Tales from Teacher Training
Thinking about teacher training? We asked students and tutors to reflect on their journeys. By Michelle Cooke
Reading time: 2 minutes
Teacher training isn’t for the faint-hearted. It asks for time, commitment, curiosity and a willingness to grow. But for those who take the step, it can be one of the most transformative and life-affirming experiences they’ll ever have.
Here, two recent graduates from Yoga Scotland — Joyce Dalgleish and Nacho Vinuela — reflect on how the training has shaped their yoga and their lives. Judy Cameron, one of the UK’s most experienced yoga tutors and Yoga Scotland’s lead trainer, offers insight from the tutor’s side
How has the training influenced your yoga today?
Joyce: The biggest impact has actually been on my corporate life. I now bring trauma-informed approaches and yoga philosophy into how I solve business challenges. It’s reshaped not just my practice and teaching, but how I lead and live.
Nacho: Teacher training completely transformed my yoga. I’m no longer ‘pose obsessed’—I’m focused on awareness and the journey through practice. That’s what I now try to share with my students.
How has the training influenced your yoga today?
Joyce: The biggest impact has actually been on my corporate life. I now bring trauma-informed approaches and yoga philosophy into how I solve business challenges. It’s reshaped not just my practice and teaching, but how I lead and live.
Nacho: Teacher training completely transformed my yoga. I’m no longer ‘pose obsessed’—I’m focused on awareness and the journey through practice. That’s what I now try to share with my students.
From the tutor’s perspective: what common concerns do students bring?
Judy: People often ask: Am I too old? I can’t do headstand! I have a chronic health issue. What if I don’t want to teach? I’m nervous about the essays. These are all genuine concerns and ones we hear often. The reassuring answer? You’re not alone, and we support students through all of it. You’re never too old. In fact, life experience can bring a unique depth to the learning journey. Yoga isn’t about physical achievement, it’s about developing self-awareness, presence and compassion. Students with health challenges are supported through ongoing dialogue, regular check-ins and a built-in mentoring programme. Many participants don’t plan to teach, some are simply drawn to explore yoga more fully. And while there is written work, it’s mostly reflective journaling, short-form answers, class planning and practical teaching, not long academic essays.
The Yoga Scotland Teacher Training Diploma is more than a qualification. It’s a journey into becoming, personally and professionally. Held within a thoughtful, supportive community, it’s a chance to explore, connect, and grow. If you feel the spark of curiosity, trust it. As our graduates and tutors have experienced, this journey is one of deep personal growth, and it might just be the beginning of something extraordinary.
Yoga Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity, non profit organisation and the Governing Body for yoga in Scotland. yogascotland.org.uk
‘This journey is one of deep personal growth, and it might just be the beginning of something extraordinary…
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