Statement of Philosophy-
By Hallie McClave email: mcclave@sbcglobal.net

My purpose in teaching Ashtanga yoga is to bring my students into the present moment by allowing them to focus on the breath and integrate it with their movements. As well as gaining strength and flexibility through the asana practice, my students will gain awareness of their bodies and work towards quieting their minds. My intention in teaching yoga is to present my students with the tools to build a solid practice of
mind-body awareness both on and off their mats, as well as to encourage them to gain strength to take their practice to a deeper level.

Statement of Teaching Philosophy-
By Sydney Mannion email: skmgirlie@aol.com

Yoga has greatly impacted my life. It has transformed my body, mind, and soul. Through my practice I have gained flexibility, grace, strength, stamina, confidence, compassion, and a sense of purpose. I truly believe that yoga won’t change you, it will transform you. As a teacher, my purpose is to support students in creating a balance in their lives. Through the practice of yoga and my guidance, students will gain a deeper awareness and understanding of a mind, body, and spirit connection.
I believe that when I found yoga, I was given a gift. My purpose as a teacher is to share that gift with others. Yoga is an awakening of the mind, body, and soul. My life’s purpose is to learn to love and accept myself, and to teach others to learn to love and accept themselves through the healing practice of yoga. Yoga has taught me to have compassion for others and most importantly, compassion for myself.
As a teacher, I know I must also remain a student. I plan to practice yoga for the rest of my life. I am committed to this practice because I have experienced the benefits and rewards first hand. I want people to know that there is a way to find balance and inner peace, and that the practice of yoga can bring us to a place of self-love and acceptance, which I believe is the greatest gift of all.

Statement of teaching philosophy-
By Sharon Merchant email:henrymerchant42@yahoo.com

So, this is my statement of teaching philosophy! I’ve spent the last 28 days immersed in the world of Ashtanga yoga and so now I’m supposed to write my teaching philosophy before going out into the big wide world to spread the joy of yoga…
Wow..I’m not sure exactly how to go about that!
The last few days have been intense for me. I finally began to realize that it WAS possible for me to actually teach yoga! Although I had an initial interest in teaching, I didn’t believe that it was something I could achieve in the next year or so let alone in 28 days! My interest was mainly with learning Ashtanga and developing my own practice and yet there I was teaching yoga, having fun and felt completely comfortable and natural. All my apprehension and self-doubt vanished the second I began talking to my First student! To watch someone develop and experience the practice was awesome and I can only imagine the joy of watching someone develop both on and off the mat over weeks, months and years because of yoga!
I’ve been thinking about what I’ve learnt and it almost seems too much to comprehend. I’ve learnt so much about the mind, the body the breath, the bandha’s, drishti, myself, Ashtanga amongst many, many other things I probably don’t even realize I’ve learnt. The power of the rhythm of the breath when synchronized with movement is probably what has overwhelmed me the most and is what I will most want to emphasize in my practice and in my teaching.
So what kind of teacher do I want to be? I’m not sure? I want to be a strong teacher that people will feel comfortable with. I want to be the best teacher I am able to be, and for me right now, I feel the way for me to grow far is to build strong foundations. I want to practice e and grow, and practice and grow and then continue to practice and grow, so I can transmit the teachings of yoga to others the best way I can. I want other people to experience the wonders of yoga, to grow as people and gain the courage and awareness to maybe see things from another perspective.
I guess it is only natural to emphasize in your teaching practice things you enjoy in your own practice: For me, I love pranayama! The day I learnt to REALLY breathe was the most incredible day. I could not believe I had been on the planet for 16 years and never really breathed! Now, I love to breathe and I want everyone to know and experience the wonder that is the breath!
Mission1: I’d like to teach the world to breathe…(sing along!) In perfect harmony!
Mission 2: Encourage the destruction of the ego and loss of attachment.
Mission 3: To spread the word of yoga, peace and love!
I know the hippies have it down, but today it is not just hippies saying “Om” and looking for self-realization. People from all walks of life are coming to yoga looking for something even if they are not sure what. Just something more that what the modern world offers them: Birth-Education-Work-collect stuff eg. Cars, house. Money-be miserable and frustrated- pain/disease/death.
(maybe a little pessimistic!)
I’d like to have the internal power and knowledge to help these people with their spiritual travels and to personally develop into a person who other people will feel is a living example of the benefits of the Ashtanga system.
I’m not sure if this is what I was supposed to write, but I enjoyed writing it and it’s helped me to think on paper about what’s going on inside me. This has been an incredible, life-changing experience and if what Larry says about the training beginning now we have finished is true…Then I look to the future with my head held high and a smile on my face!
I’m not sure what I’m going to do now and I’m sure there will be pot-holes in my path but I’m looking forward to the Ashtanga highway!
I feel truly blessed and humbled by the Ashtanga system, this course, my fellow students and everyone at It’s Yoga who has guided and supported us.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you.
Namaste.

Purpose Statement
By Jenny Watson email: soccerbenny@yahoo.com

I decided to take this teacher training course because I love to do yoga, I love the way it makes me feel during and after. There are so many activities out there that people can choose to work out to, but more and more people are choosing to do yoga. They choose yoga because of the way it makes you feel. You work your body but you are also working your mind. By working your mind through the Asanas you give it a much needed distraction from everyday life. You feel peaceful and content at the end of each practice. That is something that a lot of us can’t get enough of. It is a hunger that you love to feed, and if you don’t, your body lets you know it, you miss it.
“Ashtanga is a science of sequencing poses using bandha’s, breath and movement.”
This lightly sums it up. Using our bandhas, breath and movement we work our body with fluency. We use these techniques to stay focused in our practice, forget about any projects or worries, mistakes or problems. For a time, we are content in our minds by moving with our breath, by being focused on our drishti.
This calming of the mind during the practice as well as after, is what drew me to yoga.
With all of the knowledge that I have attained in this teacher training combined with my continual and growing personal practice, I hope to bring this into other lives as well. That my inner teacher will always grow and develop as I strive to bring this fulfillment to others through the teaching of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.