Interview: Julia Cobban

This interview is the third in a series of interviews designed to help you if you want to know how to become a yoga instructor.

Julia is a very recent addition to the list of teachers I have enjoyed practicing with. She arrived to fill a vacancy at Cynthias school and I feel very grateful that she did. Having a new teacher is always a little worrying but I needn't have bothered. Her sunny disposition and happy music is a pleasure to practice with.

Why did you decide to take your (first) yoga teacher training course? Did you always know you would teach?

I fell in love with yoga from the moment I first stepped on my mat. A couple of years later I decided that I wanted my days to be filled with everything that yoga had to offer. I couldn't think of anything more wonderful so I booked my teacher training. After my training I was so excited to jump in, I quit my job so that I could focus all my time and energy on sharing everything I had just learned with my new students. At the time, I was a little naive and didn't take into consideration that it takes time to build up a student base, and to gain experience. Over the next couple of years, I only occasionally taught while I focused on other projects and furthered my own yoga practice. I always knew that yoga would be a big part of my life but during that time I wasn't sure in what capacity. One day something just switched and I knew that I was ready, and haven't looked back since!

What advice would you give to those choosing their course?

Do your research! If you don't know the school/teacher personally then word of mouth from people you know and trust is always the next best thing. Get feedback from others who have done their training with any of your perspective schools/teachers.

What’s the biggest / most important thing you learned during your yoga teacher training course?

Whether your training is a 3 or 4 week intensive or over 2-6 months, it's a lot of information to take in. I took so much from my course, but the most valuable things that I learned actually came from my experiences after my teacher training. The best advice I could give is to take it slow, and be patient with yourself. Be dedicated to gaining as much knowledge as you can to share with your students by being a student yourself, and dedicated to your own practice. Experience is the best teacher.

What advice would you give to someone teaching their first class?

Be yourself, first and foremost. Teach what you know and how you would like to be taught if you were in the class. Your students will know if you are being authentic, and they won't mind if there're a few hiccups. If something goes wrong try not to get nervous, just smile, laugh or make a joke, then move on. They most likely won't notice, and even if they do they won't mind, as long as you’re being real. You’re human, so are they, they will understand. Yoga is all about coming together and supporting each other.

Which is your favorite asana, which asana do you find challenging, and on which are you currently working?

Hmmm, that's like asking me to choose my favourite child! ;) At the moment handstands are my favourite (now that I can do them...). My classic favourite has always been pigeon pose, from the chill folding forward variation all the way to the full pose - eka pada rajakapotasana. I am currently working on handstand press, which is floating your feet up to handstand instead of hopping. It's really difficult, but I'll get there one day!

Qualifications

200 hr YTT with Jacqueline Heisel at Frog Lotus Yoga in 2009

Prenatal YTT with Theresa Campbell at Semperviva Yoga Vancouver 2010

Find and Practice with Julia

Julia teaches at Ocean Sound Yoga in Koh Tao, Thailand.

She also has a program of retreats.

You can also visit her website.

See some more great photos on Instagram.

Follow her on Facebook.

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If you would like to be interviewed - get intouch - info@myyogateachertrainingcourse.com

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