Student Comments about
5-DayTeacher Trainings
[My impression of this trainig was] excellent! It deepened my own practice
in addition to enlightening the fundamentals of teaching. while not ready
for teaching from this course alone, I now have the skills and knowledge to
prepare on my own. [What I liked most about the training was] the practice
teaching. That was the most beneficial aspect.
—Bob Runkle of Kennewick, Washington
[My impression of this course was] very favorable! Good schedule, well-qualified teachers,
great handouts. [What I liked most about the training was] the opportunity to be critiqued
on teaching from the first day and to see how we should teach by example. I also liked the
exploration of sequencing and that we could see where it came from in the Teacher Training
Manual and Geeta's Preliminary Course Book.
—Dana Perkins of Stanley, Idaho
I was challenged and informed. [The training] was well thought out and
enjoyable—just what I was looking for. [I liked] having the
opportunity to concentrate on yoga for five days with like-minded
people and being exposed to other teachers and different levels of classes.
I learned and ... grew from the experience. I will take valuable
usable information and skills home with me.
—Barbara Harris of Boise, Idaho
[Richard's training was] clearly taught with a desire to share all of
[his] previous learnings and experiences with students. The studio reflects
a professionalism, and I felt confident that I was learning in a very
effective way. My only disappointment was that I couldn't take the entire
course [4-Week Summer Immersion]. However, in my short week of practice,
I was exposed to enough
information to keep me learning and practicing until next summer. I liked
the recommended reading suggested before the course began. I use the
books regularly to help me. I [also] liked the number of sessions each
day and seeing the studio operations, other classes, other students.
—Sherry Greenlee of Indonesia
I loved [the training]. Very inspiring! Overall, the training ... exceeded
my expectations. It was rigorous and required discipline. I liked that.
I [also] liked that Richard individualized his instruction and could pick out
the areas I needed to work on immediately. So, although I was in a class with
other individuals I still got personalized isstruction. I've been teaching
an adult beginning class for one year and trying to find my way. Letting my
students dictate the formate too much. This Intensive helped get me back on
track and gave me a direction - how and what to teach. Richard is
extremely knowledgeable and pointed out areas I could improve in my own practice.
—Sherry Shuldes, Boise, Idaho
Good lessons to understand basic knowledge of Iyengar Yoga method of teaching.
It was helpful to me to take lessons from RIchard, Edith, and Kathy to see
different ways to explain poses. I liked all the photocpied information that
Richard gave us. It gave me some guidelines to lead/teach clients and something
to think about.
—Kuniko Morimoto of Japan
The training was excellent. The material was covered in-depth
and presented with precision and clarity. The insights that Richard
shared along the way were in valuable. His experience and expertise
are shared in a very natural way through his teaching.
I really liked how Richard emphasized correctness while creating
an environment that fostered confidence and exploration. Richard
was very generous with his knowledge but careful not to overload
trainees with too much at one time.
—Natasha Borg of Lebanon, Oregon
You could see that Richard worked very hard to make his classes run
smoothly with structure and enjoyed teaching. He flooded our minds
with wonderful information that you can actually use out in the real
yoga wold. Richard's techings were easy to follow and to the point.
And it seems everyone felt very safe asking all kinds of questions.
Overall, it was a workthwhile ezperience and I wish I had come sooner!
—Angel Yim of Seattle
The Training was first class. I liked taking each subject/pose scientifically...
I gained a lot more knowledge and depth of the poses. It will be a great asset to my
students and my self. This Intensive further broadened my knowledge of how to present
a better class and make yoga invigorating and fun. I'll be looking forward to the next
Intensive.
—David Luce of Dillingham, Alaska
The detail and thoroughness with which poses were explored was highly useful. The
Training assisted in learning how to read bodies, perform adjustments/variations and to
empower my students.
—Kelly Green of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
The information presented was well-rounded in that it engaged all the different learning
styles; visual, kinesthetic and auditory. Not only was there a wealth of information
presented that is useful, I also found the opportunity to observe Richard enlightening — the
mastery of his instrument, his mindful presence and teaching style that come to be even more
valuable in helping me understand how to teach.
—Kevin Pope of Logan, Utah
I thought the program was a well-balanced mix of watching, talking and doing. It was helpful
for me to observe you do the poses, talk us through them, and then to have us do them. But it was
especially helpful to observe other people in various stages of mastering the poses. I liked the
parts of the classes where we discussed using props and modifying poses so that every student can
have a feeling of 'doing the pose.' Overall I thought the training dynamic, positive and
supportive.
