The business of continuing education

When I started teaching Yoga over 15 years ago, there was no national certification, there was no Yoga Alliance, which now certifies Yoga studios and instructors.  There are so many different types of Yoga Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Kundalini, Vinyasa, and that is just to name a few.  My amazing teacher used to have his own studio, but decided to just do privates and teach at 24 Hour Fitness, and that is where our paths crossed.  The moment I took his class, I knew it was going to be my future, I had no plan before then, moved to LA to find myself.  It fit me, he is now 82 years old, and found Yoga himself at 40.  I found it right before 30, and feel grateful that it has made me a more calm and balanced person.  I needed to get a national certification in order to teach at 24 hour fitness, I chose AFAA, and that started my relationship with continuing education.  I see the importance to keep up with the trends and changing tides of education, especially when you are first starting out.  I also got my personal training certification, which was more continuing education investment.  I had not trouble getting work as a Yoga teacher because I connected with people that liked my class and the style of Yoga that I taught.

Someone had a brilliant idea to create an organization to monitor, certify, and make a successful business out of continuing education for Yoga, and they could only get that education at studios that were also certified under the Yoga Alliance.  There was an exception, people that were teachers before the Yoga Alliance was formed could be grandfathered in with proof of hours and teaching locations.  I thought about joining it, but it never came to pass, I kept on working with no problem.

After I got married and had kids I got certified in Prenatal Yoga at Golden Bridge, which again clicked with me.  I liked that the training was a big variety of education from nurses, midwives, to all different type of Yoga backgrounds, and even some dance.  That also had no continuing education, and once again because of the community I live in where there are Thank God children galore, my classes are always in demand.

After my third baby the Doula training that was perfect for me aligned with me being ready, and one of my former clients wanting me to be ready as her Doula.  My Doula teacher also did not believe in continuing education, because it is just a business.  Every birth is new, we are always learning, and we grow with what specialties we are interested in.  I am excited to be part of a hypnobirthing training coming up soon.  There are national Doula certifications that may be a good fit for others, I am just happy that I found my fit.

Today I was part of the very first training and orientation for Doula's by the Cedars Doula Advisory Committee.  I learned so much about communication, putting the mother first and working together, and preparing my clients for what a hospital birth will include.  My biggest lesson was about a client changing her birthplan, and how that is when she needs me mentally and emotionally more than ever. Especially when an epidural is the preferred choice, it is up to me to support the mom in connecting with the baby, understanding that the baby is still working its way down, and even though there has been relief, there has not been a disconnection between mother and baby.

Coach Yulia