Graduate Stories: What they Did Next

Dear Community,

We're delighted to bring you the first in a series of Graduate Stories, told by the graduates of our Yoga Teacher Training Diploma, Yoga Therapy Diploma and Specialist Trainings.

In this edition of Graduate Stories, we hear from Hilary on her experience of the Empowering Children Through Yoga & Creativity Training with Ayala Homossany. Read on to find out how the training equipped Hilary with valuable knowledge and skills within a specialised area; whilst also opening up new opportunities for diversifying her business as a yoga teacher.

"I graduated from the Empowering Children through Yoga and Creativity (ECYC) training in 2020 just before the pandemic hit. Since then I have created Bear Foot Yogis to share yoga and creativity with children.

I learnt so much from Ayala on the course; she is an amazing teacher who is so knowledgeable and has clearly poured her heart into developing this training. The guest teachers were generous with their expertise too, sharing their experience with warmth and openness. Amongst what we learnt was how to share yoga with children from the age of 2 to 12, ways to simplify or extend yoga practices with children in different settings, how to bring arts and crafts into the practice in a mindful way and much more.

One of the most powerful learnings the course offered me was an insight into how to take care of myself, and introduce more self compassion into my life and my children's lives.

Ayala has continued to mentor and guide us with online sessions to bring us together, even through the uncertain days of lockdown and life after. It is a great support to gather online with fellow grads, feel part of a community and continue learning from one another.

After graduating from ECYC and when lockdown hit, I found myself with the time to tap into my creativity. Because I had a young child learning phonics and also enjoying yoga; I felt inspired to create a concept and flashcards called 'Yoga Phonics!', which I developed into a tool use in sharing yoga with children in various settings.

My plan is to continue on my path of sharing yoga and creativity with children, with other yoga teachers and parents, and in nurseries and primary schools. As part of this, this, I continue to sell the cards and share ways to incorporate phonics into a whole yoga session; breath work, poses, games, music and movement and relaxation!

My experience on the training and the skills I learnt have had such a positive impact in both my personal and professional life. My takeaway memory from the course would be of Ayala's warmth and compassion, in this way she makes every student feel valued, so that they can learn how to offer this to others in return. For me, this is the ideal way to teach and learn anything to do with yoga."

Hilary xx

www.bearfootyogis.com

@bearfootyogis 🐻🐾🧘‍♂

"Children are born creative, with an inherent curiosity and endless imagination. As adults, it is our responsibility to nourish these natural traits in children. Because being creative allows our little ones to find solutions to everyday issues, to be able to see two sides of the coin, take risks, and face fears." Ayala Homossany

Empowering Children through Yoga and Creativity (ECYC) is a 6-day, comprehensive registered and accredited children’s yoga teacher training (+50 hours) that will equip students with the knowledge and tools needed to share the magic of yoga with children aged 2-12; empowering them by stimulating their creativity and curiosity, supporting their well-being, and acknowledging their inner beauty. This is not about ‘teaching’ yoga, but ‘sharing’ yoga with children in an inclusive way, based on progressive and experiential methods that help bring out the best in them. The course syllabus is regularly updated and new topics include the psychological impact of the pandemic on children, and related practices that children, teachers and parents will benefit from now.

Post course mentorship & support: Post course benefits include invitation to the ECYC Sangha, with free monthly zoom gatherings for all ECYC graduates. Ayala continues to share practices which can benefit grads in their lives and work with children. This might be a full yoga and meditation class; and sometimes a combination of enrichment topics and conversations, where Ayala will help answer questions that come up for grads.

Upon successful completion of all elements of the course you will receive a certificate of completion from Enchanted Wonders and Yogacampus which enables you to share yoga and mindfulness to children aged 2-12.

The course is accredited with Yoga Alliance Professionals enabling you to register as a professional with them.

ECYC takes place on two weekends: Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May (Live Online) and Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June (In Person). Learn more about the training here.