For a while now Ive known that offering training and support to other teachers was a leap I wanted and needed to take - and when I finally plucked up the courage to ask David Michel if I could come and talk to his teachers training group about Mental Heath awareness, I was met with a simply beautiful "Come and do your thing lady"
In the clear light of day, I know that my training and experience of working with people struggling with mental health has now spanned over 6 years and am committed to keeping that going. But of course, when I arrived at the night before, I totally over prepared, I stayed up late writing and rewriting my talk ... I had the standard imposter syndrome creeping in and was sure in that instant that I had signed up for way more than I could deliver.
But, then I arrived at Union Yoga in Margate last Saturday met by some vibrant, curious, keen and pretty nervous students (their end of course assessments were looming)... our 2 hours together flew by and I felt a strong sense that I was exactly where I should be, offering something of great value - mental health awareness in yoga. We explored supporting students, boundaries, what our role is and isn't, ethics, compassion and caring for ourselves as teachers. It evoked tears, juicy, frank discussion, and some serious motivation for further study... but we literally touched the surface of a vast and important subject.
I feel really strongly that in talking about mental health more openly we can all begin to find and more readily receive the support we need. As a society, we must begin deepening our knowledge of what mental health & illness is, to practice greater compassion & patience in all areas of our life, and begin to normalise the subject, so that when we or someone we love is struggling, we don't isolate ourselves, we say without worry of being judged "You know what, I need some help now"
As part of the Stress & Anxiety course I lead throughout the year, I encourage the group to stay in touch after the course is over through a private Facebook Group, where we share practices, experience, support, sign post local services ... its a small community, but one that I really hope will continue to grow
Carlton Avenue
Broadstairs, England, CT10 1AQ
07446 962 576
Trauma-informed Somatic Healing Therapist & Integrative Coach
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