Student Spotlight with Megan

Meet Megan!

Megan completed her 200 hour yoga teaching training in Spain with us in 2019 and has been teaching yoga ever since. Get to know our students and graduates in this monthly blog post. Yogi of the Month.

When did you complete your yoga teacher training course with us?

I finished my training at the beginning of February 2019 which is nearly 19 months of teaching already....crazy! 

How did you feel about teaching yoga before you completed the 200hr teacher training course?

I was so excited about doing the course, particularly the thought of going on my own, meeting new people and deepening my yoga practice. In saying that, the thought of me ever actually teaching yoga wasn't a real goal of mine mainly because I didn't believe I could achieve it! I have always had a fear of public speaking so I was apprehensive about that part of teaching but I also knew that I wanted to challenge myself. Yoga has always had a calming influence over my life so I was hoping it could be the magic ingredient in calming my public speaking nerves too. I think when you asked us all at the start 'who wants to teach after the course?' I didn't even raise my hand because I was embarrassed at thinking I could! 

What advice would you give to people thinking about taking a Yoga Teacher Training Course?

Try not to get overwhelmed by the amount of different courses available. If possible, think of the two or three key aspects of yoga that are important to you and seek those out in a course. And remember, you don't have to have it all figured out, or have bags of confidence before you go. You will meet people with diverse personality traits, different yoga backgrounds and practices; and you will grow and develop a confidence unique to you through the course. Lastly,  remember to relax and enjoy all the reasons why you came to the yoga practice while you are there. It is an intense learning environment but it is also a huge privilege to have the time and resource to do it so enjoy the process! 

What is your favourite thing about teaching yoga classes?

I love introducing people to yoga and seeing the therapeutic effects the practice has on them. I like teaching a small class and getting to know people through the practice, keeping the classes light hearted and relaxed.

When can we join you?! (when and where are your classes?!)

I teach two evening classes a week in the Void Art Gallery in Derry, Northern Ireland - 5:30pm on a Tuesday and Thursday. A great opportunity to get your fill of contemporary art too :)

You can see what Megan is up to on Instagram @makespace.bymegan and facebook https://www.facebook.com/MakeSpace.byMegan/

Thanks Megan!

x

Yogi Chocolate Truffles

The Recipe…

Vegan, gluten-free & refined sugar-free (depending on chocolate used)

Deliciously decadent yet oh-so-simple to make, these vegan chocolate truffles are sure to go down a treat. Coconut milk is rich in vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 plus a range of minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium - perfect fuel for yogis. While vegan dark chocolate is incredibly high in antioxidants which help to fight free radical damage and can slow-down the aging process.

If possible, choose a raw chocolate bar and raw cacao powder to supercharge your truffles and increase their nutritional potency. You can follow the recipe or use your culinary creativity to make these chocolaty goodies your own. Try adding in fruits and superfoods such sea salt, nuts, seeds, dates, goji berries or maca powder.

Ingredients – makes approx 12

- 125g Vegan Dark Chocolate

-95g Coconut Milk

-Cacao powder for rolling

Optional -sea salt -honey/maple syrup

Directions

Break up the chocolate up into small pieces and place them into a bowl. Heat the coconut milk until it is just boiling. Pour the coconut milk onto broken chocolate and let sit for around 1 minute.

Stir the mixture with a spatula until all chocolate is melted and mixed with milk, then scrape down sides and pop in the fridge for around two hours, or until set.

Tip about half a cup of cacao powder into another bowl. Once the mix is set, use a spoon scoop into balls - about 17g per ball will make 12 good sized truffles. Before coating in cacao roll quickly into balls, then coat with cacao (warning: If you coat them in cacao before it won’t come together properly).

Place the balls back in the fridge to firm up again. Remove them from the fridge then proceed to eat all the truffles in one sitting - or hide them far away from friends and housemates - your choice. Enjoy!

Yoga History

A Brief History of Yoga - An Infographic

The history of yoga is long, complicated and interesting!

Here is a much simplified version to help you understand its development through the ages. You can learn more about this subject at one of our yoga teacher training courses here in sunny Spain!

5 Benefits of Live Online Yoga Classes

In the current crisis many yoga studios have had to adapt to a virtual class environment.

To be honest I was skeptical. I have been a member of pay monthly online yoga platforms for years. You get great sound and image quality, you can start and stop whenever you need and the monthly payments can be quite reasonable. I wondered what the live medium would have to offer. So yesterday morning I got myself ready to practice online.

 And here’s what I discovered…

1. Accountability

   Paying for an online monthly yoga service is in some ways much like paying for a monthly gym membership. You know it’s there and when you have time you’ll use it. Sometimes you do and sometimes you don’t! When you schedule yourself in for an online, live yoga class and you pay for it, then you’re much more likely to show up. You’ve made a specific commitment to yourself at a specific point in your day and people are expecting you!

2. Accountability

   Am I repeating myself?! If you’re like me and sometimes go through phases where you lack a little self-discipline, home practice can be a struggle. You can’t put a live class on pause and rock out in childs pose for 10 minutes, you have to commit to the rhythm of the class to squeeze all the juice out of it.

3. Connection

   Knowing that there are other people practicing at the same time gives you a sense of motivation. It’s kind of like the difference between listening to live radio and a pre-recorded show. There is a sense of group experience, that the moment exists now so let’s try to remain present for it.

4. Support

   By paying what you can and participating in yoga studios online schedules you are supporting small businesses and ensuring that they will be able to stay working virtually and eventually again physically.

5. Structure

   One of the top tips of keeping sane during this time, that you may of seen coming up over and over, is to give yourself a daily structure. By taking a look at the online yoga sessions available to you, it may help to structure the rest of your day, give you something to look forward to or give you a break from the people that you may or may not be living with! As Stephen Fry said on the news recently, in situations like this time takes on another dimension.

Happy home practising everyone.

Stay safe and stay indoors for a while!