Teaching yoga was a dream come true
The Story of Anja Giger - Pranaya Yoga Graduate and Yoga Teacher
|
Anja Giger was born in Switzerland but now live in Goring with her boyfriend. She did her Yoga Teacher Training with Pranaya Yoga in June and July 2017, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She teaches yoga since October 2017.
My job as a Project & Event Manager in the commercial sector never really fulfilled me. I always felt that I wanted to do something that had an impact, make a change in people’s lives. To see a smile on someone’s face by the end of the day. To be able to pass something on...For a while, I couldn't find what I was "looking for". |
|
|
In 2016, I quite my office job and decided to travel the world. I did an Ayurvedic retreat in Kerala, India in November 2016. For 5 days, I learned to meditate and I joined a very gentle Yoga practice. And that's where I fell "in love". When I discovered yoga, it became a dream to be able to teach one day.
|
"I always felt that I wanted to do something that had an impact" |
I carried on travelling around Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar and I took yoga classes almost every day, wherever I could. I discovered many different teachers with different styles. I came to Chiang Mai, Thailand to Wild Rose Studio and I loved the teachers and the space. That is when I heard about the Pranaya Yoga Teacher Training and decided to join.
|
Before the Teacher Training started people told me that this experience would be life changing. That I wouldn’t return as the same person I was before. I expected some changes but what this training did for me was far beyond that.
I feel that this will have been one of the most precious experiences in my whole life. The teachers really put their whole heart into it. I enjoyed every single day of the training in Chiang Mai and learned so much. |
Thinking back of my teaching during the course it feels a bit like a blur. Really overwhelming with that many things to consider & to look after. You basically ask yourself how you will ever be able to take care of a group of "real people":-). But at the same time you know it is a safe space to make mistakes, to try out things but even more important to grow. So encouraging with teaching your peer and having such a supportive group of teachers there for you. The group was amazing. The fact that the group was smaller (16 participants) kept it personal and nurtured a sense of inclusion.
One of Anja's first yoga classes during the Pranaya Yoga Teacher Training, July 2017, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Coming home from Thailand was a shock after the freedom I experienced during my travels. I actually applied for an office job again. Luckily it took long for them to get back to me. My friend told me: “Hang on, why are you applying for an office job again? When you left to Thailand you said you didn’t want to do that anymore.” So, I asked myself if this is what I really wanted. I then decided to take the risk and start to teach yoga.
I started by teaching a few private classes. Then I subbed 3 weekly classes for a friend of mine who went on maternity leave. I still remember the first class that took place in a church hall. Before teaching I thought: “Oh no, what am I going to do!” I drew my stick-figures and prepared a theme. It ended up being really nice!
I started by teaching a few private classes. Then I subbed 3 weekly classes for a friend of mine who went on maternity leave. I still remember the first class that took place in a church hall. Before teaching I thought: “Oh no, what am I going to do!” I drew my stick-figures and prepared a theme. It ended up being really nice!
|
I also worked at LANO Yoga as admin support for a month. They then invited me to do a “trial class” in front of the owners. It was nerve-wrecking! The owners liked it but didn’t have space at the time. One month later one of the teachers went travelling so I got the opportunity to take over her “hot flow” class at 6:45am which I am still teach now.
|
My advice to new teachers: "Your vibe attracts your tribe" |
And that's how it starts to build up. Spreading your name out wherever you can and then finding out what you love and what doesn't really work for you. Think of "Your vibe attracts your tribe"!
In the meantime, I also set up my own classes in a community hall. I teach every Monday and I have about 10 to 12 regular students.
After coming back to England in August, I found this amazing course called "Yoga mentorship". It was so helpful to get more courage and information to keep on forming you as a teacher. What I also realised though was that the Pranaya Yoga Teacher Training covered it all. It was a great build up for me but also not big surprises like other girls had as some things haven't been covered in their course. Laurence and her team prepared me so much to get started with the teaching right away.
I think that some of the challenges I experienced early on in my life, are now some of my biggest strengths as a teacher now. I am very aware of what is going on around me. When I was younger, I cared about all actions I took and I wanted to be "correct" at all times. This was both a blessing and a curse.
In the meantime, I also set up my own classes in a community hall. I teach every Monday and I have about 10 to 12 regular students.
After coming back to England in August, I found this amazing course called "Yoga mentorship". It was so helpful to get more courage and information to keep on forming you as a teacher. What I also realised though was that the Pranaya Yoga Teacher Training covered it all. It was a great build up for me but also not big surprises like other girls had as some things haven't been covered in their course. Laurence and her team prepared me so much to get started with the teaching right away.
I think that some of the challenges I experienced early on in my life, are now some of my biggest strengths as a teacher now. I am very aware of what is going on around me. When I was younger, I cared about all actions I took and I wanted to be "correct" at all times. This was both a blessing and a curse.
|
I think that Yoga is a lifelong path. You never become the master of a pose, you can always learn something new. My challenge is to not fight against myself. To fully listen to my body, and not to let my mind take over.
I just wanna encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and dive in to what you truly love doing. Cause "Once you found what you love to do, you will never work a day in your life". Find out more about Anja's teaching schedule on her website: https://annyoga.net |
|
Watch Anja Giger and other students give their testimonial about the Pranaya Yoga Teacher Training
