This Is Real School. It's a Future University in Yoga and Sport

Originally published 2016 · Written by Trainee Yoga Sports Coach™ Karla Oblak

The Yoga Sports Science® programme to become a Yoga Sports Coach™ is an amazing journey within the fields of yoga and sport. Two separate but integrated concepts, they bring together everything I have been looking for, and the decision to enrol in the programme was absolutely the best possible choice for me.

The journey began even before I enrolled.

When I first met YSS Founder Hayley Winter at the enrolment interview, I knew it was the right thing to do. She answered all my questions about the programme, went through the whole course outline in detail and told me that the journey to becoming a Yoga Sports Coach™ required commitment and dedication, but that it would be very rewarding.

When I heard about the knowledge I would gain, my inner wish to become a Yoga Sports Coach™ said yes!

I Didn't Know What to Expect

As this was my first online training course, I did not know what to expect.

I can say that this is like going to real school.

I receive all the materials, watch the videos, listen to the webinars and, even more importantly, I can ask questions of my tutor and my fellow students. I am encouraged to be curious and interactive.

Training online gives me the opportunity to arrange my schedule and fit my studies around my everyday work and training.

Although it is important to be aware that 'sleeping' is not allowed!

The programme requires commitment and work. This is something I appreciate even more. It is not a 'pay and get a diploma' training course. It requires a high level of engagement at all levels, including theory, practice and the integration of both.

Teaching Yoga Has Become Easier for Me

The quality of teaching is excellent. The topics are covered comprehensively and in detail.

The units are presented systematically, so I can comfortably progress from easier topics to more complex ones. If I have a problem with some of the content, I write an email to my tutor and he helps me resolve it. I can also speak to him on Skype and have a one-to-one conversation.

I study for about 10 hours per week. When I find some of the content more difficult, I take more time to learn and understand it.

I study with joy and enthusiasm, probably because the knowledge is delivered in the right way.

From day one of the course, I started to apply what I was learning.

I started to observe the posture of people around me and the way they move, and to think about how I could apply the techniques I had learnt.

Sometimes I draw on the anatomical knowledge I gain from the course and visualise the muscles of my clients.

Teaching has become easier for me.

I Love Belonging to a Global Yoga Community

Before enrolling, I was concerned about the course fee, but now I know I made an investment that I believe will bring benefits to both me and my students in many ways.

Even though I have not met my peers and tutors personally, I love belonging to a global yoga community.

We communicate in forums and during webinars. We learn about the latest developments in yoga and sport, which feels really cutting edge.

I meet my tutor regularly in face-to-face online meetings. We share our thoughts and experiences, and we feel connected.

It is easy to communicate. I can post on the forum and receive feedback. My peers also understand what I am experiencing because they are on the same path through this programme. We help and support each other.

I am happy to be part of this community that brings together yoga and sport. This is something I have wanted to do since I started practising yoga and became involved in sport as both an athlete and a coach.

Yoga Has Always Been Part of My Life

Yoga came into my life very naturally. My dad took me to a yoga class when I was five, and since then it has been an integral part of my life.

I played basketball during high school and, when I finished, I felt a little empty, so yoga kept me going.

During my university studies, when I was studying a lot, yoga was a great way of relieving stress. It also helped me learn how to focus and stay present in the moment.