20 years. I started getting involved in gymnastics in my 40s when my children were attending classes which I absolutely loved and so decided to take my coaching qualifications.

About 5 years ago I opened my own club following on from building my coaching experience and knowledge.

How will you be using your training this year?

I am about to start a new class in January 2022 with my yoga teacher called Yoga-nastics which will be a fusion of gymnastics and yoga. We both feel this exciting new branch of yoga will really help to engage children in yoga practices, combined with learning some fluid gymnastics skills and helping with their mental and physical wellbeing.

I also teach Pre-school Yoga classes once a month.

How does teaching Yoga affect you personally – has it improved your own wellbeing?

Teaching yoga (and gymnastics!) to children gives me joy in my heart. Seeing my students smiling and enjoying yoga as much as I do is a blessing. On a physical level if I have had a break from doing yoga my body tells me straight away with muscle aches and tightness!   

What benefits do you think Yoga offers people?

Yoga is for everyone! I am not very flexible which is why yoga is so important for me, at 51 it is essential to keep my body and mind in tip top condition.

Yoga is great for improving all around health and wellbeing, physical, emotional and spiritual. Helping reduce stress which is a massive health issue for many people, and stress is the leading factor to Dis-Ease!

Why did you decide to train online with the Academy for Yoga Training?

I initially saw an advert on Facebook and gave them a call. I had a wonderful conversation with Diane Lee and really felt this was the right course for me. You know when the universe gives you a nudge and everything falls into place!

Have you noticed an increased need for mental health and wellbeing support in your current role?

I am aware that anxiety has increased in children and I have ensured my classes have remained as fun as possible so the children can come to classes and switch off from the troubles in the world. I do feel that children will definitely be more affected in the coming years.

Do you think the course offers flexibility for anyone else seeking to train alongside their existing commitments?

Absolutely, for example there were people who worked for the NHS, so they were working full-time alongside completing the course.

Do you think the course was good value for money?

It was affordable for me being split into easy monthly payments. No quality yoga teacher training programme is cheap! But yes, definitely good value for money. It was a very professionally run course, with excellent content, fantastic trainers and support throughout.

What was your training with the Academy for Yoga Training like?

The timing of the course was perfect for me as it was during the pandemic lockdown. I could fit the online training around my other commitments and not feel overwhelmed with trying to run a business, alongside focusing on an in-depth training course. It was intense at times and a lot to learn.

Diane Lee has created something really special here! I am proud to be one of her students and have no regrets about doing this training. 

What did you dislike or find hard about the course?

The first time teaching in front of the other cohort and Diane. Feeling not good enough and having menopausal brain fog! But the cohort and Diane, plus her colleagues, really support you throughout and help to build your confidence.

What was your favourite thing about the course?

Too many to mention! I loved it all! It was a journey of discovery and having participated in yoga classes myself for over 5 years I found out so much more about Yoga that I never knew existed.

Learning about the Yamas and Niyamas and the 8 Limbs was one of my favourite parts. Also, the lessons on functional anatomy had so many lightbulb moments especially relating to my gymnastics coaching.

How did the course impact upon your personal and your work life?

The course is quite flexible in terms of submission deadlines, so there were only the online group training days to manage. The other parts you can complete in your own time and manage it alongside work. The online portal is easy to navigate and work through.

Has the training deepened your love of Yoga?

I was inspired by so many of the teachers on the course and the depth of information learnt. It was a journey that I started with the Academy and it will continue throughout the rest of my life.

Would you recommend this course to colleagues or friends or other organisations that work with young people?

Absolutely! I already have, and got a friend to book onto the same 200-hour Hatha course. I also really think yoga should be a part of gymnastics training for competitive gymnasts that train for multiple hours a week.

Want to hear from some of our other graduates?

Check out our interviews with Katie Malley & Julie Hegarty.

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