An interview with Lance Schuler on INSPYA Yoga Teacher Training

INSPYA Yoga Director Lance Schuler

Born and bred Kiwi INSPYA yoga teacher Lance Schuler may make his home in Bryon Bay, but like most Kiwis, he’s always looking for an excuse to come back home.

Over the last three years, he’s been coming to Studio Sangha in Queenstown to hold workshops.

Now he’s found a way to spend an entire month here – hosting New Zealand’s first INSPYA Yoga teacher training this October.

And hey, who wouldn’t love to spend a month in Queenstown during spring time?

The Yoga Lunchbox fired off some questions to Lance to find out more about the training.

1. What inspired you to start offering Yoga Teacher Training here in New Zealand?

Our team has been inspired to offer this training as we believe the timing is right to introduce a more holistic programme of Yoga Teacher Training to the New Zealand yoga scene.

We have introduced our experiences and knowledge to NZ over the past 3 years and have found the appetite for our material both welcoming and well received.

Being a Kiwi myself, I’ve got the ability to establish an exceptionally close rapport with the New Zealand Yogi/yogini.

Pus the time is right, the student base is sufficient to warrant well trained instructors,and we love  the New Zealand  environment to conduct such a comprehensive  training.

2. Who developed the programme and what does it cover?

Our programme is unique, comprehensive and has been developed and refined over a ten year period by those specialists presenting the various topic materials.

Our prime intention of our training is to conduct a favourable learning environment of mutual trust ultimately creating a process of  positive transformation through the application and implementation of diversity. It includes the diverse experiences and knowledge of the presenters and  also the diverse nature of the “Yoga Tool Set”.

Our material is original, for example our written support material covers approximately 1000 pages and includes 2000 photographs outlining  Asana,Philosophy, Anatomy and Physiology,Pranayama and meditation – to name but a few of the topic areas covered.

Our programme comprises 200 contact hours, including a daily ritual practise of Hatha yoga, incorporating flowing, static and specialist asana  sequences. Pranayama and meditation is conducted also daily in the early hours.

The training is sequential, the initial focus on techniques of Asana and Pranayama and Meditation,with supportive theory of Anatomy, Breath and Bandha, adjustment skilling, postural methodology and class sequencing /formating.

This creates a strong basis of  integrity in the understanding. Philosophy and self enquiry provide the basis of the midway programme. Thereafter the prime focus is directed to the individual students” presentation skill set as a competent  instructor of Yoga.

The structure of our course is a strength, the content is comprehensive and the presentation expertise is second to none.

3. Who is the programme suitable for?

The  Training is suitable for those considering  to:

a) become a qualified teacher of yoga

b) make a change in their lives(not necessarily becoming a yoga teacher)

c) make a positive difference to someone elses life.

c) strengthen their personal practise and  enhance their understanding of Yoga .

This programme ideally is suited to those candidates who have completed at least 2 years of regular yoga training, or maybe less if the incumbent has a physically-oriented hobby or sporting pursuit.

4. What can students expect to get out of this teacher training?

Although we have no expectations from our students, we find this training provides them with a greater insight and understanding to themselves, and a higher sense of self-worth is cultivated as they experience the adoption of the Yoga-limbs and move into a sense of ‘the higher mind”.

A sound platform of  those techniques required to perform both effectively and efficiently as a yoga teacher is also developed in both a theoretical and practical way.

The students personal practice obviously is accelerated,  providing a foundation to deepen personal self-awareness and  create an experience which can be imparted to their future student base.

5. How does this training differ from other teacher training programmes available in NZ?

I am not sure how this teacher training differs from others offered in New Zealand, however this training is unique and original and has been refined and modified to cater for those aspiring to teach with a solid base of  confidence, knowledge and experience.

This training is currently the widest offered in the world, extending across China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Australia and now New Zealand. It’s unfolding into seven Teacher Training programmes in under 12 months this year. Experience obviously is our middle name.

6. What kind of qualification do students receive at the end of their training? Is the course Yoga Alliance registered?

Qualifications received from this Training are in two categories:

a)Statuatory Qualifications,comprising a Yoga Alliance Certification 200 Hour RYT and a Inspya 200 Graduate Certificate. (All teachers presenting on this training are  registered workplace training and assessment qualified).

b)Qualification of experience, positive outlook, personal growth, confidence, self enrichment, self awareness and the ability to plan, prepare and present a sound yoga class are also “on the cards”.

NAMASTE

Lance Schuler (Founder /Director Of Training INSPYA YOGA)

INSPYA Yoga Teacher Training, hosted by Studio Sangha in Queenstown

What: A month intensive Level 1 INSPYA yoga teacher training, 200 RYT
When: October 2nd – October 29th, 2011. Classes run 6am – 6pm Monday – Saturday.
Where: Queenstown Crown Plaza Hotel, hosted by Peggy Preston at Studio Sangha
Who: Teaching team includes Lance Schuler, Phil Lemke, Jean Campbell, Claire Priestley
Cost: $4200
Contact: Peggy @ Studio Sangha to book your place now with a $300 non-fundable deposit. Numbers are limited to 39 people.