—Anita Mann of Norman, Oklahoma
The Training was very worthwhile, giving the aspiring teacher confidence, verbal skills, and
helping to sharpen their eye to proper alignment in the asanas and ways the asanas can be taught
and modified... I especially appreciated the openness and approachability of the instructor
and his effort to get the students to think.
—Ellen Scriven of Cataldo, Idaho
The Teacher Training Intensive was just what I needed. Richard did a wonderful job of stretching
both my body and mind. He forced me to look at self-imposed limitations and challenged me to perfect
each posture in the systematic Iyengar style. I appreciated Richard's experience and ability in
looking at the class both collectively and individually, then going with the flow as each asana was
introduced and worked on.
—Tesla Starr Keehn of Custer, South Dakota
I was very impressed with the Training. I liked the way the poses were broken down to basics,
with emphasis on how to adjust the beginning student, how to actually do the physical adjustments,
and how to utilize props. I liked the fact that the course covered a little of
everything — anatomy, asanas, props, certification, invocation, liability insurance,
partner work issues, qualities of a good yoga teacher, working with challenging students,
'yoga manners' and rules to give to students, how to prepare an intro course, etc. I liked the
half-day of partner work, where we had an opportunity to verbally practice teaching a couple of
asanas. Richard, you are very personable and professional. You have a real sense of mindfulness
about you — very focused, nothing wasted in your presentation. I enjoyed your Training
very much. The whole group was great and I love Seattle. I'm starting a six-week intro course
next week.
—Rita Dungey of Minneapolis, Minnesota
A fantastic course that was very rewarding emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I felt great
after the course was over. The week with Richard deepened my appreciation for my own practice
of yoga. The intense focus of all of the components of the poses examined was enlightening. I
learned how important it is to focus on proper form and the flow of energy that is inherent in each
pose.
—Gregg Cronn of Bellingham, Washington
Well conceived, clearly stated objectives, purposefully directed, thoughtfully presented
and supported with lucid explanations. Richard's approach demonstrated an inspiring respect
for his subject, his students and himself. As well, he was able to balance the seriousness of
the occasion's intent with a relaxed and friendly openness. Very comfortable and beneficial.
I liked the detail combined with depth and scope; had the overall feel of completeness as does
well-scripted, -staged and -performed theatre.
—Storie Mooser of Portland, Oregon
Excellent. From a teaching perspective I learned many ways to assist my clients express
their greatest potential in the asanas. As a student I am deeply grateful for moving deeper
in my own practice. One adjustment Richard gave me relieved tension I'd been feeling in my
hip for a great while.
—Dana Riffel of Wichita, Kansas
The Training was very comprehensive. I felt the vital information on helping raw beginners
was very thorough. The methods of teaching a beginning posture surprised me. I had no idea
working with props could be so beneficial. I thought the Training would be massively difficult,
especially with the different levels attending. However, Richard addressed each and every one of
our concerns without exclusions. I felt that working with the others was a very important
interaction.
—Jan Cillo of Olympia, Washington
Richard is very mentally organized; he would break each pose down, step by step. He was very
forthcoming with information, hiding no aspect of his knowledge — hard-won, learned through
experience.
—Gail Wegodsky of Marietta, Georgia
I highly recommend the training. Richard's understanding and teaching of Iyengar Style
Hatha Yoga was excellent. The course was presented in a detailed, clear and informative
fashion. The atmosphere was very pleasant. I liked Richard's detailed analysis of each pose
presented in the course. It proved helpful to understand the importance of detail, to grow
not only in my personal practice, but also in becoming a competent yoga teacher.
—Yveta Suchomel, RN of Polson, Montana
I found the Teacher Training course to be comprehensive, informative, and very valuable
to my yoga career. I enjoyed the amount of time we spent on looking at how different people
do the poses and the various problems there were with each student.
—Shelly Myers of Naples, Florida
The Course II Teacher Training was very comprehensive and interesting. It fulfilled my
expectations and was the perfect complement to the first Teacher Training I took last year.
All of the major asanas were explained and demonstrated in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere
and you made sure that everyone understood what was being taught. I have to admit that what
impressed me the most, as it did last year, is the extensive use of so many props. I think
that I am a better teacher now because I have refined my teaching by holding the asanas
longer and paying more attention to the details. I have more confidence in my teaching skills
because my students tell me I get better and better.
—Anita Raynor of Homossassa, Florida
