Interview: Ina Plesca

ayeshacantrell
Jan 4, 2015
5 min read

Inas interview is a little different to the others in this series because she is not yet a yoga teacher. What can she tell you about how to become a yoga teacher you might ask? Ina was the kick ass kickboxing instructor that I mentioned on my first post and I learnt a lot from her. Aside from throwing punches and kicking I noticed her dedication to teaching, her preparedness was in stark contrast to other fitness instructors I had trained with. In this respect, I thought she would have advice to share. She too is taking her yoga teacher training course very soon and as someone who has recently run the gauntlet of choosing her own course, again I thought that this experience would be valuable. I hope to include more from her too as she completes her course ... (Ina..?)

Why did you decide to take your yoga teacher training course? Do you think you will teach?

I decided to go for the yoga teacher training course for a number of reasons. I have always been an active child and I always needed to find new ways of keeping busy. When I was about 12, I had a dream board, alongside many other dreams there was this picture cutout from one of my mum's magazines, of a yoga pose. I didn’t know why I had it and I didn’t know what it meant, but for some reason it had to be on my dream board. I couldn’t explain it at the time. I didn’t know what yoga was, but for some strange reason I kept being drawn to it. Now, I think I understand the reason behind it, I was a spiritual child that knew nothing about spirituality. It was within me, but I didn’t understand it until I grew up and I started looking deeper and deeper into to the meaning of spirituality.

Another reason I'd like to do a teacher training course is so I can add this to the other fitness qualifications I already have. I am a qualified Personal Trainer & Kickboxing Instructor. Yoga is becoming more and more popular and is in high demand worldwide. Besides learning it for my own practice, I'd also like to think I'll be teaching yoga wherever I go.

I have to get involved in different activities, it’s the only thing that keeps me going & keeps me motivated.

Where are you taking your course? Why did you choose that one?

I am doing my course in Rishikesh with Vinyasa Yoga School. It’s been very tough choosing the right school. The search engines are bursting at the seams with Yoga Teacher Trainings, from the very cheapest at £700 for the course and accommodation up to £2000.

I knew nothing about India or yoga courses so I had to start some reseach. I got a few ideas by my yoga friends. In the end, I chose my course after someone recommended it.

Their groups are small so it will be more personal and their schedule more to my liking. I didn’t want a very strict, full on tough schedule which has you up at 5.30am I’d like to take my time and enjoy the ride. At the end of the day, you are paying a lot of money and spending a lot of your time to be there. Go for something that makes you feel good. Trust your intuition.

I did look taking my course in Bali but courses outside of India are significantly more expensive. Yoga originates from India, so I think I'd like to go the heart of it. However, if you have the cash and theres a great course running in a location you want to go to, then why not?

What advice would you give to those choosing their course?

I was genuinely stressed when I was trying to find a yoga school. When choosing a course, I would always say to take your time. Think about the options. Make a list of you favourites and narrow them down. You will be spending a whole month there, so make sure you like them. Ask around for recommendations because like anything, theres good and bad. Join yoga forums, see what people are recommending.

While you have not yet taught a yoga class you have taught many other fitness classes, what advice could you give someone teaching their first ever class?

Teaching your very first class can be very daunting. You have all the eyes set on you. Everything that comes out of your mouth has to make sense. When I was new to teaching I was nervous and my voice used to shake but then I asked myself, what's the worst that can happen?

I know it will be a new challenge teaching yoga classes as its not my area of expertise. I teach more dynamic, heavy music based classes and can get away with a bit of shouting and encouraging. Yoga is the complete opposite. I would say, for the very first few classes, make a few notes on how the class will flow. Nothing’s wrong with being prepared for your class. I used always to plan my kickboxing classes & have a pad with me, purely because I wanted to make sure I cover all the areas. So the same will apply to yoga I guess. Take a few notes, keep them next to you and don’t be afraid to look at them.

Look confident, your students don’t know how you feel. Don’t assume someone doesn’t like your class, just because they are not smiling, maybe they are trying very hard to concentrate!

I read about a lady giving a speech in which she was attempting to be funny. Most people laughed by one lady was frowning throughout. She assumed the lady was not enjoying her speech. Upon speaking to her later, she found out how excited she had been to be there but that her husband was seriously ill in hospital. She had left him briefly to come to her speech as she loved her so much.

Don’t draw a picture in your head just because you think that’s how it is. Most of the time its not true. Our minds are good at dramatising every situation.

Simply go and teach what you have learned, with time your skill will become priceless.

Which is your favourite asana? Which is the one you find challenging or are currently working on?

I think my favourite asana is the shoulder stand. I find it very relaxing. I used to do it when I was little, without knowing that it was actually yoga. I need to work a lot on my balancing asanas but equally I don’t pressure myself. We need to understand that yoga, unlike all the other activities, is something you shouldn’t push upon yourself. I have learned through other sports that I have to push through pain, through tears and sweat. Yoga is all about your body and mind. It's all about where your body can take you that day. One day I can walk in the class and do headstands, and any balance asana while other times I will barely be able to hold the warrior pose for more than 5 seconds. Our bodies and minds are different on a daily basis. We cannot force them to behave a certain way, yoga is the only activity that helps you accept this. Don’t push beyond your abilities. Take it easy on yourself & let it happen naturally. It's a spiritual journey, not just any other sport.

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