Long-time Yoga Teacher, Mark Whitwell on the Teacher-Student Relationship:

“In the entire great tradition of human wisdom the universal method is the mutual affection between two real people, the teacher-student relationship. This is not a relationship of authority over another, it is not a parent child relationship. It is one of utter mutuality. The teacher is no more than a friend and no less than friend. In this friendship real bhakti arises, not manufactured feelings for an authority or public persona, trying to get somewhere, trying to get something that seems absent most of the time. The teacher has no interest but to empower the student, to give the tools that allows the student to stand in his or her own power. When this happens true devotion, very real life long gratitude arises between two people who are obviously standing in the same garden! the same reality.”

Offering myself as a yoga mentor has become a natural progression through over 3 decades of teaching yoga and training yoga teachers. It is an opportunity to foster the relationship between teacher and student as well as to share ways to support a Yoga practitioner to follow their own Svadharma in relationship to their yogic journey (See “Follow Your Bliss” : http://shastayogainstitute.com/blog/).

Honoring Yoga’s sacred teachings and the shared wisdom between teacher and student offers an in-depth support professionally, personally and spiritually for the student to integrate Yoga into daily living. Below is a glimpse into the mentorship content although each pathway is unique to the teacher-student relationship and experience.
For those on a Teachers Path, mentorship can facilitate the next level of confidence, understanding and skill refinement for teaching. On a Life-Long Learners Path, mentorship is an opportunity to receive the teachings directly from teacher to student, to deepen Yogic knowledge and personal as well as spiritual refinement.

I look forward to exploring with you! –Amy

~Teachers Path (TP)
This path is a specialized one-on-one mentoring program designed for 200-hour or 500-hour YTT graduates. It is an opportunity for teachers or teachers in training to expand their skills while deepening their knowledge of the practice. This mentorship is specifically designed to support educational development and personal interests.
Based on interests topics may include:
Class sequencing, alignment for different body types, hands-on assisting, appropriate cueing, crafting special series and/or workshops, and finding one’s voice.

~Life-Long Learners Path (LLLP)
This is a specialized one-on-one mentorship pathway designed for dedicated and experienced yoga students looking for an in-depth study of personal development and refinement.
Based on needs topics may include:
Personal practice development including posture, breathing and meditation, healthy life style choices, and opening the heart for peace of mind and healthy relationships.
For more information and what each pathway includes go to: http://shastayogainstitute.com/amycooper/mentorship-pathways/