The significance of continuous professional development.

By Jacqueline Annabelle Purnell

The journey beyond teacher training

A

fter a teacher training that

has taken us to new heights

in our practice, opening the

doors to new opportunities to

share this knowledge with our

students, what next?

We have studied hard, practiced teaching

and now the ‘learner plates’ are off!

Qualifying as a yoga teacher we begin

to work with our students and we feel

the responsibility involved as we share

the benefits of regular practice. This is

where our personal expansion begins:

our evolution to continually improve our

offerings to our students really starts here

(right here, right now).

We are at a high vantage point after

teacher training feeling primed and

confident to teach. In each class we

teach we find we are managing countless

unexpected situations, and our willingness

to learn is our ally.

Continuing education, in-service

training or continuous professional

development (CPD) is taught at a level

to inspire us as teachers to continually

improve our skill set: Keeping us up-to-

date with scientific research and the latest

teaching methodologies.

Nourishing our ability to enhance our

teaching. Deepening our knowledge by

working closely with the most experienced

teachers and experts in their fields.

Depending on the standards set by our

accreditation bodies, we are required to log

and upload our certificates of attendance

of our continuing education as presented

by our continuing education provider.

The lists of areas covered are exciting,

and the key is the level at which the

continuing education is provided. It is not

enough to go to a workshop aimed at a

general level. Once we become a qualified

teacher we require dedicated professional

continuing education.

Svadhyaya/Self Development

Chapter 2 verse 32 The Yoga Sutras

of Patanjali

Looking at the ancient texts the priority

to establish correct attitudes and to

develop our potential works well with our

development of our teaching life. The way

to ensure we are the teachers our students

want to study with is by the rectification of

errors and actions within our teaching that

cause problems.

To avoid becoming stagnant, stale or

mechanical in our teaching we are constantly

required to study and honour the necessity to

review and evaluate our progress.

Neuroplasticity

and learning

The good news is that recent research has

shown the brain’s ability to reconfigure

nerve pathways. We now know that

the brain continuously changes the

interconnections forming its pathways. By

our adherence to the concept of ‘life-long

learning’ we not only deepen and refresh

our knowledge and understanding about

our profession of teaching. In effect we

are increasing our neuroplasticity, helping

our nervous system and ultimately the

nervous systems and neuroplasticity of our

students. A win, win situation for all.

We not only find new ways to examine

attitudes that promote wellbeing, we also

optimise our musculoskeletal health by

enhanced physical practice.

As we look to work with our students

on a kinaesthetic or feeling level (as felt

through nerve endings) we cannot be

surprised if they, in turn, feel touched and

invigorated by our increased proficiency. A

proficiency that is earned by adhering to

continual education.

Vitarkabadhane pratipaksabhavanam/

Self-reflection

Chapter 2 verse 33 The Yoga Sutras

of Patanjali

Continuing education encourages us to

evaluate our communication and our

presentation. Discarding unnecessary

teaching and keeping it real. Evaluation

is of great importance for growth and

development.

Networking and reunions

Another benefit in attending continuing

education is the networking element and

the new connections we make. The lifelong

friends we make at our teacher trainings

may also want to join us in our new quest

and thirst for knowledge.

Jacqueline Annabelle Purnell, founder

and director of Yogashala Ibiza

(yogateachertrainingibiza.com) and Yoga

Alliance Continuing Education Provider