In 2008, we sent a survey to Australian yoga teachers to find out about the kind of training they were undertaking, the areas of yoga they were interested in and how they were using their teaching skills. Here's what they told us about their training and teaching.

Training

41% had undergone 200hrs of teacher training

18% had trained for up to 400hrs

38% had trained for 400 hrs or more

Interests

We asked teachers what aspects of yoga they’d like to study further. They said:

Pranayama: 72%

Meditation: 72%

Yoga therapy: 64%

Asana: 59%

Ayurveda: 59%

Philosophy: 59%

Yogic anatomy: 51%

Pre/post natal: 49%

Yoga cleansing techniques: 43%

Yoga for kids/teens: 36%

Chanting: 35%

Ongoing training

45% of teachers had a mentor

55% had no mentor

Teaching

77% were currently teaching

50% of those were teaching 3 classes or less per week

23% were teaching 4-5 classes per week

24% were teaching 5-10 classes per week

3% were teaching more than 10 classes per week

52% wanted to take on more classes

12% wanted to teach full time

Where they were teaching

Dedicated yoga centre: 65%

Hospital: 3%

Schools: 7%

Gym/Health club: 27%

Community centre/local hall: 31%

Outdoor venue: 3%

Private homes: 34%

Corporate offices: 27%

How many classes they taught per week

3 or less: 50%

3-5 classes: 23%

5-10 classes: 23%

10-15 classes: 3%

More than 15: 0%

Were they looking to take on more or fewer classes in the year ahead?

More classes: 52%

Less classes: 4%

Stay the same: 32%

We thought it would be interesting to see what yoga teachers were up to in 2012. We've created a new survey, with many of the same questions, plus a few more that will give us a wider picture of what it's like to be a yoga teacher in 2012. If you're a teacher, please take the 2012 survey here. We'll post the results in March.

What a weekend! 15 of us arrived at the beautiful Billabong Retreat in Maraylaya and settled in for a weekend of yoga, delicious food (home-made chocolate spread – this wasn’t a mung beans & salad retreat!) and fantastic company. 

We used our yoga practice to help us set some very special goals for 2012. Too often, we make new years resolutions that never materialize. At the Fresh Start retreat, we learned that aligning our goals with our deepest values makes those goals achievable and, just as importantly, brings us happiness along the way.

Deep yogic relaxations, visualizations and meditations helped us discover the things that matter most in our lives, while the workshops concentrated on setting realistic goals that are intimately linked with the values, people and activities that are most important to us.

It was an exciting, challenging and rewarding process that presented fresh opportunities for all of us, as well as helping to create new friendships in a warm and supportive environment. 

I want to thank all the participants for their wholehearted enthusiasm, effort and support. It was a wonderful weekend and I feel privileged to have spent this special time with you. 

We had such a great time that we decided to hold a ‘reunion’ class at Adore Yoga in February to catch up, do yoga and check out how we’re all going with our goals. I can’t wait to see everybody again!

(BTW;  I’ll share the photo’s as soon as I get my phone back – I was so relaxed I left it at the retreat!)

Join us for our next retreat - The Bali Paradise Retreat, 22-29 June 2012

1. I don't have time

2. My mind is too busy

3. There's always something more important that needs doing

4. I have two very active kids

5. It's uncomfortable sitting still for too long

6. It makes me frustrated when I keep getting distracted

7. I need the extra twenty minutes sleep more than I need to get up and meditate 

Why I DO meditate

1. Meditation creates more time. The presence of mind it brings puts a stop to the feeling that everything is spinning out of control.

2. Even on the days when it's hard to concentrate, I feel a whole lot calmer  after a few minutes focusing on my breath.

3. When I feel there's always something more important to do, I refer to point 1

4. My kids need me to meditate. They don't need a hyped up stress monkey shouting at them.

5. Sitting in meditation reminds me that it's ok to feel uncomfortable sometimes. Life isn't always cosy. It teaches me to breath easy through the rough as well as the smooth.

6. It teaches me to observe strong destructive emotions and embrace them in a way that takes away the sting.

7. Without meditation, I can become tired and overwhelmed. A short daily practice helps me manage my energy levels.

Do you have a lot of reasons why you don't meditate? Try making a list of why you should try it, then come and discover why more and more people are enjoying the huge benefits of this easy to learn practice. 

Two spots left for the Try Meditation 3wk Mini Course, 8pm Wednesday's starting 11 Jan. Book now

5 week courses starting 30 January

Tues 7.30pm with Lucy (Samadhi Room) Book now

Wed 8pm with Maurice (Samadhi Room) Book now

Thurs 9.15am with Lucy (Avenue Road) Book now

I'm always surprised how many women who've never tried yoga become devoted students as soon as they fall pregnant! Well, a mother’s instinct is usually right and thousands of women every year enjoy the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of practicing yoga during this very special time in their lives.

Yoga was an invaluable support during my two pregnancies and births. As well as keeping me free from the pregnancy niggles such as back pain, reflux and swollen ankles, it helped me to prepare mentally for what was to be the biggest adventure of my life!

Importantly, the relaxation and breathing in yoga taught me how to let go. Giving birth and caring for young babies is as much about ‘letting go’ as anything else. Letting go of preconceptions, of old ways of thinking and letting go of the fears and anxieties that all women experience as we make the transition to motherhood.

I would love to see every woman enjoy the benefits of yoga during this magical time of their lives. It helps them to reconnect with their own bodies as well as with their babies. It prepares them for the physical rigours of birth and early motherhood. It connects them with other women going through the same wonderful, challenging and miraculous experiences.

At Adore Yoga, we are offering 4 new prenatal classes in 2012 to help women enjoy optimal welllbeing throughout their pregnancies:

Prenatal classes in Term 1 2012 (27 Jan - 5 April)

Monday 6.30pm (Samadhi Room with Kristyn) Book now

Tuesday 6.30pm (Samadhi Room with Nicki)  Book now

Tuesday 10.30am (Military Rd with Sarah) Book now

Saturday 8.45am (Samadhi Room with Brooke)  Book now

Saturday 10.45am (Avenue Rd with Brooke) Book now

All of our classes are taught by experienced and compassionate prenatal specialists who love teaching this highly specialised yoga style. We’re looking forward to meeting new mums and their babies during the year ahead!