Jaap is one of our new teachers at the TYC and has progressed from student to teacher.
Where ever possible the TYC prefers that future teachers for the centre come from within the centre and therefore have a strong understanding of the history and philosophy of the centre.
Yaap is a great example of this and his comments on becoming a teacher are below:
When I started Yoga about 14 years ago, in Paschimotasana the distance between my feet and hands was about 25 cm, not very flexible at all.
Now, I have been a member of the Tauranga Yoga Centre for more then 10 years. I still remember the first class I attended which was led by Tony ter Ellen. Funnily this is the same time slot as my own class is now, how things come around…….
I enjoy the stamina building of the standing asana’s, the openness backbends give, the pure focus and concentration of the balancing asana’s and the calmness of forward bends.
Yoga has been a wonderful inspiration for me and has enabled me to deal with the busy life and its stress, deal with injuries, maintain a strong and flexible body and explore spiritual and philosophical issues.
Teaching has been a long time dream, but now I finally have been able to re-prioritize my time to make it happen. I can’t express how grateful I am to Curly to help me through and give me this opportunity. Of course, I still have a lot to learn. Next year I will start the IYTA yoga teachers course and this will give me more depth and inside knowledge of the asana’s and thephilosophical background.
It is great to be part of such a wonderful team. Hopefully I can be an inspiration for others on their own yoga journey.
