Where do you live: Scarborough
Profession: Yoga teacher and spa owner of Moksha Yoga-Scarborough
Please explain what you do in your job?
My job consists of running a yoga studio, administration, teaching yoga classes in a heated room (known as hot yoga) and offering spa services.
Current jobs: Esthetician and yoga instructor.
List of accomplishments:
I have worked for five years in school administration and ran a small family-owned business for 15 years. Since 1990 I have managed a spa and now have expanded the operation with a yoga studio.
How do you measure success in your chosen career?
The way to measure success is not by counting the number of students in one's class but through the quality of teaching when we can address the needs and interests of the students and show compassion.
When did you decide this is what you want to do for a living and what was the 'moment'?
I started yoga in my mid-30s after a friend invited me to a 'hot' yoga session as she knew how much I enjoyed a good sweat through my exercise. I had a very busy life with two boys and a family business to run. With very little time to spare I always felt pain in my back from tension and stress. She succeeded to convince me to join her and from that moment I never looked back. It changed my life for the better. Not only did it remove pain and tension but it gave me a calm mind.
Skills required for this job?
A good teacher will observe and then welcome the students prior to the start of class. The teacher will have a positive attitude towards the yoga class and take the time to find out any injuries and or pain the students may have and to take it into consideration during class. It's important to teach the poses for new students with modifications so it's accessible for everyone. Demonstrating particular poses is very important for students to have a good understanding and safe practice. A good instructor will definitely ask the students about how they are feeling, once the class ends. To be a good teacher doesn't necessarily mean to be able to move deeply into asana. I may know my yoga, but the skill of being able to carefully and thoroughly teach yoga is one that I developed over time. The comfort of being able to talk flowingly in class, not sound monotone or boring, to deliver the right cues so that each student can learn the yoga poses with ease is an art. I learn something new every day. This opens my mind and body to investigate my own yoga practice and it really shows me the importance of a regular practice.
What can people expect if they want to pursue this job?
Moksha yoga training consists of one full year, totalling 800 hours of yoga study. Once accepted into the program, we have a list of approximately 20 books to read before the training starts. The first month involves an intense training of two yoga classes daily, meditation practice, anatomy of human body, yoga philosophy, sequencing, alignment and therapy. We also have to complete one monthly assignment for a total of 11 before graduation. Some assignments included: volunteering, writing about practicing different styles of yoga and commenting on the style of yoga while comparing it to Moksha Yoga. Furthermore we discuss lifestyle choices and the invaluable tools required to make us great teachers and be a positive force in the world. We also learn to practice what we preach and have the skills to handle the hardships in life so we can maintain a high level of personal energy in order to give immensely to others.
Salary range:
The salary can range from $30 a class for a new teacher or $50 to $70 per class for a more experienced instructor. It is possible to earn a decent living as a teacher depending on where you are located.
Percentage of people who actually succeed in this field:
Fortunately, the fitness industry has an amazing 85 per cent job satisfaction rate according to an Idea Health and Fitness survey. The same survey found that 98 per cent of those interviewed felt that their work gave them a feeling of personal accomplishment. Lack of personal satisfaction is the most frequent reason why people leave a job. These statistics make it obvious that this is an extremely harmonious atmosphere to work in. The feeling of being in a yoga studio or wellness centre is similar to being on vacation. There is always something to do, but the job itself is very gratifying. Rewards of helping family, friends, students and co-workers. Your self esteem improves as you find solutions for the pain management of others, ailments, fitness, stress management, positive thinking. The feeling of gratification you get from helping someone find the right path is beyond words.
Advice to youth who are thinking about pursuing this field:
My best advice for anyone considering pursuing this field is to make sure you give yourself ample time to check out all the different styles of yoga. Write your plan down, take action and go after your goal of becoming a certified teacher. The public needs more compassionate instructors and the job is rewarding.