Maximising Teacher Training Sessions

Vajrasati teacher training points to get the most out of weekly sessions.

We will often need to redouble our efforts not to pontificate, but so that we can get stuck into all aspects of teacher training, including reporting in homework, feedback, mantra and asana. Each session is a four hour meeting, which should allow time for everything, without a sense of pressure and within the relaxed, friendly atmosphere that is a recognisable quality of our sangha. Of course, I recognise as Facilitator my particular responsibility in this matter, and will do all I can but as according to our shared ethos we all need to take some responsibility.

I’d also like to remind everyone of the importance of meeting up with me every so often to discuss how you feel you are going personally and how you find the course. I have emphasised this in the past and some of you have taken up this opportunity I really find these meetings beneficial even if it only ends up that we just have a nice cuppa and a friendly chat.

The teacher training is not your personal practice time. Of course we will need to spend a good deal of time going through the poses on the syllabus but I can never hope to articulate all the instructions in any one asana and it will be an ongoing journey. I do however hope to place in your mind the principles that govern ongoing investigation during the sessions which will involve both discussion and practice covering:

• Clarity in expressing one’s instructions.

• Fundamental alignment and safety.

• Ability to demonstrably link philosophy and experience.

• Adherence to the principles expressed in the yamas and the niyamas and comprehension of the meaning behind the forms.

• The building of a Sangha that will remain of great value after the official teacher training ‘general level’ is complete.

So that your enthusiasm is engaged so that you come with questions and possibly also answers to others’ questions, it is vital that your own practice is regularly maintained.

My aims during teacher training are to effect trainees philosophically, emotionally/spiritually and conceptually, as well as to inform self awareness and one’s effect/responsibilities as a teacher. It is for these reasons that the course has its current form.